Market Signal Briefing

So back in early October of 2022, you plunked $10,000 into shares of Applied Digital (APLD 0.21%). What's that worth now? Let's take a look.

That $10,000 investment would have become a stake worth around $144,500! That means your money would have grown at an average annual rate of 144%, which is quite impressive. In contrast, the S&P 500 index, which includes 500 of America's biggest companies, averaged gains of 24% during the same period -- enough to turn $10,000 into $19,000. That's still very respectable, of course, as the S&P 500's long-term average is closer to 10%.

Image source: Getty Images.

What does Applied Digital do?
It has actually shifted its focus over the years. Its former names offer some clues. It began as Applied Science Products in 2021 and changed its name to Applied Blockchain in 2021, before taking on Applied Digital in 2022. It boasts that it has been named "Best Data Center in the Americas 2025" by Datacloud and notes that it "designs, builds, and operates high-performance, sustainably engineered data centers and colocation services for artificial intelligence, cloud, networking, and blockchain workloads."

You now have an idea of why Applied Digital would have boosted your net worth by so much. It's building data centers, which have become critical, thanks to the growing use of AI. Data center demand is huge and growing, boding well for Applied Digital's future.

The stock has been volatile, so make sure you can handle that if you're interested in investing. And certainly learn a lot more about it before you do, too.

Selena Maranjian has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Warren Buffett's company owns these stocks, and they could be great additions to your portfolio.

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett helped turn the investment conglomerate into one of the world's most valuable companies. With a market capitalization of approximately $1.08 trillion as of this writing, Berkshire ranks as the world's 11th-biggest business (at the time of this writing).

Given Berkshire's incredible success, it's little wonder that many investors pay close attention to the company's stock holdings and strategies. Read on to see why two Motley Fool contributors think that these Berkshire Hathaway portfolio components stand out as great buys right now.

Image source: Getty Images.

One of Buffett's favorites
Jennifer Saibil (Apple): Warren Buffett has been selling Apple (AAPL 0.28%) stock left and right, so I might be going against the grain to say that Apple is one of his best stocks to buy today. But Buffett himself is a contrarian investor, so I'm only following in his footsteps.

In any case, Apple is still the largest stock in the portfolio, accounting for more than a fifth of the total, so Buffett hasn't lost confidence in it at all. He has said he would never sell as long as he's controlling Berkshire Hathaway, but that time is coming to an end, and investors are already speculating as to whether Greg Abel will keep it in the portfolio.

But many of the same reasons Buffett originally bought it still hold today. Apple has a large and differentiated consumer products business with a sticky ecosystem, and loyal fans purchase an assortment of its devices, which easily connect to each other. Although it's often labeled as a tech business, which isn't in Buffett's wheelhouse, it's at least as much the kind of consumer products business that he loves. The tech part also gives him exposure to artificial intelligence (AI), which may not be the reason he bought it, but is a reason many other investors might find it exciting.

So far, Apple Intelligence has disappointed investors. Apple hasn't released AI services that stand out, and it doesn't have a strong timeline for when it will.

Still, the recent debut of its newest iPhone, the iPhone Air, demonstrates why fans love Apple and rush to buy its latest launches. It's the thinnest smartphone on the market, and the design appeals to style-conscious users who often wear their devices as statement pieces. Apple just debuted several new launches that will go on sale later this month, including the new iPhone17 that ramps up the quality and capabilities users love and pay up for, and new AirPods that use Apple Intelligence to translate language in real time.

In other words, Apple is still on top of its game, and it isn't likely that its customers are going anywhere else anytime soon. However, Apple stock fell after the new products were announced, and it's down 10% this year. The market didn't seem to think its launches had enough innovation, especially with AI. That makes this a great opportunity to buy on the dip for the long-term investor.

Amazon stock still looks like a great long-term play
Keith Noonan (Amazon): Like Apple, Amazon (AMZN -1.34%) stock has been a high-profile tech-sector underperformer in 2025. The e-commerce and cloud computing giant's share price is up just 2% across this year's trading. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 index's level has risen roughly 15%, and the Nasdaq Composite's level has surged approximately 18%.

Also like Apple, Amazon is also part of Berkshire Hathaway's stock portfolio. Coming in at just 0.7% of Berkshire's public stock holdings, Amazon occupies a relatively small position in the investment conglomerate's portfolio -- but I think the tech leader stands out as a strong long-term investment at today's prices.

Trading at roughly 33.5 times this year's expected earnings, Amazon admittedly still has a growth-dependent valuation. On the other hand, the extent to which the stock has underperformed the broader market in recent years points to an opportunity. For reference, the company's share price has risen just 43% over the last five years. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite have both more than doubled across that stretch.

There are some good reasons behind the underperformance. For starters, the company's e-commerce business faced some substantial headwinds from supply chain disruptions and inflationary trends connected to the pandemic. With the majority of the company's sales still coming from its e-commerce business, Amazon is also facing some pressures from tariffs.

On the other hand, Amazon remains one of the world's strongest businesses -- and it's likely in the early stages of capitalizing on AI-related tailwinds that power incredible new growth phases. The growth catalysts that AI can present for the company's cloud-infrastructure services business seem to be acknowledged but still broadly underappreciated. Meanwhile, the market seems to be largely overlooking the transformative impact that AI and robotics will have on margins for its e-commerce business. With Amazon positioned to benefit from powerful tech trends, the stock looks like a smart buy while it's still a market laggard.

Jennifer Saibil has positions in Apple. Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Gold surged on safe-haven demand as U.S. shutdown fears and rate cut bets intensified, while silver approached a major breakout and the U.S. Dollar Index struggled to recover amid growing economic uncertainty.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in TORO over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Tether, the issuer of the well-known USDT stablecoin, is seeking $200 million from investors to expand its tokenized gold offerings through a collaboration with Antalpha. The move aims to establish a public vehicle that will hold XAUt, Tether's gold-backed digital asset, further solidifying the firm's presence in the growing market of tokenized precious metals.

XRP has defended support at $2.90 and made several attempts to push above $3.10 over the past week. Although XRP bulls have managed to hold above $3, the cryptocurrency hasn’t really followed rallies witnessed by Bitcoin and Ethereum in the past 24 hours. 

Nonethless, XRP’s price action in the past few days has caused its price chart to print a new technical setup that has previously marked the beginning of significant rallies, and history might repeat itself again.

Bullish XRP Technical Signal Reappears
Technical analysis of XRP’s 3-day candlestick chart shows that the cryptocurrency is currently repeating a technical signal which has preceded rallies multiple times this cycle. This signal, which was first revealed on the social media platform X by crypto analyst Cryptoinsightsuk, holds importance, as it has preceeded three different price rallies already this cycle.

Crypto analyst Cryptoinsightuk shared a post on X highlighting this development, noting that XRP just achieved a great 3-day candle close and a simultaneous bullish cross on the 3-day RSI, which is a setup that historically preceded explosive price movements.

The RSI, which tracks momentum shifts in market sentiment, has just crossed above its signal line to form a bullish structure identical to those seen in November 2024, April 2025, and June 2025. Each of these past simultaneous 3-day candle closes and RSI crosses occurred shortly before major XRP rallies. 

The RSI crossover in November 2024 occurred right before the most remarkable XRP rally since 2017. Notably, this RSI breakout was followed by a sharp 500% price surge, and XRP’s price increased from around $0.5 to over $3 within the weeks that followed. 

The April 2025 signal similarly preceded another leg up. Although the resulting rally was smaller than the November 2024 rally, XRP went from around $1.9 to $2.7.

XRP is currently trading at $3.02. Chart: TradingView
Then came June 2025, when the same RSI and candle setup appeared for a third time after XRP closed its 3-day candlestick above $2.2. This one proved even more significant than April’s signal, and this eventually culminated in a new all-time high of $3.65.

XRP 3D Price Chart. Source: Cryptoinsightuk on X

Market Context And What Comes Next
The patterns noted above are very important for XRP, and there’s no reason for it not to repeat the same rally. According to Cryptoinsightuk, the reappearance of this exact signal suggests that XRP might once again be gearing up for pop to the upside. Interestingly, the signal also sets a good precedent for the possible approval of Spot XRP ETF applications by the US SEC.

At the time of writing, XRP is trading at $3.03. If history repeats itself even on a smaller scale, such as the rally witnessed in April 2025, XRP could climb toward $3.80 in the coming weeks. The most bullish repeat scenario could see the XRP price climb as high as $15. 

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Speaking at the Electronic Cash Conference in Barcelona, eCash founder Amaury Séchet announced the launch timeline for “Pre-Consensus,” a feature slated for the Nov. 15 network upgrade. Avalanche-Style Pre-Consensus Arrives on eCash Nov.

Dogecoin has shown signs of renewed momentum after reclaiming ground above $0.26 in the past 24 hours, but it hasn’t made a clean breakout yet. Nonetheless, crypto analysts are bullish on the meme coin, and a few of them have highlighted important support, resistance, and breakout levels. As it stands, Dogecoin path to $0.3 still holds merit, and its reaction here will determine how its price action plays out.

