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The US Department of the Interior announced on Monday (May 12) that it will fast track environmental permitting for Anfield Energy’s (TSXV:AEC,OTCQB:ANLDF) Velvet-Wood uranium project in Utah

The decision slashes what would typically be a years-long review process down to just 14 days, and makes Velvet-Wood the first uranium project to be expedited under a January 20 statement from President Donald Trump. In it, he declares a national energy emergency and emphasizes the importance of restoring American energy independence.

This week’s decision signals what Anfield calls “a decisive shift in federal support for domestic nuclear fuel supply.”

The Velvet-Wood project, located in San Juan County, Utah, is expected to produce uranium used for both civilian nuclear energy and defense applications, as well as vanadium, a strategic metal used in batteries and high-strength alloys.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum characterized the move as part of an urgent federal response to what he said is “an alarming energy emergency” created by the “climate extremist policies” of the previous administration.

“President Trump and his administration are responding with speed and strength to solve this crisis,” he said. “The expedited mining project review represents exactly the kind of decisive action we need to secure our energy future.”

Anfield acquired Velvet-Wood, which is currently on care and maintenance, from Uranium One in 2015.

The asset sits on the site of a previously active operation. Between 1979 and 1984, Atlas Minerals extracted approximately 400,000 metric tons of ore from the Velvet deposit, recovering around 4,000,000 pounds of U3O8. If approved, the revived project would disturb only three acres of new surface area, according to the interior department.

‘As a past-producing uranium and vanadium mine with a small environmental footprint, Velvet-Wood is well- suited for this accelerated review,’ said Anfield CEO Corey Dias.

He added that the company aims ‘to play a meaningful role in rebuilding America’s domestic uranium and vanadium supply chain and reducing reliance on imports from Russia and China.”

The company also owns the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in Utah, which it plans to restart. The facility, described as one of only three licensed, permitted and constructed conventional uranium mills in the country, would convert uranium ore into uranium concentrate bound for nuclear fuel production.

Uranium market sentiment turning a corner?

After a rocky start to 2025, the uranium market is showing signs of renewed strength and resilience.

According to Sprott Asset Management’s latest uranium report, the U3O8 spot price rose by 5.4 percent in April, climbing to US$67.70 per pound from a March low of US$63.20. The price recovery continued into early May, with the spot price briefly touching US$70, a nearly 10 percent gain from 2025 lows.

This rebound has renewed investor confidence and appears to signal the beginning of a steadier climb, underpinned by tight supply conditions, resurgent utility activity and greater clarity around US trade and tariff policy.

The uranium term price, which remains steady at US$80, continues to reflect strong long-term fundamentals. This persistent premium over spot pricing has re-energized the uranium carry trade — where traders purchase spot uranium for future delivery under term contracts — helping to support spot prices and inject fresh liquidity into the market.

A major contributor to the uranium market’s renewed confidence has been improved policy visibility in the US.

The Trump administration’s decision to pause the implementation of its new reciprocal tariffs for 90 days provided utilities with the breathing room needed to resume contracting.

Although uranium was excluded from the initial tariff package, it remains part of an ongoing Section 232 investigation into critical minerals, a move that Sprott believes elevates uranium’s strategic profile.

As for the long-term outlook, uranium’s bullish case is also being bolstered by growing power demands from artificial intelligence and data centers. In April, Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) announced funding for three new nuclear projects, each with at least 600 megawatts of planned capacity.

These moves align with a broader US Department of Energy strategy that includes identifying 16 federal sites for co-locating data centers and new energy infrastructure.

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

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Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (May 14) as of 6:00 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$103,243 as markets closed, down 1 percent in 24 hours. The day’s range for the cryptocurrency has seen a low of US$102,964 and a high of US$104,836.

Bitcoin performance, May 14, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Ethereum’s (ETH) price has stabilized since surging after the May 7 Pectra upgrade. ETH has increased by over 44 percent since last week and is up 57.2 percent month-on-month. It finished Wednesday at US$2,586.72, a 1 percent decrease over 24 hours. The day’s range saw a low of US$2,571.87 and a high of US$2,708.81.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) closed at US$175.53, down 1.6 percent over 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$174.64 and a high of US$184.05.
  • XRP is trading at US$2.54, reflecting a slight 0.3 percent decrease over 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached a daily low of US$2.63 and a high of US$2.55.
  • Sui (SUI) is priced at US$3.92, showing a decreaseof 2.6 percent over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$3.88 and a high of US$4.08.
  • Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.7991, down 2.7 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price of the day was US$0.7939, and it reached a high of US$0.8354.

