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Apollo Silver Congratulates Equinox Gold on FAST-41 Permitting

Investing 2 Mins Read

Apollo Silver Corp. (‘ Apollo ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) (TSX.V:APGO, OTCQB:APGOF, Frankfurt:6ZF0) congratulates Equinox Gold Corp. (TSX: EQX) (NYSE American: EQX) on the recent acceptance of its Castle Mountain Project into the United States’ FAST-41 program, which is designed to streamline and derisk the permitting process. Castle Mountain is located just 165km from Apollo’s Calico silver and barite project both situated in San Bernardino County, California.

Ross McElroy, President and CEO of Apollo, commented, ‘ This news speaks to the diligence of the Equinox team in advancing their project to this stage. Crucially for our Calico Project in San Bernardino County, which hosts one of the largest undeveloped silver deposits in North America, this also highlights the government’s determination to accelerate domestic mine development. ‘

About Apollo Silver Corp.

Apollo is advancing one of the largest undeveloped primary silver projects in the US. The Calico Project hosts a large, bulk minable silver deposit with significant barite credits – a critical mineral essential to the US energy and medical sectors. Additionally, the Company has optioned Cinco de Mayo in Chihuahua, Mexico, which is host to a major CRD deposit that is both high-grade and large tonnage. Led by an award-winning management team, our growth strategy is matched only by the scale of the opportunity in front of us.

Please visit www.apollosilver.com for further information.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ross McElroy
President and CEO

For further information, please contact:

Email: info@apollosilver.com
Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Business

Group accused of using fake accounts to buy tickets to Taylor Swift and Springsteen shows

Business 5 Mins Read

A ticket-reselling operation used a network of fake accounts to bypass Ticketmaster’s security protocols to grab hundreds of thousands of tickets to hugely popular tours for artists like Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen and then re-sold them for millions, federal regulators said Monday.

The Federal Trade Commission alleges the operation used illicit software that masked IP addresses, as well as repurposed credit cards and SIM phone cards, as part of the scheme. It was run through various guises, like TotalTickets.com, TotallyTix and Front Rose Tix, but was run by three key individuals, the agency said.

In total, the group is accused of buying 321,286 tickets to 3,261 live performances from June 2022 to December 2023, in bunches of 15 or more tickets to each event at a total cost of approximately $46.7 million and then reselling them for $52.4 million, netting approximately $5.7 million.

Taylor Swift.Lewis Joly / AP file

That includes $1.2 million from reselling tickets in 2023 for Taylor Swift’s record-breaking “The Eras Tour.” In one instance, the suspects used 49 different accounts to purchase 273 tickets for Swift’s March 2023 tour stop in Las Vegas, vastly exceeding Ticketmaster’s six-ticket limit, which they then sold for $120,000, the FTC alleges.

Another part of the alleged scheme involved using friends, family and paid strangers to open Ticketmaster accounts. The FTC says the defendants at one point printed up flyers in places like Baltimore claiming that participants could “make money doing verified van sign ups” in just “3 easy steps,” earning $5 for the account creation and $5 to $20 each time they received a Verified Fan presale code.

Ticketmaster came in for heavy criticism after fans complained of faulty technology and eye-watering prices for 2022 sales for Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen’s tours. The Verified Fan pre-sale for Swift’s tour crashed its site, which it blamed on “bot attacks” and bot fans who didn’t have invite codes. It was subsequently forced to postpone the sale date for the general public seeking tickets to Swift’s tour “due to demands on ticketing systems and insufficient remaining ticket inventory.”

In response, Swift alluded to broken “trust” with Ticketmaster, though she didn’t name it directly.

“It’s really difficult for me to trust an outside entity with these relationships and loyalties, and excruciating for me to just watch mistakes happen with no recourse,” she wrote in an Instagram message in 2022, adding: “I’m not going to make excuses for anyone because we asked them multiple times if they could handle this kind of demand and we were assured they could.”

Springsteen said in a statement at the time that “ticket buying has gotten very confusing, not just for the fans, but for the artists also” but that most of his tickets are “totally affordable.”

In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order focused on curbing exploitative ticket reselling practices that raise costs for fans.

On Monday, FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said Trump’s order made clear ‘that unscrupulous middlemen who harm fans and jack up prices through anticompetitive methods will hear from us.”

“Today’s action puts brokers on notice that the Trump-Vance FTC will police operations that unlawfully circumvent ticket sellers’ purchase limits, ensuring that consumers have an opportunity to buy tickets at fair prices,” he said in a statement.

Ticketmaster itself has remained under federal scrutiny for violating a prior agreement to curb what regulators said was anti-competitive behavior. In 2024, the Justice Department and FTC under President Joe Biden opened a lawsuit against Ticketmaster’s parent company, LiveNation, that accused it of monopolizing the live events industry.

It was not immediately clear whether that suit is still active. In July, the parent company of the alleged operation charged Monday by the FTC, Key Investment Group, sued the agency to block its pending investigation into its sales practices, saying that ticket purchases on its site did not use automated software, or bots, and did not violate the 2016 Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act.

Representatives for the FTC and Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment. Ticketmaster is not accused of wrongdoing in the latest suit. It did not respond to a request for comment.

Strangely, in the latest complaint, the FTC includes a slide from an internal Ticketmaster presentation from 2018 that suggests the company was weighing the economic impact of imposing stricter purchasing caps that would curb bots but potentially hurt its finances. On a page labeled “evaluating potential actions” a data table is shown under the heading “serious negative economic impact if we move to 8 ticket limit across the board.”

It also includes an email from one of the defendants in which he “owns up” to having exceeded the ticket-purchase limit for a May 2024 Bad Bunny show in Miami and offers to have the orders canceled, to which a Ticketmaster rep simply responds that “as long as the purchases were made using different accounts and cards, it’s within the guidelines.”

