BPH Energy (BPH:AU) has announced Capital raise announcement
Download the PDF here.
Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (January 9) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.
Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.
Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$90,165.72, down by 0.7 percent over 24 hours.
Bitcoin price performance, January 9, 2025.
Chart via TradingView.
Ether (ETH) was priced at US$3,069.12, down by 1.2 percent over the last 24 hours.
BNY Mellon (NYSE:BK), a major global financial services firm, has begun converting customer cash holdings into digital tokens on its specialized platform, according to a Friday announcement. This step supports the bank’s goal of offering flexible digital cash for large-scale financial operations. Early users include top banks and tech-forward companies.
The system starts by handling security deposits and loan margins, using digital records on a secure, private digital ledger to mirror clients’ existing cash claims at the bank. It follows BNY’s standard rules for safety, legal checks and oversight. Actual cash amounts are tracked in the bank’s regular systems to meet government reporting needs.
Rain, a payments company using stable digital dollars, announced it raised US$250 million in its latest funding round led by ICONIQ, with other investors joining in. This values the company at US$1.95 billion and brings its total funding to over US$338 million since its earlier rounds.
Rain provides businesses with one-stop tools to create digital dollar cards accepted anywhere Visa (NYSE:V) works, add rewards, switch regular money to stable digital dollars, manage secure digital wallets and send payments. According to the company, its technology now handles over US$3 billion in yearly transactions for more than 200 partners like Western Union, Nuvei, and KAST. These services reach 2.5 billion people for daily buys like coffee or flights, plus business costs such as cloud computing and online ads.
Ripple has received regulatory approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to scale its crypto-enabled payments services in the country.
The approval covers both cryptoasset registration and an Electronic Money Institution license, allowing UK businesses to use Ripple’s platform for cross-border payments involving digital assets.
The authorization comes through Ripple Markets UK Ltd and positions the firm to operate under tighter regulatory scrutiny ahead of the UK’s broader crypto rulebook.
The approval arrived just as the FCA outlines a transition to full licensing for crypto firms by 2027.
Ripple has long treated the UK as a strategic hub, with its London office now its largest outside the US. The XRP token rose by 1 percent following the announcement, extending gains of almost 11 percent from the past week.
South Korea plans to allow spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2026 as part of a wider economic growth and market reform strategy aimed at attracting foreign capital.
Officials pointed to the active trading of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US and Hong Kong as a key reference in lifting long-standing restrictions that barred crypto assets from serving as ETF underlyings.
The move is expected to align with broader financial reforms designed to support South Korea’s bid for inclusion in MSCI’s developed-market index. Regulators are also fast-tracking a second phase of digital asset legislation that will establish a comprehensive framework for stablecoins.
At the same time, authorities are pushing to internationalize the won, including expanding offshore access and introducing 24-hour onshore FX trading by mid-2026.
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed that crypto firms must obtain full authorization by September 2026 to continue operating under a new regulatory regime launching in 2027.
The change will replace the current registration-only system with a licensing framework that mirrors standards applied to traditional financial products.
Firms will need to apply during a fixed window opening in September 2026, with no automatic conversion for those already registered under existing anti–money laundering rules.
Companies that miss the window face sharp operational limits, including bans on entering new cryptoasset business while awaiting approval.
Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
HIGHLIGHTS
– Binding commitments received to raise approximately $1.2 million through a Placement at $0.009 per share
– Placement participants will receive 1 Attaching Option for each New Share subscribed for under the Placement, exercisable at $0.03 per share, with an expiry date being the same as the Options to be issued under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025
– BPH funded to execute its next phase of hydrocarbon and Cortical Dynamics investments
– The Federal Court hearing for the PEP-11 judicial review application is scheduled for February 20 and 23, 2026
Placement participants will receive 1 free Attaching Option for each Placement Share subscribed for under the Placement, exercisable at $0.03 each with an expiry date being the same as the options to be issued under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025 (‘Attaching Options’).
Oakley Capital Partners Pty Limited (‘Oakley Capital’) and 62 Capital Limited (’62 Capital’) acted as Joint Lead Managers for the Placement. Oakley Capital and 62 Capital will be paid a cash fee of 6% on funds raised under the Placement and an aggregate of 33,555,555 Broker Options (‘Broker Options’) on the same terms as the Attaching Options.