Today’s crypto news to know

Strategy’s Bitcoin binge draws shock and skepticism

A new Financial Times documentary has reignited scrutiny over Strategy’s (NASDAQ:MSTR) high-risk Bitcoin accumulation strategy, which has transformed the software firm into a de facto Bitcoin investment vehicle.

The company has acquired over 568,000 BTC since 2020, funding the purchases through repeated stock sales and convertible bond issuances totaling over US$12 billion.

Insider Jeff Walton, a former reinsurance broker turned Strategy advocate, has called the firm’s capital-raising feat “insane,” highlighting how it raised the equivalent of US$100 million 120 times in just 50 days.

Critics also warn that the model’s success is contingent on sustained Bitcoin price growth; any prolonged downturn could unravel investor confidence and the firm’s market cap. Meanwhile, supporters argue the move is a master stroke in capital deployment, leveraging valuation premiums to secure more digital assets without diluting core equity value.

Strategy Chair Michael Saylor claims the firm’s balance sheet is “bulletproof,” stating that even a 90 percent Bitcoin drop held for half a decade would not destabilize the company.

Perplexity and PayPal team up to automate AI shopping

Artificial intelligence search startup Perplexity has entered into a partnership with payments giant PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) to enable seamless purchases directly within its chat interface.

Starting this summer in the US, users of Perplexity Pro will be able to book travel, buy tickets or purchase goods through a single query — without manually inputting payment information. Transactions will be processed behind the scenes using PayPal or Venmo, streamlining everything from checkout to invoicing while eliminating the need for passwords.

The companies are calling the deal a major leap for “agentic commerce.” The partnership is expected to integrate Perplexity’s tools into PayPal’s 430 million active accounts, dramatically expanding the reach of both platforms.

Backed by tech titans like Jeff Bezos, Nvidia, and SoftBank, Perplexity is also reportedly in talks to raise US$500 million in fresh capital at a US$14 billion valuation, showing investor confidence in the model.

Coinbase to join S&P 500

Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) will officially join the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) on May 19, replacing Discover Financial Services following its acquisition by Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF).

Shares of Coinbase surged 24 percent on the news, marking its largest single-day rally since November 2016. Analysts say inclusion in the S&P 500 not only legitimizes Coinbase’s role in the financial system, but could also drive as much as US$16 billion in fresh inflows from passive index funds, according to Bernstein.

The stock has also drawn new bullish forecasts, with Oppenheimer raising its target price to US$293 while maintaining an ‘outperform’ rating. This development comes on the heels of Coinbase’s strong first quarter earnings report, which beat earnings per share expectations, but slightly missed on revenue.

Coinbase recently announced plans to acquire crypto derivatives exchange Deribit for US$2.9 billion, a deal that represents the largest acquisition in the industry to date.

Thailand to issue US$150 million worth of digital investment tokens

Thailand’s finance ministry announced it will issue 5 billion baht (US$150 million) worth of blockchain-based “G-Tokens” within the next two months as part of the government’s borrowing strategy. The issuance follows cabinet approval, and will function as a market test to gauge public appetite for blockchain-based debt instruments.

Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said the tokens will offer higher returns than traditional bank deposits, which currently yield between 1.25 and 1.5 percent — below the central bank’s 1.75 percent policy rate.

Retail investors will be able to participate with relatively small capital as the government aims to democratize access to high-yield investment tools. The initiative reflects growing enthusiasm within Thailand for blockchain innovation; last year, the country exempted crypto earnings from taxation and expanded stablecoin trading on local exchanges.

Robinhood to buy WonderFi for US$179 million

Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:HOOD)has agreed to acquire Canadian crypto firm WonderFi (TSX:WNDR,OTCQB:WONDF) in an all-cash deal worth C$250 million (US$179 million).

WonderFi operates Bitbuy and Coinsquare — two of Canada’s largest registered crypto exchanges — with more than C$2.1 billion (US$1.5 billion) in assets under custody. The deal, expected to close in the second half of the year, marks Robinhood’s third major crypto acquisition following its purchases of Bitstamp and TradePMR in the past year.

WonderFi’s recent history has been tumultuous: its CEO Dean Skurka was kidnapped last year in a US$1 million ransom plot that ultimately cost the company US$3.6 billion in damages and security upgrades.

Canada Crypto Week in full swing in Toronto

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

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American Salars Lithium Inc. (‘AMERICAN SALARS’ OR THE ‘COMPANY’) (CSE: USLI, OTC: ASALF, FWB: Z3P, WKN: A3E2NY ) announces the addition of Dr. Mark King PhD, PGeo, FGC, a world-renowned lithium brine expert, as a Technical Advisor and Qualified Person.

