AlphaTON Capital Pursues Strategic Forbes Acquisition With LOI Submission; Stock Rallies 20% Pre-Market

AlphaTON Capital Corp. (ATON), a blockchain and digital asset technology firm, has formally submitted a letter of intent (LOI) to take controlling ownership of Forbes Media Holdings, signaling an ambitious move into legacy media transformation. Under the proposed two-stage acquisition structure, AlphaTON Capital would first secure a 51% stake in Forbes Media Holdings and its subsidiary operations. Following Phase 1 completion, the company intends to evaluate acquiring the remaining outstanding equity shares, positioning itself for eventual full control.

The strategic rationale centers on combining Forbes’ established brand prestige with AlphaTON’s blockchain infrastructure. Specifically, AlphaTON plans to integrate its verification technologies into Forbes’ operations to create validated AI data licensing services, deliver trustworthy financial journalism, and establish a reimagined global digital assets news platform. This convergence represents an attempt to address persistent credibility concerns across both traditional and crypto-focused media landscapes.

Brittany Kaiser, heading AlphaTON Capital as CEO, emphasized the transformative potential: “Merging Forbes’ century-old brand reputation with our blockchain-based verification infrastructure creates a differentiated opportunity to establish new standards for media credibility.” This positioning suggests a focus on leveraging cryptographic technology to ensure editorial transparency and data provenance.

Market participants responded positively to the announcement. ATON shares climbed 20.17% during pre-market trading on Nasdaq, reaching $3.57 per share, indicating investor confidence in the acquisition thesis. However, regulatory approvals and shareholder consent remain outstanding before any deal can close, and various financial and strategic hurdles must still be navigated.

The transaction, if completed, would represent a notable intersection of cryptocurrency technology and traditional journalism—a space where credibility and verification mechanisms have become increasingly critical amid expanding digital assets coverage.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of Nasdaq, Inc.