Brand Engagement Network Inc.

NOTE A -NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN

Nature of Operations

Brand Engagement Network Inc. (formerly Blockchain Exchange Network Inc.) (together with its subsidiaries, “BEN” or “the Company”) was formed in Jackson, Wyoming on April 17, 2018, and was named in honor of the renowned Founding Father and inventor, Benjamin Franklin. In 2019, the Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Datum Point Labs (“DPL”), and then was spun out of DPL in May 2021. BEN acquired DPL in December 2021.

The Company is an artificial intelligence (“AI”) platform provider, designed to interface with emerging technologies, including blockchain, internet of things, and cloud computing, that drives digital transformation across various industries. BEN offers a suite of configured and customizable applications, including natural language processing, anomaly detection, encryption, recommendation engines, sentiment analysis, image recognition, personalization, and real-time decision-making. These applications help companies improve customer experiences, optimize cost drivers, mitigate risks, and enhance operational efficiency.

Liquidity and Going Concern

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared as though the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $58,703,561, and during the three months ended March 31, 2026, a net loss of $3,060,977 and net cash used in operating activities of $3,724,697. Management expects to continue to incur operating losses and negative cash flows from operations for at least the next 12 months. The Company has financed its operations to date from proceeds from the sale of Common Stock, exercises of warrants, the issuance of promissory notes and convertible debt, and its transactions with AFG Companies Inc. (“AFG”). The Company’s current liquidity position raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The Company believes that its existing cash and cash equivalents and proceeds from the May SPA, August SPA, and Yorkville Promissory Note (Note G) will be insufficient to meet its anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months from the date the unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. The Company will need to raise additional capital to continue to fund operations and product research and development. The Company believes that it will be able to obtain additional working capital through equity financings, additional debt, or other arrangements to fund future operations, and it intends to raise capital through equity or debt investments in the Company by third parties. However, the Company cannot conclude these are probable of being implemented or, if probable of being implemented, being in sufficient enough amounts to satisfy the Company’s contractual amounts as they presently exist that are coming due over the next 12 months as of the date of this filing.

The assumptions upon which the Company has based its estimates are routinely evaluated and may be subject to change. The actual amount of the Company’s expenditures will vary depending upon several factors including but not limited to the design, timing, and the progress of the Company’s research and development programs, and the level of financial resources available. The Company can adjust its operating plan spending based on available financial resources.

The unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

NOTE B -SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the accounts of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for unaudited condensed consolidated financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete consolidated financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to instructions, rules, and regulations prescribed by the SEC.

Unaudited Interim Results

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual audited financial statements and the notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2025 found in the 2025 Annual Report. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2026 and for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 are unaudited but have been prepared on the same basis as the annual audited financial statements and include all normal, recurring adjustments that management believes to be necessary for a fair presentation of the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Balance sheet amounts as of December 31, 2025 are found in the 2025 Annual Report.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Actual results and outcomes could differ significantly from the Company’s estimates, judgments, and assumptions. Significant estimates in the Company’s unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, assumptions used to measure stock-based compensation, useful lives and impairment of intangible assets, warrant liabilities, and derivative liabilities.

These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could materially differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Segment and Geographic Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is the Chief Executive Officer. The CODM manages the Company’s operations on a consolidated basis for the purpose of allocating resources. The Company views its operations as, and manages its business in, one operating and reporting segment.

The accounting policies of its segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The CODM assesses performance for its segment based on net loss, which is reported on the consolidated statements of operations. The measure of segment assets is reported on the unaudited, condensed consolidated balance sheet as total assets. The CODM uses cash forecast models in deciding how to invest into the segment. The CODM analyzes the Company’s net loss and monitors budget versus actual results to assess the performance of the Company.

The Company has an office in the Republic of Korea dedicated to research and development activities.

Significant Risks and Uncertainties

There can be no assurance that the Company’s research and development will be successfully commercialized. Developing and commercializing goods and services require significant time and capital and is subject to regulatory review and approval as well as competition from other AI technology companies. The Company operates in an environment of rapid change and is dependent upon the continued services of its employees and consultants and obtaining and protecting intellectual property.