The Attaching Options and Broker Options will be issued on the same day as the Options to be issued under the Options Prospectus and the Company intends to apply for quotation of the Options subject to the Company meeting ASX quotation requirements.
Commenting on the capital raising, Executive Director Mr David Breeze said:
‘We are pleased to have received strong support in the Placement. The funding allows BPH to accelerate the exploration programs to unlock the potential on our gas projects especially with the current gas supply crisis as well as assist the next phase of associate Cortical Dynamic Limited’s expansion. The funding also leaves BPH well-placed ahead of the Federal Court hearing for the PEP-11 judicial review scheduled for February 20 and 23, 2026, where the PEP-11 Joint Venture will seek to overturn the Federal Government’s rejection of the PEP-11 permit extension’
USE OF FUNDS
The proceeds raised under the Placement provide BPH with an enhanced cash position to fund its hydrocarbon projects and to assist in the continued development of Cortical Dynamics.
The intended use of funds will be for:
– $0.85 million – Funding for exploration and development of oil and gas investments
– $0.1 million – For working capital including costs of the offer
– $0.25 million – Funding for Cortical Dynamics
PLACEMENT DETAILS
The Placement offer price of $0.009 per share represents a 18.2% discount to BPH’s last price of $0.0011 per share on Thursday, 8 January 2026, and a 7.8% discount to the 15-day VWAP of $0.00976 per share.
Settlement of the Placement is expected to be completed on or around 14 January 2026.
A total of 12,259,551 Placement Shares, 134,222,222 free Attaching Options, and 33,555,555 Broker Options (pro rata to their management of the Placement) will be issued under ASX Listing Rule 7.1. A total of 121,962,671 Placement Shares will be issued under ASX Listing Rule 7.1A.
The Attaching Options and Broker Options will be issued following the close of the Offer under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025.
Placement Shares will rank equally with existing fully paid ordinary shares.
The Company will issue a supplementary Options Prospectus as soon as possible.
About BPH Energy Limited:
BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) is an Australian Securities Exchange listed company developing biomedical research and technologies within Australian Universities and Hospital Institutes.
The company provides early stage funding, project management and commercialisation strategies for a direct collaboration, a spin out company or to secure a license.
BPH provides funding for commercial strategies for proof of concept, research and product development, whilst the institutional partner provides infrastructure and the core scientific expertise.
BPH currently partners with several academic institutions including The Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT).
Source:
BPH Energy Limited
Contact:
David Breeze
admin@bphenergy.com.au
www.bphenergy.com.au
T: +61 8 9328 8366
News Provided by ABN Newswire via QuoteMedia
Strategic Minerals plc (AIM: SML; USOTC: SMCDF), an international mineral exploration and production company, is pleased to provide the following update on Q4 and 2025 performance and activities.
Highlights
Operational Highlights (By Subsidiary)
Cornwall Resources
Redmoor Tungsten-Tin-Copper Project, Cornwall, UK (‘Redmoor’)
Southern Minerals Group
Cobre Magnetite Stockpile, New Mexico, USA
Sales comparisons on quarterly and yearly periods, along with associated volume details, are shown in the table below:
|
Volume (tons) |
Sales (US Leigh Creek Copper Mine (‘LCCM’) Leigh Creek Copper Project, South Australia
*Cuprum’s right to acquire LCCM will lapse if the Second Instalment has not been paid to the Company by 31 May 2026 Mark Burnett, Executive Director of Strategic Minerals, commented: ‘2025 was a transformational year for Strategic Minerals. We successfully restructured and reorganised the Company, positioning it to deliver increased near-term revenue from Cobre and long-term value creation from the Redmoor Tungsten-Tin-Copper Project. We are utilising sustainable cash flows from Cobre to unlock the full potential of Redmoor with a clear opportunity to develop it and the surrounding area into a world leading source of tungsten, tin and copper to provide resilience to western world supply chains. The Redmoor drill programme has gone exceptionally well so far, and we anticipate further resource growth and additional efficiencies for future infill drilling as part of a pre-feasibility programme.’
|
Notes to Editors
About Strategic Minerals plc and Cornwall Resources Limited
Strategic Minerals plc (AIM: SML; USOTC: SMCDY) is an AIM-quoted, producing minerals company, actively developing strategic projects in the UK, United States and Australia.