Efforts to reach the three defendants — Taylor Kurth, Elan Rozmaryn and Yair Rozmaryn — named in the suit announced Monday were unsuccessful. In 2018, Kurth signed a deal, or consent decree, with regulators in the state of Washington that committed him to not use software designed to circumvent companies’ security policies.

The FTC is seeking unspecified damages and civil penalties against the defendants.

CORRECTION (Aug. 19, 2025, 11:41 a.m. ET): An earlier version of this article incorrectly named a party suing the FTC and which investigation it was suing over. Key Investment Group, the parent of the alleged operation cited in the suit filed Monday by the FTC, sued the agency in July to halt an investigation into its practices. Ticketmaster and its parent, Live Nation, are not directly involved in that investigation or Key’s suit against the agency.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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Apollo Silver Engages CDMG for Marketing Services

Investing 6 Mins Read

Apollo Silver Corp. (‘ Apollo ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) (TSX.V:APGO, OTCQB:APGOF, Frankfurt:6ZF0) is pleased to announce that it has engaged Creative Direct Marketing Group, Inc. (‘CDMG’), an arm’s-length service provider, to provide marketing and advertising services for an aggregate total of US$1,620,357 (the ‘Agreement’), payable in tranches, in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (‘TSXV’) and applicable securities laws. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, CDMG specializes in marketing, advertising, and public awareness across various sectors, including mining and metals.

Pursuant to a work order dated May 16, 2025, the Company initially engaged CDMG to develop creative content for potential marketing and advertising campaigns. The Company has entered into subsequent work orders dated August 14, 2025, authorizing CDMG to proceed with a marketing and advertising campaign focused on increasing investor awareness through online platforms and physical marketing, including direct mail. The campaign is expected to commence in September 2025 and continue through November 2025. The CDMG Agreement contains no performance-based conditions, and CDMG will not receive any securities of the Company as compensation. The principals of CDMG have confirmed that they have no direct or indirect interest in the Company or its securities and no right or intention to acquire such an interest.

The Agreement is subject to the approval of the TSXV.

About Creative Direct Marketing Group, Inc.

CDMG was founded in 1985 by Craig Huey, a multiple award-winning expert in direct response marketing, direct mail, targeting strategy, and accountable advertising. CDMG is a traditional marketing agency, which practices direct response advertising, including the use of thoroughly tested and responsive copy messaging, a comprehensive multi-pronged delivery strategy, creating innovative yet cost-effective tactics.

Incentive Awards

Pursuant to the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan (the ‘Plan’) dated December 12, 2024, and TSXV policies, the Company’s Board of Directors has approved the annual grant of stock options (‘Options’), Restricted Share Units (‘RSUs’) and Deferred Share Units (‘DSUs’) to certain employees, officers, directors and consultants.

The Company granted Options to purchase an aggregate of 4,415,000 common shares of the Company (each, a ‘Common Share’), with an exercise price of $0.44 per Common Share. The Options will vest in three equal tranches over a 24-month period. Once vested, each Option is exercisable into one Common Share for a period of five years from the date of the grant.

The Company also granted a total of 2,350,000 RSUs and 1,400,000 DSUs. The RSUs will vest in three equal tranches over 36-months. Once vested, each RSU and DSU entitles the holder to receive one Common Share. DSUs may only be settled once a director ceases to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors.

About Apollo Silver Corp.

Apollo is advancing one of the largest undeveloped primary silver projects in the US. The Calico Project hosts a large, bulk minable silver deposit with significant barite credits – a critical mineral essential to the US energy and medical sectors. Additionally, the Company has optioned Cinco de Mayo Project in Chihuahua, Mexico, which is host to a major CRD deposit that is both high-grade and large tonnage. Led by an award-winning management team, our growth strategy is matched only by the scale of the opportunity in front of us.

Please visit www.apollosilver.com for further information.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ross McElroy
President and CEO

For further information, please contact:

Email: info@apollosilver.com
Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding ‘Forward-Looking’ Information

This news release includes ‘forward-looking statements’ and ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, the timing, scope, and success of planned marketing program by CDMG. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘plan’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘potential’, ‘target’, ‘budget’ and ‘intend’ and statements that an event or result ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘should’, ‘could’ or ‘might’ occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis, and opinions of the management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may have caused actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: risks associated with mineral exploration and development; metal and mineral prices; availability of capital; accuracy of the Company’s projections and estimates; realization of mineral resource estimates, interest and exchange rates; competition; stock price fluctuations; availability of drilling equipment and access; actual results of current exploration activities; government regulation; political or economic developments; environmental risks; insurance risks; capital expenditures; operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities; personnel relations; and changes in Project parameters as plans continue to be refined. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the price of silver, gold and Ba; the demand for silver, gold and Ba; the ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of any required approvals; the ability to obtain qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the ability to operate in a safe, efficient and effective matter; and the regulatory framework regarding environmental matters, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company’s expected financial and operational performance and the Company’s plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws .

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Bold Ventures Announces Results of A and B Horizon Soil Sampling Program on Its Burchell Property

Investing 8 Mins Read

Bold Ventures Inc. (TSXV: BOL,OTC:BVLDF) (the ‘Company’ or ‘Bold’) is pleased to announce the results of an A and B Horizon Soil Sampling Program on its Burchell Gold and Copper Property (‘the Property’), located approximately 100 km west of Thunder Bay, Ontario. 474 samples in total were collected on a flagged 800 m by 1 km grid centered on the 111 Zone, where grab samples returned from 10 ppb Au up to 68 gt Au last Fall (see Bold news release dated January 9, 2025).

Highlights from the survey include:

  • Highly anomalous gold values in B Horizon soil, with one sample returning 647 ppb Au.
  • Anomalous base metal values in both A and B Horizons.
  • Association of gold and base metal anomalies with mapped contact zones between geological units.
  • At least three distinct clusters of gold and base metal anomalies identified for follow-up prospecting.

