Inca Minerals (ICG:AU) has announced Close of Takeover Offer
Download the PDF here.
This post appeared first on investingnews.com
Jim Thorne, chief market strategist at Wellington-Altus, discusses which assets investors should focus on in today’s tumultuous environment.
He sees promise in gold and silver, as well as Bitcoin and the artificial intelligence sector.
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
This post appeared first on investingnews.com
Crypto Market Recap: Senator Cruz Supports Bitcoin Mining with FLARE Act, Sony Singapore Adopts USDC
Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (April 2) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.
Bitcoin and Ethereum price update
At the time of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) was changing hands at US$84,665.33. The day’s range has brought a low of US$83,166.18 and a high of US$$86,128.57.
Bitcoin performance, April 2, 2025.
Chart via TradingView
The cryptocurrency is staging a modest recovery ahead of US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs policy, which is set to go into effect late Wednesday (April 2).
Ethereum (ETH) is priced at US$1,868.48, a 0.2 percent decrease over 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$1,853.42 and a high of US$1,923.93.
Altcoin price update
- Solana (SOL) is currently valued at US$125.36, up 0.2 percent over the past 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$123.71 and a high of US$129.56 on Monday.
- XRP is trading at US$2.11, reflecting a 1.0 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday low of US$2.07 and a high of US$2.18.
- Sui (SUI) is priced at US$2.38, showing a 1.3 percent increase over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$2.32 and a high of US$2.50.
- Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.6731, reflecting a 0.7 percent increase over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price on Wednesday was US$0.664, with a high of US$0.6918.
Crypto news to know
Sen. Ted Cruz introduces FLARE Act to incentivize Bitcoin mining with stranded gas
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has introduced the Facilitate Lower Atmospheric Released Emissions (FLARE) Act, a bill designed to encourage Bitcoin miners and other industries to harness stranded natural gas for on-site energy generation.
The legislation aims to improve grid resilience, reduce emissions, and solidify Texas as a leader in Bitcoin mining.
The bill, endorsed by The Digital Power Network, provides permanent full expensing for infrastructure that captures and utilizes flared gas while restricting access for entities linked to China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
Cruz emphasized that this initiative supports energy innovation, strengthens economic growth, and promotes the responsible use of excess energy resources.
Sony Electronics Singapore to accept USDC payments
Sony Electronics Singapore has partnered with Crypto.com to integrate USDC stablecoin payments, marking a significant step toward mainstream crypto adoption in the region.
Crypto.com Singapore’s General Manager, Chin Tah Ang, stated that the collaboration aims to simplify crypto payments for consumers and expand digital currency use in everyday commerce.
This development follows other businesses, such as the Metro (SGX:MO1) department store chain, embracing stablecoin payments.
Singapore’s pro-crypto regulatory framework has fueled rapid industry growth, with a doubling of crypto-related licenses in 2024, positioning the nation as a major blockchain hub.
BlackRock secures FCA crypto registration
BlackRock has successfully registered with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), allowing it to facilitate crypto-related transactions for its iShares Digital Assets AG unit.
The FCA’s crypto register, established in 2020 to enforce anti-money laundering compliance, has approved only 51 out of 368 applications, highlighting the strict regulatory environment. As an authorized arranger, BlackRock can now support subscriptions and redemptions of Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) tied to crypto assets.
However, the firm is restricted from onboarding new clients or operating automated crypto-to-fiat exchange mechanisms without additional regulatory approval.
BlackRock’s registration follows similar approvals granted to Coinbase and other major players navigating the UK’s evolving crypto landscape.
Alabama lawmakers propose bills to allocate 10 percent of state funds to Bitcoin
Alabama lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 283 and House Bill 482, aiming to allow the state to invest up to 10 percent of its public funds in Bitcoin.
The legislation, designed to position Bitcoin as a strategic financial asset, restricts investments to digital assets with a market capitalization exceeding US$750 billion—currently limited to Bitcoin.