In 2019, the Company completed the 100% acquisition of Cornwall Resources Limited and the Redmoor Tungsten-Tin-Copper Project.
The Redmoor Project is situated within the historically significant Tamar Valley Mining District in Cornwall, United Kingdom, with a JORC (2012) Compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate published 14 February 2019:
|
Cut-off (SnEq%) |
Tonnage (Mt) |
WO3 % |
Sn % |
Cu % |
Sn Eq1 % |
WO3 Eq % |
|
>0.45 <0.65 |
1.50 |
0.18 |
0.21 |
0.30 |
0.58 |
0.41 |
|
>0.65 |
10.20 |
0.62 |
0.16 |
0.53 |
1.26 |
0.88 |
|
Total Inferred Resource |
11.70 |
0.56 |
0.16 |
0.50 |
1.17 |
0.82 |
1 Equivalent metal calculation notes; Sn(Eq)% = Sn% x 1 + WO3% x 1.43 + Cu% x 0.40. WO3(EQ)% = Sn% x 0.7 + WO3 + Cu% x 0.28. Commodity price assumptions: WO₃ US$ 33,000/t, Sn US$ 22,000/t, Cu US$ 7,000/t. Recovery assumptions: total WO3 recovery 72%, total Sn recovery 68% & total Cu recovery 85% and payability assumptions of 81%, 90% and 90% respectively
More information on Cornwall Resources can be found at: https://www.cornwallresources.com
In September 2011, Strategic Minerals acquired the distribution rights to the Cobre magnetite project in New Mexico, USA, through its wholly owned subsidiary Southern Minerals Group. Cobre has been in production since 2012 and continues to provide a sustainable revenue stream for the Company.
In March 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of the Leigh Creek Copper Mine situated in the copper rich belt of South Australia. South Pacific Mineral Investments Pty Ltd trading as Cuprum Metals has exercised an exclusive Call Option to acquire 100% of the project.
About the CIOS Good Growth Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cornwall Council is responsible for managing projects funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly has been allocated £184 million for local investment through the Shared Prosperity Fund. This new approach to investment is designed to empower local leaders and communities, so they can make a real difference on the ground where it’s needed the most.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund proactively supports delivery of the UK-government’s five national missions: pushing power out to communities everywhere, with a specific focus to help kickstart economic growth and promoting opportunities in all parts of the UK.
For more information, visit
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
For more information, visit https://ciosgoodgrowth.com
Source
(TheNewswire)
VANCOUVER, January 9, 2026 TheNewswire – Providence Gold Mines Inc. (TSX-V: PHD) (‘Providence’ or the ‘Company’) The Company wishes that all our shareholders have had a wonderful Holiday Season and prosperity for the New Year.
With the holiday season ending, the Company is pleased to announce that during the holidays significant road work was completed to repair the La Dama de Oro property access road. The damage occurred during the recent flooding reported in southern California.
In addition to the financing announcement reported on December 11,2025, the Company, subject to regulatory approval, announces an increase of the Private Placement to $150,000 and a 30-day extension.
Use of proceeds:
Proceeds from the private placement will be used for general administration and for sampling activities to assess mineralization potential at the La Dama de Oro project. The Company intends to proceed immediately with work related to the permitted 1,000-ton bulk sample.
The Private Placement is for of up to 3,000,000 units at a price of $0.05 per unit, for gross proceeds of up to $150,000. Each unit will consist of:
one common share; and
one full, non-transferable warrant exercisable at $0.05 for a period of two years from the date of issue.
For more information, please contact Ronald Coombes, President, and CEO of the Company.
Ronald A. Coombes, President & CEO
Phone: 604 724 2369
roombesresources@gmail.com.com
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Neither the OTCQB and or 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.
All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this press release relative to markets about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements relating to the permitting process, future production of Providence Gold Mines, budget and timing estimates, the Company’s working capital and financing opportunities and statements regarding the exploration and mineralization potential of the Company’s properties, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward- looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Providence Gold Mines expectations include fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; and uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Providence Gold Mines does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statement
Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.
News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia
We also break down next week’s catalysts to watch to help you prepare for the week ahead.
Tech markets spent the first full week of 2026 responding to headlines out of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) announcements helped drive Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) momentum. This enthusiasm pushed the index to a fresh record midweek before a bout of profit taking and renewed concerns weighed on sentiment heading into Friday (January 9).
