SCHEDULE: Payward Discloses 3.6% Stake in Eightco Holdings

Payward, Inc. has reported a 3.6% beneficial ownership stake in Eightco Holdings Inc., holding 11,959,427 shares of common stock.

Summary

• Payward, Inc. filed a Schedule 13G, disclosing beneficial ownership of Eightco Holdings Inc. common stock.
• Payward, Inc. beneficially owns 11,959,427 shares of Eightco Holdings Inc. common stock.
• This ownership represents 3.6% of the total outstanding common stock of Eightco Holdings Inc.
• The percentage is calculated based on 333,821,681 shares outstanding as of March 20, 2026, an amount provided by Eightco Holdings Inc.
• Payward, Inc. holds sole voting power and sole dispositive power over all 11,959,427 shares.
• The securities were not acquired or held for the purpose of changing or influencing control of Eightco Holdings Inc.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral-to-slightly positive development, as it indicates a new institutional investor taking a significant stake, which can be seen as a vote of confidence, though the filing itself is purely informational.

Positives

• A new institutional investor, Payward, Inc., has disclosed a significant stake in Eightco Holdings Inc., potentially signaling confidence in the company.
• Payward, Inc. holds sole voting and dispositive power over its shares, indicating direct control over its investment.

Negatives

• The filing itself does not contain negative financial or operational news about Eightco Holdings Inc.; it is a disclosure of ownership.

Risks

• The filing does not explicitly mention risks related to Eightco Holdings Inc.'s operations or financial health; it is a disclosure of ownership.

Future Outlook

The filing is a disclosure of beneficial ownership and does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance regarding Eightco Holdings Inc.'s future performance or operations.

Management Comments

• The filing includes a certification from Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO of Payward, Inc., stating that the securities were not acquired or held for the purpose of changing or influencing the control of Eightco Holdings Inc.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that Schedule 13G filings are routine disclosures by passive investors who acquire more than 5% (or 3% for certain institutional investors) of a company's stock without the intent to influence control. Payward, Inc.'s disclosure of a 3.6% stake, while below the typical 5% threshold for 13G, indicates a significant investment by a corporate entity, potentially a strategic or financial holding. The filing itself does not provide context on Eightco Holdings Inc.'s industry position or Payward, Inc.'s strategic rationale beyond passive investment.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• This filing is a standard regulatory disclosure of beneficial ownership and does not contain performance metrics or operational results that can be directly compared to industry benchmarks or specific companies. The 3.6% stake is a factual ownership percentage.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: May view the entry of a new institutional investor as a positive signal, potentially increasing confidence in the stock.
• Eightco Holdings Inc. Management: Awareness of a new significant shareholder, though Payward, Inc. has certified no intent to influence control.

Next Steps

• The filing does not mention any specific future actions, events, or milestones for Eightco Holdings Inc. or Payward, Inc. beyond the regulatory disclosure.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing is a beneficial ownership disclosure, indicating a new significant shareholder. While this can be a positive signal, it does not provide new operational or financial performance data to warrant a 'buy' or 'sell' recommendation. Investors should 'hold' and await further operational updates from Eightco Holdings Inc. to assess the impact of this new stake.

Keywords

Eightco Holdings Inc., Payward Inc., Schedule 13G, Common Stock, Beneficial Ownership, SEC Filing, Institutional Investor, Equity Stake