Market Signal Briefing

Sheridan's hits for Paramount include “Tulsa King” and “Landman.” In addition to TV shows, he will make movies for NBCUniversal.

Technology is one of the most exciting sectors in the stock market because of its disruptive nature. But despite excellent growth potential, things don't always work out. New materials and techniques often take years or decades to break into the mainstream because of cost challenges and lack of scale compared to legacy systems, leaving early movers struggling to turn a profit despite their innovations.

Cutting-edge semiconductor company Wolfspeed (WOLF 0.07%) is an excellent example of this phenomenon. The company chronically underperformed before completing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring in late September. But is this a new beginning, or another round of long-term disappointment? Let's dig deeper to find out.

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A new beginning for Wolfspeed?
With shares up by over 2,000% since emerging from bankruptcy, Wolfspeed looks like a clear winner. However, the devil is in the details. The good news is that the restructuring agreement eliminated a whopping 70% of the company's $6.6 billion mountain of debt -- reducing annual interest expense by 60% and kicking debt maturities all the way back to 2030. However, this deal came at a significant cost to shareholders.

According to Reuters, the deal cancelled Wolfspeed's legacy shares and reissued just 1.3 million shares to existing shareholders -- an exchange ratio of less than 1% per old share. Most of the new equity will go to the company's creditors, such as Apollo Global Management and other banks.

While the deal may seem unfair, equity holders are typically the biggest losers in bankruptcy proceedings (because debt holders have a higher priority). And in this case, Wolfspeed's old shareholders are lucky to have gotten anything at all. Furthermore, the deal gives the company a new beginning where it can pioneer its exciting semiconductor technology and benefit from having large, powerful owners that may be willing to provide much-needed financial support in the future.

At the right place at the right time
Wolfspeed's restructuring deal is actually a vote of confidence in its business model and technology. The company specializes in making silicon carbide (SiC) chips -- a type of semiconductor device capable of handling higher voltages and temperatures than traditional alternatives. These characteristics make the technology ideal for next-generation applications like electric vehicles (EVs) and solar power electronics.

Image source: Getty Images.

Wolfspeed is unique because of its vertically integrated process, where it designs and produces its devices internally (through a network of U.S. facilities) instead of outsourcing the heavy lifting to foreign companies. The company's "made in America" approach has put it at the right place at the right time to benefit from political efforts to bolster advanced chip manufacturing in the U.S. amid rising geopolitical tensions with China.

In 2024, Wolfspeed secured $750 million in funding from the Biden-era CHIPS Act (although the grant hasn't been delivered yet). And while the Trump administration has taken less interest in green technology, it has also introduced a variety of tax breaks and incentives for domestic manufacturing as part of its recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

So what's the catch?
From a bird's-eye view, Wolfspeed looks like a clear winner. It is pioneering cutting-edge semiconductor technology with significant government support. Meanwhile, the recent bankruptcy deal has cleaned up its balance sheet while giving it powerful new owners. However, none of these advantages matter if the company can't make money.

Fiscal fourth-quarter earnings show clear challenges, with revenue dropping 2% year over year to $197 million, while operating losses ballooned from $148.9 million to $581.6 million. Wolfspeed's challenges could potentially worsen as the loss of U.S. electric vehicle tax credits hurts some of its top customers. Investors should stay far away for now.

Both Starbucks and Coca-Cola rang in the decade paying $0.41 per share in dividends, and each has an identical 2.9% dividend yield today. Even so, Coca-Cola outshines Starbucks as an income investment, on three crucial fundamentals.

A sign stands outside Chinese drugmaker Innovent Biologics' office in Shanghai, China July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Andrew Silver Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

CompaniesSHANGHAI, Oct 27 (Reuters) - China's Innovent Biologics

(1801.HK), opens new tabsaid, opens new tabon Monday its GLP-1 injection led to more weight loss and better control of blood sugar in patients with diabetes than injectable semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's

(NOVOb.CO), opens new tab diabetes and weight-loss medicines.

The late-stage head-to-head trial compared different doses of the two drugs in patients with diabetes and obesity to assess glycemic control and weight loss. One group received a 6 mg dose of the mazdutide drug that Innovent develops and the other a 1 mg dose of injectable semaglutide.

Sign up here.

Innovent, which secured exclusive development and commercialisation rights in China for mazdutide from Eli Lilly

(LLY.N), opens new tab under undisclosed financial terms in 2019, is also approved in China to sell that drug as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.

It is one of a number of Chinese weight loss and diabetes drugmakers ramping up

competition with Novo and Lilly, opens new tab in the world's second-largest pharmaceutical market.

Novo sells injectable semaglutide for patients with type 2 diabetes in China under the brand name Ozempic to control blood sugar.

In the trial, which enrolled 349 adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity, mazdutide showed greater improvements in both HbA1C - a measure of blood sugar over time - and weight reduction.

Patients who took Innovent's drug at the 6 mg dose lost a mean of 10.29% of their weight from baseline compared to 6% with the 1 mg dose of injectable semaglutide. Innovent's drug also lowered patients' HbA1C by a mean of 2.03, compared to 1.84 for the 1 mg dose of injectable semaglutide.

"The head-to-head DREAMS-3 study comparing mazdutide with semaglutide further showed that in patients with T2D and comorbid obesity mazdutide provides superior efficacy in both weight loss and glucose lowering," Innovent's chief R&D officer of general biomedicine, Lei Qian, said in a statement.

A Novo Nordisk spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of normal business hours.

Reporting by Andrew Silver in Shanghai; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

October 27, 2025 1:00 AM EDT | Source: HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.
This news release constitutes a "designated news release" for the purposes of the Company's amended and restated prospectus supplement dated May 14, 2025, to its short form base shelf prospectus dated September 11, 2024.

San Antonio, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - October 27, 2025) - HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd. (TSXV: HIVE) (NASDAQ: HIVE) (FSE: YO0) (the "Company" or "HIVE"), a global leader in sustainable digital infrastructure, is pleased to announce it has surpassed 22 Exahash per second ("EH/s") in global Bitcoin-mining capacity — marking 267% year-to-date growth — while accelerating the conversion of Tier-1 data centers into Tier-3 high-performance computing ("HPC") facilities to expand its AI Cloud footprint in Sweden.

HIVE Achieves Major Mining Milestone

HIVE's 22 EH/s milestone reflects the successful expansion of its hydro-powered Valenzuela facility in Paraguay, the Company's third 100-megawatt green campus in the country. The site draws renewable energy from the Itaipu Dam, one of the world's largest hydroelectric sources.

Current production has reached 9.5 Bitcoin per day with fleet efficiency of approximately 17.8 Joules per Terahash ("J/TH") and a 55% mining margin* after electricity costs at $47 Hashprice, demonstrating HIVE's operational efficiency across multiple countries and nine time zones.

With additional ASIC miners coming online, HIVE expects to reach 25 EH/s by U.S. Thanksgiving, targeting fleet efficiency of 17.5 J/TH. Management reports EH/s growth as material to revenue and cash-flow expansion, noting that digital-infrastructure companies are typically valued at multiples of revenue and cash flow.

Accelerating AI Cloud Expansion in Sweden

HIVE is expanding its European AI Cloud operations by converting an existing Tier-1 data center in Boden, Sweden, into a Tier-3 liquid-cooled HPC facility — a strategy that provides a faster path to cash flow, typically 9 months versus 3 years for a greenfield build.

Engineering and design are complete, with construction commencing this quarter. The upgraded facility will deliver a robust critical load, supporting 2,000 NVIDIA GPUs for enterprise-grade AI and GPU cloud workloads across the European Union.

This expansion builds on HIVE's AI operations in downtown Stockholm, active for the past two years, which have served early enterprise clients and validated demand for green, low-latency compute in Northern Europe.

Together with the BUZZ data center in Toronto—which will host an additional 2,000 GPUs in 2026—and planned growth in New Brunswick, HIVE has secured power and land at three strategic locations for next-generation, renewable-powered HPC operations.

Through its colocation partnership with Bell Canada, HIVE's BUZZ division can rapidly deploy AI Cloud GPU infrastructure, enabling flexible scaling to meet enterprise demand. Across its global pipeline, HIVE expects to operate approximately 6,000 GPUs by 2026, serving both AI training and inference workloads.

Executive Commentary

Frank Holmes, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, stated: "Crossing 22 EH/s marks another major milestone for HIVE as we build one of the world's most efficient and sustainable Bitcoin-mining fleets. At the same time, our AI strategy accelerates the conversion of Tier-1 data centers into Tier-3 HPC facilities, positioning HIVE as a dual-engine digital-power company that bridges blockchain and the AI super cycle."