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) for all periods presented. The core principle of ASC 606 is to recognize revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This principle is achieved by applying the following five-step approach:

Trade receivables represent amounts due from customers and are stated net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on management’s assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts, the aging of the accounts receivable, historical experience, and other currently available evidence. If there is a deterioration of a major customer’s credit worthiness or actual defaults are higher than the historical experience, management’s estimates of the recoverability of amounts due the Company could be adversely affected. Trade receivables of the Company as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 are $130,415 and $250,120, respectively, net of an allowance for expected credit losses amounting tozero, respectively.

Impairment of Definite Lived Intangible Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted net cash flows, before interest, the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference between its carrying amount and its estimated fair value. If impairment is recognized, the reduced carrying amount of the asset will be accounted for as its new cost. Generally, fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow, replacement cost or market comparison analyses. The process of evaluating for impairment requires estimates as to future events and conditions, which are subject to varying market and economic factors. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that a change in an estimate resulting from judgments as to future events could occur which would affect the recorded amounts of the asset. No impairment losses were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2026 or 2025.

In-Process Research and Development

The fair value of in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) acquired in an asset acquisition, that has been determined to have alternative future uses in accordance with ASC Topic 350,Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), is capitalized as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until the completion of the related research and development activities in accordance with ASC 350 or the determination that impairment is necessary. If the related research and development is completed, the asset is reclassified as a definite-lived asset at the time of completion and is amortized over its estimated useful life as research and development costs in accordance with ASC 730-10-25-2(c) and ASC 350. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company’s IPR&D was completed and reclassified as a definite-lived asset and began amortizing over its estimated useful life of 5 years.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company didnot recognize an impairment charge related to its indefinite-lived IPR&D.

Research and Development Costs

Costs incurred in connection with research and development activities are expensed as incurred. These costs include rent for facilities, hardware and software equipment costs, employee related costs, consulting fees for technical expertise, prototyping, and testing.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation for stock-based awards (including stock options, restricted stock units, and restricted stock awards) in accordance with ASC Topic 718,Compensation - Stock Compensation. Determining the appropriate fair value of stock-based awards requires numerous assumptions, some of which are highly complex and subjective. The Company estimates the fair value of its stock option and warrant awards on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of each restricted stock award is measured as the fair value per share of the Company’s Common Stock at the date of grant.

Stock-based awards generally vest subject to the satisfaction of service requirements, or the satisfaction of both service requirements and achievement of certain performance conditions or market and service conditions. For stock-based awards that vest subject to the satisfaction of service requirements or market and service conditions, stock-based compensation is measured based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant and is recognized as stock-based compensation on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. For stock-based awards that have a performance component, stock-based compensation is measured based on the fair value on the grant date and is recognized over the requisite service period as achievement of the performance objective becomes probable.

The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires the use of judgments and assumptions, including fair value of its Common Stock, the option’s expected term, the expected price volatility of the underlying stock, risk free interest rates and the expected dividend yield.

The Black-Scholes model assumptions are further described below:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly-liquid investments, readily convertible to cash, and which have a remaining maturity date of three months or less at the date of purchase, to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are recorded at fair value and are held for the purpose of meeting short-term liquidity requirements, rather than for investment purposes. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalent balances in the form of business checking accounts and money market accounts, the balances of which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. As of March 31, 2026, cash and cash equivalents in excess of federally insured limits was $1,381,549.

Capitalized Internal-Use Software Costs

Pursuant to ASC 350-40,Internal-Use Software, the Company capitalizes development costs for internal use software projects once the preliminary project stage is completed, management commits to funding the project, and it is probable that the project will be completed, and the software will be used to perform the function intended. The Company ceases capitalization at such time as the computer software project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. The determination that a software project is eligible for capitalization and the ongoing assessment of recoverability of capitalized software development costs requires considerable judgment by management with respect to certain external factors, including, but not limited to, estimated economic life and changes in software and hardware technologies.

