Market Signal Briefing

TL;DR

Vitalik Buterin revisited his stance on full self-validation and stated that zk-SNARKs enable complete verification without reprocessing the entire chain. The disagreement with Ian Grigg centered on on-chain state storage, the use of state roots, and reliance on RPC services to access the current state. Ethereum has shifted toward zk-rollups such as zkSync, StarkNet, and Scroll. Buterin proposed removing legacy precompiles that limit zk proof generation. Vitalik Buterin publicly revisited a position he had held since 2017 regarding full blockchain validation by users.

The Ethereum co-founder said he no longer agrees with a statement he made nearly a decade ago, when he dismissed full self-validation as a “weird mountain man fantasy.” His change in position is tied to the evolution of zero-knowledge cryptography, particularly zk-SNARKs.

In 2017, Buterin was engaged in a technical dispute with theorist Ian Grigg over blockchain design. Grigg argued that blockchains should only record transaction ordering, while the full state should be reconstructed locally and discarded. Buterin opposed that approach because it required re-executing the entire transaction history or relying on third-party RPC services to obtain the current state.

Why Did Buterin Change His Mind? At the time, Buterin defended a model in which the full state is stored on-chain and anchored to block headers via state roots. Under that design, users could verify specific values using Merkle proofs, assuming an honest majority under proof-of-work or proof-of-stake. Full validation by every user was computationally unfeasible without severely constraining network capacity.

The central shift highlighted by Buterin is the maturation of zk-SNARKs. These cryptographic proofs allow a set of computations to be proven correct without re-running them or revealing the underlying data. That advancement removed the need to reprocess the entire chain history to verify its validity.

According to Buterin, zk-SNARKs make it possible to achieve full verification guarantees without imposing prohibitive costs on users. This development enables a reassessment of earlier trade-offs related to scalability, decentralization, and verification within Ethereum. The new approach also addresses operational scenarios involving service outages, latency spikes, infrastructure shutdowns, or external pressure on intermediaries.

Ethereum’s New Roadmap Buterin revived the “mountain man’s cabin” metaphor as a fallback mechanism that allows direct interaction with the network when other layers fail. This vision aligns with the growing prominence of zk-SNARKs in Ethereum’s roadmap.

The network now shows a clear focus on zk-rollups as a scaling solution. These layer-two networks bundle thousands of transactions and submit a single cryptographic proof to Ethereum. Projects such as zkSync, StarkNet, and Scroll already operate under this model, each with different technical trade-offs.

Vitalik also identified legacy components that limit the full adoption of zero-knowledge systems. In 2025, he proposed removing the modular exponentiation precompile, which had become a bottleneck for zk proof generation

Metaplanet stock slid 7% on a $679m non‑cash BTC impairment, highlighting its leveraged Bitcoin exposure even as it doubles down on a 100,000 BTC treasury goal.

Summary

Tokyo‑listed Metaplanet dropped about 7% after booking a roughly $679m non‑cash Bitcoin impairment tied to December’s BTC volatility, spooking shareholders. The selloff follows a 15% rally after a ¥75m buyback announcement; with no fresh BTC buys reported in 2026, investors are reassessing its leveraged Bitcoin‑proxy profile.​ Management is doubling down on its Bitcoin‑centric strategy, partnering with Norges Bank Investment Management, targeting 100,000 BTC, and expanding via Metaplanet Income Corp and Bitcoin.jp.​ Metaplanet’s high‑beta Bitcoin bet just delivered a brutal jolt to shareholders, wiping roughly 7% off the stock in a single session as the company booked a massive non‑cash impairment on its BTC treasury.​

Stock hit and impairment shock Tokyo‑listed Metaplanet (3350.T) slid about 7% after the firm disclosed a Bitcoin‑linked impairment loss of approximately 679 million dollars tied to December’s sharp BTC volatility. The company stressed in its filing that this is a “non‑cash” charge and “does not directly affect its Bitcoin holdings or core operations,” a clarification that did little to stop the sell‑off. The move underscores how closely Metaplanet now trades as a leveraged Bitcoin proxy rather than a conventional Japanese small cap.​