Mr. Holmes continued: "It is now widely recognized that Bitcoin miners were the original builders of Tier-1 digital-infrastructure networks—developing substations, fiber connectivity, and energy-optimization systems that laid the foundation for today's hyperscale AI data centers. This model is now being replicated globally, including in West Texas, where projects such as Stargate, a US $500 billion HPC campus, mirror the pioneering work of early Bitcoin-mining companies that sourced stranded or surplus renewable energy."

Aydin Kilic, President & CEO, added: "Repurposing existing infrastructure allows HIVE to reach cash-flow generation much faster than greenfield projects. Our operational strength enables us to grow both Bitcoin mining and AI Cloud services in parallel, all powered by renewable energy."

Johanna Thornblad, Sweden Country President, commented: "The Boden expansion reinforces Sweden's leadership in sustainable digital infrastructure. Building on our two years of AI operations in Stockholm, this conversion project will deliver enterprise-grade AI capacity to the EU market faster and more efficiently than traditional data-center builds."

Outlook and Funding

All hardware for HIVE's Paraguay expansion is fully funded and delivered, supported by fixed-rate hydroelectric power ensuring predictable, scalable economics. The Company continues to model robust annual recurring revenue (ARR) potential from both Bitcoin production and AI Cloud contracts, consistent with non-GAAP industry standards.

HIVE targets 25 EH/s by late 2025 and 35 EH/s during 2026, while scaling its HPC division five-fold over the same period.

* As used herein, "Mining Margin" is calculated by dividing the mining profit (revenue generated from mining activities minus power costs related to those activities) by the total revenue generated from mining activities and expressed as a percentage. In mining, the most significant expense is power cost;, in this estimate we are assuming an average of USD 5 cents per kilowatt hour for indicative purposes. "ARR", as a metric, represents revenue only, and does not represent profitability. ARR is presented here as a measure of growth. These non-GAAP measures should be read in conjunction with and should not be viewed as alternatives to or replacements for measures of operating results and liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP in HIVE's quarterly and annual financial statements. All financial projections reflect current market sentiment and public disclosures as of September 2025; actual outcomes may vary. Investors should conduct their own due diligence.

About HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.

Founded in 2017, HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd. is the first publicly listed company to mine digital assets powered exclusively by green energy. Today, HIVE builds and operates next-generation blockchain and AI data centers across Canada, Sweden, and Paraguay, serving both Bitcoin and high-performance computing (HPC) clients. HIVE's twin-turbo engine infrastructure—driven by Bitcoin mining and NVIDIA GPU-accelerated AI computing—delivers scalable, environmentally responsible solutions for the digital economy.

For more information, visit hivedigitaltech.com, or connect with us on:

X: https://x.com/HIVEDigitalTech
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HIVEDigitalTech
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hivedigitaltechnologies/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/hiveblockchain

On Behalf of HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd.

"Frank Holmes"
Executive Chairman

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

Forward-Looking Information

Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation and regulations that is based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. "Forward-looking information" in this news release includes but is not limited to: the performance of the Comp[any's existing operations, the construction of the Company's Phase 3 facility in Valenzuela, Paraguay and its potential specifications and performance upon completion, the timing of it becoming operational; business goals and objectives of the Company; the acquisition, deployment and optimization of the mining fleet and equipment; the continued viability of its existing Bitcoin mining operations; and other forward-looking information concerning the intentions, plans and future actions of the parties to the transactions described herein and the terms thereon.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: the inability to complete the construction of the Paraguay acquisition on an economic and timely basis and achieve the desired operational performance; the ongoing support and cooperation of local authorities and the Government of Paraguay; the volatility of the digital currency market; the Company's ability to successfully mine digital currency; the Company may not be able to profitably liquidate its current digital currency inventory as required, or at all; a material decline in digital currency prices may have a significant negative impact on the Company's operations; the regulatory environment for cryptocurrency in Canada, the United States and the countries where our mining facilities are located; economic dependence on regulated terms of service and electricity rates; the speculative and competitive nature of the technology sector; dependency on continued growth in blockchain and cryptocurrency usage; lawsuits and other legal proceedings and challenges; government regulations; the global economic climate; dilution; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing, including the Company's ability to utilize the Company's ATM Program and the prices at which the Company may sell Common Shares in the ATM Program, as well as capital market conditions in general; risks relating to the strategy of maintaining and increasing Bitcoin holdings and the impact of depreciating Bitcoin prices on working capital; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for the Company to manage its planned growth and expansion; the need for continued technology change; the ability to maintain reliable and economical sources of power to run its cryptocurrency mining assets; the impact of energy curtailment or regulatory changes in the energy regimes in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on the Company and the industry; network security risks; the ability of the Company to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; share dilution resulting from the ATM Program and from other equity issuances; the construction and operation of facilities may not occur as currently planned, or at all; expansion may not materialize as currently anticipated, or at all; the digital currency market; the ability to successfully mine digital currency; revenue may not increase as currently anticipated, or at all; it may not be possible to profitably liquidate the current digital currency inventory, or at all; a decline in digital currency prices may have a significant negative impact on operations; an increase in network difficulty may have a significant negative impact on operations; the volatility of digital currency prices; the anticipated growth and sustainability of electricity for the purposes of cryptocurrency mining in the applicable jurisdictions; the inability to maintain reliable and economical sources of power for the Company to operate cryptocurrency mining assets; the risks of an increase in the Company's electricity costs, cost of natural gas, changes in currency exchange rates, energy curtailment or regulatory changes in the energy regimes in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates and the adverse impact on the Company's profitability; the ability to complete current and future financings, any regulations or laws that will prevent the Company from operating its business; historical prices of digital currencies and the ability to mine digital currencies that will be consistent with historical prices; an inability to predict and counteract the effects of pandemics on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of pandemics on the price of digital currencies, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains; and, the adoption or expansion of any regulation or law that will prevent the Company from operating its business, or make it more costly to do so; and other related risks as more fully set out in the Company's disclosure documents under the Company's filings at www.sec.gov/EDGAR and www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the Company's current expectations, assumptions, and/or beliefs based on information currently available to the Company. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions about the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, the timing thereof and related matters. The Company has also assumed that no significant events will occur outside of the Company's normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance, and accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such information due to its inherent uncertainty. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271906

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 SSRM, 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.

October 27, 2025 01:30 ET

 | Source:

Mowi ASA

Mowi ASA hereby invites you to the presentation of the results for the third quarter 2025 at Hotel Continental, Stortingsgaten 24/26, 0117 Oslo, Norway.

The results will be presented in English through a live webcast followed by a Q&A session. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions online throughout the webcast session. The webcast will be available on http://www.mowi.com/investors/reports/

A recording of the webcast will be made available on our website immediately afterwards.

Please note that the quarterly report and presentation will be published at 06:30 (CET).

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

October 27, 2025 02:00 ET

 | Source:

Pulsar Helium

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR TO BE TRANSMITTED, DISTRIBUTED TO, OR SENT BY, ANY NATIONAL OR RESIDENT OR CITIZEN OF ANY SUCH COUNTRIES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION MAY CONTRAVENE LOCAL SECURITIES LAWS OR REGULATIONS.

CASCAIS, Portugal, Oct. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pulsar Helium Inc. (AIM: PLSR, TSXV: PLSR, OTCQB: PSRHF) (“Pulsar” or the “Company”), a leading helium project development company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a non-binding term sheet to acquire 100% of Hybrid Hydrogen Inc. (“Hybrid”) in an all-share transaction (the “Proposed Transaction”). Hybrid’s primary asset is a lease agreement covering approximately 6,742 acres of mineral rights in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula targeting non-hydrocarbon gases. This strategic acquisition marks Pulsar’s first entry into Michigan, a jurisdiction with a well-established gas regulatory framework now being applied to helium exploration, and forms part of the Company’s broader initiative to expand its Upper Midwest footprint.

Highlights of the Proposed Transaction

Helium-Focused Land Package: Hybrid holds exclusive mineral rights for non-hydrocarbon gases in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (~6,742 acres). These rights provide Pulsar a foothold in a geologically prospective new region for helium exploration.All-Share, Cash-Preserving Deal: The Proposed Transaction is structured as an all-share deal with a total value of US$80,000 payable in Pulsar common shares. This preserves cash for ongoing work at the flagship Topaz project in Minnesota while enabling strategic expansion.Alignment with Growth Strategy: Expansion into Michigan aligns with Pulsar’s strategy of leveraging Topaz expertise into geologically similar regions.
Thomas Abraham-James, President & CEO of Pulsar, commented:

“This Proposed Transaction provides an exciting opportunity to expand Pulsar’s portfolio into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, complementing our existing assets and applying our Topaz project expertise to a new prospective region. The potential expansion comes at a pivotal time for Pulsar as we build momentum at Topaz and execute a clear growth vision. An all-share deal allows us to broaden our exploration portfolio while preserving cash for advancing Topaz towards production. In short, this Proposed Transaction aligns perfectly with Pulsar’s strategy of disciplined, high-impact growth in the helium sector.”