The Company capitalizes costs for internal-use software once project approval, funding, and feasibility are confirmed. These costs primarily consist of external consulting fees and direct labor costs. When the internal-use software is ready for its intended use, the Company reclassifies the internal-use software to developed software intangible assets and amortizes the asset over an estimated useful life ranging from 3 to 5 years. No impairment losses were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2026 or 2025.

Leases

The Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease, its classification, and its term at the lease commencement date. Leases with a term greater than one year will be recognized on the unaudited, condensed consolidated balance sheet as right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, current lease liabilities, and if applicable, long-term lease liabilities. The Company includes renewal options to extend the lease term where it is reasonably certain that it will exercise these options. Lease liabilities and the corresponding ROU assets are recorded based on the present values of lease payments over the lease term. The interest rate implicit in lease contracts is typically not readily determinable. As such, the Company utilizes the appropriate incremental borrowing rates, which are the rates that would be incurred to borrow on a collateralized basis, over similar terms, amounts equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Payments for non-lease components or that are variable in nature that do not depend on a rate or index are not included in the lease liability and are typically expensed as incurred. If significant events, changes in circumstances, or other events indicate that the lease term or other inputs have changed, the Company would reassess lease classification, remeasure the lease liability using revised inputs as of the reassessment date, and adjust the ROU assets. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term for operating classified leases.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are a result of the effect of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. Gains and losses arising from foreign currency transactions and the effects of remeasurements are captured within the net loss within the unaudited, condensed consolidated statement of operations. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025.

Warrant Liabilities

The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued share purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, ASC Topic 505, Equity, and ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The Company accounts for the public warrants, each representing the right to acquire one share of Common Stock for $11.50 (the “Public Warrants”) and the private placement warrants, each representing the right to acquire one share of Common Stock for $11.50 (the “Private Placement Warrants”), in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815 under which the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, the Company classifies the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjust the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company accounts for financial instruments under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”). This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:

Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 - observable inputs other than Level 1, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, and model-derived prices whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable; and

Level 3 - assets and liabilities whose significant value drivers are unobservable.

The following fair value hierarchy table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

The fair value of the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants is estimated based on the closing price of the Public Warrants, an observable market quote but is classified as a Level 2 fair value measurement due to the lack of an active market.

Net Loss per Common Share

Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the periods. Diluted loss per common share reflects the potential dilution, using the treasury stock method, that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue Common Stock were exercised or converted into Common Stock or resulted in the issuance of Common Stock that then shared in the loss of the Company. In computing diluted loss per common share, the treasury stock method assumes that outstanding instruments are exercised/converted, and the proceeds are used to purchase Common Stock at the average market price during the periods. Instruments may have a dilutive effect under the treasury stock method only when the average market price of the Common Stock during the period exceeds the exercise price/conversion rate of the instruments. The Company accounts for stock issued in spin-out transactions and consummations of mergers of entities under common control retrospectively. For diluted net loss per common share, the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock is the same for basic net loss per common share due to the fact that when a net loss exists, potentially dilutive securities are not included in the calculation when the impact is anti-dilutive.

The following potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares of Common Stock outstanding because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

Recently Issued but Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03,Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which requires additional disclosure of certain amounts included in the expense captions presented on the Statement of Operations as well as disclosures about selling expenses. This ASU is effective on a prospective basis, with the option for retrospective application, for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this pronouncement on its disclosures.

NOTE C -PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:

NOTE D -PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment include equipment, furniture, and capitalized software. Furniture and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ofthree years. Capitalized software costs are amortized straight-line over an estimated useful life ranging from 5 to 10 years.

Property and equipment consists of the following:

For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, depreciation and amortization of property and equipment totaled $8,296 and $8,295, respectively.