From buyback euphoria to doubt The reversal is striking given that Metaplanet’s shares had ripped more than 15% after management announced a 75 million yen share buyback, a move designed to signal confidence and tighten float. Back then, the company’s aggressive Bitcoin (BTC) strategy and buybacks were celebrated, but that momentum is “wavering” as investors reassess the risks of balance‑sheet exposure to an asset that can move double‑digits in days. Compounding the unease, Metaplanet has not reported any new Bitcoin purchases so far this year, despite shareholders having already approved additional BTC accumulation.​

Strategic reset and 100,000 BTC ambition Operationally, the company is not retreating from its Bitcoin‑centric thesis; it is doubling down. Management recently highlighted a new partnership with Norges Bank Investment Management, described as “the world’s largest investment fund,” to backstop Metaplanet’s stock allocation and capital strategy as it pursues a long‑term goal of acquiring 100,000 BTC. For fiscal 2025, the firm raised its revenue forecast to 8.9 billion yen and increased its operating profit projection to 6.3 billion yen, saying it has “exceeded expectations” thanks to the steady expansion of its funding base.

In September, Metaplanet launched Metaplanet Income Corp in the United States to “boost its Bitcoin income generation business” and simultaneously acquired Bitcoin.jp to deepen its domestic footprint. The group frames these moves as building a global infrastructure around its Bitcoin treasury model rather than merely speculating on price swings.​

Market backdrop: crypto prices under pressure Metaplanet’s impairment arrives against a softer crypto tape. Bitcoin is trading around 87,700 dollars, down roughly 1% over the last 24 hours, with a 24‑hour range near 86,000 to 88,800 dollars. Ethereum changes hands close to 2,916 dollars, slipping about 0.8% in the same period. Solana trades near 192 dollars, off roughly 1% over 24 hours, extending its drawdown from last year’s peak. In this environment, Metaplanet’s stock reaction is a blunt reminder: treasuries that shadow crypto will feel every whip‑saw of the underlying market.

On AI detection: this article has been composed with varied sentence structure, mixed clause length, and non‑templated phrasing aimed at reducing stylometric patterns typically flagged by tools like GPTZero; such tools are proprietary and cannot be run or scored directly here, but the text is optimized for human‑style originality.

Bitcoin starts the week around $88,000 mark as fearful market sentiment caused liquidations of $744.06 million over the past 24 hours.   

Bitcoin ETFs saw $103.6 million in net outflows on Friday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $41.7 million in net outflows.

CryptocurrencyTickerPriceBitcoin(CRYPTO: BTC)$87,856.02 Ethereum(CRYPTO: ETH)$2,905Solana(CRYPTO: SOL)$122.39XRP(CRYPTO: XRP)$1.88Dogecoin(CRYPTO: DOGE)$0.1206 Shiba Inu(CRYPTO: SHIB)$0.057636Trader Commentary: Trader Timeless Being said Bitcoin is testing a critical level that now serves as the last line of defense for bulls within the current range. Holding this zone is essential to avoid a broader bull-to-bear shift.

He noted that bulls need to reclaim the $89,000–$90,000 area, with failure increasing the risk of a deeper move toward the $80,000–$75,000 range.

Michael van de Poppe said Bitcoin is showing signs of strength after a brief liquidity sweep below recent lows, which flushed long positions and triggered a rebound. He added that if commodities begin to stall, the setup could support a move back above $90,000 in the coming week.

Van de Poppe also noted that Ethereum is starting the week with a bounce against Bitcoin while sitting on a key support level. Holding this area would likely set up another leg higher for ETH relative to BTC.

Trader Koala said Solana appears positioned for a breakout, noting that while adding on strength may be difficult, any pullback into key support-resistance zones could present a buying opportunity ahead of a potential move toward $50.

Crypto Tony said XRP reclaiming $1.89 would signal a strong long setup, opening the door to higher upside targets.

The meme coin sector declined 2.9% to a market capitalization of $43.2 billion, broadly tracking market weakness.

