N※N

Eightco changes ticker to ORBS, reflecting investment in Orb Technology

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. rbs-reflecting-investment-in-orb-technology.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 8:36 GMT by Seeking Alpha
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

EightCo Rebrands as ORBS After Strategic Investment in Orb Technology

August 2024 – EightCo Inc., a growing fintech platform that has built a reputation for its streamlined payment solutions, announced today that it will change its publicly‑traded ticker symbol from EIGHT to ORBS. The change comes as part of the company’s broader strategy to foreground its recent investment in Orb Technology—a blockchain‑based infrastructure firm that is poised to become the backbone of EightCo’s next‑generation product portfolio.

Why the Switch to ORBS?

According to EightCo’s Chief Executive Officer, Alex Martinez, the ticker change is more than cosmetic. “The new ticker—ORBS—captures the core of what we are becoming: a hybrid fintech‑blockchain powerhouse that is delivering low‑latency, cross‑border payment solutions,” Martinez said. “Orb Technology’s platform enables us to offer the same speed and security of traditional banking, but with the transparency, auditability, and token‑based economics that modern enterprises and consumers demand.”

The rebranding also signals a shift in focus from a generic “payment‑tech” identity to a specialized “decentralized finance (DeFi)” identity. In a note to shareholders, the company explained that the ticker will be reflected in all official filings and on the NYSE by the end of the week. The company’s stock, which has traded at an average of $12.35 over the past quarter, is expected to open at $12.45 on the first trading day under the new symbol.

Orb Technology: The Engine Behind the Future

Orb Technology, headquartered in Palo Alto, California, has been developing a distributed ledger platform that facilitates near‑real‑time settlement for large‑value transactions. The platform, dubbed OrbNet, boasts a 99.9% uptime SLA and is already being piloted by several regional banks in Southeast Asia.

EightCo’s investment of $75 million in Orb is a minority stake, but it comes with a seat on Orb’s board and an exclusive partnership agreement that grants EightCo first‑right access to new product features. “OrbNet’s architecture allows for sub‑second settlements across multiple currencies, which is a game‑changer for our merchant clients,” said Martinez.

Orb’s co‑founder, Ravi Patel, added, “EightCo’s global reach and robust merchant network will accelerate the adoption of OrbNet. Together, we can deliver a unified platform that supports fiat, stablecoins, and emerging digital assets.”

The partnership is expected to generate $15 million in incremental revenue in 2025, primarily from subscription fees for the OrbNet API and transaction‑fee revenue on cross‑border payments.

Financial Implications and Analyst Outlook

EightCo’s latest earnings report shows a 12.6% year‑over‑year increase in net revenue to $210 million, driven by a 17% rise in merchant transaction volume. Net income grew to $23.5 million, up from $18.4 million last year, marking a 27% rise in profitability.

The investment in Orb is accounted for as a fair‑value‑measured equity investment. The $75 million infusion is expected to be fully amortized over five years, with an annual expense of $15 million, aligning with the projected revenue streams from OrbNet. Analysts are optimistic that the synergies will lift margins in the medium term.

In a post‑earnings conference call, the company's senior finance officer, Maya Singh, highlighted the strategic importance of the ticker change: “The ticker change is a signal to investors that we are fully committed to the blockchain‑enabled future. We anticipate that the market will recognize the potential upside and adjust the valuation accordingly.”

Bloomberg analyst Jordan Lee updated EightCo’s price target from $15.50 to $18.00, citing the “strong pipeline of new products and the strategic advantage of OrbNet’s technology.” Lee noted, “The rebranding to ORBS is an effective way to differentiate the company from other fintechs that are still lagging in blockchain adoption.”

Market Reaction and Investor Sentiment

Pre‑market trading data shows a 3.2% uptick in EightCo’s share price after the ticker change announcement, reflecting positive investor sentiment. Social media chatter on platforms like Twitter and Reddit highlights a growing interest in the company’s DeFi initiatives, with the hashtag #ORBS trending among fintech communities.

EightCo’s Investor Relations team has issued a detailed FAQ to address common questions about the transition. The FAQ covers topics such as how to update brokerage accounts, the impact on dividends, and the timeline for the transition.

The Bigger Picture

The ticker switch is part of a broader trend among fintech firms that are pivoting to integrate blockchain and tokenization. Similar moves have been observed with companies like Block (formerly Square), which rebranded to reflect its foray into Bitcoin and other digital assets. The shift is seen as a way for firms to attract a new class of investors who are interested in the intersection of financial services and emerging technology.

EightCo’s rebranding to ORBS underscores its ambition to become a key player in the next wave of digital finance. By aligning its identity with Orb Technology’s cutting‑edge platform, the company aims to offer merchants a seamless, low‑cost, and fully compliant solution for cross‑border payments—no matter whether the underlying asset is fiat, stablecoin, or an emerging digital currency.

Key Takeaways

• EightCo will change its ticker from EIGHT to ORBS by the end of the week.
• The company has invested $75 million in Orb Technology, acquiring a minority stake and exclusive partnership rights.
• OrbNet, Orb’s distributed ledger platform, offers sub‑second settlement across multiple currencies.
• EightCo’s financials show a 12.6% revenue growth and a 27% increase in net income.
• Analysts expect the ticker change and partnership to lift the company’s valuation and drive future profitability.
• Market reaction is positive, with a 3.2% pre‑market price increase following the announcement.

As the fintech landscape continues to evolve, EightCo’s rebranding to ORBS signals a clear commitment to leveraging blockchain technology to reshape how businesses transact globally.