The bills specify that state-held Bitcoin must be stored by the state treasurer, a qualified custodian, or via exchange-traded products.
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
Byron King, editor at Paradigm Press, shares his thoughts on a wide array of hot topics, including gold’s historic price rise, inflation and the ongoing tariff situation
In his view, it’s more important than ever for investors to have hard assets in their portfolio.
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
This post appeared first on investingnews.com
Astral Resources (AAR:AU) has announced Group Mineral Resource Increases to 1.62 Million Ounces
Download the PDF here.
This post appeared first on investingnews.com
Galan Lithium (GLN:AU) has announced Secondary Trading Notice
Download the PDF here.
This post appeared first on investingnews.com
Perth, Australia (ABN Newswire) – Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) (OTCMKTS:ALTHF) is pleased to announce that an individual single-cell stresstesting program conducted by JV partner Fraunhofer IKTS has confirmed the safety and operational robustness of the CERENERGY(R) battery technology.
Highlights
– Rigorous testing protocol of individual cells
– Safety and operational robustness confirmed
– Long term cycling
– Over discharge, all safety mechanisms work, no damage
– Over Charge tests – high voltage, no damage
– C Rate Tests – no performance degradation, no cell damage
– High Temperature Tests – stable, no damage
– CERENERGY(R) batteries proven safe under extreme conditions
On 1 October 2024, the Company announced that the first CERENERGY(R) ABS60 battery prototype was successfully brought online and is operating as intended.
During the production of the first prototype, additional individual cells were set aside for a rigorous testing protocol designed to evaluate performance under abnormal or stressed conditions, beyond standard operating parameters. These tests aimed to verify the performance, integrity, and resilience of the individual CERENERGY(R) battery cells-and have delivered excellent results, as detailed below.
Long Term Cycling
Daily charge and discharge cycling at 300 degC with a state of charge (SoC) range of 20-100% is ongoing, demonstrating that individual cells are performing consistently across the full capacity range, in line with the expected scientific forecasts.
Over-discharge Test
While the battery system includes protective mechanisms against overcharging, the test program is designed to evaluate performance under extreme conditions, including scenarios where these protections may fail. One such test-the over-discharge test-assesses the durability of CERENERGY(R) batteries at low voltage levels (
Over Charge Test
The overcharge test evaluates the performance of CERENERGY(R) batteries under high-voltage conditions (>10 V for 15 hours-four times higher than the nominal voltage), simulating worst-case scenarios in which protection mechanisms may fail. All tested cells successfully passed, demonstrating the battery’s robustness, effective integrated safety features, and strong resistance to damage caused by overcharging.
C Rate Test
The C-rate is a measure used in CERENERGY(R) batteries to indicate the rate of charge or discharge relative to the battery’s nominal capacity, expressed as a multiple of its ampere-hour (Ah) rating. It is a key parameter for evaluating battery performance across various applications. While high C-rates are typically employed in fast charge/discharge scenarios, they can often lead to performance degradation, cell damage, heat buildup, or efficiency losses. However, CERENERGY(R) battery cells have shown none of these negative effects and have proven to be as resilient as anticipated. Conversely, low C-rates are used to extend battery life and maintain optimal efficiency. The cells were tested across a range of C-rate regimes, including C/8, C/5, C/4, and C/3. The results demonstrated strong C-rate flexibility, enabling a wide range of potential use cases.
Critical Operating Temperatures
Thermal stability testing under overheating conditions has been conducted to evaluate the upper limits of the CERENERGY(R) battery’s operating temperature range. Cells were cycled at a C/8 rate up to 400 degC- 50 degC above the maximum expected operational temperature. Additional cells are currently undergoing cycling at C/8 and 350 degC, showing stable and consistent performance. These tests are ongoing to further assess the battery’s thermal behaviour and overall robustness under elevated temperature conditions.
