The Nasdaq-listed company has repurchased more than 55 million shares and plans to use about $20 million in OpenAI sale proceeds for more
Eightco Holdings has cashed in part of its OpenAI bet, and the money is going straight back into its own stock.
The company (NASDAQ: ORBS) announced on October 29, 2026 that it sold a portion of its indirect OpenAI stake for approximately $20 million in gross proceeds. The sale price was approximately 40% above what Eightco originally paid.
The details of the OpenAI sale
The sale closed on October 26. It ran through AI Innovation Capital LLC, an Eightco subsidiary that holds the company’s exposure to the AI developer.
Eightco says the proceeds will support more repurchases under its existing $125 million share buyback program. The program launched in August 2026.
As of the announcement, Eightco had bought back more than 55 million shares, which equals 12.98% of its outstanding shares since the program began.
Eightco has not cleared out its OpenAI position. After the sale, the company still holds $76 million in remaining indirect equity in OpenAI.
What sits in the Eightco treasury
As of October 28, 2026, Eightco reported a treasury of approximately $399 million.
Here is how that breaks down:
Indirect OpenAI equity: $76 million.
Beast Industries equity: $18 million.
Ether: 16,278 ETH, the native token of the Ethereum network.
WLD tokens: around 302 million.
Cash and equivalents: $132 million.
Why sell OpenAI to buy back stock
Management framed the transaction as proof of value the market may be overlooking. According to the company, the sale highlights unrealized gains in its portfolio that its reported financials do not capture.
Eightco also said the move lets it speed up buybacks when its stock trades at a discount to its net assets.
CEO Kevin O’Donnell pointed to OpenAI’s valuation growth since Eightco’s initial investment. He described that increase as part of a wider pattern in the fast-moving artificial intelligence sector.
What this means for ORBS shareholders
Each repurchased share shrinks the total count, so remaining holders own a slightly bigger piece of the treasury. With more than 55 million shares already retired and fresh cash earmarked for more, that effect is compounding.
The $76 million in remaining OpenAI equity is indirect and private. This sale gives one recent reference point at a 40% premium to Eightco’s original purchase price.
With 16,278 ETH and roughly 302 million WLD tokens on the books, Eightco’s net asset value will track digital asset prices closely.
The buyback program is capped at $125 million. The $20 million from this sale extends that runway, and the $132 million in cash offers more flexibility.