Dr. King is a hydrogeologist with 30+ years of international experience in groundwater modeling and geochemistry. For the past 15 years, he has specialized in exploration and evaluation of lithium brine projects. His strong chemistry and numerical modeling background has proven to be an excellent foundation for brine exploration and quantitative evaluation. Consequently, his resource and reserve estimation experience on major brine projects is now arguably the most extensive of any geologist, hydrogeologist, or engineer in the world.

Some notable past involvements include serving as a resource and/or reserve estimation Qualified Person for the following:

  • Albermarle at Salar Atacama (Chile), Silver Peak (Nevada, USA) and Antofalla Salar (Argentina)
  • Neo Lithium at the 3Q Salar, (Argentina)
  • Lithium Americas at the Cauchari Salar, (Argentina)
  • Vulcan Energy in the Rhine Valley, (Germany)
  • Alpha Lithium at Tolillar & Hombre Muerto Salar, (Argentina)

In addition, Dr. King and his team have conducted detailed due diligence reviews of 20+ advanced brine projects and reconnaissance reviews (and ranking) of 100+ greenfield to early-stage projects, in South America and the southern US. His technical team at GWI have advanced expertise in geological modelling, GIS, data management and 3D visualization. They will provide exploration and resource consulting services to American Salars from time to time.

R. Nick Horsley, CEO & Director States , ‘American Salars is yet again adding depth to its technical team. We are fortunate to welcome Dr. King and his team at GWI to American Salars and look forward to working together in our search for significant lithium salar projects. Mark is a globally recognized authority whose work has taken him to lithium brine projects throughout North and South America, and beyond.’

About American Salars Lithium Inc.

About American Salars Lithium Inc. American Salars Lithium Inc. is an exploration company focused on exploring and developing high-value battery metals projects to meet the demands of the advancing electric vehicle market.

All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

‘R. Nick Horsley

R. Nick Horsley, CEO

For further information, please contact:

American Salars Lithium Inc.
‎Phone: 604.880.2189
‎E-Mail: info@americansalars.com

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

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding American Salar’s intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits American Salars will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements’ current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including American Salars results of exploration or review of properties that American Salars does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and American Salars assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.


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Saga Metals Corp. (‘SAGA’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H) a North American exploration company specializing in the discovery of critical minerals, is pleased to announce the appointment of Vernon Shein to its board of advisors.

A mining industry veteran with 39 years of exploration industry experience, Mr. Shein spent the last 18 years as Exploration Manager for Bema Gold Corp. and its successor company B2Gold, specializing in advancing exploration programs through Preliminary Economic Assessment, Feasibility Study and into production.

Mr. Shein holds a B.Sc., Specialization Geology, from Concordia University and has conducted exploration programs on gold and base metals projects located throughout Canada, South America, Russia and the Asia Pacific. While serving as Exploration Manager at B2Gold, projects that he has managed from exploration through to production include the Kupol Mine in Russia, the Jabali Mine in Nicaragua and the Montana open pit at the Masbate Mine in the Philippines. At the Kupol Mine, Mr. Shein oversaw the drilling and modeling of the deposit through Pre-Economic Assessment in 2004 and Final Feasibility in 2005. Mr. Shein also developed the Jabali Mine from an untested, previously mined prospect to a mineable reserve/resource in two years with mining commencing in 2013. In recent years, Mr. Shein oversaw exploration activities at the Masbate Mine which developed new reserves at the Montana and Pajo deposits. He also oversaw exploration at the Aurion/B2GOLD joint venture in Central Lapland, Finland, resulting in the discovery of the western extension of Rupert’s Ikkari deposit.

‘We are thrilled to welcome Vern to SAGA’s board of advisors,’ stated Mike Stier, CEO & Director of Saga Metals . ‘Vern’s industry insight will be valuable across our entire suite of prospective critical mineral projects with initial focus spent on the Radar Ti-V-Fe project near Cartwright, Labrador. With the exceptional results to date from our maiden drill program and the ability to fast track this project, building a board of technically proficient advisors with world class experience is paramount to our success. The Radar project is poised for advanced development and we’re fortunate to have Vern’s expertise as a sounding board as we move through these critical next steps.’

Mr. Shein commented: ‘I am excited to be advising Saga Metals Corp. with their intelligent, diversified and aggressive exploration programs targeting critical minerals that support the green energy transition.   Given my successful advancement of several projects from grass roots through to production, I’m eager to add value to SAGA’s rapidly evolving Radar Ti-V-Fe project.’

About Saga Metals Corp.

Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The company’s flagship asset, the Double Mer Uranium Project, is located in Labrador, Canada, covering 25,600 hectares. This project features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U 3 O 8 and uranium uranophane was identified in several areas of highest radiometric response (2024 Double Mer Technical Report).

In addition to its uranium focus, 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 Lithium.

SAGA also holds additional exploration assets in Labrador, where the company is focused on the discovery of titanium, vanadium, and iron ore. With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mike Stier, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, contact:
Saga Metals Corp.
Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (778) 930-1321
Email: info@SAGAmetals.com
www.SAGAmetals.com

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. 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 advisors and projects. 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, risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and the risks detailed in the Company’s final prospectus in Manitoba and amended and restated final prospectus for British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario dated August 30, 2024, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the continuous disclosure filings made by the Company with securities regulations from time to time. 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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The US and China agreed on Monday (May 12) to pause the majority of their tariffs for a period of 90 days, marking a significant de-escalation in trade tensions between the two countries.

The US will reduce its tariffs on most Chinese goods from 145 percent to 30 percent; meanwhile, China will lower its tariffs on US goods by a similar amount, dropping them from 125 percent to 10 percent.

In addition to the suspension of tariffs, a number of non-tariff measures will be suspended or reversed. These include removing rare earths export restrictions and taking some US tech and defense firms off trade blacklists.

The US will maintain a 20 percent tariff geared at pressuring China to curb the flow of fentanyl to the US. The other 10 percent is the baseline levy that the US has imposed on imports from most nations.

The Trump administration also said the lower tariff rate won’t apply to automobiles, steel and aluminum.

The deal is expected to bring a resumption of shipments to west coast port cities like Los Angeles and Seattle. Recent data indicates a significant reduction in activity as tariffs have pushed the price of goods beyond what many importers can afford. Port activity has dropped to levels not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains.

Although the tariff pause is only temporary, the 90 day break will give the countries time to negotiate a more permanent deal and mitigate a growing trade war that began shortly after Donald Trump assumed the presidency in January.

‘Now, while the 90-day pause is a big step towards easing tensions, it’s crucial to remember that it doesn’t guarantee a complete resolution of the trade war,’ he explained.

‘Once those 90 days are up, everyone will be keeping a close eye on what happens next, especially the results of ongoing negotiations and whether the tariffs will be permanently cut or brought back.’

Market response was mixed on Tuesday (May 13), with the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:INX) jumping 0.9 percent to reach 5,896 points in morning trading and the Nasdaq-100 (INDEXNASDAQ:NDX) surging 1.75 percent to 21,231 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) went the opposite direction, shedding a half percent to 42,216 basis points.

The gold price fell as low as US$3,208.80 per ounce on Monday, a drop of more than US$100 compared to last week’s closing price. It regained some ground on Tuesday and was trading in the US$3,250 range by 1:00 p.m EDT.

The silver price also saw an immediate decline on Monday, but was trading in the US$33 per ounce range on Tuesday.

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

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Bitcoin is prone to price volatility, with wide swings to the upside and downside, making it difficult for investors to know when the right time to buy the top crypto is.

There has been renewed interest in cryptocurrencies following the election of US President Donald Trump, leading the Bitcoin price to soar to new heights in late 2024, as investors and other industry insiders speculated on how the Trump administration’s policies could grow the sector and encourage mainstream adoption.

Trump ran on a platform that promised to make the US the Bitcoin capital of the world, vowing to establish a national reserve for the asset, and several states have already introduced legislation to create similar reserves within their borders.

The price of Bitcoin pulled back to under US$100,000 in February 2025 and fell as low as US$75,000 by April 9, marking a strong buying opportunity for crypto investors. Bitcoin has since rebounded, and on May 9 topped US$100,000 for the first time since early February.

Meanwhile, institutions and businesses like Michael Saylor’s Strategy have continued to buy Bitcoin by the millions, and spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) remain popular.

This surge of interest paints a bullish picture of Bitcoin’s continued growth. However, buying Bitcoin isn’t a simple decision. Read on to learn the basics of Bitcoin fundamentals, price forecasts and methods for determining if now’s the right time to buy Bitcoin, including several popular technical trading indicators you should know.

In this article

    What gives Bitcoin its value? 5 factors to know

    Before you decide if Bitcoin is a good investment for you, you need to understand Bitcoin and the wider crypto market.

    Bitcoin was the world’s first cryptocurrency, created in January 2009 by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto.

    Conceived as a virtual alternative to fiat currency, Bitcoin is built atop blockchain technology, which it uses for both validation and security. Blockchain itself is a distributed digital ledger of transactions, operating through a combination of private keys, public keys and network consensus.