Full Thermal Cycle Tests
Thermal cycle testing is ongoing, with cells being cycled at C/8 between 20-100% state of charge (SoC) at 300 degC. The testing protocol includes cells starting at 100% SoC (fully charged anode) and others at 20% SoC (nearly empty anode). Each thermal cycle comprises three electrical cycles, followed by a temperature transition between 300 degC and room temperature (hot-cold cycles). To date, the cells have successfully completed a significant number of thermal cycles, highlighting the durability of the CERENERGY(R) battery technology. The results confirm that the cells remain both mechanically and electrically stable throughout the process.
C-Rate Test at high temperature
The cells were tested across a range of C-rate regimes, including C/8, C/5, C/4, and C/3, under extreme temperature conditions-specifically at 400 degC, significantly above the typical operating temperature of below 300 degC. No failures were recorded during these tests, demonstrating the robustness of the CERENERGY(R) battery cells even under severe conditions. Higher C-rate testing, including C/2 and beyond, is planned as part of the ongoing test regime to further evaluate and define the physical performance limits of the cells.
Cell Failure Test
Individual cell failure testing was conducted to assess whether electrical current flow would be disrupted in the event of one or more cell failures. This test is critical to evaluating the real-world performance and reliability of the ABS60 BatteryPack. The results demonstrated that cell failure does not negatively impact the overall system performance. The CERENERGY(R) BatteryPack continues to operate safely and reliably, maintaining functionality and continuous operation without significant risk or performance degradation, even when individual cells fail.
Cell Circuit Test
IKTS performed a cell short-circuit test, which included a subsequent short circuit at 100% SoC with a discharge to 0.2 V. During the test, the current reached up to 120 A. The results indicated no leakage, gassing, or fracturing of the cell casing, demonstrating the cell’s stability and safety under extreme conditions. Additional evaluations will be conducted to ensure ongoing reliability.
Conclusion
Group Managing Director Iggy Tan said ‘These tests are crucial for evaluating potential risks, mismanagement, or external factors. Expert testing conducted by Fraunhofer IKTS, in accordance with international standards, has validated the robustness of CERENERGY(R) technology, showing no critical behaviour. The cells continued to operate for days or even weeks under extreme conditions that would cause typical lithium-ion cells to fail and require safety interventions. CERENERGY(R) batteries have proven to be safe under all conditions, ensuring uninterrupted operation without risk or performance degradation, even in the event of individual cell failure.’
About Altech Batteries Ltd:
Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) is a specialty battery technology company that has a joint venture agreement with world leading German battery institute Fraunhofer IKTS (‘Fraunhofer’) to commercialise the revolutionary CERENERGY(R) Sodium Alumina Solid State (SAS) Battery. CERENERGY(R) batteries are the game-changing alternative to lithium-ion batteries. CERENERGY(R) batteries are fire and explosion-proof; have a life span of more than 15 years and operate in extreme cold and desert climates. The battery technology uses table salt and is lithium-free; cobalt-free; graphite-free; and copper-free, eliminating exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns.
The joint venture is commercialising its CERENERGY(R) battery, with plans to construct a 100MWh production facility on Altech’s land in Saxony, Germany. The facility intends to produce CERENERGY(R) battery modules to provide grid storage solutions to the market.
Source:
Altech Batteries Ltd
Contact:
Corporate
Iggy Tan
Managing Director
Altech Batteries Limited
Tel: +61-8-6168-1555
Email: info@altechgroup.com
Martin Stein
Chief Financial Officer
Altech Batteries Limited
Tel: +61-8-6168-1555
Email: info@altechgroup.com
News Provided by ABN Newswire via QuoteMedia
This post appeared first on investingnews.com
Blackstone Minerals (BSX:AU) has announced Blackstone Unlocks High Grade Copper-Gold at Mankayan
Download the PDF here.