Analysts Map Out Bullish Setups And Near-Term Targets
The $0.30 level, in particular, stands out as the next critical threshold for Dogecoin: both as a psychological and technical marker that could open the door for a stronger rally if conquered. 

For instance, crypto analyst Ali Martinez observed that Dogecoin is currently trading within an ascending channel. This pattern holds merit as a bullish continuation, and according to the analyst, Dogecoin is still in the accumulation phase. The projection on the chart shows all that’s needed now is for a clean break above $0.3 for Dogecoin to enter into an expansion phase.

Dogecoin 1W Price Chart: @ali_charts on X

EtherNasyonaL, another crypto analyst, is more aggressive with Dogecoin. According to his projection, Dogecoin has now completed a successful retest after breaking above a descending trendline of lower highs. The most recent 3-day candlestick now shows Dogecoin forming a bullish candle above $0.25, and now the next step is a bullish leg to new all-time highs.

Dogecoin 3D Price Chart: @EtherNasyonaL on X

Dogecoin has been consolidating in a clear nine-month ascending triangle and is now approaching a key breakout point, according to a TradingView analysis. The pattern has been forming since early 2025 with rising support around $0.22 and a horizontal resistance zone between $0.28 and $0.30.

DOGEUSD now trading at $0.25. Chart: TradingView
Therefore, a confirmed breakout above $0.30 could send the Dogecoin price to between $0.38 and $0.40, matching the height of the formation and aligning with a prior resistance zone from earlier in the year. The breakout must come with a strong daily candle close above $0.30 and a clear volume surge, ideally two to three times higher than normal.

Failure to hold above $0.30 or a drop below $0.22 would invalidate the bullish setup, but for now, Dogecoin’s structure suggests that a decisive move is close.

Dogecoin 4H Price Chart: The Pythia On TradingView

Early Signs Of Strength
Dogecoin needs enough trading volume in order to complete this predicted move. The move needs to be backed by a noticeable surge in trading volume, ideally two to three times higher than the recent average.

Dogecoin’s trading volume has spiked notably in the past 24 hours, coming to $2.5 billion across all exchanges. Furthermore, active addresses and transaction frequency have both increased over the last few trading hours. 

At the time of writing, Dogecoin is trading at $0.2644, up by 4.5% and 16.7% in the past 24 hours and seven days, respectively.

Featured image from Pixabay, chart from TradingView

Cardano (ADA) is showing renewed bullish momentum as traders and investors focus on the critical $2 resistance level. The recent reinstatement of ADA in the Hashdex NASDAQ Crypto Index U.S. ETF has injected fresh confidence among institutional and retail investors, suggesting that Cardano could be preparing for a significant rally.

DefiLlama delisted the perpetuals volume data for Aster after finding data that suggests wash trading on the platform.

Questions over data transparency and possible wash trading raise concerns about accuracy in decentralized exchange metrics.

Key Takeaways

DeFiLlama is delisting Aster perpetual volume data due to concerns about suspicious trading patterns.
Aster's trading volume closely mirrors Binance's, raising questions about potential wash trading.

DeFiLlama is removing Aster’s perpetual trading statistics from its platform following an investigation that found the data had become nearly identical to Binance’s perpetual futures volumes, said 0xngmi, the pseudonymous founder of DeFiLlama, in a recent post on X.

According to 0xngmi, trading pairs such as XRPUSDT and ETHUSDT on Aster showed an almost 1:1 correlation with Binance’s trading patterns.

However, without access to low-level execution data, DeFiLlama’s team cannot determine whether the mirrored volumes are the result of wash trading or synthetic replication.

Until such data becomes available, DeFiLlama will delist Aster’s perp volumes from its listings to preserve data integrity.

“The thing I care about is integrity of our data,” 0xngmi stated, noting that he holds no positions or affiliations with either Aster or Hyperliquid.

Aster, a rising competitor to decentralized perpetuals exchange Hyperliquid, saw its native token ASTER fall from $2 to $1.8 following 0xngmi’s comments, according to on-chain data.

The token launched in mid-September and briefly reached $2.4 by the end of that month. Last month, Aster became the leading decentralized perpetuals exchange by daily fees, surpassing Hyperliquid.

DeFiLlama’s decision to delist Aster’s perpetual trading volume data has sparked a wave of community complaints. In response, 0xngmi reiterated that the move was about data integrity, not favoritism.

“Our users trust our data and make investing decisions based on it, if we report incorrect data they’ll make the wrong decisions,” said 0xngmi in a follow-up thread.

0xngmi added that the team had previously removed Aster’s revenue data quietly, but repeating that risked fueling “conspiracy theories.” He also explained that adding warnings isn’t supported by DeFiLlama’s API, though future changes could make this possible.

Rejecting claims of bias, 0xngmi noted DeFiLlama had taken similar action against other perp DEXs for data irregularities.

Disclaimer

Journalist

Posted: October 6, 2025

Key Takeaways
Why are traders bullish on PENGU?
PENGU is gaining traction as the most bought memecoin by smart investors, breaking past the $0.03217 resistance and signaling potential for a 20% rally toward $0.040.

What levels are traders watching closely?
Bulls expect PENGU to stay above $0.03182, with key liquidation zones between $0.03182–$0.03442.

The bullish sentiment around the Pudgy Penguins [PENGU] memecoin is heating up, indicating that a massive rally could be on the horizon.

Thanks to rising investor interest and a recent breakout, the door has now opened for upside momentum.

PENGU – The top choice of smart investors
Recently, a Solana-based crypto community shared a post on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that PENGU is gaining immense popularity among smart investors.

The community stated,

“PENGU is the most bought meme coin by smart money in the past 24 hours.”

Source: X (Formerly Twitter)

According to the post, BONK, Jupiter [JUP], Moo Deng [MOODENG], and Useless [USELESS] lagged behind PENGU in terms of smart investor interest.

Current price momentum 
On the 5th of October, PENGU posted a gain of 4.75% over the past 24 hours, trading near $0.0332. Despite the significant price increase, market participants remain hesitant, as evidenced by the low trading volume.

Data from CoinMarketCap revealed that the memecoin’s 24-hour trading volume dipped by 10% to $375 million.

The price jump in PENGU is not just due to investor interest or the recent breakout; another key catalyst strengthening the memecoin’s bullish outlook is the sentiment shift and notable price surge in Solana [SOL].

PENGU: Price action and upcoming level
According to TradingView’s four-hour chart, PENGU has turned bullish after breaking a key resistance at $0.03217, which it had been testing for the past four days.

The asset continued to soar, suggesting a successful breakout.

Source: TradingView

Based on the current price action, if the memecoin closes the daily candle above this resistance level, it could see a 20% price uptick and potentially reach the $0.040 level in the near future.

Despite strong bullish price action, PENGU’s Supertrend indicator continued to display a red trend and hovered above the memecoin’s price, indicating that the asset remained in a downtrend.

Meanwhile, its Average Directional Index (ADX) value stood at 15, below the key threshold of 25, indicating weak directional momentum.

PENGU’s bullish outlook could be validated as long as it holds above the $0.0338 level; otherwise, it would be invalidated.

Traders’ strong bullish outlook
Given the current market sentiment, it appeared that traders’ outlook on PENGU has shifted, as their long position bets continued to rise.

Data from CoinGlass showed that PENGU’s major liquidation levels stood at $0.03182 on the lower side and $0.03442 on the upper side.

Source: CoinGlass

At these levels, traders are also over-leveraged, holding $6.48 million worth of long positions and $1.35 million worth of short positions.

While examining the long and short positions, it appears that bulls are strongly dominating the asset, hoping that PENGU’s price won’t fall below the $0.03182 level.

Vivaan Acharya is a Crypto-Economist and Journalist at AMBCrypto who brings a rare depth of financial and economic expertise to the world of digital assets. He holds a Master’s in Economics from the prestigious University of Delhi and has over five years of experience analyzing technology and financial markets.
His foray into the blockchain space began in 2018, marked by his prescient Master's thesis, "Payments and Stablecoin Integration in Banking," which showcased his early understanding of crypto's potential to disrupt traditional finance. Before specializing in crypto, Vivaan honed his skills in rigorous data and technical chart analysis at a major national financial daily, where he covered corporate earnings and market trends.
At AMBCrypto, Vivaan applies this powerful blend of classical economic training and seasoned financial journalism to his work. He is an expert in:
1. Bitcoin and Altcoin Market Analysis
2. Stablecoin Ecosystem Development, and
3 Emerging Crypto Regulations.
Known for his clear, no-nonsense approach, Vivaan translates robust research into straightforward, actionable insights. He is dedicated to demystifying the complexities of blockchain finance, empowering readers to confidently navigate the rapidly evolving digital economy.

XRP, the digital asset developed by Ripple, has been a consistent topic of discussion in the crypto market. Currently, the token trades around $2.98, with a 24-hour trading volume of approximately $6.65 billion, ranking it seventh among the most traded cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin surged over 12% last week, outperforming altcoins and recovering from its September slump.The rally was fueled by the US government shutdown and negative jobs data, which increased rate cut expectations.A new Japanese Prime Minister, expected to pursue monetary easing, also contributed to the Bitcoin rally.Bitcoin’s price rallied last week, climbing 12.14% and erasing the losses from a lackluster September. While altcoins largely drove major rallies from July to September, this time the bull run was led by Bitcoin.