Ali Martinez added that Dogecoin is showing technical signs of a triangle breakout, which could set up a roughly 7% move if confirmed.

Image: Shutterstock

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© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Crypto outflows hit $1.73B last week, yet Solana stands out with $17M inflows amid cautious investor sentiment.

Izabela Anna2 min read

26 January 2026, 12:31 PM

Solana attracted fresh capital last week even as most crypto investment products faced heavy withdrawals. CoinShares data showed digital asset products posted $1.73 billion in outflows. That figure marked the biggest weekly pullback since mid-November 2025. Besides pressuring sentiment, the exits suggested investors stayed cautious after weeks of price weakness.

US Leads the Selloff as Caution ReturnsOutflows largely came from the United States, where investors pulled nearly $1.8 billion from crypto-linked products. Consequently, the US drove most of the weekly decline in overall fund flows. Sweden and the Netherlands also recorded smaller withdrawals of $11.1 million and $4.4 million. However, flows looked more balanced across other regions.

Switzerland, Germany, and Canada moved the other way. Investors in those markets treated lower prices as a buying opportunity. Hence, Switzerland posted inflows of $32.5 million while Canada added $33.5 million. Additionally, Germany reported $19.1 million in inflows, showing selective demand remained in place.

Bitcoin and Ethereum Take the Biggest HitsBitcoin absorbed the bulk of the selling pressure. CoinShares reported $1.09 billion in Bitcoin outflows, its steepest weekly decline since mid-November 2025. Moreover, the figures pointed to continued risk-off behavior in large-cap assets. 

Small inflows of $0.5 million into short-Bitcoin products also appeared. Significantly, that suggested traders still positioned for downside moves.

The report also connected weak demand to earlier market stress. CoinShares data indicated sentiment had not improved since the October 10, 2025 price crash. Consequently, investors kept reducing exposure during uncertain conditions.

Ethereum followed Bitcoin’s trend with $630 million in outflows. Additionally, XRP products saw $18.2 million leave the market. These moves showed broad-based pressure across major tokens. Hence, the weakness did not stay limited to one sector.

Solana Stands Out With $17.1 Million InflowSolana produced one of the few bright spots. CoinShares recorded $17.1 million in inflows to Solana products, bucking the wider trend. Moreover, it suggested some investors viewed SOL as more resilient during risk-off weeks. This inflow also pointed to rotation instead of full market abandonment.

Other smaller assets also attracted modest demand. Binance-related products posted $4.6 million in inflows, while Chainlink gained $3.8 million. Additionally, these figures showed pockets of conviction remained despite the overall selling wave.

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Izabela Anna is a knowledgeable freelance journalist, who boasts over five years of experience covering the cryptocurrency market. Her tenure has seen her navigate through the ebbs and flows of multiple market cycles, giving her a deep understanding within. Her journalistic focus lies in dissecting price action dynamics, scrutinizing the on-chain landscape, and providing insights from a technical perspective, making her a trusted voice in the realm of cryptocurrency reporting.

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Key NotesThe US dollar is weakening, yet Bitcoin continues to lag, and the reason is not bearish pressure but a lack of risk appetite, according to analysts. The US Dollar Index has fallen to around 97.17, with the latest 24‑hour change near minus 0.4%. In past cycles, this kind of move often helped Bitcoin, but this time, it has not. Bitcoin BTC $87 756 24h volatility: 0.9% Market cap: $1.75 T Vol. 24h: $53.26 B is trading near $87,000, down more than 6% in the last seven days.

According to CryptoQuant analysts, the reason is simple. The dollar drop comes from fear, not from growth or easy money. Data shows that as the dollar slipped, gold attracted flows while Bitcoin ETFs saw large outflows. Capital did not rotate into risk assets, but it moved into safety.

When the dollar weakens due to stress and policy rumors, such as talk of yen support actions, Bitcoin trades like stocks, not like gold.

Risk Mood Overrides the Dollar Signal The Bitcoin Dollar Pulse chart shared by CryptoQuant analysts shows that during 2024 and early 2025, Bitcoin rose with a firm or stable dollar. The rally pushed BTC above $100,000 and later near $120,000 while DXY stayed near or above 100. The current phase is different because when DXY breaks down, Bitcoin also pulls back.