Strategic Rationale for the Proposed Transaction

The Michigan mineral rights are situated in a geologic setting analogous to Pulsar’s Topaz helium project in Minnesota. The lease area lies within an ancient sedimentary basin underlain by crystalline basement rocks, similar to the helium-producing Archaean basement found at Topaz. Helium is generated from the decay of uranium and thorium in these basement granites, migrating upward into overlying porous sedimentary reservoirs where it can accumulate beneath impermeable seals.

Through its work at Topaz, Pulsar has developed strong expertise in identifying helium migration pathways, mapping subsurface structures, and recognizing key seals and traps for helium accumulation. Leveraging this experience, Pulsar sees a logical, lower-risk opportunity to identify new helium resources in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Board believes that expanding into geologically familiar regions such as Michigan is a prudent way to grow the portfolio while maintaining technical focus, supported by Michigan’s established regulatory and infrastructure framework.

Terms of the Proposed Transaction

Pulsar has entered into a non-binding term sheet outlining the key terms of the Proposed Transaction. Under the term sheet, Pulsar will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Hybrid. The consideration will be satisfied entirely by the issuance of new Pulsar common shares, equivalent to US$80,000 in value. The final number of Pulsar shares to be issued will be determined prior to closing, based on a mutually agreed pricing mechanism (such as a recent volume-weighted average price of Pulsar’s shares). All shares issued as consideration will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day, as required by the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”).

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to customary conditions, including negotiation of a definitive acquisition agreement, satisfactory due diligence, and receipt of all required regulatory and shareholder approvals (including TSXV acceptance). The term sheet provides for an exclusivity period of 60 days for a fee of US$20,000 to finalize definitive documentation and complete due diligence. It is emphasized that the term sheet is non-binding (apart from customary provisions such as confidentiality, and exclusivity), and there is no assurance that a definitive agreement will be reached or that the acquisition will be completed on the terms described.

Hybrid is an early-stage exploration company with no current revenue and no proven reserves or defined helium resources at this time. Accordingly, the acquisition is not expected to have a material near-term impact. However, successful exploration could add significant long-term upside, and Pulsar is confident its technical and operational expertise will maximize this potential over time.

The Company also notes that Neil Herbert, a director of Pulsar, is a minority shareholder of Hybrid, and accordingly abstained from deliberations and voting on this Proposed Transaction, in line with corporate governance best practices.

On behalf Pulsar Helium Inc.
“Thomas Abraham-James”
President, CEO and Director

Further Information:

Pulsar Helium Inc.
[email protected]      
+ 1 (218) 203-5301 (USA/Canada)
+44 (0) 2033 55 9889 (United Kingdom)
https://pulsarhelium.com
https://ca.linkedin.com/company/pulsar-helium-inc.

Strand Hanson Limited
(Nominated & Financial Adviser, and Joint Broker)
Ritchie Balmer / Rob Patrick / Richard Johnson
+44 (0) 207 409 3494

OAK Securities*
(Joint Broker)
Richard McGlashan / Mungo Sheehan
+44 7879 646641 / +44 7788 266844
[email protected] / [email protected]

*OAK Securities is the trading name of Merlin Partners LLP, a firm incorporated in the United Kingdom and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority.

Yellow Jersey PR Limited
(Financial PR)
Charles Goodwin / Annabelle Wills
+44 777 5194 357
[email protected]

About Pulsar Helium Inc.

Pulsar Helium Inc. is a publicly traded company quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and listed on the TSX Venture Exchange with the ticker PLSR, as well as on the OTCQB with the ticker PSRHF. Pulsar's portfolio consists of its flagship Topaz helium project in Minnesota, USA, and the Tunu helium project in Greenland. Pulsar is the first mover in both locations with primary helium occurrences not associated with the production of hydrocarbons identified at each.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to the Company's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the potential impact of the drill results, flow testing and pressure testing on the next iteration of the resource estimate; the potential of CO2 as a valuable by-product of the Company’s future helium production; and the potential for future wells. Forward-looking statements may involve estimates and are based upon assumptions made by management of the Company, including, but not limited to, the Company's capital cost estimates, management's expectations regarding the availability of capital to fund the Company's future capital and operating requirements and the ability to obtain all requisite regulatory approvals. 

No reserves have been assigned in connection with the Company's property interests to date, given their early stage of development. The future value of the Company is therefore dependent on the success or otherwise of its activities, which are principally directed toward the future exploration, appraisal and development of its assets, and potential acquisition of property interests in the future. Un-risked Contingent and Prospective Helium Volumes have been defined at the Topaz Project. However, estimating helium volumes is subject to significant uncertainties associated with technical data and the interpretation of that data, future commodity prices, and development and operating costs. There can be no guarantee that the Company will successfully convert its helium volume to reserves and produce that estimated volume. Estimates may alter significantly or become more uncertain when new information becomes available due to for example, additional drilling or production tests over the life of field. As estimates change, development and production plans may also vary. Downward revision of helium volume estimates may adversely affect the Company's operational or financial performance.

Helium volume estimates are expressions of judgement based on knowledge, experience and industry practice. These estimates are imprecise and depend to some extent on interpretations, which may ultimately prove to be inaccurate and require adjustment or, even if valid when originally calculated, may alter significantly when new information or techniques become available. As further information becomes available through additional drilling and analysis the estimates are likely to change. Any adjustments to volume could affect the Company's exploration and development plans which may, in turn, affect the Company's performance. The process of estimating helium resources is complex and requires significant decisions and assumptions to be made in evaluating the reliability of available geological, geophysical, engineering, and economic date for each property. Different engineers may make different estimates of resources, cash flows, or other variables based on the same available data.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward- looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, that Pulsar may be unsuccessful in completing in drilling commercially productive wells; the uncertainty of resource estimation; operational risks in conducting exploration, including that drill costs may be higher than estimates ; commodity prices; health, safety and environmental factors; and other factors set forth above as well as risk factors included in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated July 31, 2025 for the year ended September 30, 2024 found under Company’s profile on www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. No assurance can be given that the forward-looking statements herein will prove to be correct and, accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

The approval of XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. has been delayed. The SEC paused reviews because of a government shutdown. This has pushed back filings from firms such as Grayscale, Bitwise, WisdomTree, Franklin Templeton, 21Shares, CoinShares, and Canary Capital. The pause is only temporary. It does not mean the ETFs were rejected.

Institutional MovesAs explained by an expert, large funds have not pulled back. Instead, they adjusted their plans. Some used futures and other instruments to keep exposure to XRP. Many had set aside funds for XRP ETFs this quarter and are now waiting for new timelines.

Surveys show most institutions still want to invest in XRP once ETFs are approved. Analysts expect approval later this year, with a high chance it happens before December.

Custody and PaymentsRipple’s new stablecoin, RLUSD, is now backed by BNY Mellon. This setup links the token directly to future ETF systems. It allows faster settlements and could help improve XRP’s use in global payments.

Ripple is also working with major banks like State Street on money market tokenization. These projects use ISO 20022, the global banking message standard, which fits well with XRP’s network.

Market ResponseEven without an ETF, trading activity around XRP remains strong. CME XRP futures show billions in open interest, suggesting steady institutional demand.

In Europe, XRP ETPs already trade under the MiCA framework. These products give global investors exposure while the U.S. approval process continues.

New Ways to Access XRPInstitutions are finding other ways to include XRP in their portfolios. Some use structured notes and swaps that track XRP’s price. Others are testing XRP for cross-border payments and as a form of collateral.

Ripple’s goal is to make XRP part of regular financial infrastructure. This includes liquidity for banks, faster settlements, and lower costs.

Regulation and TimingThe SEC and CFTC are now working more closely on digital asset rules. Global regulators are also updating standards to support digital finance. This could help speed up ETF approvals.

In Japan, SBI Holdings has already filed for a Bitcoin–XRP ETF, showing confidence in XRP’s legal clarity.

Experts predict that once approved, XRP ETFs could attract $5–8 billion in the first month and reach up to $18 billion by year-end.

ConclusionThe delay shows how the market is maturing. XRP is no longer seen only as a speculative token. It is becoming a key asset in payment systems and liquidity networks.

When U.S. ETFs launch, they will connect XRP directly to traditional finance. The delay, while frustrating, may help ensure a smoother, stronger launch later this year.

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

Sponsored and Advertisements:Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

The crypto market kicked off the week with a surge in volatility, setting the stage for potential breakout moves across major digital assets. Bitcoin (BTC) price remains the center of attention as it consolidates near the $110,000 mark, hinting at a possible push toward $120,000 amid renewed investor optimism and strong inflows. Ethereum (ETH) price continues to trail behind but shows signs of recovery as on-chain activity and staking demand gradually increase.