Over the same period, major altcoins like Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) saw more modest gains of 12.90% and 13.24%, respectively.

Sponsored

Sponsored

Bull’s Reasons: Shutdowns, Jobs, and the FedThe key factor in last week’s rally was the US government shutdown, which began at midnight EST on Wednesday. During a shutdown, US government employees stop working, and the government cannot use its budget. This includes federal employee salaries and other government expenditures.

Market participants saw this situation as a significant source of economic uncertainty, believing it would push the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates at its upcoming FOMC meeting in late October.

According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, the probability of a US interest rate cut in October was around 89% on September 30. However, after the government shutdown was confirmed late that afternoon, the probability surged to 98%. At that moment, Bitcoin, which had been trading around the $112,000 level, began its rapid ascent.

Weak jobs data also fueled Bitcoin’s bull run. On Wednesday, the US ADP Employment Report for September came in at -32,000, falling well short of the market’s forecast of +50,000. This data supports the view that the US labor market is downturned.

According to FedWatch, the market is now pricing four additional rate cuts by June next year. Since the shutdown began, the US Republican Party has stated that it will lay off additional federal employees during this period.

The move is seen as an attempt to complete the federal employee cuts that President Donald Trump failed to achieve during his administration. If this attempt succeeds, the US unemployment rate, currently at 4.3%, could rise significantly. With non-farm payrolls already weakening, a rise in unemployment could force the Fed to pursue additional rate cuts.

Sponsored

Sponsored

Japanese Politics Also Plays a RoleOn Friday, Sanae Takaichi was elected president of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party and will likely become prime minister. She is expected to initiate policies that will weaken the yen.

While her predecessor, Fumio Kishida, had been considering raising interest rates to combat inflation, Takaichi’s policies are expected to lead to an easing of monetary policy. Against this backdrop, Bitcoin’s price briefly surged past $125,500 over the weekend, setting a new all-time high.

In summary, Bitcoin’s price bull run results from market participants quickly acting on their future expectations. They are anticipating that global liquidity will ease further in the near future. However, predicting how market sentiment will change if the US government shutdown continues is difficult.

The US Treasury’s bond auctions on Monday and Tuesday will be the most interesting event of this week. Over the two days, the Treasury will issue $249 billion in short-term bonds. According to past precedents, these auctions will likely proceed despite the shutdown.

This would significantly restrict the market’s surplus liquidity without government spending. Bitcoin’s price has risen by over 10% in just three days. It remains to be seen if it can continue to rally amid a short-term liquidity squeeze.

Eyes on Powell’s Thursday SpeechA number of macro indicators are on the agenda this week. On Monday, the Conference Board’s Employment Trends Index will be released.

Tuesday will bring the New York Fed’s Survey of Consumer Expectations. On Wednesday, the minutes from the September FOMC meeting and a US 10-year Treasury auction are scheduled.

And on Thursday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell is set to speak, along with a US 30-year Treasury auction. Several other Fed officials are also scheduled to give public speeches. However, these events are unlikely to shake the market’s strong expectation of a rate cut in October.

Instead, impromptu government shutdown-related measures from the US Congress could impact the market. The Trump administration’s approach to laying off federal employees could also be a source of volatility. Here’s hoping investors have a profitable week.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

Cover image via www.freepik.com

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

The market is taking a step forward with Bitcoin hitting an ATH. Unfortunately, though, there's a long way to go for altcoins to gain the same amount of self-esteem and conviction comparable to the digital gold. Alongside Bitcoin, XRP is trying to break through the important $3 price zone, and Shiba Inu bulls are taken to the test with a potential to lose more than they could accept.

Bitcoin consolidation endingBitcoin is still making headlines after reaching yet another all-time high of over $123,000. However, it's now evident that recent highs aren’t as remarkable as they once were. Once a historic event, the largest cryptocurrency in the world has been breaking its own records on a regular basis, making it seem almost inevitable now.

BTC/USDT Chart by TradingViewEach cycle’s ATH has historically attracted significant retail inflows and public attention. Volume and sentiment are still comparatively muted despite remarkable price performance, indicating that the market as a whole may not yet be experiencing complete euphoria.

HOT Stories

Technically, Bitcoin is still strong, maintaining a significant lead over important moving averages like the 50-day and 200-day EMAs. The bullish structure remains intact, with stronger rebounds and higher lows following each correction. However, the intensity of this most recent rally increases the possibility of temporary fatigue. The quick speed of gains leaves little opportunity for consolidation before possible pullbacks, and RSI readings are close to overbought territory.

The $150,000 level is what would really make a difference, not $120,000 or even $130,000. At that level, Bitcoin will have moved from being a digital gold to a global asset class that is competitive with major traditional markets, marking not only a technical target but also a psychological and macro milestone. At $150,000, Bitcoin’s market value would be close to $3 trillion, overtaking silver and encroaching on big business behemoths. Every new ATH is merely a step in a long climb until that time.

According to the market’s current structure, sustainability may emerge as the next major obstacle. Although there is no denying the momentum, Bitcoin runs the risk of this becoming just another brief spike rather than a long-term uptrend in the absence of consolidation or fresh inflows.

XRP is back at itA dense cluster of resistance levels that had kept the asset in consolidation for weeks has been broken, putting XRP back in the spotlight. New bullish momentum is indicated by the token’s recent surge above several important moving averages, such as the 50-day and 100-day EMAs, which supports the idea of a medium-term recovery.

After serving as a difficult ceiling during September, the $3 zone has now turned into a possible area of support. The reason this move is so important is that it coincides with both psychological and structural thresholds where traders usually reevaluate their positions. Holding above this region for an extended period of time may help XRP gain traction toward the next significant target, which is $3.5, and eventually pave the way for the long-awaited $5 breakout.

XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewAlongside the price, volume has been steadily increasing, which lends the move more legitimacy. Rallies in XRP that coincide with increased trading activity have historically lasted longer because they frequently reflect widespread market participation rather than sporadic speculative buying. The daily RSI is still below the overbought level, indicating that there is still potential for growth before a correction is likely to occur.

The bullish narrative, however, may quickly wane, and the asset may return to its extended sideways pattern if XRP is unable to hold its position above the current EMA cluster, particularly close to the $2.9-$3 support zone. The bias continues to be cautiously optimistic for now.

XRP benefits from rising trading volume, a moving average alignment and an all-around thriving cryptocurrency market ecosystem. The true test, however, will be whether or not $3.5 can be convincingly recovered. The long-awaited $5 rally won’t just be a pipe dream if XRP can pull that off — it will become a real target supported by both structural and technical tailwinds.

Shiba Inu crawling upAs Shiba Inu gets closer to the $0.000013 resistance level, which has consistently rebuffed bullish attempts since late summer, the coin finds itself at a crucial turning point. Over the past few sessions, the meme coin has demonstrated some modest momentum, as evidenced by rising trading volume and a brief recovery that saw it rise above a number of significant moving averages. But a significant correction might occur if SHIB doesn’t break above this line.

The upper limit of a long-term descending triangle pattern that has governed SHIB’s price movement for months, the $0.000013 level, is more than just a straightforward resistance. A significant change in market sentiment would result from a successful breakout, which might pave the way for a move toward $0.0000145 or even $0.000015. However, if this barrier is not broken, bearish control will probably be strengthened, pushing the token back to the $0.000012 or $0.0000115 region where there are still local supports.

The psychological weight of this threshold is increased by the fact that SHIB’s 100-day EMA is still closely aligned with the resistance trendline. Since the RSI indicator is circling 50, it indicates that the market is neither overbought nor oversold. Exchange reserves and on-chain activity also lend credence to a cautious outlook.

The latest movements are still being driven by retail sentiment, as whale accumulation has not shown a convincing surge despite brief inflows suggesting renewed interest. SHIB must break and hold above $0.000013 convincingly if it hopes to maintain its bullish narrative. The recent rally could be reset by a rejection here, reaffirming the downtrend structure.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has reflected on Bitcoin’s humble beginnings, recalling a time about 16 years ago when you could buy 1,309 BTC for just $1. He shared the memory alongside a motivational quote: “The people crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” The story underscores how far the world’s largest cryptocurrency has come — from an obscure concept valued through electricity costs to a trillion-dollar asset now surpassing $125,000 per coin.

In Bitcoin’s earliest days, its price wasn’t determined by market demand but rather by a calculation made by developer NewLibertyStandard. The formula was based on the electricity costs of mining a single Bitcoin using a high-end CPU, average U.S. residential electricity rates, and the number of coins a computer could generate per month. This method gave the first theoretical value to Bitcoin when it had no real-world market price. It wasn’t until the following year that the first actual Bitcoin transaction took place, marking the beginning of the cryptocurrency’s journey from theory to reality.

Armstrong, known for his long-term bullish stance, recently predicted that Bitcoin could soar to $1 million by the end of the decade. He attributes his optimism to increasing regulatory clarity and institutional adoption, both of which he believes will drive mainstream confidence and investment in digital assets. As Bitcoin continues to break price records, Armstrong’s reflection serves as a reminder of how revolutionary ideas often start small — and how visionaries who believe in them can truly change the world.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

Crypto analysts are increasingly bullish on Pudgy Penguins’ native token, PENGU, as on-chain data reveals it is currently the most purchased meme coin on the Solana blockchain. This surge in buying activity has fueled optimism that another major rally could be imminent.