This post appeared first on investingnews.com
As Canada prepares for a federal election, the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is pressing political parties to commit to long-term support for the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (METC), emphasizing its crucial role in sustaining the country’s resource exploration industry.
While the Liberal government announced a two year METC extension earlier this month, PDAC is urging the next government to put a 10 year extension in place once Parliament returns. It believes this will provide the stability needed to attract investment in mineral exploration, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities.
“Since its introduction in 2000, the METC has been indispensable to mineral exploration across the country — helping to generate billions in equity, creating jobs, supporting remote and Indigenous communities, and enabling major discoveries that feed into Canada’s broader mining ecosystem,” said PDAC President Karen Rees on Monday (March 31).
“For every dollar the government forgoes, multiple dollars flow back into Canada’s economy, with rural, remote, and Indigenous communities seeing substantial benefits,’ she added.
PDAC has included this recommendation in its broader election platform roadmap, which also calls for regulatory reforms to accelerate project approvals and enhance Canada’s competitiveness in the global critical minerals market.
Conservative Party’s mining commitments
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has positioned mining and resource development as a cornerstone of his economic plan, pledging to fast-track permitting for major mining projects.
Poilievre has committed to setting a six month deadline for approving all federal permits in Ontario’s Ring of Fire region, along with a C$1 billion investment over three years to develop essential road infrastructure that will connect mining sites to Ontario’s highway network and First Nations communities.
“Unlocking the Ring of Fire will be life-changing for Northern Ontario towns and First Nation communities, galvanized by thousands of paycheques and modern infrastructure,” he said in a press release. “We could boost our economy with billions of dollars, allowing us to become less dependent on the Americans, while our allies overseas would no longer have to rely on Beijing for these metals, turning dollars for dictators into paycheques for our people.’
Beyond the Ring of Fire, Poilievre has proposed a ‘shovel-ready zones’ initiative, which is aimed at establishing pre-approved permits for large-scale resource and energy projects.
The Conservative platform also includes broader efforts to reduce regulatory barriers, promising a pre-approved national energy corridor to streamline infrastructure development across the country.
On the financial side, Poilievre has announced plans to defer capital gains taxes for investors who reinvest in Canadian projects, a move he says will serve as ‘rocket fuel’ for domestic investment, including in mining and critical minerals.
Liberal Party’s approach to mining
The Liberal Party, under leader Mark Carney, has focused on expanding Canada’s role in the global critical minerals supply chain while balancing environmental and Indigenous concerns.
Carney has emphasized trade diversification and infrastructure investments, including a C$5 billion Trade Diversification Corridor Fund aimed at supporting industries like mining that are essential for Canada’s export economy.
‘Canada must diversify and expand its trading relationships by becoming an essential partner for like-minded countries, drawing on our vast resources of conventional and clean energy, critical metals and minerals, leadership in [artificial intelligence] and deep human capital,’ Carney states in his campaign material.
While the Liberals have not proposed the same level of permitting acceleration as the Conservatives, they have pledged to maintain existing federal tax credits for clean technology and critical mineral production.
Carney’s platform also includes funding for workforce training and economic partnerships with Indigenous communities to ensure they benefit from resource development projects.
Path forward for Canada’s mining sector
With both major parties acknowledging the importance of mining to Canada’s economy, the 2025 election will be critical in shaping the future of mineral exploration and development.
Regardless of which party wins, industry experts believe that mining will be a central pillar of Canada’s economic strategy. The urgency to secure domestic mineral supply chains, exacerbated by US tariffs and shifting global trade dynamics, has made support for mining a rare point of agreement.
With the election shaping up to be a close race, mining sector stakeholders will be watching closely to see how political promises translate into actionable policies.
Canadians will head to the polls on April 28.
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
This post appeared first on investingnews.com
Altech Batteries (ATC:AU) has announced Altech – CERENERGY Cells Test Safe Under Extreme Conditions
Download the PDF here.
This post appeared first on investingnews.com