Meanwhile, altcoins such as Binance Coin (BNB), Solana (SOL), and XRP are experiencing mixed momentum, with traders closely monitoring capital rotation among the top 10 tokens. Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Toncoin (TON) are displaying choppy price movements as market sentiment fluctuates between risk-on and profit-taking phases. Polygon (MATIC) and Avalanche (AVAX) also remain range-bound but could benefit from renewed DeFi and layer-2 interest if Bitcoin sustains its dominance.

With total crypto market capitalisation hovering above the $4 trillion threshold and volatility indexes rising, analysts expect a decisive move soon. As global liquidity trends, ETF inflows, and macroeconomic cues from the U.S. drive sentiment, this week could determine whether Bitcoin and its peers enter another leg of the bull cycle—or face a sharp correction before the next big rally.

A Huge Week Ahead: Key Macro Events to Drive Market VolatilityThe coming days are shaping up to be one of the most eventful weeks for global markets, and the crypto space is no exception. The Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Decision (FOMC) on Wednesday will be the week’s biggest catalyst, with investors closely watching whether the Fed maintains its current stance or signals a policy shift. Any hint of rate cuts or dovish commentary could spark a sharp rally across risk assets, including Bitcoin and top altcoins, as liquidity expectations improve.

Immediately following the FOMC decision, Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference is expected to inject further volatility. Markets will dissect every statement for clues about the Fed’s inflation outlook and potential monetary easing timelines, key factors that could determine whether Bitcoin breaks above its $120,000 resistance zone or faces renewed pressure.

Adding to the drama, Thursday’s meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping could have major implications for global trade and economic stability. A positive tone may fuel market optimism, while renewed tensions could push investors back toward safe-haven assets like Bitcoin and gold.

With these pivotal events lined up, analysts warn that volatility could surge across all major asset classes—making this a make-or-break week for the crypto market’s short-term trajectory.

Market Outlook: Will Bitcoin Lead the Next Breakout or Face a Sharp Pullback?As global markets gear up for a wave of crucial economic events, the crypto market stands at a pivotal juncture. Bitcoin’s (BTC) current consolidation above the $110,000 level has kept investors hopeful for a breakout toward $120,000—but the next move will likely depend on how markets react to this week’s macro triggers.

If the Federal Reserve signals a dovish stance or hints at future rate cuts, liquidity could pour back into risk assets. Such a scenario would likely fuel a strong upward move in Bitcoin, potentially propelling altcoins like Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Binance Coin (BNB) to new short-term highs. Historically, periods of easing monetary policy have acted as a tailwind for digital assets, and traders are watching for a similar setup this week.

On the flip side, a hawkish Fed tone or unexpected tension between the U.S. and China could trigger a risk-off reaction, leading to sharp intraday corrections. Bitcoin could retest its $105,000 support zone, while top altcoins may experience steeper declines amid profit-taking and reduced market liquidity.

Overall, this week’s combination of macro decisions and geopolitical developments is likely to set the tone for the rest of the quarter. Whether the market chooses breakout or breakdown, one thing is certain—volatility is coming, and traders should be prepared for fast-moving price swings across the entire crypto spectrum.

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

Sponsored and Advertisements:Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

Aave Labs has acquired Stable Finance, a San Francisco-based fintech company. This acquisition will help Aave Labs develop more consumer-focused products for decentralized finance (DeFi). As part of the deal, Stable Finance founder Mario Baxter Cabrera will now become Aave Labs’ Director of Product. The Stable Finance engineering team will join Aave Labs.

During the past few years, Aave Labs has been focused on helping set the standard for decentralized finance by building infrastructure used by millions, as well as Aave.com, a widely-used interface for Aave users.

The firm is said to be entering its next phase, building on its experience in DeFi to deliver institutional products such as Horizon (launched in August 2025 and now exceeding $300 million in deposits), alongside consumer products, broadening “access to onchain finance for both individuals and institutions.”

Stable Finance created the Stable app, a free iOS application that simplifies stablecoin savings. The app allows users to deposit money from banking accounts, debit cards, or crypto. It helps users “earn interest on their digital dollars without the volatility of other cryptocurrencies.”

By making it easier to access low-volatility, onchain yield, Stable Finance demonstrated a “market for stablecoin savings products.”

The Stable Finance team will keep developing consumer savings apps at Aave Labs. The existing Stable app will be “phased out, and its technology will be used in future Aave Labs products.”

The total supply of stablecoins now exceeds $300 billion, and the demand for stable-value savings tools continues to grow. This makes consumer-focused products more important.

As noted in the update, Aave Labs is shaping the next gen of onchain finance.

The company builds products that individuals, enterprises, and institutions rely on, processing billions in transactions.

Founded by Stani Kulechov, original author of ETHLend (2017) and the Aave Protocol (2020), Aave Labs continues to “drive upgrades to Aave, including the upcoming V4 release.”

Known for Aave’s over-collateralized stablecoin GHO and the fast-growing institutional platform Horizon, Aave Labs is dedicated to creating “open, transparent, and accessible global financial system for individuals and institutions.”

As mentioned in the announcement, Stable Finance is a platform focused on  stablecoin savings applications, making it easy for people to use onchain savings with rates “higher than the top savings accounts.”

Previously considered to be too complicated to access for retail investors, Stable specializes in “abstracting away the complexities of stablecoin yield into a one-click experience.” Founded by web3 professionals, Stable is the platform enabling access to the stablecoin yield strategies on blockchain networks.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) recently noted that it will be allowing institutional customers to use their Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as a form of collateral for loans, marking a significant shift in how Wall Street’s largest banking institutions leverages digital assets as part of its core lending strategy. This, according to a report from Bloomberg.

The recently announced initiative, expected to be rolled out by the end of 2025, will allow customers pledge Bitcoin and Ethereum for obtaining secured loans. A third-party custodian is to be responsible for safeguarding the pledged crypto tokens in order to ensure adequate risk compliance.

The latest update from JPMorgan now expands its previous initiative that accepted cryptocurrency-linked ETFs as type of loan collateral. This move underscores how traditional banking institutions are gradually increasing their exposure to crypto-assets amid more progressive regulations and growing demand from institutional investors.

The latest update from JPMorgan indicates a reversal for CEO Jamie Dimon, who had once said Bitcoin is a “hyped-up fraud” and also stated that it was kind of like a “pet rock.”

Dimon has now, however, seemingly softened his harsh stance, noting at an investor conference, that he “defends your right to buy Bitcoin, go at it,” even as he remains skeptical of its long-term value proposition.

By acknowledging and approving Bitcoin and Ethereum as a form of collateral, the bank basically treats them somewhat the same alongside traditional assets like stocks, bonds, or the gold bullion.

In addition to large financial institutions, Fintechs like SoFi have been eager to integrate crypto-assets into their product suites. Moreover, Robinhood Markets and Kraken have been focused on bridging digital assets with TradFi by offering a single platform where both types of asset classes can be traded in a seamless manner.

In the coming years, the TradFi and digital assets space will continue to converge, should current trends continue.

Analyst and former exchange executive Arthur Hayes stirred significant market momentum by predicting that Zcash (ZEC) could eventually reach $10,000. Following that forecast, ZEC surged over 30% in 24 hours, climbing from roughly $272 to above $355, and sparked renewed investor interest in the privacy-focused token.

Hayes’ influence in the crypto space is well-known, and his bold outlook appears to have triggered a wave of Fear-Of-Missing-Out (FOMO) among retail traders. On-chain and derivatives data show open interest in ZEC futures spiked, while institutional accumulation of ZEC rose sharply—both signals that momentum traders are acting fast.

However, analysts caution that such rapid gains may carry heightened risk. With the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and other momentum indicators reaching extreme levels, a corrective phase may follow if the token fails to break and hold above key resistance. In the short term, traders will pay attention to support near $281 – $290.

Beyond the hype, Zcash is also benefiting from structural catalysts. Its optional privacy architecture—allowing both shielded and transparent transactions via zk-SNARKs—has positioned it uniquely amid growing regulatory scrutiny of privacy coins. Meanwhile, institutional interest and listing momentum are reinforcing the narrative of ZEC as more than a meme asset.

That said, the long-term path to $10,000 remains speculative. Realizing such a target would likely require sustained institutional adoption, favorable regulatory clarity, and a broader altcoin bull market. Investors should remain cautious of the blurred line between narrative-driven rallies and fundamental value.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments are volatile and risky. Always conduct your research before making any investment decisions.

Hiren Patel

Hiren is a SEO Expert and content writer with a passion for all things cryptocurrency. With two years of experience in the Crypto industry, He has a wealth of knowledge about blockchain technology and the crypto market. He is always on the lookout for new and exciting blockchain projects to work on and is dedicated to helping these projects succeed in the ever-evolving crypto landscape.

Follow up to the hour updates on what is happening in crypto today, October 27. Market movements, crypto news, and more!