Market analyst Vespamatic identified a repeating fractal pattern similar to those that preceded previous PENGU price surges earlier this year, suggesting the token is now in an “accumulation phase.” Similarly, well-known expert Ali Martinez described the current trend as a textbook fractal replay, implying a potential repetition of prior bullish price action.

Other analysts, including MuroCrypto and Exy, agree that PENGU remains strong on higher time frames. They believe the token could soon reclaim its all-time high, mirroring its May 2025 market structure. A previous report even compared PENGU’s trajectory to PEPE’s breakout, noting that a similar path could send the token to as high as $0.24.

Despite the excitement, analysts caution that meme coins remain highly volatile, and any sustained rally will depend heavily on broader market sentiment.

Adding to its momentum, PENGU was recently listed on Robinhood alongside BONK, PNUT, and XLM, signaling increased mainstream exposure. On-chain tracker Stalkchain confirmed that “smart money” investors have made PENGU the most-bought memecoin on Solana over the last 24 hours, even as overall meme coin volume saw a temporary slowdown.

Meanwhile, the Pudgy Penguins ecosystem continues to expand beyond trading. Its mobile Web3 game Pudgy Party has surpassed 750,000 downloads across iOS and Android, while Nasdaq-listed BTCS Inc. recently purchased three Pudgy Penguins NFTs, underscoring growing institutional confidence in the brand.

With strong community backing, rising investor interest, and ecosystem growth, many experts believe PENGU could be gearing up for its next big breakout in the crypto market.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

SBI Ripple Asia is harnessing the XRP Ledger to build a token-powered ecosystem transforming travel, retail, and regional revitalization across Japan with NFTs, payments, and blockchain innovation. SBI Ripple Asia Uses XRP Ledger to Power Tokenized Travel and Retail Ecosystem SBI Holdings announced last week that its joint venture, SBI Ripple Asia Co. Ltd.

Ethereum (ETH) has extended its bullish momentum, breaking above the $4,500 mark and inching closer to its all-time high. As the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum’s latest rally signals strong investor confidence and renewed optimism across the crypto market. However, whether ETH can surpass the psychological $5,000 barrier will depend on sustaining current technical strength and market sentiment.

Data shows that approximately 97% of all Ethereum addresses are now in profit — a level that has historically indicated potential short-term market tops as investors look to secure gains. Yet, this cycle seems different. Despite entering what analysts call the “profit saturation zone,” ETH has maintained its upward trajectory, hinting at a shift in investor behavior. Many holders appear confident in Ethereum’s long-term potential, choosing to hold rather than sell, reducing overall selling pressure.

Technical indicators also reinforce Ethereum’s bullish outlook. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) recently confirmed a bullish crossover, signaling renewed upward momentum. The expanding MACD histogram further supports this trend, suggesting that ETH could attract more institutional inflows if momentum continues. A sustained move above $4,500 is crucial to building confidence for the next leg higher.

Currently trading near $4,523, Ethereum faces immediate resistance at $4,775. A breakout above this level could pave the way toward retesting its previous all-time high of $4,956 — and potentially breaking the $5,000 mark. However, if profit-taking intensifies, ETH could lose ground, with a potential retracement to $4,222 invalidating the short-term bullish setup.

As Ethereum continues to show strength, market participants will be closely watching whether this rally evolves into a historic breakout or pauses for consolidation.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

Lower interest rates will help ease consumer pressures, but a recovery in the housing market could take time.

Investors often view the stock market as a representation of the broader economy. But that's not entirely true.

Consumer spending is under considerable pressure, as evidenced by underperformance in the consumer discretionary and consumer staples sectors. Restaurant and retail stocks are getting hammered. Earnings at home improvement giants like Home Depot have been ticking down in recent years.

The Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates could be a boon for consumer spending. But don't expect a recovery overnight. Here are five debt and housing metrics investors may want to pay close attention to, given that the S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.01%) is at an all-time high.

Image source: Getty Images.

Credit card debt and mortgage interest rates are straining consumers
The following chart shows U.S. credit card debt and the 30-year mortgage rate over the last 20 years.

US Credit Card Debt data by YCharts.

Credit card debt was steadily rising leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. But then, mortgage rates and debt fell. Credit card debt rose again during the pandemic, but mortgage rates remained relatively low. Then, they plummeted to multi-decade lows. And those low borrowing costs, paired with government stimulus checks and increased savings rates, led to a sharp decline in consumer spending. The last few years have seen a concerning increase in credit card debt and much higher mortgage interest rates.

Investors can think of a U.S. household's financial health as similar to assessing a company. A leveraged balance sheet, or in this case, debt, leaves less room to spend. And higher mortgage interest rates make houses less affordable. In fact, there are numerous metrics that suggest the housing market is anticipating a prolonged period of unaffordability.

Housing has become unaffordable for many Americans
Take a look at the 10-year change in three of the most useful metrics for analyzing the housing market.

Case-Shiller Home Price Index: National data by YCharts.

The Case-Shiller Housing Index is like the S&P 500 of housing. But instead of tracking the prominence of the largest U.S. companies by market cap, it measures the change in value of single-family homes in the U.S. The index's elevated level shows that houses are expensive. But it tells only part of the story.

Arguably, what's more important than housing prices is housing affordability, which is a combination of mortgage rates and home prices. Here's where the U.S. fixed housing affordability index comes into play. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis:

[A] value of 100 means that a family with the median income has exactly enough income to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home. An index above 100 signifies that a family earning the median income has more than enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a median-priced home, assuming a 20 percent down payment. This index is calculated for fixed mortgages.

The index is currently sitting at 98 and change. Meaning that, on average, a family earning a median income can't qualify for a home (assuming a 20% down payment) due to a combination of high housing prices and mortgage rates.

As a result, U.S. existing home sales have plummeted, meaning folks are struggling to sell houses at market value.

The stock market is roaring despite consumer weakness
The key takeaway from the discussed debt and housing metrics is that many consumers are carrying higher balances on their credit cards and can't afford homes. Even if the Fed continues to lower interest rates, it won't solve these problems overnight. Some consumers may still put off buying homes -- and discretionary spending in general -- to try to reduce debt and boost savings.

So far, the saving grace has been a strong job market, as evidenced by low unemployment of just 4.3%. Or, put another way, a lot of people have jobs, but aren't making enough money to afford homes or discretionary goods. So they are taking on debt and delaying homeownership.

These metrics are worth noting because they affect consumer-facing stocks. So, while many restaurant and retail stocks look cheap, these industries are beaten down for good reasons.

Now is a great opportunity to pick up shares in ultra-high-quality consumer discretionary stocks that are built to last. But debt and housing metrics also reinforce why there are two sides of the stock market, and why business-to-business companies are doing so well. Or more specifically, there's a growing divide between the strength of corporate balance sheets and consumers. Artificial intelligence spending should continue to increase, which could lead to earnings growth and stock market gains, but it may not benefit Americans who aren't meaningfully participating in the market.

Overall, these debt and housing indicators deserve attention and warrant some concern, given their significant influence on the consumer economy, even if their impact on the stock market is somewhat limited.

Daniel Foelber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Home Depot. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The world's largest alternative asset manager owns a massive real estate portfolio.

Blackstone (BX 1.11%) is often viewed as a giant investment manager. Indeed, the company is the world's largest alternative asset manager, with $1.2 trillion in assets under management.

The majority of that is in real estate, which makes the investment company more of a massive landlord. It is the largest commercial real estate owner on the planet.

A massive real estate portfolio
Blackstone's real estate portfolio was worth $611 billion as of the end of June. The company has over 12,500 real estate assets. About 87% of those are in rental housing, industrial properties, and data centers. Multifamily, single family, student housing, and affordable housing make up 46% of its total portfolio.

70% of Blackstone's real estate holdings are in Sunbelt markets, like Florida (13%), Georgia (11%), and Texas (10%). Blackstone says it believes properties in those states will continue to benefit from favorable demographics, including higher population growth, higher job growth, and higher wage growth.

This bodes well for Blackstone
Two current trends favor Blackstone because of its massive real estate portfolio: An ongoing housing shortage and falling interest rates.

The Federal Reserve began a new rate-cutting cycle in September, and futures markets expect two more quarter-point cuts by the end of this year. Lower rates could be beneficial for commercial real estate companies, as they typically use short-term debt and floating-rate loans to finance their properties. Mortgage rates have also been trending lower since January. The 30-year fixed rate is now down to 6.3%, which makes residential properties more appealing.

Image source: Getty Images.

In the background, of course, is the ongoing U.S. housing shortage. It hit a record high in July, with a deficit of 4.7 million homes nationwide.

Thus, it may be a good time for investors to consider putting some money into what is really a giant real estate company.

Blackstone has a market cap of about $216 billion. The stock is up 2% year to date (from Jan. 1, 2025) and up almost 14% over the past 52 weeks. It currently trades at around 27 times forward earnings.