Samples were collected during the month of May on NNW-SSE lines spaced 100 meters apart, with 25-meter sample station spacing, collecting A Horizon and B Horizon where possible. Two test lines of A Horizon were sampled across a prominent swamp in the northern part of the survey area to test the performance over deeper cover. See Figure 1 below for the survey location on the Property and Figure 2 and Figure 3 for A and B Horizon gold (Au), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and Lead (Pb) results. Results are discussed in more detail below. A link to the soil sample results table is provided here.

Figure 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5762/262827_bee0d035243d3b3e_001full.jpg

*Note: The QP has been unable to verify the resource estimates referred to above and these are not necessarily indicative of mineralization present on the Burchell Property.

B Horizon Soil Sampling Results

212 B Horizon soil samples were collected and submitted for geochemical analysis. Results for Au, Zn, Cu and Pb are presented in Figure 2 with values greater than the 90th and 99th percentiles highlighted in coloured symbols by element.

Three gold anomalies stand out:

  • 647 ppb Au, located 400 meters east-northeast of the 111 Zone.
  • 301 ppb Au, located 230 meters west-northwest of the 111 Zone.
  • 76 ppb Au, located 170 meters south-southwest of the 111 Zone.

These gold anomalies all occur proximal to contact zones between mafic metavolcanics and either intermediate to felsic metavolcanics or quartz sericite schist. The geology on the flagged grid was mapped concurrently with the soil sampling program during May. The closest sample to the 111 Zone responded with a value of 8 ppb Au.

The 111 Zone occurs in strongly silicified and sheared mafic metavolcanics very near to the contact with the quartz sericite schist unit mentioned above, which may represent strongly silicified felsic volcanics, commonly containing at least 1% fine disseminated pyrite. The altered volcanic rocks on the southern and northern margins of the quartz sericite schist commonly contain trace to locally 5%

The quartz sericite schist unit is spatially associated with maximum B Horizon anomalies of 1590 ppm Zn and 442 ppm Pb. Cu responded poorly in comparison to Zn and Pb, with a maximum value of 47 ppm. However, the highest Cu anomalies still occur proximal to geological contacts.

It should be noted that the two highest zinc-in-till anomalies from the 1999 Western Shebandowan Greenstone Belt regional till survey, carried out by the Ontario Geological Survey (Bajc, 2000), occur on the same trend on the property, with the second-highest anomaly occurring immediately down-ice of the 111 Zone grid. 400 till samples were collected in this survey. Osmani (2017) reports that base metal mineralization in the area tends to occur along fractured or sheared contacts between mafic metavolcanics and felsic or intermediate metavolcanics.

At least three clusters of gold and base metal anomalies have been identified proximal to geological contacts for follow-up prospecting, see Figure 2.

A Horizon Soil Sampling Results

262 A Horizon soil samples were collected and submitted for geochemical analysis. Results for Au, Zn, Cu and Pb are presented in Figure 3, with values greater than the 90th and 99th percentiles highlighted in coloured symbols by element.

The A Horizon samples in general responded poorly compared to B horizon when considering gold, with the highest result of 44 ppb Au near the 111 Zone. However, the base metal response was strong for Zn, Cu and Pb, with maximum results of 4520 ppm Zn, 547 ppm Cu, and 350 ppm Pb. The anomalies cluster similarly to the B horizon anomalies, with an additional area of interest to the north within a prominent swamp. Only two lines were sampled across this swamp to test the response over the deeper overburden. Most samples were anomalous in Pb, complemented frequently by Cu and weak Au anomalies. The two highest Pb anomalies occur in the middle of the swamp. See Figure 3.

QAQC Protocols

Soil samples were collected, documented and photographed in the field, then placed in sealed bags and delivered to Activation Laboratories (ActLabs) in Thunder Bay, which is an ISO / IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. Soil sample collection is subject to Bold’s internal quality assurance / quality control (QAQC) protocols, which include the insertion of blank material and certified reference material into each batch of samples submitted. B Horizon samples referenced in this news release were analyzed using ActLabs methods 1A2-50, a 50g fire assay with atomic absorption finish, and 1F2, a total digestion with ICP-OES finish for trace elements. A Horizon samples were analyzed using ActLabs methods 2A, an INAA analysis for gold and trace elements, as well as ActLabs method 2C1, an aqua regia partial digestion with ICP finish for select metals.

The technical information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Coleman Robertson, B.Sc., P. Geo., the Company’s V.P. of Exploration and a qualified person (QP) for the purposes of NI 43-101.

Bold Ventures management believes our suite of Battery, Critical and Precious Metals exploration projects are an ideal combination of exploration potential meeting future demand. Our target commodities are comprised of: Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd) and Chromium (Cr). The Critical Metals list and a description of the Provincial and Federal electrification plans are posted on the Bold Critical and Battery Minerals page.

References

Bajc, A.F. 2000. Results of regional till sampling in the western part of the Shebandowan greenstone belt, northwestern Ontario; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6012, 74p.

Osmani, A., 2017. NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Burchell Lake Property, Northwestern Ontario, Thunder Bay Mining District, NTS 52B/10SE, for Tanager Energy Inc.

About Bold Ventures Inc.

The Company explores for Precious, Battery and Critical Metals in Canada. Bold is exploring properties located in active gold and battery metals camps in the Thunder Bay and Wawa regions of Ontario. Bold also holds significant assets located within and around the emerging multi-metals district dubbed the Ring of Fire region, located in the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario.

For additional information about Bold Ventures and our projects please visit boldventuresinc.com or contact us at 416-864-1456 or email us at info@boldventuresinc.com.

‘Bruce A MacLachlan’
Bruce MacLachlan
President and COO

Direct line: (705) 266-0847

Email: bruce@boldventuresinc.com

‘David B Graham’ 
David Graham 
CEO

 

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words ‘may’, ‘would’, ‘could’, ‘will’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’ and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to such risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/262827

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Crypto Market Update: Bitcoin, Ether Values Pull Back as Traders Lock in Gains

Investing 4 Mins Read

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (August 18) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ethereum and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$115,446, a 2.5 percent decline in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$114,740, while its highest was US$118,514.