NOTE E -INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following table summarizes intangible assets included on the unaudited, condensed consolidated balance sheets:

Total amortization expense including amortization related to developed technology was $1,039,115 and $93,911 for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Future amortization of intangible assets are estimated to be as follows:

NOTE F -DEBT

Convertible Notes

On April 12, 2024, the Company issued a convertible promissory note to J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC, acting through its Cohen & Company Capital Markets division (“CCM”) in the principal amount of $1,900,000 (the “Cohen Convertible Note”), to settle outstanding invoices totaling $1,900,000 related to investment banking services rendered to the Company in connection with the Business Combination. Beginning on October 14, 2024, interest will accrue at the fixed rate of 8% per annum on the outstanding principal amount until the Cohen Convertible Note is paid in full. Interest is payable monthly in cash or in-kind at the election of the Company. The Company may prepay the Cohen Convertible Note in whole or in part at any time or from time to time without penalty or premium. The Company may be required to prepay all or a portion of the Cohen Convertible Note upon the consummation of certain capital raising activities as described therein. The maturity date of the Cohen Convertible Note was March 14, 2025. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company recognized $46,480 in interest expense related to the Cohen Convertible Note. As of March 31, 2026, the Company was in default of the Cohen Convertible Note. As of the date of this filing, Company management is in the process of negotiating with Cohen and Cohen has not initiated any actions against the Company.

On December 14, 2024 (the “First Conversion Date”), $760,000 of the Cohen Convertible Note converted into 63,333 shares of Common Stock at $12.00 per share (the “Floor Price”). On the 14th day of each successive month commencing with January 14, 2025 (each such day, an “Additional Conversion Date” and together with the First Conversion Date, the “Conversion Dates”), CCM may convert a portion of Cohen Convertible Note to a number of shares equal to (i) up to 20% of the outstanding principal balance of the Cohen Convertible Note plus accrued interest due under the Cohen Convertible Note divided by (ii) a price per share (the “Conversion Purchase Price”) equal to 92.75% of the arithmetic average of the Daily Volume-Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”) for the five VWAP Trading Days (as defined therein) ending on the VWAP Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Conversion Date (subject to the Floor Price).

Short-Term Loans

As of March 31, 2026, the Company had a short-term loans with an outstanding principal balance of $368,520. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company repaid $50,000 in cash. The remaining unpaid balance, including interest, was $318,520 which remains outstanding as of March 31, 2026. The loan bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum and mature upon demand.

NOTE G -STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

In December 2025, the Company effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of its common stock. All share and per share amounts in these financial statements and notes thereto have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.

On May 28, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “May SPA”) with certain investors (the “May Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to the May Purchasers an aggregate of 198,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company at a price per share of $25.00 and an aggregate of 396,000 warrants to purchase 396,000 shares of Common Stock, which was divided into two tranches consisting of (i)198,000 warrants immediately exercisable for a term of one year from (the “May One-Year Warrants”) and (ii)198,000 warrants immediately exercisable for a term of five years (the “May Five-Year Warrants,” together with the May One-Year Warrants, the “May Warrants”), each with an exercise price of $25.00 per share, subject to customary adjustments, for an aggregate purchase price of $4,950,000.

On May 30, 2024, the Company issued to the May Purchasers an aggregate of 20,000 Shares and 40,000 Warrants (consisting of 20,000 One-Year Warrants and 20,000 Five-Year Warrants) for an aggregate gross proceeds of $500,000. Upon the issuances of such shares of Common Stock, an aggregate of 126,000 May One-Year Warrants and 126,000 May Five-Year Warrants were issued to the May Purchasers and were immediately exercisable. The remaining shares were issued to an escrow account and such shares along with the May Warrants remain in escrow until the conditions in the May SPA are satisfied. The May Purchasers are required to pay to the Company monthly cash installments in the amounts and on the dates as determined in the May SPA ending on October 29, 2024. For every $25.00 paid to the Company, the Company will release one share of Common Stock and two May Warrants from escrow to the May Purchasers. If a May Purchaser fails to pay its required funding by the respective deadline, the May Purchaser’s entire commitment under the May SPA will become immediately due and payable. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company issued 33,000 shares of Common Stock to the May Purchasers for proceeds of approximately $750,000. As of December 31, 2025,190,130 May One-Year Warrants and 125,160 May Five-Year Warrants are outstanding.

