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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
| Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): |
September 18, 2026 |
VerifyMe, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Nevada |
001-39332 |
23-3023677 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| |
|
|
| 801 International Parkway, Fifth Floor, Lake Mary, Florida |
32746 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
| |
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| Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: |
(585) 736-9400 |
| |
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|
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|
|
_____________________
(Former name or former address, if changed since
last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K
filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| x | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class |
|
Trading
Symbol(s) |
|
Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share |
|
VRME |
|
The Nasdaq Capital Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
| |
Emerging growth company ¨ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check
mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On September 18, 2026, VerifyMe, Inc. (the “Company”)
issued a press release announcing that the Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $0.15 per share (the “Dividend”),
to be distributed pro-rata per share of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”)
to (i) holders of Common Stock, and (ii) holders of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, on an as-converted
basis. Payment of the Dividend is conditioned upon the closing of the previously announced proposed merger with Open World Ltd., pursuant
to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended, which remains subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders and other closing
conditions.
Subject to closing of the merger, the Company
expects the Dividend will be payable on October 2, 2026 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 29, 2026.
A copy of the press release is attached hereto
as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report. The information under Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) is
intended to be furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated
by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific
reference in such filing.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
| 99.1 |
|
VerifyMe, Inc. Press Release dated September 18, 2026. |
| 104 |
|
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| |
VerifyMe, Inc. |
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| Date: September 18, 2026 |
By: |
/s/ Adam Stedham |
| |
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Adam Stedham |
| |
|
Chief Executive Officer and President |
Exhibit 99.1
VerifyMe Declares Special Dividend
Lake Mary, FL – September 18, 2026 –
(BUSINESS WIRE) — VerifyMe, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRME) (“VerifyMe”), a provider
of authentication and precision logistics technologies today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized and declared a special
cash dividend of $0.15 per share (the “Dividend”), to be distributed pro-rata per share of the Company’s common stock,
$0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) to (i) holders of Common Stock, and (ii) holders of the Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, on an as-converted basis. Payment of the Dividend is conditioned upon the closing of the
previously announced proposed merger with Open World Ltd., pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended (the “merger
agreement”) which remains subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders and other closing conditions.
Subject to closing of the merger, the Company
expects the Dividend will be payable on October 2, 2026 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 29, 2026.
Shareholder Vote
VerifyMe encourages shareholders of record to review the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
and Registration Statement on Form S-4/A declared effective on August 12, 2026 (the “Registration Statement”), for complete
information regarding the merger and the proposals being considered at the Annual Meeting and to submit their votes as soon as possible
so they can be counted ahead of the September 24 meeting.
About OpenWorld
OpenWorld is a technology-powered digital assets and blockchain innovation
company that co-architects and takes principal positions in enterprise blockchain initiatives alongside sovereign governments, institutional
partners, and major enterprises. Since its founding in 2023, OpenWorld has advised on projects representing over $66 billion in aggregate
network value and supported more than 20 companies backed by leading global venture firms, including a16z, Multicoin Capital, Dragonfly,
and Founders Fund. OpenWorld’s capabilities span real-world asset tokenization, stablecoin infrastructure, capital markets advisory,
governance structuring, and public markets strategy, with active engagements across the Gulf, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. To
learn more, visit openworld.dev
About VerifyMe, Inc.
VerifyMe provides specialized logistics for time and temperature-sensitive
products, as well as brand protection and enhancement solutions. To learn more, visit https://www.verifyme.com
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation
of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or
sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified
by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “potential,” “could,”
“may,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “upon,” “would,” and other words
of similar meaning. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the proposed Dividend and proposed
business combination between OpenWorld and VerifyMe, the anticipated timing, structure and benefits thereof, including the timing of closing
after the Annual Meeting; the name and trading symbol of the combined company following closing of the proposed merger; the anticipated
benefits thereof and whether any such anticipated benefits will be achieved; and the anticipated listing of the combined company on Nasdaq.
Each forward-looking statement contained in this press release is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statement. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances
of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements
relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and
many of which are outside of our control. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking
statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results
and outcomes to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (1) the
occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement or could otherwise
cause the transaction to fail to close, including the failure to obtain stockholder approval necessary to complete the merger; (2) the
institution or outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against VerifyMe or OpenWorld following the announcement of the
merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (3) the inability of the parties to complete the proposed business combination,
including due to failure to obtain approval of the securityholders of VerifyMe, certain regulatory approvals, or satisfy other conditions
to closing in the merger agreement; (4) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result
of the time it diverts from management and the consummation of the proposed business combination; (5) the ability to recognize the anticipated
benefits of the proposed business combination; (6) the risk that tokenized securities may face increased regulatory scrutiny and may not
be broadly accepted by the market; (7) costs related to the proposed business combination; (8) changes in applicable laws or regulations;
and (9) the risks and uncertainties identified under VerifyMe’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other information VerifyMe
has or may file with the SEC from time to time.
VerifyMe cautions investors not to place considerable reliance on the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release. You are encouraged to read VerifyMe’s filings with the SEC, available
at www.sec.gov, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date
of this document, and VerifyMe undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of these statements except as required by applicable law.
VerifyMe’s business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including those referenced above. Investors, potential investors,
and others should consider these risks and uncertainties. VerifyMe does not give any assurance that VerifyMe or OpenWorld will achieve
its expectations by the transactions contemplated in the merger agreement or otherwise.
Important Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, VerifyMe filed the Registration
Statement to register the shares of VerifyMe common stock to be issued in connection with the proposed merger. The Registration Statement
includes a proxy statement/prospectus and was declared effective by the SEC on August 12, 2026. VerifyMe has mailed the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
filed with the SEC on August 14, 2026, to VerifyMe stockholders seeking their approval of the proposals set forth therein at the Annual
Meeting. The merger agreement and the agreements and forms of agreements described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and Registration
Statement should not be read alone but should instead be read in conjunction with the other information regarding the merger agreement,
VerifyMe, OpenWorld, and their respective affiliates and respective businesses, that are contained in, or incorporated by reference into,
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and Registration Statement as well as in the Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q and other filings that VerifyMe makes
with the SEC. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF VERIFYME ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE RELATED PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS,
AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH
THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT
VERIFYME, OPENWORLD, THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS.
Investors and stockholders of VerifyMe can obtain free copies of the
Registration Statement, Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and other documents filed by VerifyMe with the SEC (when they become available) through
the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, VerifyMe stockholders of record may obtain at no cost, upon written request,
a copy of VerifyMe’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 (without exhibits), as filed with the
SEC, with exhibits thereto being made available, upon written request and payment to VerifyMe of the reasonable costs of reproduction
and mailing, if any, by contacting VerifyMe by mail at VerifyMe, Inc., 801 International Parkway, Fifth Floor, Lake Mary, Florida 32746,
Attention: Corporate Secretary. Investors and stockholders of VerifyMe are urged to read the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement/Prospectus,
and the other relevant materials when they become available and before making any investment decision with respect to the proposed merger.
Participants in the Solicitation
VerifyMe and certain of its directors and executive officers may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from VerifyMe stockholders with respect to the Annual Meeting and the proposed
merger transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about VerifyMe directors and executive officers and their ownership of VerifyMe
securities is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as other information VerifyMe has or may file with the SEC from time
to time. Additional information regarding the identity of participants in the solicitation of proxies, and a description of their direct
or indirect interests in the proposed transaction, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and
other materials filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction when they become available.
Contacts
Company: OpenWorld Ltd.
Email: OpenWorld@gasthalter.com
Company: VerifyMe, Inc.
Email: IR@verifyme.com