Bitcoin price performance, August 18, 2025.

Chart via TradingView

Bitcoin slipped around 2–3 percent over the past 24 hours amid widespread profit-taking following recent all-time highs and renewed US Producer Price Index data that dampened rate-cut expectations.

Ethereum (ETH) was priced at US$4,330.74, down by 4.6 percent over the past 24 hours. Its highest valuation of the day was $4,563.72 and its lowest valuation was US$4,239.27 at the start of trading.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$182.12, down by 5.6 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$180.47, while its highest valuation was US$195.10.
  • XRP was trading for US$2.99, down 4.3 percent in the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$2.95, and its highest was US$3.14.
  • Sui (SUI) was trading at US$3.57, down by 7.3 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3.53, while its highest was US$3.89.
  • Cardano (ADA) was trading at US$0.9089, down 6.6 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$0.8967, while its highest was US$0.9746.

Today’s crypto news to know

Bitcoin, Ether, and other crypto stocks cool down after rally week

Bitcoin fell back on Monday (August 18) as traders locked in gains following last week’s record-breaking rally above US$124,000.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency was down about 2 percent to US$115,179, while Ether slipped 3 percent to US$4,335 and XRP declined 4 percent.

The dip follows a sharp run-up fueled by optimism around crypto ETFs and new regulatory developments, including President Donald Trump’s executive order earlier this month permitting retirement accounts like 401(k)s to include digital assets.

Crypto-related equities mirrored the pullback, with shares of mining and crypto firms all down roughly 2 percent in premarket trading. Analysts suggest the selling is a typical retracement after a parabolic move and may signal rotation from spot crypto to other risk assets.

Gemini, Winklevoss twins files for Nasdaq listing

Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has formally filed to go public with plans for a Nasdaq listing under the ticker “GEMI.”

The registration statement, however, did not specify how many shares will be offered or at what price range, leaving those details for later.

Founded in 2014, Gemini says it has processed US$285 billion in lifetime trading volume and custodies over $18 billion in digital assets as of June 30.

In their filing, the twins framed crypto as entering “a new Golden Age,” emphasizing their vision of financial markets moving increasingly on-chain. They described Gemini as a “Super App” for digital assets, offering trading, custody, and broader crypto financial services under one platform.

If successful, Gemini would join Coinbase as one of the few US exchanges to list publicly, offering investors direct equity exposure to crypto market infrastructure.

Amdax unveils Bitcoin treasury firm, plans Euronext Amsterdam Listing

Amsterdam-based Amdax announced plans to list a new Bitcoin treasury firm, Amsterdam Bitcoin Treasury Strategy (AMBTS), on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange.

The company says the goal is to create a vehicle that holds Bitcoin long-term on behalf of institutional and private investors, reflecting growing corporate adoption of digital reserves.

CEO Lucas Wensing noted that more than 10 percent of Bitcoin’s supply is already held by corporations, governments, and institutions, suggesting a structural shift in how the asset is used.

Bitcoin’s rally of 32 percent in 2025, alongside pro-crypto regulatory momentum following President Donald Trump’s election, has reinforced the case for such vehicles. AMBTS plans to raise capital in a private round before listing, with a long-term target of accumulating at least 1 percent of total Bitcoin supply.

The move could make Euronext Amsterdam a more prominent hub for European digital asset investment products, challenging London and Frankfurt.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Empire Metals Limited Announces Drilling Outlines Large, High-Grade Zone

Investing 6 Mins Read

Empire Metals Limited, theAIM-quoted and OTCQB-tradedexploration and development company,is pleased to report outstanding assay results from its latest drilling campaign at the Pitfield Project in Western Australia (‘Pitfield’ or the ‘Project’). This programme, focused on the in-situ weathered cap at the Thomas Prospect, has delivered some of the highest titanium dioxide (‘TiO₂’) grades recorded to date and will underpin the Company’s maiden JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate (‘MRE’).

Highlights

  • Selected exceptional intercepts (>6% TiO2), include:
    • 44m @ 7.87% TiO2 from surface (AC25TOM159)
    • 50m @ 7.84% TiO2 from 4m (AC25TOM130)
    • 54m @ 7.41% TiO2 from surface (AC25TOM118)
    • 98m @ 7.05% TiO2 from 2m (RC25TOM062)
    • 98m @ 7.05% TiO2 from 2m (RC25TOM068)
  • Large, high-grade central core identified averaging circa 6% TiO2 across a continuous 3.6km strike length
  • Nearly two thirds of all drillholes averaged > 4% TiO2, with over 90% exceeding a 2% cut-off.

Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, said:‘These results confirm the exceptional scale and grade of titanium mineralisation at Thomas. The continuity of high-grade mineralisation near surface is particularly exciting for future mine development. With assays received ahead of schedule, we can now accelerate resource modelling and move rapidly towards announcing our maiden MRE.’

MRE Drilling Programme – Key Results

Since commencing the maiden drilling campaign at Pitfield on 27 March 2023 Empire has completed 382 drill holes for a total 32,265 metres (refer Figure 1) comprising:

  • 17 Diamond drill holes for 2,704 m
  • 140 Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes for 18,764 m
  • 225 Air Core (AC) drill holes for 10,797 m.

The latest May-June campaign comprised:

  • 140 AC drillholes (6,360m) on a 400 x 200m grid, average depth 45.4m
  • 40 RC drillholes (3,776m) within the AC grid, average depth 94.4m

During the campaign all drill holes were subsampled on a 2m interval, resulting in over 5,000 drill samples being collected, logged by our on-site team of geologists and then prepared for shipment to Intertek’s Perth based analytical laboratory. The analytical assay results have now been received, showing continuous TiO2-rich mineralisation across the overall drillhole grid, which extends 5.2km by 2.6km and totals an area of 1,352 hectares (refer Figure 2).