On July 1, 2024, the Company entered into a separate Securities Purchase Agreement (the “July SPA”) with The Williams Family Trust for the issuance and sale of 12,000 shares of Common Stock at a price per share of $25.00 and an aggregate of 24,000 warrants, consisting of (i)12,000 warrants with a term of one year and (ii)12,000 warrants with a term of five years for an aggregate purchase price of $300,000. The warrants are immediately exercisable for Common Stock at a price of $25.00 per share. As of March 31, 2026, all 24,000 warrants remain outstanding.

On August 26, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “August SPA”) with certain investors (the “August Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Company will issue and sell an aggregate of 118,500 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price per share of $50.00, for an aggregate purchase price of $5,925,000.

In connection with the August SPA, on August 26, 2024 (the “Assignment Effective Date”), the Company entered into that certain share assignment and lockup release agreement (the “Assignment Agreement”) with certain members of Sponsor and certain other existing stockholders and affiliates of the Company (collectively, the “Sponsor Members” and each a “Sponsor Member”) and the August Purchasers, pursuant to which, as an inducement to enter into the August SPA, the August Purchasers assumed, all of the Sponsor Members’ rights, title and interest in an aggregate of 118,500 shares of Common Stock (the “Sponsor Securities”) held by Sponsor on their behalf as of the Assignment Effective Date (the “Assignment”). In exchange for the Assignment by the Sponsor Members of the Sponsor Securities to the August Purchasers, the Company agreed to release 125,250 shares of Common Stock from certain restrictions on transfer contained in either a (i) prior letter agreement by and among the Company’s predecessor, DHC, Sponsor and the other signatories thereto or (ii) in certain lockup agreements executed by certain of the Sponsor Members in connection with the consummation of the Company’s prior business combination. The Sponsor Members transferred an aggregate of 118,500 Sponsor Securities into an escrow account. The Sponsor Securities are released from the escrow account on a pro rata basis upon the making of the required fundings on the terms and conditions described in the August SPA. In the event an August Purchaser fails to make required funding contemplated by the August SPA, a pro rata portion of the Sponsor Securities shall be released from the escrow account to the Company and the Company will cancel such Sponsor Securities.

On August 30, 2024, in connection with the August SPA and the Assignment Agreement, the Company issued to the August Purchasers an aggregate of 10,000 shares for an aggregate gross proceeds of $500,000. The remaining shares were issued to an escrow account and such shares remain in escrow until the conditions in the August SPA are satisfied. The August Purchasers are required to pay to the Company monthly cash installments in the amounts and on the dates as determined in the August SPA ending on April 5, 2025.

For every $50.00 paid to the Company, the Company will release one share of Common Stock under the August SPA and one share of Common Stock under the Assignment Agreement to the August Purchasers. If an August Purchaser fails to pay its required funding by the respective deadline, the investor’s entire commitment under the August SPA will become immediately due and payable. As of March 31, 2026, the Company has experienced delays in funding from one of the investors under the August SPA in the aggregate amount of $0.2 million. The Company is uncertain and cannot guarantee whether such amounts or any future required fundings by investors will be made.

On January 13, 2025, the Company entered into the January Warrant Exercise Agreement with certain Purchasers. Pursuant to the August SPA, the Purchasers previously purchased 11,000 shares of Common Stock, and the Company issued the Contribution Warrant to purchase up to 96,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $50.00 per share in exchange for certain holders of Common Stock contributing 118,500 shares of Common Stock into an escrow account maintained in connection with the August SPA, of which 107,500 shares of Common Stock remain in such escrow account as of March 31, 2026.

