VerifyMe and Open World Sign Merger Deal to Build a Nasdaq-Listed RWA Tokenization Platform
VerifyMe, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRME) and Open World Ltd. announced they have executed a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger, positioning the combined company as an institutional-facing infrastructure provider focused on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and regulated digital asset rails.
VerifyMe is known for authentication and precision logistics technologies, while Open World describes itself as a blockchain infrastructure and RWA tokenization platform. Together, the companies say they aim to build a governance-first platform designed for mainstream capital markets adoption rather than crypto-native experimentation.
What the combined company plans to focus on
According to the announcement, the post-merger entity is expected to concentrate on:
- Token listings
- Regulated digital asset infrastructure
- Enterprise-grade compliance frameworks
- Institutional RWA tokenization across multiple jurisdictions
The companies framed this as an “institutional stack” play—less about a single product and more about the underlying rails, controls, and governance needed to bring tokenized assets into regulated environments.
Timeline and listing expectations
Upon closing, the companies expect the combined business to be listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under a new ticker symbol, subject to customary closing conditions. Those conditions include VerifyMe shareholder approval and Nasdaq listing approval for the combined company’s common stock.
Both boards unanimously approved the signing of the agreement. The companies said regulatory filings with the SEC and Nasdaq, along with shareholder approvals, are anticipated by Q2 2026, with additional transaction details expected to be disclosed in future filings.
A capital-structure move: VerifyMe ends its ATM program
VerifyMe’s board also approved the termination of its at-the-market (ATM) equity program, describing the decision as aligned with capital structure considerations tied to the proposed transaction and longer-term strategic priorities.
Context: Open World’s recent initiatives
The announcement ties into Open World’s previously disclosed initiatives, including:
- Establishing a national-scale RWA Center of Excellence in Saudi Arabia
- An infrastructure collaboration with Abstract related to regulated, infrastructure-grade assets
The companies also pointed to increasing tokenization momentum in the United States and Saudi Arabia, suggesting that more asset classes could come on-chain as regulatory clarity improves and institutional participation broadens.
Advisors on the deal
The companies listed the following advisors:
- Maxim Group LLC as exclusive financial advisor to Open World
- Latham & Watkins LLP as counsel to Open World
- Harter Secrest & Emery LLP as counsel to VerifyMe
Industry takeaway: why this matters for crypto and tokenization
This is another sign that RWA tokenization is shifting from pilots to public-market infrastructure building.
If the merger closes as planned, the impact for the sector is practical:
- Nasdaq-listed “tokenization infrastructure” becomes a clearer category. Public-market governance, disclosures, and audited reporting can make it easier for institutions to evaluate tokenization providers.
- Compliance and listings become the real product. The focus on regulated infrastructure and enterprise compliance frameworks highlights what institutions actually buy: controls, governance, and operational reliability.
- Saudi + U.S. regulatory momentum signals cross-jurisdiction ambition. Tokenization at scale rarely lives in one country; success depends on navigating multiple regulatory regimes and creating repeatable frameworks.
Bottom line: this deal isn’t pitching a new token—it’s pitching an attempt to package institutional-grade tokenization rails into a public company structure that mainstream finance can diligence and, potentially, adopt.
Source: Open World press release