NEW YORK, Jan 26, 2026, 05:02 (EST) — Premarket
- Before the open, BNAI is moving again following a series of volatile swings.
- Traders remain cautious about how fast the company can convert its new Africa licensing setup into steady revenue streams.
- The first hour might get messy due to thin trading conditions.
Shares of Brand Engagement Network jumped sharply in early U.S. premarket Monday, signaling another wild day ahead for the Nasdaq-listed microcap. BNAI showed an implied gain of roughly 216% at $52, after closing the previous session at $16.48. Premarket volume hit around 1.0 million shares on one trading platform. 1
The move comes after the company announced it had sealed a licensing and investment deal linked to Africa. According to a regulatory filing, Brand Engagement Network is set to receive a $2.05 million preferred equity contribution — a share class that usually takes precedence over common stock — and will count it as intellectual property licensing revenue. The filing also outlined a 35% revenue share from software, SaaS subscriptions, and services, along with a 25% common equity stake and a board seat in a newly created South Africa-based entity holding an exclusive, perpetual license for Africa. 2
Why it’s a big deal now: BNAI’s market cap and trading setup can quickly amplify any news. TradingView data reveals the stock surged 90.3% in the previous regular session, ending with a market value near $74 million. The free float stands at roughly 2.7 million shares — tight enough to fuel a rush when momentum traders jump in. The same source highlights the company’s scant revenue against steep losses in its latest full-year report. 3
In its press release announcing the deal, the company described the initial deployment as a governed pilot project with Nelson Mandela University focused on student wellbeing. “In mental health applications, accuracy, governance, and trust are essential,” said Valio Technologies CEO Lefentse Nokaneng. Tyler Luck, CEO of Brand Engagement Network, added, “This partnership reflects our strategy of pairing commercial scale with real-world, institution-approved deployments.” 4
Over the weekend, the stock’s volatility sparked fresh chatter online, drawing retail traders’ eyes to its Africa licensing setup. A Stocktwits news piece framed it as a revival of interest in an otherwise quiet stock, following the company’s second international deal for its conversational AI tech. 5
But the setup has its downsides. Premarket trading often sees thinner volume, wider bid-ask spreads, and fewer natural buyers. Plus, large percentage swings early on don’t always hold once markets open.
Timing remains uncertain. The filing details the economics — revenue share, subscriptions, services — yet it’s the speed of signed deals and cash flow that usually determines if a spike becomes a sustained trend.
Traders will watch to see if the stock holds its gains as liquidity picks up after 9:30 a.m. ET, and whether volatility sparks any exchange halts. New details about the entity’s structure, the pilot’s scale, or fresh partnerships could rapidly shift expectations.
After the open, investors will likely be eyeing the company’s upcoming earnings report. Public.com notes the next earnings date as roughly March 20, 2026, with the earnings call set for March 30. 6