Under the January Warrant Exercise Agreement, the exercise price of the Committed Warrants was reduced to $19.60 per share, until May 30, 2025, after which point the exercise price for any unexercised Committed Warrants shall automatically revert back to $25.00 per share. Pursuant to the January Warrant Exercise Agreement, the Purchasers agreed to exercise the Committed Warrants for cash on the Exercise Schedule. Upon each Committed Warrant exercised in accordance with the Exercise Schedule, the Company shall issue the Reload Warrants. Upon a Purchaser’s completion in full under the Warrant Exercise but no later than May 30, 2025, all remaining May Warrants issued under the May SPA held by such Purchaser shall immediately upon completion of such exercise automatically be amended to become exercisable for $19.60 per share for the remainder of their term. If a Purchaser exercises an Optional Warrant by June 30, 2025, the Company shall issue the Optional Reload Warrants. In addition, under the January Warrant Exercise Agreement, for each share of Common Stock for which a Purchaser exercises a Committed Warrant, one Escrow Share will be released from escrow and transferred to such Purchaser, for an aggregate of up to 107,499 Escrow Shares among all Purchasers, rounded down to the nearest whole share. Additionally, the exercise price of the Contribution Warrant was reduced to $17.10 per share.

On January 29, 2026, the Company satisfied its remaining obligations under the May 2023 Asset Purchase Agreement by completing a final payment of $0.6 million to Hana Bank (South Korea). Additionally, during the quarter ended March 31, 2026, the Company completed $0.8 million in debt-to-equity conversions, further reducing outstanding liabilities.

On March 25, 2026, the Company closed a $1.5 million private placement with Ben Capital Fund I, LLC at a price of $63.25 per share. During the quarter, the Company also received approximately $4.5 million in cash proceeds from the exercise of outstanding warrants.

Common Stock Warrants

In connection with the Business Combination, the Company assumed 1,031,495 Public Warrants and 612,601 Private Placement Warrants, which are all outstanding as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025. Each whole Public Warrant and Private Placement Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $115.00 per share. The Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants were exercisable beginning on April 13, 2024 and expire on April 14, 2029.

The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants, except that (x) the Private Placement Warrants and the Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants were not transferable, assignable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of a business combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable as described above so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

In connection with the May SPA, the Company also entered into a Letter Agreement to Exercise Warrants (“May Warrant Exercise Agreement”) with certain of the May Purchasers (the “Required Warrant Parties”). Under the May Warrant Exercise Agreement, if the Company uses commercially reasonable efforts to raise an additional $3,250,000 in capital (excluding amounts raised under the May SPA) but is unable to do so by October 31, 2024, the Required Warrant Parties will be required to exercise for cash certain of their May Warrants on a monthly basis in the amounts and on the dates as determined in the May Warrant Exercise Agreement. For each May Warrant so exercised, the Company will issue one new May one-Year Warrant and one new May five-Year Warrant (collectively, “May Reload Warrants”) each with an exercise price of $25.00 to the Required Warrant Party. A maximum of 260,000 May Reload Warrants may be issued pursuant to the May Warrant Exercise Agreement. Upon receipt of an aggregate of $3,250,000 of actual cash proceeds from the August SPA, the May Warrant Exercise Agreement will terminate automatically.

On August 26, 2024, in connection with the August SPA and the Assignment Agreement, the Company entered into a warrant purchase agreement (the “August Warrant Agreement”) with each of the warrant holders signatory thereto (the “Warrant holders”), pursuant to which the Company issued to the Warrant holders an aggregate of 96,000 warrants to purchase Common Stock (the “August Warrants”), with an exercise price of $50.00 per share with an expiration period offive years from the date of issuance.

NOTE H -EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

Equity Compensation Plans

2021 Incentive Stock Option Plan

In May 2021, the Company adopted the 2021 Incentive Stock Option Plan (“2021 Option Plan”) that provides for the grant of the following types of stock awards: (i) incentive stock Options, (ii) non-statutory stock options, (iii) stock appreciation rights, (iv) restricted stock awards, (v) restricted stock unit awards, and (vi) other stock awards. The 2021 Option Plan was administered by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”). In connection with the Closing, all outstanding awards were assumed by BEN pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement and the Board of Directors declared that there will be no further issuances under the 2021 Option Plan. Forfeitures under the 2021 Option Plan are automatically added to shares available for issuance under the 2024 Plan.

