February 12, 2026 — Leads & Copy — VerifyMe, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRME) and Open World Ltd. have announced a merger agreement, positioning the combined entity as a leading infrastructure provider in the digital asset and tokenization sector.
According to the companies, the merger is expected to focus on token listings, regulated digital asset infrastructure, enterprise-grade compliance frameworks, and institutional real-world asset (RWA) tokenization across multiple jurisdictions. The boards of both companies have unanimously approved the signing of the agreement.
Adam Stedham, CEO of VerifyMe, stated the merger aligns complementary strengths and the combined platform will deliver infrastructure and governance to support digital asset innovation and long-term shareholder value.
Matt Shaw, co-founder and CEO of Open World, said the agreement represents an inflection point for both organizations. He added that as institutional demand for regulated digital asset infrastructure accelerates, the combined capabilities will enable operation at the scale and governance standards required for real-world asset tokenization to transition into mainstream financial markets.
The announcement builds on Open World’s previously disclosed initiatives, including the establishment of its national-scale RWA Center of Excellence in Saudi Arabia, as well as the company’s infrastructure collaboration with Abstract to support regulated, infrastructure-grade assets.
RWA tokenization activity continues to gain momentum in the United States and Saudi Arabia, with significant asset classes expected to be brought onto the Open World platform as regulatory clarity advances and institutional participation expands.
Upon closing, the merger is expected to result in the combined company being listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under a new ticker symbol, subject to satisfying certain customary closing conditions, including the receipt of approvals from VerifyMe’s shareholders and the listing of the combined company’s common stock on Nasdaq. Regulatory filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and Nasdaq, as well as shareholder approvals, are anticipated by the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions and review processes. Additional details regarding transaction structure and timing are expected to be disclosed in future filings.
The agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and covenants made by VerifyMe and Open World, including covenants that both parties exercise commercially reasonable efforts to cause the transactions contemplated by the agreement to be completed, indemnification of directors and officers, and restrictions on VerifyMe’s and Open World’s conduct of their respective businesses between the date of signing of the agreement and the closing.
VerifyMe’s board of directors has approved the termination of its at-the-market equity program.
Maxim Group LLC is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to Open World. Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as counsel to Open World. Harter Secrest & Emery LLP is serving as counsel to VerifyMe.
Open World has facilitated the inception and growth of more than 20 companies since 2023 and has helped launch over $65 billion in aggregate network value since (at peak FDV). The firm’s range of services includes token launch advisory, DATs and TradFi strategies, RWA tokenization, stablecoin issuance, policy advocacy and strategic advisory work. To learn more, visit https://www.openworld.dev.
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/.
Source: VerifyMe, Inc.