XRP surged 3% to $2.68 during Sunday’s session, breaking above the critical resistance level at $2.63 on a dramatic volume spike — one of the largest of the month. Updated Oct 27, 2025, 4:48 a.m. Published Oct 27, 2025, 4:48 a.m.

(CoinDesk Data)

What to know: XRP surged 3% to $2.68, breaking above the critical resistance level at $2.63 with significant trading volume.Institutional interest and upcoming regulatory developments are driving the current momentum in XRP.Traders are monitoring whether XRP can maintain its support at $2.63 and if volume remains high to support further gains.XRP climbed from $2.60 to $2.68, clearing the $2.63 barrier and establishing new support between $2.61-$2.63.

News BackgroundXRP surged 3% to $2.68 during Sunday’s session, breaking above the critical resistance level at $2.63 on a dramatic volume spike — one of the largest of the month. The breakout aligns with growing institutional interest, backed by recent commentary from fund managers noting “hundreds of millions” flowing into XRP-exposure vehicles. The move also comes ahead of expected regulatory and ETF developments, which many analysts believe could accelerate demand.Price Action SummaryXRP climbed from $2.60 to $2.68, clearing the $2.63 barrier and establishing new support between $2.61-$2.63. Trading volume hit approximately 106.5 million units in a single breakout hour — a 147% increase above the prior 24-hour average. The token traded in a tight $0.08 range, illustrating disciplined accumulation rather than erratic speculation. Price action was characterized by higher lows that reinforced the breakout structure, and late-session consolidation near $2.67 suggested buyers were defending gains rather than exiting.Technical AnalysisThe structure now defines a breakout above a multi-session resistance zone with strong volume confirmation, a textbook signal of institutional accumulation. Support at $2.61-$2.63 is newly anchored, while immediate resistance lies in the $2.70-$2.75 area. Volume patterns confirm the move: large spike at breakout, followed by lower volatility during consolidation, pointing toward absorption. Key momentum indicators (RSI, MACD) remain constructive on daily charts, aligning with broader breakout psychology.What Traders Should KnowTraders are now watching two critical behaviours: First, whether XRP can hold the $2.63 support base; a re-test and hold would validate the breakout.Second, if volume remains elevated or picks up again, the breakout has higher-probability extension toward the $2.70-$2.75 zone. On-chain flows and institutional product commentary (e.g., remarks from Teucrium Trading executives about large inflows) support the accumulation narrative. On the risk side, a sustained close below $2.61 would undermine the breakout and could trap price back in its prior consolidation range.More For You

Stablecoin payment volumes have grown to $19.4B year-to-date in 2025. OwlTing aims to capture this market by developing payment infrastructure that processes transactions in seconds for fractions of a cent.

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Bitcoin Surpasses 50-Day Average, but CoinDesk BTC Trend Indicator Remains Bearish

BTC looks north as Fed rate cut looms. But one key resistance is yet to be cleared.

What to know:

BTC moves above key average hurdle as Fed rate cut looms. CoinDesk's BTI continues to signal downtrend. Prices are yet to top the Ichomoku cloud. Read full story

Dogecoin Breaks Multi-Month Range as $0.21 Resistance Flips to SupportDOGE outperforms broader crypto markets as volume climbs nearly 10% above weekly averages, signaling early accumulation within breakout structure.Updated Oct 27, 2025, 5:00 a.m. Published Oct 27, 2025, 5:00 a.m.

DOGE outperforms broader crypto markets as volume climbs nearly 10% above weekly averages, signaling early accumulation within breakout structure.

News BackgroundDogecoin advanced 1.4% to $0.21 in Tuesday’s session, marking its first decisive move above the $0.2026 resistance threshold since late August. The meme coin’s price action demonstrated relative strength versus the broader market, outperforming the CD5 index by more than 2%. Trading volumes surged 9.82% above the seven-day average, reflecting sustained institutional participation within the meme-asset segment.

Market analysts said the breakout represents “early-cycle momentum building” following nearly two months of compression in the $0.19–$0.20 corridor. “DOGE’s resilience while Bitcoin and Ethereum consolidate suggests rotation flows are returning to higher-beta assets,” said Rishi Patel, a quantitative strategist at Bluepool Digital.

Price Action SummaryDOGE climbed steadily from $0.1950 to $0.2072 through the 24-hour window, establishing a sequence of higher highs and higher lows across a $0.0159 intraday range. The key breakout occurred at 22:00 UTC, when volume spiked to 834.5 million tokens—roughly 180% above the 24-hour moving average—and price surged through the pivotal $0.2026 resistance level.

Momentum carried into early Wednesday trading, with DOGE briefly touching $0.2087 before encountering mild profit-taking. The retracement held comfortably above $0.2070 support, confirming that former resistance has transitioned into a near-term demand zone.

Technical AnalysisThe technical setup remains constructive. DOGE maintains an ascending trendline from the $0.1949 base, with successful retests of the $0.2060–$0.2070 zone underscoring continued buyer control. RSI readings hover near 58 on the 4-hour chart—consistent with the early stages of an uptrend—while MACD remains positive but narrowing, reflecting short-term consolidation after the breakout burst.

Volume analysis shows a healthy distribution pattern rather than capitulation, implying re-accumulation rather than exhaustion. The price structure remains aligned with a bullish continuation phase, though momentum confirmation requires sustained closes above $0.2085.

What Traders Should KnowDOGE’s break above $0.2026 confirms a technical shift out of its multi-month consolidation range. Institutional flows continue to underpin price stability even as retail participation remains muted. A successful defense of $0.2060–$0.2070 support could pave the way for a measured advance toward $0.2130—the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level from the May–September decline.Failure to hold current support, however, risks a short-term pullback toward $0.1990. Traders are watching for renewed volume surges above the 800M mark as confirmation that smart money accumulation is still in play.More For You

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XRP’s Clean Technical Break Repositions Bulls for $2.80 Push

XRP surged 3% to $2.68 during Sunday’s session, breaking above the critical resistance level at $2.63 on a dramatic volume spike — one of the largest of the month.

What to know:

XRP surged 3% to $2.68, breaking above the critical resistance level at $2.63 with significant trading volume.Institutional interest and upcoming regulatory developments are driving the current momentum in XRP.Traders are monitoring whether XRP can maintain its support at $2.63 and if volume remains high to support further gains.Read full story

Notably, Bitcoin (BTC) briefly broke above $115,000 on the news. Meanwhile, gold slid 1% to 4,071 in early trading on Monday, October 27, amid easing demand for safe-haven assets.

US-China trade developments coincided with September’s US inflation data, which bolstered bets on back-to-back Fed rate cuts in October and December.

China and the US Announce Trade Deal Framework
Rapid Response 47, an official White House rapid response account, quoted US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent:

“I believe that we have the framework for the two leaders to have a very productive meeting for both sides – and I think it will be fantastic for US citizens, for US farmers, and for our country in general.”

US President Trump and Chinese Premier Xi are due to meet on Thursday, October 30, potentially ending the US-China trade war.

BCR Market Insight commented on the trade headlines and September US inflation report, stating:

XRPUSD – Daily Chart – 271025 – US-China Trade Headlines
Storm Clouds Clear as XRP Tailwinds Gain Momentum
Expectations of multiple Fed rate cuts and the US-China trade framework coincided with a surge in XRP futures notional volumes, signaling strong institutional demand.

XRP extended its winning streak to four sessions on Sunday, October 26, as traders reacted to several key developments, including:

XRP futures and options on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) have reached $26.9 billion in notional volume since May 2025, reportedly a record.
The Hidden Road deal closed, with a rebrand to Ripple Prime expected to boost XRP utilization on Main Street.
Ripple-backed Evernorth announced plans to raise over $1 billion to build the world’s largest XRP treasury reserve.
The Rex-Osprey XRP ETF reported its AUM surpassing $100 million in its first month of trading.

Recent developments have shifted the supply-demand outlook, favoring XRP, which sent the token to its highest level since October 10.

Notably, XRP’s rebound has come despite the US government shutdown delaying the launch of six XRP-spot ETFs. However, uncertainty toward demand turned to optimism as XRP futures on the CME reported record volumes, signaling strong demand for XRP-spot ETFs at launch.

Market Sentiment: Retail Capitulation, Institutional Strength
Market intelligence platform Santiment commented on XRP’s recent price action, stating:

“XRP is at ~$2.60 after a +4% day. We’ve seen some retail FUD across social media, indicating small wallets are selling off. During this $2-$3 price stretch, high crowd predictions of XRP under $2 is a buy signal and above $3 is a sell signal.”

The market typically moves in the opposite direction to retail investor sentiment, indicating a positive outlook.

Crucially, XRP flipped Binance Coin (BNB) over the weekend, reclaiming the #4 spot by market cap.