2024 Long-Term Incentive Plan

In connection with the Closing, the 2024 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”) became effective. The 2024 Plan provides for the grant of the following types of stock awards: (i) incentive stock options, (ii) nonqualified stock options, (iii) stock appreciation rights, (iv) restricted stock, (v) restricted stock units, (vi) performance awards, (vii) dividend equivalent rights, (viii) performance awards, (ix) performance goals, (x) tandem awards, (xi) prior plan awards, and (xii) other awards. The 2024 Plan is administered by the Board of Directors. The 2024 Plan awards are available to employees, officers and contractors. The option grants authorized for issuance under the 2024 Plan may total up to 2,942,245 shares of Common Stock. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025,26,616 shares remained available for grant under the 2024 Plan.

NOTE I -RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On August 19, 2023, the Company entered into the Reseller Agreement, providing for, among other things, AFG to act as the Company’s exclusive reseller of certain products on terms and conditions set forth therein and, as partial consideration to AFG for such services, the Company issued 175,000 shares of Common Stock with an aggregate fair value of $13,475,000 based on the closing stock price on the date of the Merger. Additionally, the Company issued AFG a warrant to purchase up to 375,000 shares of Common Stock, with each warrant exercisable forone share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $100.00 and a fair value of $25.20 per warrant (Note G). The Company terminated the Reseller Agreement in January 2025, resulting in the forfeiture of the 375,000 warrants.

Advances to Officers and Directors

Certain officers and directors advanced funds to or were advanced from the Company on an undocumented, non-interested bearing, due on demand basis. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, there wereno amounts owed to related parties were included within accrued expenses and accounts payable, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

NOTE J -COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is subject to various legal and regulatory proceedings, claims, and assessments, as well as other contingencies, that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues for these contingencies when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company regularly reviews and updates its accruals for contingencies and makes adjustments as necessary based on changes in circumstances and the emergence of new information.

Litigation

AFG Litigation

On January 16, 2025, the Company filed a lawsuit against AFG and its Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Wright Brewer III, in the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division alleging fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract, and the concealment of a ransomware attack on its own network shortly before the Reseller Agreement was executed. Given that the litigation is not yet at issue, the Company is currently unable to estimate the potential range of recoverable damages or the potential loss or range of loss, if any, resulting from a favorable or unfavorable outcome.

On March 26, 2025, the Company filed a First Amended Complaint against AFG in the Southern District of New York alleging breach of contract against AFG with respect to the AFG Subscription Agreement. Specifically, the Company alleges that AFG failed to fund its required March 13, 2025 payment in the amount of $6,500,000. In the lawsuit, the Company seeks actual damages in the amount of the missed payment, pre- and post-judgment of interest, consequential damages and attorneys’ fees and costs. It also seeks a declaration from the court that AFG was and is obligated to purchase an aggregate of $6.5 million of additional shares of the Company’s Common Stock on each of the first four anniversaries of the Initial Offering Closing Date and Business Combination Closing (as defined in the AFG Subscription Agreement) pursuant to the AFG Subscription Agreement. On May 12, 2025, AFG filed an Answer and Counterclaims in which it denies the allegations of the lawsuit and asserts counterclaims for an unspecified amount of damages against the Company. Given that the litigation is not yet at issue, the Company is currently unable to estimate the potential range of recoverable damages or the potential loss or range of loss, if any, resulting from a favorable or unfavorable outcome.

Related Party Investigation

The Company’s management team assigned an advisor to the Board to conduct an internal investigation of potential related party transactions with certain members of DHC Sponsor, LLC, prior to the merger with Brand Engagement Network, Inc. These matters are still under investigation.