    The best analogy to explain how this works in practice involves Google Docs. Imagine a document that’s shared with a group of collaborators. Everyone has access to the same document, and each collaborator can see the edits other collaborators have made. If anyone makes an edit that the other collaborators don’t approve of, they can roll it back.

    Going back to Bitcoin, the virtual currency primarily validates transactions through proof of work. Also known as Bitcoin mining, this competitive and incredibly resource-intensive process is the means by which new Bitcoins are generated.

    How it works is deceptively simple. Each Bitcoin transaction adds a new ‘block’ to the ledger, identified by a 64-digit encrypted hexadecimal number known as a hash. Each block uses the block immediately preceding it to generate its hash, creating a ledger that theoretically cannot be tampered with. Bitcoin miners collectively attempt to guess the encrypted hex code for each new block — whoever correctly identifies the hash then validates the transaction and receives a small amount of Bitcoins as a reward.

    From an investment perspective, Bitcoin toes the line between being a medium of exchange and a speculative digital asset. It also lacks any central governing body to regulate its distribution. As one might expect, these factors together make Bitcoin quite volatile, and therefore somewhat risky as an investment target.

    As for the source of this volatility, Bitcoin’s value is primarily influenced by five factors.

    1. Supply and demand

    It’s widely known that no more than 21 million Bitcoins can be produced, and that’s unlikely to happen before 2140.

    Only a certain number of Bitcoins are released each year, and this rate is reduced every four years by halving the reward for Bitcoin mining. The last of these ‘halvings’ occurred in April 2024 and the next one is due sometime in 2028. When it happens, there may be a significant increase in Bitcoin demand, largely driven by media coverage and investor interest.

    Bitcoin demand is also strengthening in countries experiencing currency devaluation and high inflation.

    It would be remiss not to mention that Bitcoin represents an ideal mechanism for supporting illicit activities — meaning that increasing cybercrime could itself be a demand driver.

    2. Production costs

    It’s said that Bitcoin benefits from minimal production costs. This isn’t exactly true, however. Solving even a single hash requires immense processing power, and it’s believed that crypto mining collectively uses more electricity than some small countries. It’s also believed that miners were largely responsible for the chip shortage experienced throughout the pandemic due to buying and burning out vast quantities of graphics cards.

    These costs together have only a minimal influence on Bitcoin’s overall value. The complexity of Bitcoin’s hashing algorithms and the fact that they can vary wildly in complexity are far more impactful.

    3. Competition

    Bitcoin’s cryptocurrency market share has sharply declined over the years. In 2017, it maintained a market share of over 80 percent. Bitcoin’s current market share is just over 60 percent.

    Despite that fall, Bitcoin remains the dominant force in the cryptocurrency market and is the marker by which many other cryptocurrencies determine their value. However, there is no guarantee that this will always remain the case. There are now scores of Bitcoin alternatives, known collectively as altcoins, which you can learn more about here.

    The most significant alternative to Bitcoin is Ethereum. Currently accounting for roughly 10 percent of the crypto market, Ethereum has long maintained its position as the second largest cryptocurrency. Some experts have suggested that Ethereum may even overtake Bitcoin, but others don’t see that as a possibility in the near future.

    4. Regulations

    Bitcoin may itself be unregulated, but it is not immune to the effects of government legislation. For instance, China’s 2021 ban of the cryptocurrency caused a sharp price drop, though it quickly rallied in the following months. The European Union has also attempted to ban Bitcoin in the past, and Nic Carter, a partner at Castle Venture, accused the US of trying to do the same in February 2023.

    There has been plenty of discussion surrounding the role of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in regulating Bitcoin and other crypto as investment assets. The US made progress in establishing crypto legislation in 2024 when the House passed the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century (FIT21) Act in a bipartisan 279 to 136 vote on May 22 of last year. While that act has yet to make further progress, the new Trump administration has already loosened some crypto regulation with regards to crypto reporting for banks and decentralized finance businesses.

    5. Public interest and media coverage

    As with any speculative commodity, Bitcoin is greatly influenced by the court of public opinion.

    Perhaps the best example of this occurred in 2021. At that time, a tweet from Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) Elon Musk caused Bitcoin’s price to drop by 30 percent in a single day. This also wiped about US$365 billion off the cryptocurrency market.

    A more recent example occurred on January 9, 2024, leading up to the deadline for eight spot Bitcoin ETFs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In a since-deleted post on X, formerly known as Twitter, a hacker falsely stated that the SEC had approved all eight pending Bitcoin ETFs. This caused the price of Bitcoin to spike to US$48,000, but it quickly dropped back down to around US$46,000 after the SEC confirmed it was a hack, leading some analysts to consider it a ‘sell-the-news’ event.