The Nasdaq finished the week up 0.95 percent from Monday’s (January 5) open, powered by gains in memory and storage names like Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) and Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) after upbeat commentary on next-generation data infrastructure. However, the rally faded as investors rotated into defensive stocks after US President Donald Trump proposed a US$1.5 trillion “Dream Military” budget.
Labor market indicators for the week suggest a continued, gradual cooling in the American job market, supporting the case for future US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
North of the border, Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) retreated after briefly hitting a record, mirroring the US market’s rotation in the second half of the week, weighed down by Venezuela oil fears.
Shares of Micron Technology rose 0.12 percent on Monday after the company provided an investor update confirming strong demand for its high-bandwidth memory, critical for AI GPUs, through 2026.
Comments on storage shortages at CES amplified gains on Tuesday, driving an 8.25 percent advance for Micron that day alongside additional memory stocks. The company saw a 6.14 percent weekly gain.
Lockheed Martin jumped by as much as 2.06 percent on Thursday (January 8) after Trump’s Truth Social post prompted an investor rotation to defensive tech stocks.
Sandisk, a company focused on NAND flash, SSDs and memory cards for consumer and AI data center use, jumped as much as 27.57 percent on Tuesday as comments at CES from NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) and Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930,OTCPL:SSNLF) executives reignited concerns of forthcoming price increases for NAND flash memory.
SanDisk, Lockheed Martin and Micron Technology performance, January 5 to 9, 2026.
Chart via Google Finance.
Tech exchange-traded funds (ETFs) track baskets of major tech stocks, meaning their performance helps investors gauge the overall performance of the niches they cover.
This week, the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) advanced by 2.47 percent, while the Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXQ) saw a gain of 1.45 percent.
The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SMH) also increased by 1.98 percent.
Next week will bring bank earnings, starting with JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) on January 12, and Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) on January 15. January 15 will also bring the latest quarterly results from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM).
US producer price index data will hit on January 14, testing Fed interest rate cut bets, while Micron is set to break ground on its US$100 billion New York mega-fab on January 16.
Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC,OTC:BKRRF) (OTCQX: BKRRF) (FSE: AHZ0) (‘Blackrock’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce the completion of its non-brokered private placement (the ‘Offering’) previously announced on December 24, 2025. 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a company beneficially owned by Eric Sprott, purchased an aggregate of C$6,999,960 of the Offering. The Offering consisted of a total of 13,636,300 units of the Company (the ‘Units’) at a price of C$1.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of C$14,999,930. Each Unit consisted of one common share of the Company (each, a ‘Common Share’) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a ‘Warrant’). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of C$1.50 per Common Share until January 8, 2028.
Andrew Pollard, Blackrock’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: ‘Supported by Eric Sprott and a new cornerstone investor, this $15 million financing meaningfully strengthens our balance sheet as we advance Tonopah West toward development. As an emerging American silver developer, we are accelerating permitting and de-risking initiatives in 2026 to support the advancement of a secure, high-quality domestic source of silver for the U.S. market.’
The net proceeds of the Offering are intended to be used by the Company to fund exploration, permitting and pre-development activities on the Company’s Tonopah West project and for general working capital.
In connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company paid Research Capital Corporation (the ‘Finder‘) finder’s fees in cash totalling C$689,997 and issued to the Finder a total of 627,270 non-transferable finder’s warrants (‘Finder’s Warrants‘) in connection with the Units placed by the Finder. Each Finder’s Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of C$1.50 until January 8, 2028.
The participation of Eric Sprott in the Offering constituted a ‘related party transaction’, within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (‘MI 61-101‘). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of the related party participation in the Offering as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involved the interested parties, exceeded 25% of the Company’s market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).
The Common Shares, Warrants and Finder’s Warrants issued in connection with the Private Placement and the Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and Finder’s Warrants are subject to a hold period expiring on May 9, 2026.
The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act‘) or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
About Blackrock Silver Corp.
Backed by gold and silver ounces in the ground, Blackrock is a junior precious metal focused exploration and development company driven to add shareholder value. Anchored by a seasoned Board of Directors, the Company is focused on its 100% controlled Nevada portfolio of properties consisting of low-sulphidation, epithermal gold and silver mineralization located along the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada.