From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. Apart from the foregoing, we are not presently a party to any other legal proceedings that we believe, if determined adversely to us, would individually or taken together have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, cash flows or financial condition. Defending such proceedings is costly and can impose a significant burden on management and employees. The results of any current or future litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, and regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

Employment contracts

The Company has entered into employment contracts with its officers and certain employees that provide for severance and continuation benefits in the event of termination of employment either by the Company without cause or by the employee for good reason, both as defined in the agreements, along with any unpaid vested options, equity or earned bonuses. In addition, in the event of termination of employment following a change in control, as defined in each agreement the employee shall receive a prorated bonus payment and severance payments (as defined in each agreement).

The Company has satisfied all obligations pursuant to the employment agreement with Mr. Chang through the date of his termination as chief executive officer, but is still negotiating his release agreement.

Skye LATAM

In October 2025, the Company entered into an exclusive reseller agreement (the “Agreement”) with Skye Inteligencia LATAM (“Skye”), pursuant to which the Company granted Skye the exclusive right to market and resell certain of the Company’s services. In connection with the Agreement, the Company received a contingent preferred equity interest in Skye and a 25% common stock interest in Skye, and is entitled to a 35% share of Skye’s future net revenues derived from the resold services. As Skye was a newly formed entity with no operations or revenue history at the time the Agreement was executed, the Company determined that collectability of substantially all consideration was not probable at inception and, accordingly, the Agreement did not meet the criteria for recognition under ASC 606. The preferred equity interest has been recorded as an equity security under ASC 321 with nominal value, and the 25% common stock interest, which had nominal value at the date of the Agreement, is accounted for under the equity method in accordance with ASC 323. Revenue attributable to the 35% revenue share will be recognized as the related sales occur in accordance with ASC 606.

Africa Licensing Agreement

On January 20, 2026, the Company executed a licensing partnership with Valio Technologies (Pty) Ltd. This agreement facilitates the Company’s entry into the African market and includes a clinical AI pilot at Nelson Mandela University to evaluate the ELM™ technology in regulated healthcare and academic environments. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company maintains a 25% equity interest in the regional venture and a 35% recurring revenue share.

NOTE K -SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events have been evaluated through May 15, 2026, which represents the date the financial statements were available to be issued, and no events, other than those discussed below, have occurred through that date that would impact the unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements.

On April 21, 2026, the Company was granted U.S. Patent No. 12,581,163, titled “Systems and Methods for Delivering User-Specific Messages.” The patent encompasses systems designed to interpret user intent and execute automated actions across integrated data systems in real-time environments.

On April 21, 2026, the Company entered into a letter agreement with HighTide Energy, Inc. d/b/a Accelevate Solutions (“Accelevate”), a provider of AI-driven fleet management and infrastructure solutions, regarding a strategic investment and commercial collaboration. Subsequently, on May 7, 2026, following the completion of due diligence, the Company executed two definitive Reseller Agreements with Accelevate. These agreements provide the Company with exclusive reseller rights in Mexico for a five-year term and global reseller rights (excluding Mexico and Latin America) for its AI technology, with the Company entitled to 35% of gross revenue from sales. Additionally, the Company completed a $1,000,000 strategic minority investment in Accelevate’s common stock, securing 100% warrant coverage, a board seat, and a right of first refusal for future acquisition.

On April 30, 2026, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Munich-based Cataneo GmbH (“Cataneo”), a provider of advertising management software and media broadcast solutions. The transaction allows the Company to apply its AI technology to live media systems, enhancing how advertisers and media companies handle monetization and engagement. The transaction is expected to close on or about June 30, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is valued at approximately $19.5 million, with payment in a combination of cash and equity. BEN has already advanced $1.0 million, and the Company has secured capital commitments of $8 million to fund the remaining cash consideration, $500,000 of which has funded via the sale of common stock at a price of $39.59 per share and warrants exercisable in one year for $39.59 per share of common stock and the remainder of which will fund prior to closing. Approximately $10.5 million of the consideration will be delivered in BEN common stock, priced at the 20-day volume-weighted average price of $39.59 per share - which represents a premium to BEN’s recent trading levels. This structure eliminates reliance on discounted or dilutive capital and underscores BEN’s disciplined execution and strong balance-sheet focus.