Matthew Benjamin has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Blackstone. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Not all EV makers will be crushed by the expiring sales incentive.

The $7,500 electric vehicle (EV) tax credit is no more.

It expired at midnight on Tuesday night, and the U.S. auto industry is bracing for a slump in demand. Without the additional $7,500 to make EVs more affordable, Ford (F 3.52%) CEO Jim Farley expects that demand for the battery-powered vehicles will be cut in half.

But it's not all bad news for automakers, even EV makers. Here are three stocks of EV manufacturers that could still succeed without the government incentives.

Image source: Getty Images.

The EV maker that's not priced like one
Even without additional tax incentives, Tesla's (TSLA -1.41%) stock could still be a winner.

That's because shares of the world's largest EV manufacturer seem largely immune to sales declines. In first-quarter 2025, the company delivered 336,681 vehicles, a 13% year-over-year decline (and its first year-over-year delivery decline ever). In second-quarter 2025, the year-over-year decline was even worse, with 384,122 vehicle deliveries, down 13.5% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, its latest release, the Cybertruck, represents a minimal number of those sales (fewer than 10,000 each quarter). In spite of that, the company's shares are up 14% year to date, and its valuation hasn't suffered at all.

The company's trailing price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 17.4 is orders of magnitude higher than automakers that sell millions of cars each quarter. That includes Toyota (TM 2.08%), which trades at 0.78x trailing sales, and Volkswagen (VWAGY 0.17%), which trades at a minuscule 0.16x. In fact, Tesla's P/S ratio today is even higher than its five-year average of 13.4x.

Tesla's stock price resilience even in the face of sales declines likely indicates that investors are placing more value on the company's bets on future technologies, like self-driving robotaxis and autonomous humanoid robots, than on its continued dominance in the now-crowded electric vehicle market. Sales declines resulting from a loss of the tax credit are unlikely to change that pattern.

The EV maker that can't be affected
Electric vehicle maker Nio (NIO -2.47%) won't lose a single sale because of the tax credit expiration. That's because it doesn't sell its cars in the U.S. to begin with.

Nio is one of the Chinese electric vehicle makers founded by William Li, and the bulk of its sales are in its native China, but it is starting to sell its vehicles in European markets as well. It's already established sales and service networks in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and just announced plans to expand into seven additional European countries, including Austria and Poland.

Because demand for EVs is stronger in China and Europe than in the U.S., Nio has a distinct advantage over companies for which the U.S. is their largest market. Additionally, Nio has been aggressively competing with its rivals on price. It's offering its new Onvo L90 electric SUV for just $37,000, or a mere $25,000 with a subscription to its battery-as-a-service (BaaS) plan. This plan allows users to swap out depleted battery packs for full ones without needing to wait for them to charge.

That's a competitive price on an in-demand model without any tax credit required.

The EV maker that barely makes EVs
Of all the major car companies, Toyota was perhaps the most reluctant to offer all-electric models. It preferred to double down on its successful hybrid technology, which is now available across most of its vehicle lineup. In fact, the latest models of the Toyota Sienna minivan and the Camry sedan are hybrid-only in the U.S. market. Hybrid vehicles were never eligible for the EV tax credit, so the bulk of Toyota's lineup should be unaffected.

Toyota did eventually enter the U.S. EV market in late 2022 with its bZ SUV, but it's sold only about 35,000 of them in the U.S. since then, including 18,570 in 2024. Because they were manufactured in Japan, however, they only qualified for the tax credit if they were leased and not bought. Toyota has announced plans to ramp up its U.S. EV manufacturing capacity by manufacturing two fully electric three-row SUVs at its massive Kentucky plant. Slumping U.S. EV sales could complicate that plan, but in terms of existing sales, the company will barely be affected by the tax credit expiration at all.

Toyota's share price is down slightly year to date, in contrast to most other major automaker stocks. It also sports a 3.2% dividend yield, making it a comparatively safe bet for capital preservation in an uncertain industry.

John Bromels has positions in Ford Motor Company, Nio, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends Volkswagen Ag. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

TRANSACTION HIGHLIGHTS

Creates West Africa's next mid-tier gold producer by combining two of the continent's largest, lowest-cost, and most advanced projects.Combined production expected to exceed 400kozpa Au1 by 2029.Combined Mineral Resources of approximately 9.5Moz Au2 inclusive of Ore Reserves3 of approximately 4.5Moz Au4 with significant exploration upside potential.Transaction will drive economic growth in Guinea, strengthen local labour force, enhance critical infrastructure and services, and build lasting local partnerships.Development funding for PDI's Bankan project (the "Bankan Project") will be significantly de-risked by leveraging cash flows from Robex's Kiniero project (the "Kiniero Project") and the ongoing exercise of Robex's in-the-money warrants and options.Combined leadership team, led by Andrew Pardey as Non-Executive Chairman and Matthew Wilcox as CEO and Managing Director, possesses a proven in-country track record and skill set to develop and operate the combined portfolio.Tier-1 mining hub in Guinea established by proximity of PDI's Bankan Project and Robex's Kiniero Project, located within a 30km radius of each other.Enhanced scale, multi-asset portfolio and proposed dual listing will boost the combined company's capital markets profile, paving the way for a potential share price re-rate.All directors and certain executive officers of Robex, as well as two of Robex's largest shareholders, which collectively own approximately 25.5% of Robex's outstanding common shares ("Robex Shares"), have entered into voting support agreements with PDI (as defined below).   PERTH, Australia and QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Predictive Discovery Limited (“PDI”) (ASX: PDI) and Robex Resources Inc. (“Robex”) (TSX-V: RBX, ASX: RXR) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in a merger of equals, whereby PDI will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Robex Shares by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Quebec) (the “Transaction”). Following completion of the Transaction, the combined company will remain listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) and will apply to list PDI’s ordinary shares (“PDI Shares”) on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”).

TRANSACTION DETAILS

PDI and Robex entered into a definitive arrangement agreement dated 5 October 2025 (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which PDI will indirectly acquire all of the issued and outstanding Robex Shares by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Quebec) (the “Plan of Arrangement”).

Under the Plan of Arrangement and in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, Robex shareholders will receive 8.667 PDI Shares for each Robex Share (the “Exchange Ratio”) held immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction (the “Effective Time”).

In connection with closing of the Transaction, PDI expects to issue an aggregate of approximately 2,115 million PDI Shares to Robex shareholders, based on the Robex Shares outstanding as at the date of this announcement. PDI may also issue up to approximately 497 million additional PDI Shares subject to conversion of any Robex convertible securities into Robex Shares prior to the Effective Time, including up to approximately 281 million PDI Shares from the conversion of Robex’s 32.38 million warrants with an exercise price of C$2.55 per warrant, which recently had the expiry date accelerated to 18 October 2025.5

Following completion of the Transaction, existing PDI shareholders and former Robex shareholders will own approximately 51% and 49% respectively of the combined company on a fully diluted in-the-money basis. The implied market capitalization of the combined company is estimated at A$2,350 million (C$2,168 million) on a fully diluted in-the-money basis.6

Under the Plan of Arrangement and in accordance with the Agreement, any of Robex’s convertible securities, including its outstanding warrants, options and other incentive securities, which are not exercised prior to the Effective Time will remain outstanding in accordance with their terms and, after the Effective Time, will be exercisable for PDI Shares in lieu of Robex Shares, provided that the number of PDI Shares and exercise price for each PDI Share will each be adjusted based on the Exchange Ratio.

The combined company will be led by a combined board and management team of experienced mining and business leaders, bringing together their respective strengths and capabilities. The Transaction is expected to close in December 2025 or early 2026.

PDI and Robex will host two joint webcasts today, which investors and analysts are encouraged to join using the links provided further below in this announcement.

STRATEGIC RATIONALE FOR THE TRANSACTION

PDI’s key asset is the Bankan Project in Guinea, which has estimated average production of approximately 250koz per annum over 12 years,7 and is advancing towards a final investment decision targeted for the second quarter of 2026. Robex is currently constructing the Kiniero Project in Guinea, which is on schedule to achieve first gold production in December 2025 and is expected to produce an average of 139koz per annum over 9 years.8 Robex also operates the Nampala gold mine (“Nampala Project”) in Mali, which is forecast to produce 46-47koz in 2025.9

Key strategic, financial and operational advantages of the combined company include the following:

Pathway to becoming one of West Africa’s leading gold producers: Combines two of the potentially largest, lowest cost and most advanced gold projects in West Africa, enhancing scale, access to capital, strategic relevance and competitiveness; the combined company is expected to have +400kozpa Au10 of production by 2029, combined Mineral Resources of approximately 9.5Moz Au11 and combined Ore Reserves of approximately 4.5Moz Au.12Flexibility through leveraging cash flows from Robex to fund development of the Bankan Project: Significant cash flows expected to be generated from the Kiniero Project and the ongoing exercise of in-the-money warrants and options, which can support development of the Bankan Project.Right management and board skill set to drive value creation: Strengthened team with a proven in-country track record and complementary skill set to develop and operate mines in West Africa, and with extensive experience working within dual-listed and large mining companies in Africa. Robex’s leading development team are ready to move from the Kiniero Project’s construction to the Bankan Project’s development, applying lessons learned and optimizing workforce deployment.Potential for meaningful upside: Proximity of the Bankan Project and Kiniero Project creates a tier-1 mining hub with potential for meaningful upside, coordinated development, operating and exploration strategies, and enhanced ability to leverage in-country resources.Enhanced capital markets presence: Greater scale and multi-asset nature of the combined company, with potential inclusion in the ASX 200 and VanEck Junior Gold Miners (“GDXJ”) indices, enhancing its relevance and attractiveness to investors, positioning it for a potential share price re-rate. Andrew Pardey, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of PDI, commented: “By combining two of West Africa’s largest and most advanced gold development projects and leveraging the proven track record of both management teams in Africa, we are creating a company that positions Guinea to become one of Africa’s top five gold producers. The new, diversified company will not only further de-risk our flagship Bankan Project, but also deliver enduring value for shareholders, the communities where we operate and Guinea as a whole.”