Additional information on Blackrock Silver Corp. can be found on its website at www.blackrocksilver.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This news release contains ‘forward-looking statements’ and ‘forward-looking information’ (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements‘) within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things: the net proceeds from the Offering and the intended use of proceeds therefrom; the advancement of the Tonopah West project towards development, including the acceleration of permitting and de-risking initiatives at the Tonopah West project; and the intention for the Tonopah West project to function as a future secure, high-quality domestic source of silver for the U.S. market.
These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones; the availability of skilled labour and no labour related disruptions at any of the Company’s operations; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled activities; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for operations are received in a timely manner; the ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to properties and the surface rights necessary for operations; and the Company’s ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.
The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data; general market, political, economic and industry conditions; and those factors identified under the caption ‘Risks Factors’ in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form.
Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
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.
For Further Information, Contact:
Andrew Pollard
President and Chief Executive Officer
(604) 817-6044
info@blackrocksilver.com
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES 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/279847
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The executive order (EO) of December 18 to reclassify cannabis to Schedule III is a monumental decision that will fundamentally reshape the market.
The official recognition of its medical utility is a designation that cannot be removed from the administrative record.
The industry is evolving from a lifestyle-driven, speculative sector into a professionalized asset class centered on medical and pharmaceutical applications. This shift moves the sector from a speculative, wait-and-see environment to a high-stakes period requiring fundamental restructuring.
The path to federal rescheduling is currently obstructed by a stalled administrative hearing process that has reached a procedural standstill.
While the EO mandates an expeditious timeline, the actual movement is frozen because the DEA has yet to enter a briefing schedule following a request for an interlocutory appeal.
Legal expert Shane Pennington suggests that the most efficient path forward is for the administration to simply cancel or withdraw the pending ALJ hearing altogether by citing the lack of constitutional Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and documented ex parte communications, and move directly toward a final rule based on the HHS’s already established medical record.
By withdrawing the hearing, the Department of Justice effectively moots the current interlocutory appeal, allowing the DOJ to issue a Final Rule relatively quickly.
Once the final rule is published, the industry and movement will likely shift to the DOJ side against prohibitionist stays in federal appellate courts. This is a stark contrast to previous years, where advocates were on the offensive.
The true catalyst for investors in 2026 is not the headline of rescheduling but the fundamental transformation of balance sheets. For decades, the cannabis industry operated under so-called “cannabis exceptionalism”, a state where standard business rules, tax laws and banking protections were suspended, blocking deductions and choking liquidity.
Rescheduling will remove these barriers to unleash normalized cash flows and institutional capital into a sector long treated as radioactive, though Ahrens notes major wirehouses will block stocks until the ink dries
Additionally, moving to Schedule III eliminates the Section 280E penalty, which currently prevents businesses from deducting standard operating expenses like rent and payroll, and unlocks bankruptcy protections. Ahrens pointed out that US cannabis firms have been forced to operate leanly on a shoestring compared to Canadian counterparts; normalized taxation will finally allow these firms to operate as legitimate consumer or healthcare categories.
Current effective tax rates can soar to 70 percent or more; post-rescheduling, these rates are expected to align closer to the standard 21 percent corporate rate.
The removal of Section 280E is expected to trigger a cash flow expansion. Perceived risk reduction could cause valuation multiples to improve after-tax earnings. Higher valuations and greater cash flow will increase debt capacity and make acquisitions easier to finance and more accretive.
“The first thing US cannabis companies are going to do is pay down their debt,” said Ahrens. “I’d (also) expect to see more M&A once everything is complete.”
Schedule III, while not legalizing cannabis, reduces the federal hurdle for clinical trials. This eases security and compliance requirements for researchers, paving the way for FDA-approved cannabinoid treatments and creating a formal pipeline for medical legitimacy.
Dr. Priyanka Sharma of Casmira Therapeutics noted the EO’s call for HHS, FDA, CMMS and NIH to collaborate on research methods using real-world evidence, including randomized controlled trials, longitudinal studies and patient interviews to inform clinical standards.
She emphasized a CMMI pilot arming healthcare professionals with tools to manage complex Medicare patients on hemp-derived CBD, including duration, dosing and drug interactions.
With federal research barriers lowered, MSOs become realistic acquisition targets for Big Pharma giants looking for validated medical compounds.
A critical wildcard for the 2026 market is the impending federal crackdown on intoxicating hemp products under Farm Bill revisions, set to take effect in November 2026.