Technical Outlook: Key XRP Price Levels
XRP advanced 1.88% on Sunday, October 26, following the previous day’s 3.42% gain, closing at $2.6456. Despite Sunday’s gains, the token underperformed the broader crypto market, which rallied 2.83%.

A four-day winning streak sent XRP above the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). However, the token continues trading below the 50-day EMA, indicating a near-term bearish bias. A Senate vote passing a stopgap funding bill could help expedite the launch of XRP-spot ETFs and shift the narrative.

Key technical levels to watch include:

Support levels: $2.62, $2.35, $2.2, $2.0, and $1.9.
Technical resistance level: the 50-day EMA at $2.6926.
Technical support level: the 200-day EMA at $2.6123.
Resistance levels: $2.8, $3.0, and $3.66.

In brief
The company has acquired 93 BTC as part of its daily accumulation program.
It aims to build a 10,000-Bitcoin treasury using $40 million in fresh funding and a rebrand.
Bitcoin has been rising steadily over the past week, buoyed by softer U.S. inflation data and ETF inflows.
South Korea’s publicly listed Bitplanet has executed the first of its daily Bitcoin accumulation plan, buying the asset as part of a broader effort to build a significant war chest using the world’s largest crypto.

The Bitcoin treasury company, backed by Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich, purchased 93 BTC on Sunday, one of many expected instances, as it marches toward a 10,000 BTC target.

The program, executed via a regulated and compliant infrastructure, is being positioned by the company as the first Bitcoin purchase by a public Korean firm.

Bitplanet first announced its plan to acquire the crypto during Bitcoin Asia 2025 in late August alongside a rebranding, earmarking $40 million for future purchases.

Bitplanet co-CEO Paul Lee told Decrypt their move “enables legitimate and prudent risk management” for Bitcoin acquisitions.

Over the past month, the company has “materially improved” its governance structure and implemented better investment and capital management processes, Lee said, noting that it had been buying Bitcoin daily for roughly two weeks before the announcement.

Lee added that those purchases had been “fully disclosed” through a compliance monitoring platform operated by Korea’s Financial Services Commission.

The public company’s decision to accumulate Bitcoin comes as the leading crypto asset regains momentum in October following a $19 billion wipeout of leveraged positions earlier this month.

Bitcoin has climbed roughly 6.7% over the past week to $115,200, recovering from last week’s lows near $107,000, according to CoinGecko data. 

The asset added nearly $1,000 to its value Sunday evening, extending gains after softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data from Friday reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve may further cut rates in December.

Inflows into Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds, meanwhile, have reversed a prior outflow trend, with more than $600 million entering the market in the past week.

From legacy tech to cryptoListed on KOSDAQ as 049470, the public company reported trailing twelve-month revenue of about ₩75.5 billion (US$55 million) and net income of about ₩4.7 billion (US$3.4 million), reflecting a relatively stable core operation.

In late August, Bitplanet management confirmed the company’s transition from its legacy IT services under SGA Co., Ltd., rebranding to its new name and adopting a dedicated Bitcoin-treasury model supported by new institutional investors.

Founded in 1997, it operated as an IT services and systems-integration firm specializing in cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and embedded software for government and enterprise clients.

Aside from Gerovich, Bitplanet's leading investor includes Sora Ventures, which has been involved in efforts to build out a consortium of public companies across Asia.

Those companies are currently aligned in building digital asset treasuries, even as major regional stock exchanges have pushed back against the idea.

South Korea’s Digital Asset Basic Act, introduced in June 2025 and expected to take effect by 2027, aims to set unified standards for token issuance, custody, and corporate crypto holdings.

Asked about what investors could expect from Bitplanet once that law sets in, Lee said the company already operates under “stricter interpretation of current FSC guidance to ensure a smooth transition” and had been “preparing to meet or exceed” its regulatory requirements.

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As prices recovered on positive macro signals, nearly $350 million worth of short positions were liquidated in the past day.

Bitcoin price is attempting to recover above $113,500. BTC could rise further if there is a clear move above the $115,500 resistance.

Bitcoin started a fresh recovery wave above the $113,500 resistance level.
The price is trading above $114,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.
There is a bullish trend line forming with support at $113,350 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
The pair might continue to move up if it trades above the $115,500 zone.

Bitcoin Price Starts Fresh Increase
Bitcoin price declined again below the $108,000 level. BTC tested the $106,720 zone and recently started a fresh increase. There was a move above the $112,000 resistance level.

The bulls were able to pump the price above $113,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. Finally, the price spiked above $115,000 and is currently consolidating gains above the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent wave from the $106,718 swing low to the $115,400 high.

Besides, there is a bullish trend line forming with support at $113,350 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. Bitcoin is now trading above $114,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.

Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com
Immediate resistance on the upside is near the $115,250 level. The first key resistance is near the $115,500 level. The next resistance could be $116,200. A close above the $116,200 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $117,000 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $118,000 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $118,800.

Another Pullback In BTC?
If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $115,500 resistance zone, it could start a fresh decline. Immediate support is near the $114,000 level. The first major support is near the $113,500 level or the trend line.

The next support is now near the $111,000 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $110,500 support in the near term. The main support sits at $108,500, below which BTC might struggle to recover in the short term.

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $114,000, followed by $113,500.

Major Resistance Levels – $115,500 and $116,500.

SummaryCompaniesPLA entities research using AI for autonomous target recognition and battlefield decision support, documents showChinese military appears to favor Deepseek AI modelsPLA seems to be increasing deployment of Huawei AI chips-Jamestown analystPLA continues to look for and use Nvidia chips, though documents don't show when they were exported from U.S.BEIJING/SINGAPORE, Oct 27 (Reuters) - China's state-owned defense giant Norinco in February unveiled a military vehicle capable of autonomously conducting combat-support operations at 50 kilometres per hour. It was powered by DeepSeek, the company whose artificial intelligence model is the pride of China's tech sector.

The Norinco P60’s release was touted by Communist Party officials in press statements as an early showcase of how Beijing is using DeepSeek and AI to catch up in its arms race with the United States, at a time when leaders in

both countries, opens new tab have urged their militaries to

prepare for conflict., opens new tab Sign up here.

A Reuters review of hundreds of research papers, patents and procurement records gives a snapshot of the systematic effort by Beijing to harness AI for military advantage.

Specifics of how the systems behind China's next-generation weapons work and the extent to which it has deployed them are a state secret, but procurement records and patents offer clues into Beijing's progress toward capabilities like autonomous target recognition and real-time battlefield decision support in a way that mirrors U.S. efforts.

Reuters couldn't establish if all the products had been built and patents don't necessarily indicate operational technology.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) and affiliates continue to use and look for Nvidia chips, including models under U.S. export controls, according to the papers, tenders and patents.

Reuters could not determine if those chips were stockpiled before Washington imposed restrictions as the documents do not detail when the hardware used was exported. Patents filed as recently as June show their use by military-linked research institutes. In September 2022, the U.S. Commerce Department banned exports to China of Nvidia’s popular A100 and H100 chips.

Nvidia spokesman John Rizzo said in a statement to Reuters that while the firm can't track individual resales of previously sold products, "recycling small quantities of old, second-hand products doesn't enable anything new or raise any national security concern. Using restricted products for military applications would be a nonstarter, without support, software, or maintenance."

The U.S. Treasury and Commerce Department did not respond to questions about Reuters' findings.

The Chinese military has also in 2025 increased its use of contractors that claim to exclusively use domestically-made hardware like Huawei AI chips, said Sunny Cheung, a fellow at the Washington-based Jamestown Foundation defence policy think-tank, who analysed several hundred tenders issued from the PLA Procurement Network over six months this year.

Reuters couldn’t independently confirm his assertion but the shift would coincide with a public pressure campaign by Beijing on domestic firms to use China-made technology.

The news agency's review of procurement notices and patents filed to China’s patent office found demand for and use of Huawei chips by PLA affiliates, but it was not able to verify all the tenders seen by Jamestown, which is releasing a report this week that it provided early to Reuters.

Huawei declined to comment when asked about military deployment of its chips. The Chinese defence ministry, DeepSeek, and Norinco did not return requests for comment about their use of AI for military applications. The universities and defence firms that filed the patents and research papers seen by Reuters also did not respond to similar questions.

DEEPSEEK DEPENDENCEUsage of DeepSeek models was indicated in a dozen tenders from PLA entities filed this year and seen by Reuters, while just one referenced Alibaba's Qwen, a major domestic rival.

Alibaba didn’t return a request for comment about military use of Qwen.

DeepSeek-related procurement notices have accelerated throughout 2025, with new military applications appearing regularly on the PLA network, according to Jamestown.

DeepSeek's popularity with the PLA also reflects China's pursuit of what Beijing calls "algorithmic sovereignty" - reducing dependence on Western technology while strengthening control over critical digital infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Defense declined to comment about the PLA's use of AI.