The drilling has confirmed the presence of a large, high-grade central core at the Thomas prospect, this target being selected as the basis for the maiden MRE due to the extensive, thick and high-grade titanium mineralisation known to be hosted within the broad, in-situ weathered zone. Whilst over 90% of all drillhole sample assays show mineralisation well above a 2% TiO2 cut-off grade this central high-grade core, extends over 3.6km north-south, averages around 6% TiO2 (refer Table 1).

Significant analytical assay results for each drillhole above 6% TiO2 are reported in Table 2 further below.

Strategic Significance

The May-June campaign marked a major milestone in the development of Pitfield, laying the foundation for a globally significant MRE and enabling the identification of near-surface, high grade zones to support the development of mine planning and ore scheduling as part of upcoming economic evaluation studies.

The Pitfield Titanium Project

Located within the Mid-West region of Western Australia, near the northern wheatbelt town of Three Springs, the Pitfield titanium project lies 313km north of Perth and 156km southeast of Geraldton, the Mid West region’s capital and major port. Western Australia is a Tier 1 mining jurisdiction, with mining-friendly policies, stable government, transparency, and advanced technology expertise. Pitfield has existing connections to port (both road & rail), HV power substations, and is nearby to natural gas pipelines as well as a green energy hydrogen fuel hub, which is under planning and development (refer Figure 3).

Competent Person Statement

The technical information in this report that relates to the Pitfield Project has been compiled by Mr Andrew Faragher, an employee of Empire Metals Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Empire. Mr Faragher is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Faragher has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Mr Faragher consents to the inclusion in this release of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, as incorporated into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, until the release of this announcement.

**ENDS**

For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk or contact:

About Empire Metals Limited

Empire Metals is an AIM-listed and OTCQB-traded exploration and resource development company (LON: EEE) with a primary focus on developing Pitfield, an emerging giant titanium project in Western Australia.

The high-grade titanium discovery at Pitfield is of unprecedented scale, with airborne surveys identifying a massive, coincident gravity and magnetics anomaly extending over 40km by 8km by 5km deep. Drill results have indicated excellent continuity in grades and consistency of the mineralised beds and confirm that the sandstone beds hold the higher-grade titanium dioxide (TiO₂) values within the interbedded succession of sandstones, siltstones and conglomerates. The Company is focused on two key prospects (Cosgrove and Thomas), which have been identified as having thick, high-grade, near-surface, bedded TiO₂ mineralisation, each being over 7km in strike length.

An Exploration Target* for Pitfield was declared in 2024, covering the Thomas and Cosgrove mineral prospects, and was estimated to contain between 26.4 to 32.2 billion tonnes with a grade range of 4.5 to 5.5% TiO2. Included within the total Exploration Target* is a subset that covers the weathered sandstone zone, which extends from surface to an average vertical depth of 30m to 40m and is estimated to contain between 4.0 to 4.9 billion tonnes with a grade range of 4.8 to 5.9% TiO2.

The Exploration Target* covers an area less than 20% of the overall mineral system at Pitfield which demonstrates the potential for significant further upside.

Empire is now accelerating the economic development of Pitfield, with a vision to produce a high-value titanium metal or pigment quality product at Pitfield, to realise the full value potential of this exceptional deposit.

The Company also has two further exploration projects in Australia; the Eclipse Project and the Walton Project in Western Australia, in addition to three precious metals projects located in a historically high-grade gold producing region of Austria.

*The potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

Source

Click here to connect with Empire Metals (OTCQB:EPMLF, AIM:EEE) to receive an Investor Presentation

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3 Best-performing Canadian Rare Earths Stocks in 2025

Investing 7 Mins Read

Rare earths are important for many of today’s technologies and tomorrow’s carbon-free economy.

Investors may not be very familiar with the metals individually, but the group of elements is found in technology all around us, commonly in the form of rare earth magnets, which are used in everything from electric vehicles (EVs) to smartphones to wind turbines. As technology continues to advance, they are expected to remain in high demand.

In 2025, the rare earths market is navigating a volatile yet strategically critical phase shaped by supply concerns, demand fluctuations and intensifying US-China trade tensions.

Rare earth metals demand continues to be driven by uses such as clean energy technologies — particularly permanent magnets used in EVs and wind turbines — as well as defense and electronics industries.

However, consumption forecasts for rare earth magnets have been revised down, with expected year-on-year growth in 2025 easing from 9 percent to around 5 percent as macro uncertainties weigh on manufacturing and industrial activity.

On the supply side, China’s influence remains significant, accounting for over 50 percent of the world’s refined rare earths output. Beijing’s latest round of export controls on the strategic minerals, made in response to high tariffs enacted by US President Donald Trump, has intensified concerns about global supply chain vulnerability.

These measures have especially impacted US and European manufacturers, prompting renewed efforts to diversify supply, invest in recycling technologies and accelerate domestic production projects.

In response to China’s rare earths export measures, the Trump administration initiated a Section 232 national security probe into the rare earths supply chain in April 2025, sparking renewed interest in miners, producers and refiners.

1. Mkango Resources (TSXV:MKA)

Yearly gain: 325 percent
Market cap: C$219.61 million
Share price: C$0.69

Mkango Resources is positioning itself to be a leader in recycled rare earth magnets, alloys and oxides.

The company holds a 79.4 percent stake in Maginito, which owns HyProMag, a firm focusing on rare earth magnet recycling in the UK. Maginito also owns Mkango Rare Earths UK, which focuses on long-loop rare earth magnet recycling. Additionally, Maginito and CoTec Holdings (TSXV:CTH,OTCQB:CTHCF) are expanding HyProMag’s recycling technology to the US through their joint venture, HyProMag USA.