Ahrens expects the new definition to remove unfair competition by pulling intoxicating gray market products from shelves, pushing consumers toward the regulated MSO market.
Sharma noted the EO explicitly acknowledges this hemp-derived legal instability, positioning CBD as a federal priority for research coordination and clinical frameworks.
While market volatility remains high, this remains a market for long-term fundamental thinkers, not short-term speculators, as the industry moves toward concrete regulatory execution.
Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Best-to-date titanium–vanadium–iron drill results at Trapper Zone underscore Radar’s large-scale oxide system within the 160 km² Dykes River intrusive complex near tidewater in Labrador
Saga Metals Corp. (‘SAGA’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: SAGA,OTC:SAGMF) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H), a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, is pleased to highlight a strengthened titanium thesis for its Radar Ti-V-Fe Project near the port of Cartwright, Labrador, following the Company’s best drill results to date from the Trapper Zone Phase 1 Mineral Resource Estimate (‘MRE’) drill program.
SAGA’s latest assays from the first two of eight completed MRE program drill holes at Trapper Zone demonstrate long, cumulative intervals of oxide mineralization with significant assay results of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) and iron oxides (Fe₂O₃). This mineral assemblage is consistent with vanadiferous titanomagnetite (‘VTM’) and ilmenite mineralization that could potentially underpin multiple downstream titanium value chains and support an emerging strategic narrative: a need for resilient North American titanium supply.
SAGA believes Radar’s titanium-bearing oxide system is increasingly topical as Western governments and manufacturers focus on secure, defense-aligned supply chains for titanium metal inputs. In a January 2, 2026, MINING.com article citing Project Blue’s report ‘Metals and the Security of Nations’, titanium is characterized as a critical mineral for defense and aerospace, with supply-chain risk concentrated in titanium metal pathways (including aerospace-grade sponge capacity and certification) rather than in pigment markets. The vast majority – over 90% globally of mined titanium is processed into the pigment – a looming supply chain gap UK-headquartered market intelligence company Project Blue outlines in its report.
‘Titanium is essentially a defence metal – it can be up to 20% or more of the markets for total titanium consumption that goes into defence. An F 15 can be up to 40% in weight of titanium. There’s some serious volume going in these jet planes,’ Project Blue Founder and Director, Dr. Nils Backeberg told MINING.com in an interview.
Saga Metals Releases Best-to-Date Drill Results at the Radar Project Confirming Robust Titanium–Vanadium–Iron Oxide Mineralization at Trapper Zone — Assay Highlights:
Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of Saga Metals, stated: ‘The results from the first two holes at the Trapper Zone are an outstanding success, and represent the best intercepts drilled on the Radar property to date.’
What’s Different About the Radar Ti-V-Fe Project: A District-Scale Oxide System Enclosing the Entire Dykes River Intrusive Complex Potentially Forming a New North American Titanium Narrative
SAGA’s Radar Project is not a single isolated target. The Radar Property spans 24,175 hectares and hosts the entire Dykes River intrusive complex (~160 km²)—a property-scale position that is unique among Western explorers. Geological mapping, geophysics and trenching confirm oxide layering across more than 20 km of strike length and mineralization open for expansion. Drilling to date (4,250 m total) has confirmed a large mineralized layered mafic intrusion hosting VTM and ilmenite concentrations with strong titanium and vanadium grades. Drilling and geophysics validate a continuous 16+ km oxide layering trend stretching from the Hawkeye Zone to the Trapper Zone, coinciding with a strong arcuate regional magnetic-high anomaly.
Titanium Market Context: Defense and Aerospace Supply Chains Are Driving Urgency
This exploration progress is occurring against a strengthening macro backdrop for titanium as a defense and aerospace critical mineral, where supply-chain resilience—not just demand growth—has become a primary strategic driver. Titanium is deemed a critical metal by the U.S., EU and Canada and is essential for defense and aerospace applications due to its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.
At the same time, the titanium market is structurally bifurcated: TiO₂ pigment dominates mined titanium flows, while defense and aerospace rely on titanium metal supply chains that are sensitive to geopolitics and processing constraints. Project Blue (as reported by MINING.com) notes that over 90% of mined titanium is processed into pigment, and that near-term vulnerability centers on aerospace-grade titanium sponge capacity and certification, rather than mineral availability alone. The same report highlights titanium supply-chain concentration risks, stating Russia remains a leading source of aerospace-grade titanium and that China’s share of global titanium metals has increased sharply in recent years.