    Is now a good time to buy Bitcoin?

    The current US administration is crypto friendly, and Bitcoin and altcoins are seeing support in 2025. Could they go even higher, or should you wait for a dip to buy? Bitcoin is notoriously volatile, which can make it difficult to judge where the crypto is going next, but there are several strategies to help investors decide when to invest.

    To determine if it is a good time to invest in Bitcoin, investors should pay attention to the market and listen to the experts, as generally speaking, Bitcoin’s price action is sentiment-driven. To keep on top of big news in the sector, follow our frequent Crypto Market Updates, which drop several times a week.

    There are also different technical indicators that crypto traders use to help them decide if now is the time to buy or sell Bitcoin. We run through some popular indicators below.

    For example, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a technical indicator used to gauge the momentum of a cryptocurrency’s price. It fluctuates on a scale from 0 to 100. By analyzing the magnitude of recent price changes relative to the previous 12-month period, the RSI helps traders identify whether a cryptocurrency is potentially overbought or oversold. An RSI above 70 often signals an overbought market, while an RSI below 30 suggests an oversold market.

    Another metric to consider is the MVRV Z-score, calculated by subtracting the ‘realized’ value of Bitcoin, which is an average of the prices at which each Bitcoin was last moved, from the current market value. This is then divided by the standard deviation of the Bitcoin market cap.

    This indicator helps identify when market value deviates strongly from realized value, which could show the market is at a turning point. A score above 7 likely indicates that Bitcoin is overvalued, meaning it could be due for a correction, while a score below 0 suggests that Bitcoin is undervalued, meaning it could be a good buying opportunity.

    Finally, to gauge the overall market sentiment, investors can look at the Fear & Greed Index. This index provides a snapshot of how optimistic or fearful the market is about Bitcoin, with high readings potentially signaling overenthusiasm and a possible correction.

    While it’s useful to learn these technical indicators to help you trade, it is important to remember that there’s no such thing as a guaranteed investment, especially when it comes to cryptocurrencies. On the one hand, there’s virtually no chance that Bitcoin will experience a crash to zero. On the other hand, we also cannot take for granted that its value will continue to climb.

    What is Bitcoin’s long-term price outlook?

    For those considering Bitcoin as a long-term investment, it’s worth considering experts’ thoughts on Bitcoin in the future.

    Veteran analyst Peter Brandt said in February 2024 that if Bitcoin could break past its previous high, the cryptocurrency could easily reach a new record of US$200,000 by September 2025.

    Only two weeks after the interview, Bitcoin surpassed the US$72,000 mark in the early hours of March 11. On December 4, one month after the US presidential election, Bitcoin reached US$100,000 for the first time, an elusive target it has surpassed a handful of times since.

    Not everyone is so optimistic about Bitcoin’s prospects. Pav Hundal, lead market analyst at Swyftx, has expressed concerns about Bitcoin’s future in the context of continued geopolitical upheaval and economic uncertainty.

    Billionaire investor Warren Buffet, meanwhile, has not minced words regarding his opinion on Bitcoin and its future. According to Buffet, Bitcoin is an unproductive asset with no unique value. He also feels that it doesn’t count as a true currency — in fact, he called it “rat poison.” Moreover, he believes that the crypto market as a whole will end badly.

    Regardless of whether you believe Bitcoin’s proponents or naysayers, it’s clear that it has some incredibly prominent backers in both the investment world and the wider business landscape. Business analytics platform Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) is by far the largest public company in the Bitcoin space, with 568,840 Bitcoin to its name as of May 13, 2025. The next three public companies with the largest Bitcoin holdings are Marathon Digital Holdings (NASDAQ:MARA) with 48,237 Bitcoin, Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:RIOT) with 19,211, Tesla with 11,509 and Hut 8 (NASDAQ:HUT) with 10,264.

    The US, China and the United Kingdom hold the top three spots for countries with the most Bitcoin holdings, with 207,189, 194,000 and 61,000 Bitcoin respectively at that time.

    There are also plenty of individuals with large holdings, the most significant of which is believed to be Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Other prominent names include Michael Saylor, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and Tim Draper.

    How to smartly invest in Bitcoin?

    To help increase the odds of crypto being a good investment, investors in the Bitcoin market should learn the basics of safely investing in Bitcoin.

    How to buy Bitcoin

    The good news is that investing in Bitcoin is actually quite simple. If you’re purchasing through a stockbroker, it’s a similar process to buying shares of a company. Otherwise, you may need to gather your personal information and bank account details. It’s recommended to secure your network with a VPN prior to performing any Bitcoin transactions.