Mkango’s mineral assets include the advanced Songwe Hill rare earths project and a diverse exploration portfolio in Malawi, covering rare earths, uranium, tantalum, niobium and more. Its subsidiary Lancaster Exploration signed a mining development agreement with the Government of Malawi for Songwe Hill in June 2024.

Mkango is also developing the Pulawy rare earths separation project in Poland via its subsidiary Mkango Polska.

In January, Mkango announced plans for HyProMag and Areera to partner with Inserma and Sweden’s RISE Research Institutes to develop automated sorting and pre-processing of speakers, creating a concentrated feed of NdFeB magnets for recycling. It also raised C$4.11 million to advance rare earth magnet recycling in the UK and Germany.

On March 25, the European Commission granted Mkango’s Pulawy rare earths separation project in Poland strategic project status under the Critical Raw Materials Act.

The designation highlights the project’s importance to EU supply chains and will streamline permitting while enhancing access to financing and support from EU institutions and potential offtakers.

The company’s share value nearly doubled from C$0.34 on July 2 to C$0.60 by July 7 following the announcement on July 3 that Mkango’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Lancaster Exploration and Mkango Polska, had entered into a definitive business combination agreement with special purpose acquisition company Crown PropTech Acquisitions to form a new company, to be renamed Mkango Rare Earths and listed on the NASDAQ. The deal would create a vertically integrated rare earths company that holds Songwe Hill in Malawi and the Pulawy plant in Poland.

Later in the month, news hit the wire that HyProMag had secured feedstock supply and pre-processing site share agreement between global electronics recycling company, Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions, LLC.

Shares of Mkango reached a year-to-date high of C$0.70 on July 31, 2025.

2. Ucore Rare Metals (TSXV:UCU)

Yearly gain: 192.47 percent
Market cap: C$166.65 million
Share price: C$2.18

Ucore Rare Metals is a rare earths processing and exploration company with operations in the US and Canada.

Following its 2020 acquisition of Innovation Metals, the company is commercializing its proprietary RapidSX separation technology. Ucore plans to implement this system at its first commercial heavy rare earth elements (HREE) refining facility, the Strategic Metals Complex, in Louisiana. It is also developing its Bokan HREE project in Alaska.

This past January, Ucore received C$500,000 from the Ontario government as part of the province’s Critical Minerals Innovation Fund. The rare earths processor said it planned to use the cash infusion to advance improvements at its RapidSX commercial demonstration facility in Ontario. A private placement of 3.6 million shares priced at C$0.60 each raised an additional C$2.16 million for Ucore when it closed in February.

In May, Ucore broke ground on its Strategic Metals Complex, where it plans to ‘produce high-purity rare earth oxides from mixed rare earth chemical concentrates obtained from multiple global feedstock sources.’

Shortly after, the company executed a definitive contract for an US$18.4 million follow-on first-stage production award from the US Department of Defense, and closed a private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of C$15.5 million.

Ucore is working to achieve early production readiness of salable individual HREE products from the processing facility by the second half of 2026.

Shares of Ucore rose to a year-to-date high of C$2.10 on August 5, 2025.

3. Leading Edge Materials (TSXV:LEM)

Yearly gain: 77.78 percent
Market cap: C$35.99 million
Share price: C$0.16

Vancouver-based Leading Edge Materials is focused on developing three critical raw material projects located in the European Union. The portfolio includes the wholly owned Norra Kärr HREE project and the Woxna graphite mine in Sweden, the company also has a 51 percent stake in the Bihor Sud Nickel Cobalt exploration alliance in Romania.

In January, Leading Edge released its 2024 results, noting that in early December, the company applied to the Mining Inspectorate of Sweden for an Exploitation Concession 25-year mining lease for Norra Kärr.

A February project update outlines plans to start up and down steam prefeasibility work at Norra Kärr in Q2.

“As part of the PFS, the company will evaluate the business case for a Rapid Development Plan (RDP), whereby Norra Kärr can be in production in the shortest possible timeframe to be supplying REE concentrates to the market in advance of the completion of the downstream processing facility and selling nepheline syenite,” the statement read.

Shares of Leading Edge hit a year-to-date high of C$0.30 on March 23, coinciding with news that the company was awaiting a decision on its application for Strategic Project status under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act.

A few days later, Leading Edge learned that Norra Kärr did not earn the designation; however, the company plans to reapply for Strategic Project status when a new round of submissions are requested.

In a June company update, Leading Edge discusses the steps its taking to address the deficiencies in its Strategic Project applicaiton. Work on the PFS is also advancing and the company anticipates its completion in Q1 2026.

FAQs for rare earth investing

What are rare earth minerals?

Rare earths are a category of elements that share many chemical properties. In fact, all but two — yttrium and scandium — are also called lanthanides. These elements are commonly found in the same deposits and are necessary for diverse technological applications such as rare earth magnets.

How many rare earth elements are there?

In total there are 17 elements that make up the rare earths category, and they are split into light and heavy rare earths. On the light side, there are cerium, lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, europium, gadolinium and samarium, and on the heavy side there are dysprosium, yttrium, terbium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, yttrium and lutetium.

Where are rare earth metals found?

In terms of both reserves and production, China is the frontrunner for rare earth metals by a long shot, with 44 million metric tons of reserves and 270,000 metric tons of production in 2024. However, Brazil also has significant reserves above 21 million MT. With regards to rare earth production, the US is in second place at 45,000 metric tons due to the Mountain Pass mine in California.

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Tech 5: US Government Strikes Big Tech Deal, Perplexity Plots Expansion

Investing 5 Mins Read

Tech stocks led Wall Street to a second consecutive week of gains as a series of data releases reignited optimism about a September interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve.

A strong consumer price index report was the catalyst, renewing anticipation that the Fed will lower rates when it meets next month. While Thursday’s (August 14) less optimistic producer price index report caused a momentary pause, the tech sector’s resilience — or defiance — mitigated losses and kept momentum alive.