Titanium market growth tailwinds
Third-party market research distributed via openPR (DataM Intelligence) forecasts the global titanium market could grow from US$30.34 billion (2024) to US$52.52 billion by 2032 (CAGR 7.10%), citing demand drivers including aerospace, defense, automotive, and renewable energy; the same release indicates Asia-Pacific leads with 45% share. openPR.com
‘SAGA’s recent assays are truly exceptional, delivering long intervals of high-grade titanium, vanadium, and iron oxide mineralization—highlighting the immense potential of this district-scale oxide system. At Saga Metals, we’re committed to advancing Radar as a strategic source of titanium right here in Labrador, bolstering resilient, domestic supply chains to meet these urgent national security needs,’ stated Mike Stier, CEO & Director of Saga Metals.
Next steps at the Radar Project:
SAGA expects to receive additional assay results next week, with remaining results shortly thereafter, and plans to mobilize crews by mid-January to initiate the 2026 phase of the Trapper Zone MRE drill program.
Figure 1: Location of the Fall 2025 phase of drilling at Trapper Zone, showing the TMI of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey as well as the grid for the MRE drill program to be completed in 2026.
About the Radar Ti-V-Fe Property:
The Radar Property spans 24,175 hectares and hosts the entire Dykes River intrusive complex (~160 km²), a unique position among Western explorers. Geological mapping, geophysics, and trenching have already confirmed oxide layering across more than 20 km of strike length, with mineralization open for expansion.
Vanadiferous titanomagnetite (‘VTM’) mineralization at Radar is comparable to global Fe–Ti–V systems such as Panzhihua (China), Bushveld (South Africa), and Tellnes (Norway), positioning the Project as a potential strategic future supplier of titanium, vanadium, and iron to North American markets.
Figure 2: Radar Project’s prospective oxide layering zone validated over ~16 km strike length through Fall 2025 drilling, as shown on a compilation of historical airborne geophysics as well as ground-based geophysics in the Hawkeye and Trapper zones completed by SAGA in the 2024/2025 field programs. SAGA has demonstrated the reliability of the regional airborne magnetic surveys after ground-truthing and drilling in the 2024 and 2025 field programs.
Qualified Person
Paul J. McGuigan, P. Geo., is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this news release.
Technical Information
Samples were cut by Company personnel at SAGA’s core facility in Cartwright, Labrador. Diamond drill core was sawed and then sampled in maximum 2 m intervals. Drill hole core diameter utilized was NQ.
Core samples have been prepared and analyzed at IGS laboratory facility in Montreal, Quebec. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program.
Note: Market data is sourced from https://www.openpr.com/news/4334101/titanium-market-to-reach-usd-52-52-billion-by-2032-strong-7-10 and has not been independently verified by SAGA. Mining.com released an article on January 2, 2026 referenced in this press release and is sourced from: https://www.mining.com/us-must-ramp-up-titanium-capacity-to-avoid-squeeze-project-blue-founder-says/
About Saga Metals Corp.
Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of a diversified suite of critical minerals that support the North American transition to supply security. The Radar Ti-V-Fe Project comprises 24,175 hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River intrusive complex, mapped at 160 km² on the surface near Cartwright, Labrador. Exploration to date, including a total of 4,250 m of drilling, has confirmed a large and mineralized layered mafic intrusion hosting vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) and ilmenite mineralization with strong grades of titanium and vanadium.
The Double Mer Uranium Project, also in Labrador, covers 25,600 hectares and features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U3O8. Uranium uranophane was identified in several areas of highest radiometric response (2024 Double Mer Technical Report).
Additionally, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec’s Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Metals.
With a portfolio spanning key commodities critical to the clean energy future, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in critical mineral security.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
Mike Stier, Chief Executive Officer
For more information, contact:
Rob Guzman, Investor Relations
Saga Metals Corp.
Tel: +1 (844) 724-2638
Email: rob@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service 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 Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘should’, ‘anticipates’, ‘expects’, ‘believes’, and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company’s Radar Project. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, inherent risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, particularly given the early-stage nature of the Company’s assets, and the risks detailed in the Company’s continuous disclosure filings with securities regulations from time to time, available under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.
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