Matthew Wilcox, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Robex, commented: “This combination marks a transformative step for both companies, creating a platform with the scale, assets and capability to deliver long-term value. As incoming CEO and Managing Director of the combined company, I am excited to lead a team that brings together deep operational experience, proven development expertise and a shared commitment to responsible growth in West Africa. I look forward to overseeing the successful commissioning of the Kiniero Project and rapidly advancing the development of the Bankan Project.”

BOARD

Andrew Pardey, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of PDI, will act as Non-Executive Chairman of the combined company. The management team of the combined company will be led by Matthew Wilcox as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Robex) and Alain William as Executive Director, Government Relations and Legal (Chief Financial Officer of Robex). Non-Executive Directors of the combined company will be Simon Jackson (Lead Independent), Steven Michael, Alberto Lavandeira and Howard Golden.

TRANSACTION AND THE PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT

The Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions customary for a transaction of this nature, including the approval of the Superior Court of Québec and the TSX-V. The Transaction will also require the approval of at least 66⅔% of the votes cast in person or proxy by the shareholders of Robex voting at a special meeting of Robex shareholders (the “Robex Meeting”), and, if required under Canadian law, a simple majority of the votes cast by Robex shareholders excluding for this purpose the votes held by any person required under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The Transaction will not require PDI shareholder approval.

The Agreement includes customary representations and warranties for a transaction of this nature as well as customary interim period covenants regarding the operation of Robex’s and PDI’s businesses. The Agreement also includes customary reciprocal deal protections, including fiduciary-out provisions, non-solicitation covenants, and a right to match any superior proposals. The Agreement includes reciprocal termination fees of A$37 million payable by PDI or Robex, as applicable, in the event the Agreement is terminated in certain circumstances.

The ASX has granted certain ASX Listing Rule waivers to PDI in relation to the Transaction, details of which are provided in the separate announcement released by PDI today entitled “ASX Listing Rule Waivers Granted in Relation to Robex Merger.”

Full details of the Transaction will be included in a management information circular of Robex (the “Robex Circular”) that will be delivered to Robex shareholders in advance of the Robex Meeting, which is anticipated to be held in December 2025.

Copies of the Robex Circular and the Agreement will be available under Robex’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

PDI and Robex shareholders do not need to take any actions in relation to the Transaction at this time.

VOTING SUPPORT AGREEMENTS

Two of Robex’s largest shareholders, the Cohen Group and Eglinton Mining, who in aggregate own approximately 25.2% of the issued and outstanding Robex Shares, have entered into separate voting support agreements with PDI pursuant to which they have agreed to vote their Robex Shares in favour of the Transaction at the Robex Meeting.

Additionally, all of the directors and certain members of senior management of Robex, who in aggregate own approximately 0.3% of the issued and outstanding Robex Shares, have entered into voting support agreements with PDI pursuant to which they agreed to vote their Robex Shares in favour of the Transaction at the Robex Meeting.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ RECOMMENDATIONS

After consultation with its outside financial and legal advisors, the board of directors of PDI (the “PDI Board”) unanimously approved the Transaction.

Robex appointed a special committee of independent directors (the “Robex Special Committee”) to consider and make a recommendation to the board of directors of Robex (the “Robex Board”) with respect to the Transaction. Based on the unanimous recommendation of the Robex Special Committee, and after consultation with its outside financial and legal advisors, the Robex Board unanimously approved the Transaction and has determined that the Transaction is in the best interests of Robex, and that the consideration to be received by Robex shareholders pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Robex shareholders. The Robex Board unanimously recommends that Robex shareholders vote in favour of approving the Transaction at the Robex Meeting.

FAIRNESS OPINIONS

Canaccord Genuity Corp. has provided a fairness opinion to the Robex Board and Cormark Securities Inc. has provided a fairness opinion to the Robex Special Committee (the “Fairness Opinions”), to the effect that, as of the date of each such Fairness Opinion, and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, the consideration to be received by Robex shareholders pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Robex shareholders.

ROBEX SPROTT FACILITY

Robex has received formal lender consent under its Syndicated Facility Agreement for the merger with PDI.

The Syndicated Facility Agreement will remain in place and continue to support construction activities at the Kiniero Gold Project.

ADVISORS

PDI has engaged BMO Capital Markets and SCP Resource Finance LP as financial advisors, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP as Canadian legal advisor, and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer as Australian legal advisor. GenCap Mining Advisory has been engaged as financial advisor to the PDI Board.

Robex has engaged Canaccord Genuity as financial advisor, Peloton Legal Pty Ltd as Australian legal advisor, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP as Canadian legal advisor, with Simmons & Simmons LLP providing support on local in-country matters and Crux Law Pty Ltd on debt financing matters. Cormark Securities Inc. has been engaged as financial advisor to the Robex Special Committee.

WEBCAST DETAILS

PDI and Robex will jointly host two webcasts for investors and analysts to discuss the Transaction. Investors and analysts wishing to ask a question are encouraged to join the webcasts and submit questions through the Q&A function. Timing and links for the webcasts are as follows:

Aus AEDTUK BSTNth Amer. EDTLink11:00am, 6 Oct1:00am, 6 Oct8:00pm, 5 Octhttps://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B0mWub6JRBGK_NsxODMqiQ11:00pm, 6 Oct1:00pm, 6 Oct8:00am, 6 Octhttps://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xtuMe7cUQGqHcb2ll1j4jQ     The webcasts will be posted as soon as possible after the event for playback on both PDI’s website (predictivediscovery.com) and Robex’s website (robexgold.com).

This joint ASX Announcement has been authorised for release by the PDI Board and the Robex Board.

For further information:

PDI Investor Enquiries
Andrew Pardey
Managing Director & CEOMedia Enquiries (UK/Global)
Bobby Morse / Louise Mason-Rutherford
Burson Buchanan
E: [email protected]
P: +44 (0)7802 875227 / +44 (0)7850 593445
  Robex Investor Enquiries
Matthew Wilcox
Managing Director & CEOMedia Enquiries (Australia)
Sam Macpherson / John Gardner
VECTOR Advisors
E: [email protected] / [email protected]
P: +61 401 392 925 / +61 413 355 997
   ABOUT PREDICTIVE DISCOVERY LIMITED

PDI is an Australian gold company listed on the ASX, and headquartered in Perth, Australia. PDI’s flagship asset is the Bankan Project in Guinea.

ABOUT ROBEX RESOURCES INC.

Robex Resources is a Canadian gold mining company listed on the TSX-V and ASX, and headquartered in Quebec, Canada. Robex’s material properties consist of the Nampala Project in Mali and the Kiniero Project in Guinea.

IMPORTANT NOTICES AND DISCLAIMERS

Important Notices

This announcement is a joint announcement by PDI and Robex based on information available to them at the time of preparing this announcement. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information, opinions and conclusions contained in this announcement.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, none of PDI or Robex, their respective directors, employees or agents, advisers, nor any other person accepts any liability, including, without limitation, any liability arising from fault or negligence on the part of any of them or any other person, for any loss arising from the use of this announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection with it.

This announcement does not purport to contain all the information that investors may require to make an informed assessment of the Transaction and its effect on PDI and Robex. This announcement should be read in conjunction with the presentation jointly prepared by PDI and Robex released to ASX on or about the date of this announcement and available on PDI’s website (predictivediscovery.com) and Robex’s website (robexgold.com).

Not an Offer

This announcement is not an offer, invitation, solicitation or other recommendation with respect to the subscription for, purchase or sale of any security, and neither this announcement nor anything in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment whatsoever. This announcement has been prepared for publication in Australia and Canada and may not be released to US wire services or distributed in the United States of America. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any securities described in this announcement have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 (“US Securities Act”) and may not be offered or sold in the United States except in transactions registered under the US Securities Act or exempt from, or not subject to, the registration of the US Securities Act and applicable US state securities laws.