Here’s a look at the key moments that shaped the tech sector this week.

1. US government strikes controversial Big Tech deal

On Monday (August 11), the Washington Post reported on a deal between the US government and tech giants NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) (NASDAQ:AMD). It stipulates that the tech companies must surrender 15 percent of revenue from Chinese sales of NVIDIA’s H20 chips and AMD’s MI308 chips.

Anonymous sources told the news outlet that this condition was imposed as a prerequisite for granting the companies export licenses to sell their products in China. The move that has prompted legal concerns among trade experts who say the fee could be construed as an unconstitutional trade tax.

“To call this unusual or unprecedented would be a staggering understatement,” Stephen Olson, a former US trade negotiator, told Bloomberg. “What we are seeing is in effect the monetization of US trade policy in which US companies must pay the US government for permission to export.”

AMD, NVIDIA and Intel performance, August 12 to 15, 2025.

Chart via Google Finance.

Meanwhile, shares of Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) rose as much as 4.6 percent on Tuesday (August 12) following a ‘candid and constructive’ meeting between CEO Lip-Bu Tan and US President Donald Trump on Monday.

The meeting came after Trump called for Tan’s removal last week.

According to a separate Bloomberg article, the US government is considering taking a stake in the chipmaker to help it establish a planned factory hub in Ohio; the company once promised it would be the world’s largest chipmaking facility. Tan has not confirmed or denied the report, but discussions are said to be ongoing. Sources told Bloomberg the government is considering using funds from the Biden administration’s Chips Act to fund the stake.

2. Amazon to expand grocery delivery services

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) shares rose as much as 1.3 percent on Wednesday (August 13) after the commerce company announced plans to significantly expand its grocery services.

On Wednesday, the company said its same-day delivery service will now include fresh groceries, including produce, meat and dairy, in over 1,000 cities, with plans to expand into more than 2,300 by the end of the year.

The service is included in Amazon Prime memberships for orders over US$25. Smaller orders and orders from non-members will require fees of US$2.99 and US$12.99, respectively.

3. CoreWeave shares drop after mixed earnings report

Artificial intelligence (AI) data center operator CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV) reported mixed Q2 results on Tuesday, with revenue more than doubling year-on-year to US$1.2 billion, beating estimates of US$1.08 billion, and a revenue backlog of US$30.1 billion. However, the growth came at a high cost. The company reported a record US$2.9 billion in capital expenditures for the quarter, and operating expenses jumped by 276 percent to US$1.19 billion.

CoreWeave performance, August 12 to 15, 2025.

Chart via Google Finance.

The company also reported losses of US$291 million, larger than the US$190.6 million analysts had estimated.

Shares of CoreWeave opened more than 10 percent lower on Wednesday and declined throughout the week, closing at US$99.97 on Friday (August 15) compared to Monday’s opening price of US$134.80.

4. Perplexity bids on Chrome, prepares for fresh funding round

AI startup Perplexity made a US$34.5 billion bid for Google’s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) web browser, Chrome, in a move to secure its future in the AI search market. Perplexity told the Wall Street Journal that the unsolicited offer would be funded with the help of outside investors. The company’s advance comes as Google faces a potential divestiture following an antitrust trial that found it had illegally monopolized online search and search advertising.

OpenAI has also expressed interest in acquiring Chrome.

On Thursday, Business Insider reported that Perplexity is preparing for another round of funding, which would mark its sixth fundraiser in 18 months. The company is reportedly seeking a post-money valuation of US$20 billion. This comes barely one month after the startup achieved a US$18 billion valuation.

The rapid succession of these events underscores the intense, high-stakes competition among AI startups to secure foundational assets and challenge established tech giants.

Canadian AI startup Cohere secured US$500 million in fresh funding on Thursday from a group of investors that included NVIDIA and AMD, bringing its valuation to US$6.8 billion. The company also onboarded former executives from Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META).

5. Apple plans product expansion

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares climbed as high as 1.7 percent on Wednesday after Bloomberg reported on the company’s planned expansion into robotics, home security and smart displays.

The new products are aimed at strengthening Apple’s product ecosystem, which has paled in comparison to offerings from tech rivals like Amazon and Meta.

Apple performance, August 12 to 15, 2025.

Chart via Google Finance.

Some of the new devices slated for future release include a tabletop virtual companion robot, a long-planned advanced Siri model with a visual personality, a smart speaker with display capabilities and home security cameras.

Apple finished the week at US$231.59, a 1.7 percent gain from Monday.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Crypto Market Update: Bitcoin Pulls Back After New High, Ethereum ETF Inflows Hit Nearly US$3 Billion

Investing 7 Mins Read

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (August 15) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ethereum and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$116,999, a 0.8 percent decline in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$116,956, while its highest was US$118,192.

Bitcoin price performance, August 15, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin surged to a new all-time high of US$124,533 on Thursday (August 14), driven by increased institutional interest and expectations that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates.

However, the rally was short-lived, as the price fell as low as US$117,263 early on Friday.

The decline was attributed to hotter-than-expected US producer price index data for July, which dampened investor optimism about a rate reduction. Additionally, comments from US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent revealed that the country holds less Bitcoin in reserve than previously thought, further unsettling the market.

Ethereum (ETH) experienced one of its most successful weeks of the year, with on-chain data further underscoring this bullish trend. Daily active addresses, stablecoin transfer volume and daily transactions all reached record highs this week. Additionally, decentralized exchange volume hit its highest point since 2022.

As of Friday’s close, ETH was priced at US$4,391.13, a 3.3 percent decline over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Friday was US$4,381.31, and its highest was US$4,614.81.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$184.03, down by 4.8 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$183.837, while its highest valuation was US$193.02.
  • XRP was trading for US$3.07, down 0.3 percent in the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3.01, and its highest was US$3.11.
  • Sui (SUI) was trading at US$3.66, down by 2.4 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3.63, while its highest was US$3.85.
  • Cardano (ADA) was trading at US$0.93, up 0.3 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$0.9186, while its highest was US$0.9526.