A State Department spokesperson said in response to Reuters' questions that "DeepSeek has willingly provided, and will likely continue to provide, support to China's military and intelligence operations."

Washington will "pursue a bold, inclusive strategy to American AI technology with trusted foreign countries around the world, while keeping the technology out of the hands of our adversaries," the spokesperson added.

AI-POWERED PLANNING AND APPLICATIONSChina is looking at AI-powered robot dogs that scout in packs and drone swarms that autonomously track targets, as well as visually-immersive command centres and advanced war game simulations, according to the documents.

In November 2024, the PLA issued a sci-fi-esque tender for AI-powered robot dogs that would scout together for threats and clear explosive hazards.

Reuters couldn't identify if the tender was fulfilled. China has previously deployed armed robot dogs from AI robotics manufacturer Unitree in military drills, according to images released in state media.

Unitree didn’t respond to queries about its PLA work.

The review of patents, tenders and research papers published in the past two years shows how PLA and affiliated entities are looking to AI to improve military planning, including developing technology to quickly analyse images taken by satellites and drones.

Researchers at Landship Information Technology, a Chinese company that integrates AI systems into military vehicles including Norinco's, said in a February white paper released to promote their services that its technology built on Huawei chips can rapidly identify targets from satellite imagery, while coordinating with radars and aircraft to execute operations.

The time taken for military planners to shift from finding and identifying a target to executing an operation has also been shortened by AI, according to Xi'an Technological University.

Researchers at that institute said in a summary of their findings released in May that their DeepSeek-powered system was able to assess 10,000 battlefield scenarios - each with different variables, terrain, and force deployments - in 48 seconds.

Such a task would have taken a conventional team of military planners 48 hours to complete, they said.

Reuters could not independently verify the researchers' claims.

AUTONOMOUS WEAPONSChinese military entities are investing in increasingly autonomous battlefield technology, the documents suggest.

Two dozen of the tenders and patents seen by Reuters show the military attempting to integrate AI into drones so they can recognize and track targets, as well as work together in formations with little human intervention.

Beihang University, known for its military aviation research, is using DeepSeek to improve drone swarm decision-making when targeting "low, slow, small" threats - military shorthand for drones and light aircraft - according to a patent filing this year.

Chinese defence leaders have publicly committed to maintaining human control over weapons systems amid growing concern that a conflict between Beijing and Washington could lead to the unchecked deployment of AI-powered munitions.

The U.S. military, which is also investing in AI, is

aiming to deploy, opens new tab thousands of autonomous drones by the end of 2025 in what officials say is an attempt to counter China's numerical advantage in unmanned aerial vehicles.

U.S. CHIPS, CHINESE MODELSChinese defence contractors like Shanxi 100 Trust Information Technology have touted in marketing materials their reliance on domestically produced components like Huawei's Ascend chips, which allow AI models to operate.

The firm didn't respond to questions about its relationship with Huawei and the PLA.

Despite the move to domestic processors, Nvidia hardware continues to be frequently cited in research by military-affiliated academics, according to a review of patent filings from the past two years.

Reuters identified 35 applications referencing use of Nvidia's A100 chips by academics at the PLA's National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) and at the

"Seven Sons", opens new tab - a group of Chinese universities under U.S. sanctions and with a history of conducting defence-related research for Beijing.

Those entities in the same time period filed 15 patents related to AI applications that cited Huawei Ascend hardware, which was designed as a substitute to Nvidia chips.

As recently as June, the PLA Rocket Force University of Engineering separately filed a patent for a remote-sensing target detection system, which it said used A100 chips for model training.

Senior Col. Zhu Qichao, who leads a NUDT research centre, told Reuters last year that U.S. restrictions have impacted their AI research "to some degree," though they are determined to narrow the technological gap.

Nvidia’s Rizzo played down PLA demand for Nvidia’s hardware, saying that China “has more than enough domestic chips for all of its military applications.”

Reporting by Eduardo Baptista and Fanny Potkin; Editing by Brenda Goh and Katerina Ang

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Buterin argues Ethereum L2s inherit layer-1 security preventing 51% attacks from validating invalid blocksYakovenko claims L2 networks face centralization risks through multi-signature custody and inadequate code auditsCurrently 129 verified L2 networks exist, fragmenting liquidity and reducing Ethereum base layer transaction revenueEthereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko have presented conflicting views on the security of Ethereum’s layer-2 networks.

This has sparked debate within the crypto industry over whether L2 solutions truly inherit robust security from Ethereum’s base layer.

Sponsored

Buterin Defends L2 Security ModelButerin emphasizes that Ethereum layer-2 solutions maintain strong security against 51% attacks. They inherit finality guarantees from the base layer. In a recent post on X, he stated: “A key property of a blockchain is that even a 51% attack cannot make an invalid block valid. This means even 51% of validators colluding (or hit by a software bug) cannot steal your assets.”

However, Buterin acknowledged limitations when validator sets are trusted beyond chain-controlled functions.

“This property does not carry over if you start trusting your validator set to do other things, that the chain does not have control over,” he added. “At that point, 51% of validators can collude and give a wrong answer, and you don’t have any recourse.”

Regular reminder:

A key property of a blockchain is that even a 51% attack *cannot make an invalid block valid*. This means even 51% of validators colluding (or hit by a software bug) cannot steal your assets.

However, this property does not carry over if you start trusting…

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) October 26, 2025
Major L2 networks, including Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, and Worldchain, collectively hold over $35 billion in locked value. They rely on Ethereum’s security architecture. The Ethereum validator set currently exceeds one million active participants, significantly outnumbering Solana’s approximately 2,000 validators. Proponents argue this bolsters resistance to coordinated attacks.

Sponsored

Yakovenko Questions L2 Security AssumptionsYakovenko directly challenged Buterin’s assertions.

“The claim that L2s inherit eth security is erroneous. 5 years into the L2 roadmap, wormhole eth on solana has the same worst case risks as eth on base and generates as much revenue for eth L1 stakers,” he stated on X(Twitter).

The claim that L2s inherit eth security is erroneous. 5 years into the L2 roadmap, wormhole eth on solana has the same worst case risks as eth on base and generates as much revenue for eth L1 stakers. It’s wrong no matter how you slice it.

— toly 🇺🇸 (@aeyakovenko) October 26, 2025
The Solana co-founder questioned whether technical limitations prevent L2s from achieving desired security properties.

Sponsored

“Yes there is something fundamental about L2s that makes it difficult to actually achieve the desired security. That’s why it hasn’t happened in 5 years. Or are you suggesting that all the L2 teams are lazy or dumb?” Yakovenko wrote.

Yes there is something fundamental about L2s that makes it difficult to actually achieve the desired security. That’s why it hasn’t happened in 5 years. Or are you suggesting that all the L2 teams are lazy or dumb? https://t.co/eGAQB84NP0

— toly 🇺🇸 (@aeyakovenko) October 26, 2025
He identifies three primary concerns with current L2 implementations. First, L2 networks expose vast attack surfaces with complex code bases, which prove difficult to audit comprehensively. Second, multi-signature custody arrangements allow funds to be moved without user consent. This occurs if signers collude or face compromise. Third, off-chain processing mechanisms centralize control, contradicting blockchain’s core decentralization principles.

Yakovenko has proposed developing a specialized bridge that positions Ethereum as a layer-2 for Solana. This aims to facilitate seamless asset transfers between ecosystems while addressing security concerns.

Sponsored

Proliferation Raises Ecosystem ConcernsThe Ethereum layer-2 landscape has expanded significantly. L2Beat reports 129 verified networks alongside 29 additional unverified ones. This proliferation has generated debate over whether it fosters innovation or creates inefficiencies.

CoinGecko data shows that in the first half of 2025, Ethereum declined 25.0% while Solana dropped 19.1%. However, Solana outperformed Ethereum by 26.2% in January before both assets faced broader market pressure.

SOL/ETH: CoinGecko This reflects shifting market sentiment. Industry observers note that as layer-2 networks evolve, initiatives like data availability sampling and shared sequencing aim to mitigate centralization risks. The debate underscores ongoing challenges in balancing security with scalability.

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.

In brief
Bitcoin rose 3.5% over the weekend to $115,400 as optimism grew over easing U.S.–China trade tensions.
Officials from both countries reached a preliminary framework in Malaysia, boosting risk appetite across global markets.
Market sentiment on Myriad skewed toward “greed,” while analysts cautioned that on-chain activity hasn’t yet confirmed the rally.
Bitcoin and the broader crypto market surged over the weekend, fueled by potential de-escalation in the U.S.-China trade war.

Bitcoin gained 3.5% on Sunday, rising from $110,960 to $115,400, before cooling slightly. The asset is currently trading at $115,235, per CoinGecko data. Bitcoin is still down about 6.5% from its October 6 all-time high $126,000.