Forward-looking Statements

This announcement contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation and may include future-oriented financial information or financial outlook information (collectively "Forward-looking Information"). These include statements regarding PDI and Robex’s intent, or the beliefs or current expectations of the officers and directors of PDI and Robex for the combined company post-closing. Actual results and outcomes of Transaction and of the combined company may vary materially from the amounts set out in any Forward-looking Information. As well, Forward-looking Information may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: future outlook and anticipated events, such as the consummation and timing of the Transaction; the expectation that the PDI Shares will be dual-listed on the ASX and TSX-V; the strategic vision for the combined company following the closing of the Transaction and expectations regarding exploration and development potential; the de-risking of development funding for the Bankan Project by leveraging cash flows from the Kiniero Project; the potential share price re-rate and capital markets profile of the combined company based on the scale and multi-asset nature; production capabilities and future financial or operating performance of the combined company post-closing, including investment returns; cash flows; share price performance; production and cost guidance; the potential valuation of the combined company following the closing of the Transaction; the accuracy of the pro forma financial position and outlook of the combined company following the closing of the Transaction; the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the Transaction; the anticipated filing of materials on SEDAR+; obtaining the required stock exchange, court and shareholder approvals; the success of PDI and Robex in combining operations upon closing of the Transaction; expectations for the potential development and cash flow of the Bankan Project and Kiniero Project; expectations for production capabilities and cash flow of the Nampala Project; mineral resource expectations; the ability to obtain funding; the anticipated exercise of warrants and options; the potential for inclusion in certain financial market indices; the potential of the combined company to meet industry targets, public profile and expectations; and future plans, projections, objectives, estimates and forecasts and the timing related thereto.

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address circumstances, events, activities or developments that could or may or will occur are Forward-looking Information. Forward-looking Information is generally identified by the use of words like “will”, “create”, “enhance”, “improve”, “potential”, “expect”, “upside”, “growth”, “estimate”, “anticipate” and similar expressions and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, or “should”, or the negative or grammatical variations of such terms, are intended to identify Forward-looking Information. Although PDI and Robex believe that the expectations reflected in the Forward-looking Information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on Forward-looking Information since no assurance can be provided that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking Information is based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or good faith belief of the officers and directors of PDI and Robex as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the Forward-looking Information. Forward-looking Information involves numerous risks and uncertainties. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, risks related to the closing of the Arrangement, changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations and general economic conditions, increased costs and demand for production inputs, the speculative nature of exploration and project development, including the risks of obtaining necessary approvals, licenses and permits and diminishing quantities or grades of reserves, political and social risks (including, but not limited to, in Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali and West Africa more broadly), changes to the legal and regulatory framework within which PDI and Robex operate or may in the future operate, environmental conditions including extreme weather conditions, recruitment and retention of personnel, industrial relations issues and litigation, as well as the risks identified in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Robex’s most recently filed Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and the risks identified in PDI’s Annual Report filed October 17, 2024 which is available at www.predictivediscovery.com, Forward-looking Information is designed to help readers understand PDI and Robex's views as of that time with respect to future events and speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, PDI and Robex assume no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any Forward-looking Information contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the Forward-looking Information. If either PDI or Robex updates any Forward-looking Information, no inference should be drawn that either company will make additional updates with respect to such or other Forward-looking Information. All Forward-Looking Information contained in this announcement is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.

To the extent any Forward-looking Information in this announcement constitutes “future-oriented financial information” or “financial outlooks” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, such information is provided to demonstrate the respective internal projections of PDI and Robex and to help readers understand their expected financial results. Readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose and readers should not place undue reliance on such information. Future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks, as with all Forward-looking Information generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions, and subject to the risks and uncertainties, described above.

JORC CODE AND CIM DEFINITION STANDARDS

The term “Ore Reserve” defined by the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia (“JORC Code”) is equivalent to the term “Mineral Reserve” defined by the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum May 19, 2014 (“CIM Definition Standards”). “Inferred Mineral Resources”, “Indicated Mineral Resources” and “Measured Mineral Resources” have the same meaning under both the JORC Code and CIM Definition Standards. “Proved Mineral Reserves” under the JORC Code has the same meaning as “Proven Mineral Reserves” under the CIM Definition Standards, and “Probable Mineral Reserves” under the JORC Code has the same meaning as “Probable Mineral Reserves” under the CIM Definition Standards. The JORC Code is an acceptable foreign code under NI 43-101.

MINERAL RESOURCES AND ORE RESERVE ESTIMATES, AND PRODUCTION TARGETS

This announcement refers to PDI and Robex having combined Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates of approximately 9.5Moz Au and approximately 4.5Moz Au respectively. Further information regarding the individual Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates of each of PDI and Robex is set out below.

PDI

Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Estimates

The Mineral Resource estimates for the NEB and BC projects were released to ASX on 7 August 2023 in an announcement by PDI titled “Bankan Mineral Resource Increases to 5.38Moz” and the Mineral Resource estimates in respect of the Fouwagbe and Sounsoun projects were released to the ASX on 23 April 2025 in an announcement by PDI titled “Maiden Argo Mineral Resource Estimate of 153koz”. The Ore Reserve estimate in respect of the Bankan Project was released to ASX on 25 June 2025 in an announcement by PDI titled “Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics”. PDI confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Mineral Resource or Ore Reserve estimates and all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed, noting that PDI intends to appeal the Argo (and Bokoro) revocations announced on 28 May 2025 in accordance with the Mining Code, and that the Argo Inferred Mineral Resources account for just 2.8% of PDI’s overall Mineral Resource.

Production Targets

The Production Targets and forecast financial information in respect of the Bankan Project were released to the ASX on 25 June 2025 in an announcement by PDI titled “Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics”. PDI confirms that all the material assumptions underpinning the Production Targets and forecast financial information derived from the Production Targets in the previous announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Robex

Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Estimates

The Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates in respect of Robex’s Kiniero Project were released to ASX on 22 August 2025 in an announcement by Robex titled “Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report”, and in respect of the Nampala Project in an ASX announcement by Robex dated 6 May 2025 titled “Replacement Prospectus”. Robex confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates included in the relevant market announcement and all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Production Targets

The production targets and forecast financial information in respect of Robex’s Kiniero Project was released to ASX on 22 August 2025 in an announcement by Robex titled “Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report”, and in respect of the Nampala Project in an ASX announcement by Robex dated 6 May 2025 titled “Replacement Prospectus”. Robex confirms that all the material assumptions underpinning the production targets and forecast financial information derived from the production targets in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 43-101

All scientific and technical information in this presentation relating to Robex has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Jeames McKibben, a Chartered Professional Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, and a “qualified person” as defined in NI 43-101.

Readers are referred to the technical report for the Nampala Project entitled “Independent Technical Report on the Nampala, Mininko, Gladie and Kamasso Permits and a Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimate of the Nampala Gold Mine, Mali, West Africa” effective September 30, 2024 (the “Nampala Technical Report), and the amended and restated technical report for the Kiniero Project entitled “Technical Report, Kiniero Gold Project, Guinea (Amended)” with an effective date of December 6, 2024, as amended and restated on June 12, 2025 (the “Kiniero Technical Report”), each of which has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and is available on Robex’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

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

PDI ORE RESERVE AND MINERAL RESOURCE STATEMENT

Bankan Ore Reserve Statement13,14

DepositMining MethodClassificationTonnage
(Mt)Gold Grade
(g/t Au)Contained
(Koz Au)NEB
Open PitProbable40.21.361,751UndergroundProbable7.93.951,002Total 48.11.782,753BC Open Pit
Open PitProbable3.51.78200Total 3.51.78200Total Open Pit  43.71.391,951Total Underground  7.93.951,002Total Bankan Project  51.61.782,953       Bankan Mineral Resource Estimate15,16

DepositClassificationTonnage
(Mt)Gold Grade
(g/t Au)Contained
(Koz Au)NEB Open Pit
Indicated78.41.553,900Inferred3.10.9192Total81.41.533,993NEB UndergroundInferred6.84.07896NEB Total 88.31.724,888BC Open Pit
Indicated5.31.42244Inferred6.91.09243BC Total 12.21.24487NEB Area Total 100.51.665,376FouwagbeInferred2.21.68119SounsounInferred0.91.1934Argo Area Total 3.11.54153Total Bankan Project 103.61.665,528      ROBEX MINERAL RESERVE AND RESOURCE STATEMENT

Kiniero Mineral Reserve and Resource Statement17,18

DepositTonnage
(Mt)Gold Grade
(g/t Au)Contained
(Moz Au)Probable   Jean4.21.530.20SGA5.11.520.25SGD3.41.340.14Sabali South7.40.890.21Sabali North and Central1.50.960.05Mansounia17.70.810.46Stockpiles6.30.480.10Total45.50.971.41Indicated   SGA12.11.460.57Jean4.71.690.26Sabali North and Central3.71.210.14Sabali South11.10.910.32West Balan3.01.450.14Banfara0.91.000.03Mansounia Central24.00.780.60Stockpiles11.60.370.14Total71.20.962.20Inferred   SGA10.61.430.49Jean2.21.470.1Sabali North and Central0.71.390.03Sabali South2.71.010.09West Balan2.01.270.08Banfara0.71.450.03Mansounia Central26.30.820.7Stockpiles0.21.310.01Total45.31.051.53     Nampala Mineral Reserve and Resource Statement19,20