    The first step in purchasing Bitcoin is to join an exchange. Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) is one of the most popular, but there’s also Kraken and Bybit. If you’re an advanced trader outside the US, you might consider Bitfinex.

    Once you’ve chosen an exchange, you’ll need a crypto wallet. Many first-time investors choose a software-based or ‘hot’ wallet either maintained by their chosen crypto exchange or operated by a service provider. While simpler to set up and more convenient overall, hot wallets tend to be less secure as they can be compromised by data breaches.

    Another option is a ‘cold’ wallet — a specialized piece of hardware specifically designed to store cryptocurrency. It’s basically a purpose-built flash drive. If you plan to invest large amounts in crypto, a cold wallet is the better option.

    Once you’ve acquired and configured your wallet, you may choose to connect either the wallet or your crypto exchange account to your bank account. This is not strictly necessary, and some seasoned investors don’t bother to do this.

    Finally, with your wallet fully configured and your exchange account set up, it’s time to place your order.

    Best practices for investing in Bitcoin

    The most important thing to remember about Bitcoin is that it is a high-risk asset. Treat Bitcoin as a means of slowly growing your existing wealth rather than an all-or-nothing gamble, and never invest money that you aren’t willing to lose..

    As with other investments, it’s important to hedge your portfolio. Alongside Bitcoin, you may want to consider investing in other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, or perhaps an altcoin. You may also want to explore other blockchain-based investments, given that even the most stable cryptocurrencies tend to be fairly volatile.

    It’s also key to ignore the hype surrounding cryptocurrencies. Recall how many people whipped themselves into a frenzy over non-fungible tokens in 2022. More than 95 percent of the NFTs created during that time are now worthless.

    Make decisions based on your own market research and advice from trusted — and more importantly, certified — professionals. If you’re putting up investment capital based on an influencer’s tweets, you are playing with fire.

    You should also start small. A good rule of thumb is not to dedicate more than 10 percent of your overall capital to cryptocurrency. Even that number could be high — again, it’s all about moderation.

    Make sure to prioritize cybersecurity as well. Cryptocurrencies are an immensely popular target for cybercriminals. In addition to maintaining a cold wallet, make sure you practice proper security hygiene. That means using a VPN and a password manager while also exercising mindfulness in how you browse the web and what you download.

    Finally, make an effort to understand what cryptocurrencies are and how they work. One of the reasons Sam Bankman-Fried was able to run FTX as long as he did was because many of his investors didn’t fully understand what they were putting their money into. Don’t let yourself be fooled by buzzwords or lofty promises about Web3 and the metaverse.

    Do your research into the technology behind it all. That way, you’ll be far better equipped to recognize when something is a sound investment versus a bottomless money pit.

    Indirect crypto investing

    Given Bitcoin’s volatility, it’s understandable that you might be leery of making a direct investment. The good news is that you don’t have to. You can indirectly invest into the crypto space through mutual funds, stocks and ETFs.

    ETFs are a popular and flexible portfolio choice that allows investors to benefit from a sector’s performance without the need to directly own individual stocks or assets. They are an especially appealing option in the cryptocurrency market as the technical aspects of purchasing and holding these coins can be confusing and intimidating for the less technologically inclined.

    Bitcoin futures ETFs provide exposure to the cryptocurrency’s price moves using Bitcoin futures contracts, which stipulate that two parties will exchange a specific amount of Bitcoins for a particular price on a predetermined date.

    Conversely, spot Bitcoin ETFs aim to track the price of Bitcoin, and they do so by holding the asset. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have been offered to Canadians since 2021, and there are now 13 Canadian cryptocurrency ETFs you can buy. Spot Bitcoin ETFs began trading in the US on January 11, 2024. For investors interested in blockchain technology, there are also several blockchain ETFs.

    Do a bit of research and touch base with your stockbroker or financial advisor before you go in this direction.

    Investor takeaway

    Bitcoin is a fascinating asset. Simultaneously a transactional tool and a speculative commodity, it’s attracted the attention of investors almost since it first hit the market. Unfortunately, it’s also incredibly volatile.

    For that reason, while current market conditions are favorable for anyone considering buying Bitcoin, it is an asset you should purchase only at your own risk. Because while Bitcoin may have the potential for significant returns, you may also lose most of your investment. If that knowledge doesn’t bother you, then by all means, purchase away.

    Otherwise, there are better — less volatile — options for your capital.

    FAQs for buying Bitcoin

    What does Cathie Wood say about Bitcoin?

    ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood is extremely bullish on Bitcoin, telling Bloomberg in February 2023 that her firm believes the cryptocurrency could reach a value of US$1 million by 2030. A year later, Wood hiked her 2030 bitcoin price prediction astronomically to US$75 trillion.

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

    This post appeared first on investingnews.com

    Reach Resources Limited (ASX: RR1 & RR1O) (“Reach” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the completion of a new Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Pansy Pit deposit at its Murchison South Gold Project. The estimate, prepared by independent consultants Mining Plus, reported above a cut-off grade of 0.5g/t Au, confirms a near-surface inferred resource of 72kt @ 2.5g/t Au for 5,800 oz. This adds to the existing 61,300 oz gold resource at the nearby Blue Heaven deposit, bringing the total gold resource inventory at Murchison South to approximately 67,100 oz.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    • Pansy Pit: Mining Plus confirms Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Pansy Pit Deposit at Murchison South:
      From Surface 72kt @ 2.5g/t Au for 5,800 oz Gold (Table 1)
    • Blue Heaven and Pansy Pit MRE, together total ~67,100 oz Gold
    • Pansy Pit MRE is based solely on review by Mining Plus of historical drilling
    • Historical drilling was only to 60m, mineralisation open at depth and along strike north and south (Figure 2)
    • The Pansy Pit has the potential to be a shallow, open pit mining operation, with mineralisation observed from surface
    • The Pansy Pit sits within granted Mining lease M59/662 and is just over 2km from the Company’s Blue Heaven deposit and on the south side of the Great Northern Highway (Figure 3)
    • The Pansy Pit provides evidence of the expansion potential along the Primrose Fault, notably to the south at the Shamrock deposit and to the north at the Pansy North and Jacamar deposits (Figure 3)

    The Pansy Pit MRE is shown in Table 1 on page 3.

    Click here for the full ASX Release

    This post appeared first on investingnews.com

    White Cliff Minerals Limited (“WCN” or the “Company”) (ASX: WCN; OTCQB: WCMLF) is pleased to announce further assay results from the recent reverse circulation drilling campaign at the Company’s 100% owned Rae Copper Project in Nunavut, Canada.

    • Further assays from Danvers confirm a shallow, high grade copper system that remains open at depth and along strike
    • Drilling continues to prove, previously unknown and untested, extensions to high grade mineralisation
    • Highlights from DAN25002:
      • 63m @ 2.23% Cu & 7.1g/t silver (Ag) from 9.14m, including a high-grade intercept of 15m @ 5% Cu & 16.9g/t Ag from 18.29m
    • DAN25004 returned two significant copper intervals:
      • 38m @ 1% Cu & 1.89g/t Ag from 7.62m, and
      • 72m @ 1.08% Cu & 4.22g/t Ag from 62.48m, including a high-grade intercept of 14m @ 2.32% Cu from 106.68m
    • Pre collar drilling at Hulk is complete, ready for an upcoming diamond drilling campaign
    • The Company is advancing discussions with its contracting partners to undertake targeted airborne geophysical surveys at Danvers across the 9.1km target fault zone and to also utilise the proven down hole electromagnetic survey across the broader Rae project which will support and help target these future campaigns
    • Further assays to come pending release from the laboratory

    “Assays from Rae continue to exceed expectations: 175m @ 2.5% Cu, 58m @ 3.08% Cu, 52m @ 1.16% Cu and now further significant intercepts of 63m @ 2.23% Cu and 72m @ 1.08%. These high-grade intercepts from surface are rare in the exploration world as explorers over recent times have had to go deeper and deeper to identify additional copper resources.

    Being the first mover into this highly prospective location, after more than a decade of inactivity due to political constraints – securing the licences organically and now having undertaken our first drill program, positions us well both for future work programmes and facilitate further discoveries.

    We are not surprised by the increased attention into the broader region by many players. Infrastructure enhancements at Yellowknife and increased activity along the north-west passage provide far easier access than in previous decades when the last serious exploration was undertaken.

    More recently we have seen increased state and federal conversations around road and port infrastructure development in this area to support regional development. Logistics that will positively impact the Rae Project. Given the project area is less than 80km by road to the deep-water port of Kugluktuk, these results will surely focus the spotlight on the development opportunities and benefits to the local and regional stakeholders.

    The Rae Project area has the potential to help meet the global production void through proper systematic assessment of this underexplored copper landholding and we continue to look forward to updating shareholders with the next round of results as they come to hand over the coming weeks.”

    Troy Whittaker – Managing Director

    Click here for the full ASX Release

    This post appeared first on investingnews.com