The renewed rally comes amid easing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

The U.S. and Chinese officials met in Malaysia over the weekend, resulting in a preliminary framework agreement described by both sides as a constructive step toward cooling the trade war.

“Bitcoin’s weekend rally underscores how macro sentiment continues to steer digital assets,” Daniel Liu, CEO of Republic Technologies, told Decrypt. “The renewed optimism around U.S.-China trade talks has temporarily lifted risk appetite across markets, and Bitcoin, increasingly viewed as a high-beta macro asset, followed suit.”

The reaction reveals more about liquidity psychology than trade fundamentals, Liu highlighted, suggesting there is no direct link between tariff negotiations and crypto demand. 

“What we’re really seeing is a reflexive move of traders pricing in a softer macro environment and looser financial conditions, not a structural shift in the U.S.–China dynamic,” Liu added.

Users on the prediction platform Myriad, owned by Decrypt’s parent company Dastan, leaned toward market greed on Sunday, with sentiment spiking to 60% earlier in the day before easing to 57.4% versus 42.6% for fear.

“Trump's renewed U.S.-China dialogue has positively influenced Bitcoin alongside other risk assets,” Daniel Kim, CEO of Tiger Research, told Decrypt. “This week's APEC summit will likely add to short-term volatility.”

Although the U.S.-China trade war has lifted sentiment, on-chain metrics revealed vulnerability with key indicators like transaction count and active users not yet confirming the price rebound, leaving the near-term trajectory uncertain, according to Tiger Research’s Thursday report.

Still, the report maintained a bullish view for the fourth quarter, with Tiger Research analysts forecasting a $200,000 target for Bitcoin, driven by global liquidity expansion, continued institutional inflows, and the Fed's rate-cutting stance.

Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

RV Capital AG disclosed the sale of 50,653 shares of Interactive Brokers Group, estimated at ~$3.19 million based on the quarterly average price, in its October 22, 2025 SEC filing for Q3 2025.

What happenedAccording to an SEC filing dated October 22, 2025, RV Capital reduced its stake in Interactive Brokers Group (IBKR +2.35%) by 50,653 shares during the quarter.

The estimated transaction value was approximately $3.19 million, based on the period’s average closing price.

After this sale, the fund’s remaining position was 799,267 shares, valued at $54,997,562 as of September 30, 2025.

What else to knowRV Capital’s move was a partial sale; Interactive Brokers Group now represents 10.1% of reported AUM as of September 30, 2025.

Top holdings after the filing:

Carvana: $167.97 million (30.8% of AUM)Meta Platforms: $102.60 million (18.8% of AUM)Credit Acceptance Corp: $60.90 million (11.1% of AUM)Wix.com: $55.95 million (10.2% of AUM)Interactive Brokers: $55 million (10.1% of AUM)As of October 21, 2025, shares of Interactive Brokers Group were priced at $66.27, outperforming the S&P 500 by 64 percentage points.

Company OverviewMetricValueRevenue (TTM)$5.95 billionNet Income (TTM)$917.00 millionDividend Yield0.40%Price (as of market close 2025-10-21)$66.27Company SnapshotInteractive Brokers offers electronic brokerage services for stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, precious metals, and cryptocurrencies.

It serves institutional clients—including hedge funds, proprietary trading groups, introducing brokers, and registered investment advisors—as well as individual investors globally.

The company operates a global trading platform with access to over 150 markets in multiple countries and currencies.

Interactive Brokers Group is a leading automated electronic broker with a global presence, providing a broad range of trading and investment products across multiple asset classes.

Its scalable platform and diversified service offering position it as a competitive force in the electronic brokerage industry.

Foolish takeRV Capital's sale of Interactive Brokers in the third quarter is definitely something investors shouldn't panic about.

Not only was the sale relatively minor, but Interactive Brokers remains the firm's fifth-largest holding. In fact, despite RV Capital selling roughly one-third of its Interactive Brokers shares over the last two years, the stock's portfolio allocation grew from 8% to 10%.

As odd as this sounds, it is due to the fact that the stock more than tripled over the just the last two years as the company continues to grow sales and earnings by double-digit rates while adding new customers at an incredible clip.

Home to a long list of awards of recognitions such as the best platform for trading professionals, best platform for option traders, and best broker for international trades, Interactive Brokers has become a staple of the investment landscape.

Despite the stock's incredible run over the last two years, its price-to-earnings ratio is only up to 33. While this is higher than its historical averages, it isn't outrageous for a business that just grew customer accounts and customer equity by 32% and 40% in the last quarter.

More than doubling the total returns of the S&P 500 since its IPO in 2007, the future remains bright for Interactive Brokers. However, in RV Capital's case, it made some sense to trim its already hefty position in the company.

Glossary13F reportable assets: Assets that institutional investment managers must disclose quarterly to the SEC if they exceed a certain threshold.
Assets under management (AUM): The total market value of investments managed by a fund or investment firm on behalf of clients.
Partial sale: Selling only a portion of a fund's position in a particular security, rather than the entire holding.
Stake: The amount of ownership or investment a fund or individual holds in a company.
Outperforming: Achieving a higher return or better performance compared to a specific benchmark or index.
Proprietary trading groups: Firms or teams that trade financial instruments using their own capital, rather than on behalf of clients.
Introducing brokers: Firms or individuals who refer clients to a brokerage, earning commissions but not directly handling client accounts.
Registered investment advisors (RIAs): Professionals or firms registered to provide investment advice and manage client portfolios for a fee.
Electronic brokerage: A brokerage that provides trading services primarily through online platforms, with minimal human intervention.
Asset classes: Categories of investments, such as stocks, bonds, commodities, or real estate, with similar characteristics.
Scalable platform: A technology system that can handle increased demand or growth without losing performance or reliability.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.

IonQ's quantum computing opportunity looks like a riskier bet than investing in tried-and-true AI companies.

Quantum computing could transform many industries -- including pharmaceutical discovery, materials science, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity -- as the technology becomes more efficient. Some experts believe quantum computing will be the next big technological wave, which is why startups like IonQ are getting a lot of attention from investors right now.

The company's quantum computers use trapped ions to perform computations, which could potentially offer more accurate and scalable solutions than other quantum hardware. But many estimates still put the real-world benefits of quantum computing years down the road.

As such, I think it's better for most investors to focus their attention on artificial intelligence opportunities right now, which still have many more years of potential growth. Here are two companies that will likely be better investments than IonQ stock in the coming years.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Taiwan Semiconductor
Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM +1.46%) is the manufacturing workhorse behind nearly all of the world's most advanced semiconductors, including those for AI data centers. If you look under the hood of nearly any artificial intelligence server, the processors manufactured in it are likely made by Taiwan Semiconductor, also called TSMC.

The company has spent decades developing the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing plants, essentially leaving rivals like Samsung and Intel in the dust. Making advanced chips is no easy feat, and having the equipment to do so takes billions of dollars in investments, which has given TSMC an early lead that's propelled it to about 90% of the advanced processor market.

Fortunately, sales and earnings have followed. In the company's most recent third quarter results, revenue rose by 30% to $33.1 billion, and earnings increased 39% to $2.92 per American depositary receipt (ADR). TSMC's CEO, C.C. Wei, highlighted the company's confidence in its AI opportunity on the Q3 earnings call, saying, "We are still very comfortable that the demand for leading edge semiconductor is real."

To top it all off, TSMC's stock is relatively well-priced compared to many of its AI peers. The company's shares have a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.5, which is nearly on par with the average P/E ratio of 31 for the S&P 500 index and far lower than the tech sector's 47 average.

Today's Change

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1.46

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2. Broadcom
Broadcom (AVGO +2.86%) is a leading designer of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that are used in artificial intelligence and cloud computing systems, and it has become a leading choice for some AI companies' needs.

For example, ChatGPT creator OpenAI announced recently that it is partnering with Broadcom for 10 gigawatts' worth of AI accelerators by 2029. Broadcom will work with OpenAI to codevelop AI accelerators, and Broadcom will deploy AI server racks and networking systems.

The result could be billions of dollars in sales for the company, per WSJ, and it comes at a time when Broadcom's AI revenue is already booming. Management estimates that its artificial intelligence revenue will be $90 billion annually by 2027 -- a 650% increase from 2024.

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AI is the better long-term play
IonQ's bet on quantum computing could eventually pay off, but right now it's a pretty big gamble. The company had just $21 million in sales in the recent quarter, compared to its $178 million net loss. With most real-world applications of quantum computing still years down the road, investors are essentially placing a bet that IonQ will benefit from quantum computing before the industry has even taken shape.

Instead, investors are likely better off putting their money toward two leading artificial intelligence companies -- Taiwan Semiconductor and Broadcom -- that are already growing sales and earnings significantly and have a foothold in the AI market. While no investment outcome is guaranteed, these two companies are already established leaders and should continue benefiting from their early AI moves for years to come.