Nasdaq's Onfolio and the Institutionalization of Digital Assets

The recent $300 million funding round secured by Eightco (NASDAQ: ORBS) marks a pivotal moment in the institutionalization of digital assets. While the company operates under the Eightco umbrella, its Infinity by ORBS platform-positioned as a leader in enterprise authentication solutions-has been closely associated with Nasdaq's broader ecosystem, including its Onfolio initiative. This strategic infusion of capital, led by institutional heavyweights such as BitMine (BMNR), Mozayyx, World Foundation, Wedbush, and Pantera, underscores a growing consensus among traditional finance players that blockchain technology is no longer a speculative niche but a foundational pillar of modern financial infrastructure according to the report.

Institutional Validation and Strategic Alignment

The participation of names like FalconX, Kraken, and Brevan Howard in the funding round signals a shift in risk perception. These investors are not merely backing a crypto-native project; they are aligning with a platform that bridges legacy systems and decentralized innovation. Eightco's Infinity by ORBS, which has already partnered with industry giants like Coinbase and Kraken, offers AI-resistant authentication solutions-a critical need in an era of escalating cyber threats and regulatory scrutiny. By securing institutional backing, the platform is now poised to scale its offerings into enterprise markets, where trust and compliance are non-negotiable as stated in the announcement.

The use of funds further reinforces this trajectory. A portion of the $300 million will directly expand Eightco's commercial authentication solutions, while another segment targets the development of interoperable infrastructure for digital identity verification. This aligns with Nasdaq's Onfolio initiative, which aims to streamline institutional access to crypto assets through custodial and trading solutions. Though the direct relationship between Eightco and Onfolio remains opaque, the latter's focus on institutional onboarding and the former's expertise in blockchain-based identity verification suggest a complementary synergy.

A Catalyst for Mainstream Adoption

Eightco's strategic position is further bolstered by its holdings in Worldcoin (WLD). As of November 17, 2025, the company controls over 10% of the circulating WLD supply, a token tied to decentralized identity frameworks. This not only provides a financial hedge but also positions Eightco as a key player in shaping the future of digital identity-a cornerstone of institutional crypto adoption.

The broader implications are clear: institutions are no longer passive observers. They are actively investing in infrastructure that addresses real-world pain points, from regulatory compliance to secure asset management. The $300 million round is not an outlier but part of a larger trend. According to Bloomberg, institutional allocations to crypto-related ventures surged by 220% in 2025, driven by projects that offer tangible utility beyond speculative trading.

Conclusion: A New Paradigm

The Eightco funding round represents more than a financial milestone-it is a harbinger of a new paradigm. As institutional players deepen their engagement with blockchain, the lines between traditional finance and decentralized systems will blur. Nasdaq's Onfolio, alongside partners like Eightco, is accelerating this convergence by providing the tools necessary for institutions to navigate the crypto landscape with confidence.

For investors, the message is unambiguous: the era of crypto skepticism is waning. The $300 million bet on Eightco is a vote of confidence in a future where digital assets are not just accepted but essential.

As stated by Eightco in its November 17, 2025, Chairman's Message.
Data from Bloomberg's 2025 Institutional Crypto Investment Report.