Weathering TypeTonnage
(Mt)Gold Grade
(g/t Au)Contained
(Koz Au)Probable   Oxide3.30.9094.6Transition0.81.0626.4Total4.00.93121.0Indicated   Oxide5.90.84158.3Transition2.11.1376.0Fresh0.13.009.4Total8.00.94243.7Inferred   Oxide0.30.798.1Transition0.21.628.5Fresh0.012.530.4Total0.60.9517.0     _______________________

1 CY2029 production based on Bankan Project CY2029 estimated production of 272koz Au (assuming first production commences in April 2028) as reported in the Definitive Feasibility Study for the Bankan Project (as released by Predictive to ASX on 25 June 2025 in its announcement titled “Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics”) and Kiniero Project CY2029 estimated production of 155koz Au as reported in the updated feasibility study for the Kiniero Project (as released by Robex to ASX on 22 August 2025 in its announcement titled “Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report”).
2 Pro forma Mineral Resource estimate based on the aggregate Mineral Resource estimates (with rounding): (i) of PDI as released to ASX in PDI’s announcements titled “Bankan Mineral Resource Increases to 5.38Moz” dated 7 August 2023 (for NED and BC) and “Maiden Argo Mineral Resource Estimate of 153koz” dated 23 April 2025 (for Fouwagbe and Sounsoun) and; (ii) of Robex as released to ASX in Robex’s announcements titled “Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report” dated 22 August 2025 (for the Kiniero Project) and “Replacement Prospectus” dated 6 May 2025 (for the Nampala Project, and as set forth in the Kiniero Technical Report (as defined below) and the Nampala Technical Report (as defined below). Pro forma Mineral Resource estimate is comprised of 6.6Moz Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and 2.9Moz Inferred Mineral Resources. Mineral Resources are inclusive of Ore Reserves. Refer to pages 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 regarding the individual Mineral Resource estimates of each of PDI and Robex.
3 The term “Ore Reserve” defined by the JORC Code is equivalent to the term “Mineral Reserve” defined by the CIM Definition Standards. Refer to page 9 and 10 for further information.
4 Pro forma Ore Reserve estimate based on the aggregate Ore Reserve estimates (with rounding): (i) of PDI as released to ASX in PDI’s announcement titled “Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics” dated 25 June 2025; and (ii) of Robex as released to ASX in Robex’s announcements titled “Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report” dated 22 August 2025 (for the Kiniero Project) and “Replacement Prospectus” dated 6 May 2025 (for the Nampala Project), and as set forth in the Kiniero Technical Report and the Nampala Technical Report. Refer to pages 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 regarding the individual Ore Reserve estimates of each of PDI and Robex.
5 Refer to Robex announcement “Robex Announces Acceleration of Warrant Expiry Date” dated 18 September 2025.
6 Based on the PDI closing share price of A$0.44 on 3 October 2025 and exchange ratio of 8.667x. CAD:AUD exchange rate of 1.084x applied.
7 Refer to PDI announcement “Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics” dated 25 June 2025.
8 Refer to Robex announcement titled “Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report” dated 22 August 2025 and the Kiniero Technical Report.
9 Refer to Robex announcement “Management Discussion & Analysis (30 June 2025)” dated 14 August 2025.
10 Refer to footnote 1 for further information.
11 Refer to footnote 2 for further information.
12 Refer to footnote 4 for further information.
13 Refer to PDI ASX release “Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics” dated 25 June 2025.
14 Reserve cut-off: Open Pit 0.38-0.48 g/t Au, Underground 2.0 g/t Au.
15 Resource cut-off: NEB Open Pit indicated & inferred 0.5 g/t Au, NEB Underground inferred 2.0 g/t Au, BC Open Pit indicated and inferred 0.4 g/t Au, Fouwagbe and Sounsoun inferred 0.5 g/t Au.
16 In relation to the Fouwagbe and Sounsoun deposits (Argo Permit), PDI intends to appeal the Argo and Bokoro revocations announced on 28 May 2025 in accordance with the Mining Code. Refer to PDI ASX release “Argo and Bokoro Exploration Permits Update” dated 28 May 2025.
17 Refer to Robex announcement titled “Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report” dated 22 August 2025 and the Kiniero Technical Report.
18 Resource/reserve cut-off grade (Resource at US$2,200/oz, reserves at US$1,800/oz): SGA, Jean and Banfara: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.3 g/t Au, fresh 0.4 g/t Au; Sabali South: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, mottled zone/saprolite/lower saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.5 g/t Au, fresh 0.6 g/t Au; Sabali North and Central: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.6 g/t Au, fresh 0.6 g/t Au; West Balan: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.3 g/t Au, fresh 0.5 g/t Au; Stockpiles reported as Mineral Resources have been limited to those dumps which exhibit an average grade >0.3 g/t Au for the entire stockpile assuming no selectivity.
19 Refer to Robex announcement titled “Replacement Prospectus” dated 6 May 2025 and the Nampala Technical Report.
20 Resource cut-off grade (at US$2,200/oz): Laterite 0.35 g/t Au, Oxide 0.35 g/t Au, Transition 0.43 g/t Au, Fresh 1.89 g/t Au; Reserve cut-off grade (at US$1,800/oz): 0.4 g/t Au (laterite, mottled zone, saprolite and transition).

One marijuana industry insider says Monday's Truth Social video is a "trial balloon" testing support for marijuana legalization.

In case you haven't heard, President Donald Trump just gave his "strongest signal yet that movement on cannabis policy may be imminent" and that the federal government may be ready to finally legalize marijuana use in the U.S.

That's not just me saying that, either. On Monday, Adam Stettner, chief executive officer of FundCanna (a leading lender to the marijuana industry), explained that the president's posting a CBD promotional video on Truth Social "reflects a shift in thinking from the White House." It was the first time a "sitting president has ever publicly pushed for Medicare to cover cannabinoids" and is likely a "trial balloon" testing public support for legalizing marijuana.

Translation: Marijuana legalization could be coming.

Image source: Getty Images.

What the Trump marijuana video says and who made it
On the off chance you haven't seen the video yet, here's a link. But I can also summarize it for you.

While the president posted the video, he doesn't himself speak in it. Rather, the video was produced by the Commonwealth Project, a nonprofit backed by philanthropist Howard Kessler. It says it "is working to prioritize the 65-plus population by integrating medical cannabis into mainstream healthcare for seniors."

The video does, however, appear to have been addressed to the president, praising him for signing the 2018 Farm Bill that removed hemp from the list of federally controlled substances (so long as it contains less than 0.3% THC) and ending with a photo of the president and a call to action: "You will deliver the most important senior health initiative of the century." The video promises that "millions everywhere will thank you."

So it's pretty clear to whom the video was addressed.

As for the content, well, in format the video feels like a late night infomercial, describing the recent discovery of an "endocannabinoid system" within the human body that weakens with age, causing such symptoms as pain, arthritis, and other health issues. The video notes standard medical practice is to prescribe "dangerous and addictive pharmaceuticals" to treat these symptoms but argues that "hemp-derived CBD" is a better alternative to "restore" the system, curing pain, reducing stress, granting better sleep, and even adding "years" to a person's lifespan!

Sound a bit like a miracle cure to you? But wait, there's more...

A cure for what ails you (and the healthcare system, too)
More than just a cure for physical pain, the Commonwealth Project video argues that widespread use of medical marijuana products could cut up to $64 billion a year from the cost of healthcare in the U.S. For a president who's been trying since his first days in office to cut government spending, that's obviously going to sound attractive, and helps explain why the video was reposted on Truth Social.

Of course, there's a catch. To promote use of medical marijuana over more expensive, traditional pharmaceuticals, the video advocates extending Medicare coverage to purchases of medical marijuana. If the federal government ends up spending money (on marijuana) to save money (on drugs sold by Big Pharma), I suspect marijuana investors are going to be A-OK with that.

When might legalization occur?
As the FundCanna CEO pointed out, this video has the feel of a trial balloon to test voter reaction to "a decision already made or soon to come." Even if this is correct, though, it doesn't mean marijuana will be legalized immediately.

With only three months left in 2025, even assuming a decision has been made, I'd expect it to first become official at the upcoming State of the Union address, which usually takes place in January -- pushing the decision into early next year. At that speech, the president might call upon Congress to pass a bill for his approval, legalizing marijuana use once and for all. Then would come Congressional debate, votes on the bill in the House and Senate followed by a presidential signature some months later. (Given strong Democratic support and now support from the other side of the aisle as well, I assume the law will pass easily.)

My prediction, then, is for marijuana legalization by mid-2026.

What does this mean for investors?
Investors are already taking passage of the bill as a foregone conclusion. Monday saw all the most popular marijuana stock names shoot sharply higher as word of the video's publication spread. Canopy Growth (CGC 0.73%) stock closed 17% higher on Monday, Aurora Cannabis (ACB -0.53%) was up 28%, and Tilray (TLRY 0.62%) shares shot up 60%.

Curaleaf Holdings (CURLF -3.19%), the only major cannabis stock that's based in the U.S., gained more than 37%.

As this story unfolds, expect more of the same in the months ahead.

Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Tilray Brands. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

OPEC+ on Sunday agreed to increase crude production in November by another 137,000 barrels a day, despite rising concerns of a global glut.