Today’s crypto news to know

Ethereum ETF inflows hit nearly US$3 billion for the week

Ethereum-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have seen an unprecedented surge in investor demand, attracting almost US$3 billion in net inflows over the past week. According to SoSoValue data, this amount is more than five times the US$562 million that flowed into Bitcoin ETFs during the same period.

The spike coincides with a rapid increase in Ethereum holdings by crypto treasury firms — their exposure has climbed from US$600 million to US$11 billion in just six weeks. It also follows the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approval of in-kind creations and redemptions for spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. The change makes the funds more cost efficient and attractive to institutional investors.

ETF Store President Nate Geraci said in a post on X that three of the four largest single-day inflows for Ethereum ETFs since their inception occurred this week alone. Prices for the cryptocurrency have rallied nearly 19 percent over the past seven days, coming within reach of their 2021 all-time high of US$4,878.

Galaxy Digital secures US$1.4 billion loan for AI data center

Galaxy Digital (NASDAQ:GLXY) has secured a US$1.4 billion term loan facility to accelerate the development of its Helios artificial intelligence (AI) data center campus in Texas.

The loan, announced on Friday, will cover approximately 80 percent of the construction costs for the project’s first phase, with Galaxy Digital contributing US$350 million in equity. According to an SEC filing, the loan is secured by all assets of Galaxy Helios I, a subsidiary of Galaxy Digital, and is set to mature on August 15, 2028.

The capital infusion will fund the expansion of the Helios AI datacenter, enabling it to deliver power for AI workloads under a long-term agreement with GPU cloud provider CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV), commencing in early 2026.

Galaxy Digital also announced the expansion of a power capacity deal with CoreWeave to 800 megawatts for AI and high-performance computing operations at its Helios campus, projecting over US$1 billion in annual revenue from this deal, or US$15 billion over 15 years. The Helios data center is expected to reach a 3.5 gigawatt capacity when fully developed, with 2.7 gigawatts available for other clients after the CoreWeave agreement.

DOJ seizes over US$2.8 million in crypto from alleged ransomware operator

On Thursday, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the seizure of over US$2.8 million in cryptocurrency, as well as cash and other assets, as part of a criminal case against an alleged ransomware operator.

Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko, the alleged operator, faces charges of conspiring to commit computer fraud and abuse, as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering.

On Thursday, the DOJ unsealed six warrants, authorizing the seizure of US$2.8 million in cryptocurrency from a wallet controlled by Antropenko, along with US$70,000 in cash and a luxury vehicle.

According to the notice, these assets are believed to be the proceeds of ransomware activity, or involved in laundering those proceeds. The laundered assets were disguised through various methods, including the use of ChipMixer, a cryptocurrency mixing service that was shut down in a coordinated international operation in 2023.

Antropenko also laundered cryptocurrency by converting it to cash and making structured cash deposits.

Saylor bets on US$100 billion ‘Bitcoin credit’

Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR), is pursuing a high-risk plan to finance further Bitcoin purchases through perpetual preferred stock offerings.

The new securities — nicknamed “Stretch” — do not mature, lack voting rights and can skip dividends under certain conditions, giving the issuer flexibility while raising investor concerns about risk.

This marks a departure from the company’s earlier reliance on common stock sales and convertible bonds to fund what is now a US$75 billion Bitcoin treasury. Saylor aims to retire billions in outstanding debt and replace it with preferred equity, which he says could theoretically scale to US$100 billion or more in capital raised.

The model hinges on investor appetite for yield backed indirectly by Bitcoin’s performance, while avoiding the dilution impact of issuing more common stock.

Federal Reserve Board to sunset crypto supervision program

In a notice on Friday, the US Federal Reserve Board said it will sunset a program created in August 2023 to supervise certain activities related to crypto assets and distributed ledger technology.

The Fed said it will return to monitoring activity through the normal supervisory process.

“Since the Board started its program to supervise certain crypto and fintech activities in banks, the Board has strengthened its understanding of those activities, related risks, and bank risk management practices,” it said.

“As a result, the Board is integrating that knowledge and the supervision of those activities back into the standard supervisory process and is rescinding its 2023 supervisory letter creating the program.”

Hong Kong SFC rolls out stricter rules for licensed crypto platforms

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has introduced new custody rules for licensed virtual asset trading platforms, setting stricter benchmarks for how client assets must be stored and secured.

The updated framework includes specific requirements for cold wallet usage, senior management accountability and real-time cyber threat monitoring, alongside rules for using third-party wallet providers.

These measures follow an SFC review earlier this year that identified security and operational gaps among some licensed exchanges. The regulator says the changes are part of its ASPIRe strategy, a five point plan to address liquidity fragmentation, regulatory arbitrage and volatility, while expanding regulated product offerings.

The policy also aims to position Hong Kong as a safer, more structured alternative to other Asian crypto hubs, notably Singapore, which has imposed tighter limits on retail trading.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Playboy moving its headquarters to Miami Beach and opening a new club

Business 1 Min Read

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Playboy plans to relocate its global headquarters from Los Angeles to Miami Beach and open a Playboy club there.

The Miami Beach headquarters at the top of a luxury office building will include studios to support Playboy’s “growing creator network” and the club will have a restaurant as well as a members-only section inspired by the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, the company said Thursday in a statement.

“Miami Beach is among the most dynamic and culturally influential cities in the country, making it the ideal home for Playboy’s next chapter,” Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy Inc., said in the statement.

The first Playboy Magazine was published in 1953, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover and in a “Sweetheart of the Month” color nude photo inside.

The first Playboy Club opened in 1960 in Chicago, which was the headquarters of the company at the time, and the company opened up clubs around the world.

In 2020, Playboy ceased publishing its monthly print magazine, sticking instead with online content.

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