Eightco Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ORBS) shares rose 18.44% in after-hours trading on Wednesday, reaching $1.66 after the company announced a strategic partnership with Futurum Group.On Wednesday, ORBS closed at $1.40, down 2.10%, according to Benzinga Pro data.Companies Develop AI Trust Scoring PlatformOn Monday, the company announced in a press release that the partnership will develop the Futurum ORBS Trust and Authentication Platform (FOTAP), described as the first comprehensive trust and transparency scorin ...

Core Insights - Eightco Holdings Inc. and Futurum Group have announced a strategic partnership to create the Futurum ORBS Trust and Authentication Platform (FOTAP), the first comprehensive scoring system for evaluating AI vendors [1][2] - The platform aims to establish trust as a critical component in the evaluation of technology companies, integrating Futurum's AI market data with ORBS' authentication infrastructure [1][2] Industry Overview - The AI trust market is rapidly growing, with a significant need for a credible scoring system to assist buyers in navigating AI solutions [2] - Enterprises are increasingly seeking reliable insights into AI solutions that deliver measurable performance based on secure and transparent foundations [2] Platform Features - FOTAP will provide Quantitative Trust Scores on a 0-100 scale across dimensions such as data governance, algorithmic transparency, security, compliance, ethical AI practices, and vendor accountability [4] - The platform will include Comparative Vendor Rankings, Trend Analysis for tracking trust score changes, and Risk Alerts for flagging trust-related incidents [4][5] Business Model - Enterprises will pay for trust intelligence to mitigate risks associated with AI investments, while vendors will seek certification to differentiate themselves in a competitive market [2][5] - The platform is expected to generate significant interest from investors, as trust scores can predict long-term vendor viability [2][5] Development Timeline - Beta testing of FOTAP is set to begin in Q2 of 2026 with select enterprise customers and AI vendors, with general availability planned for Q4 of 2026 [5]