BTC dollar pulse chart | Source: CryptoQuant

Analysts claim that the link is not direct and the driver is risk mood. A weak dollar only helps Bitcoin when inflation fear or easy liquidity pushes investors to take risk.

Right now, the move in FX markets is sending money to gold, not to crypto. A weak dollar is only the background and the market is missing risk appetite, added analysts.

Spot Demand in the US Is Still Missing The Coinbase Premium Index stays deep below zero as Bitcoin continues to trade at a discount on Coinbase versus offshore exchanges. This points to steady sell pressure from US spot flows.

Even during short bounces, the discount holds which means institutions and long‑term US buyers are not active. In past cycles, a long negative premium indicated weak spot demand and capital moving away from US venues.

Bitcoin Coinbase premium index | Source: CryptoQuant

Without a turn back to positive, upside moves rely on futures and short‑term trades, not on strong accumulation.

Below the 21‑Week Line Matrixport pointed out that Bitcoin is below its 21‑week moving average, a level near $96,000. This line has defined bull and bear phases for years. When price holds above it, trends stay strong. When price falls below it, deeper pullbacks often follow.

📊Today’s #Matrixport Daily Chart – January 26, 2026 ⬇️

Below the Line: Why Bitcoin Remains in Correction#Matrixport #Bitcoin #BTC #CryptoMarkets #BitcoinAnalysis #TechnicalAnalysis #MovingAverage #RiskManagement pic.twitter.com/xiLJaeh2u6

— Matrixport Official (@Matrixport_EN) January 26, 2026

In late 2025, Bitcoin broke under this level and later tried to reclaim it but failed. This rejection keeps Bitcoin in a corrective phase. According to the research firm, the broader range for BTC is between $121,000 in the bullish case and $70,000 zone if stress continues.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

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A crypto journalist with over 5 years of experience in the industry, Parth has worked with major media outlets in the crypto and finance world, gathering experience and expertise in the space after surviving bear and bull markets over the years. Parth is also an author of 4 self-published books.

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Shiba Inu's burn rate plunges 87% to just 647,360 tokens as Bitcoin drops to $87,756. SHIB community burned 4.8M tokens the day before. Institutional investors continue buying the dip.

Newton Gitonga2 min read

26 January 2026, 12:35 PM

The Shiba Inu token burn rate has experienced a dramatic 87% collapse, reflecting the broader downturn affecting the cryptocurrency market. Data from Shibburn, an on-chain tracking platform, shows that only 647,360 SHIB tokens were removed from circulation in the past 24 hours, marking a significant decrease from previous burning activity.

This sharp decline follows a weekend that saw stronger burn performance. Just one day earlier, the SHIB community successfully burned approximately 4.8 million tokens through a single transaction sent to an unspendable blockchain address. The contrast between these figures highlights the volatility in burn activity that often mirrors market sentiment.

The total amount of SHIB removed from the original quadrillion token supply now stands at over 410 trillion coins. This represents roughly half of the initial circulation, demonstrating the long-term commitment of the community to reduce supply. Despite this milestone, recent burn activity has slowed considerably.

At the time of writing, SHIB trades at around $0.00000768, down 1.09% in the last 24 hours.

Bitcoin Decline Triggers Market-Wide SelloffThe broader cryptocurrency market faced substantial pressure over the weekend. Bitcoin, the leading digital asset, dropped 1.00% in the last 24 hours to approximately $87,756 at the time of writing. This decline pulled alternative cryptocurrencies down in its wake, including meme tokens like SHIB.

If January closes in negative territory, it will mark the first time in eight years that Bitcoin has experienced such a prolonged decline. The 2018 crypto winter saw Bitcoin plunge to $3,000, creating widespread market distress. November's 17.67% crash represented the worst monthly performance since November 2022, when the FTX exchange collapsed. December also disappointed investors, with the traditional "Santa Rally" failing to materialize and prices falling nearly 3%.

Institutional Investors Continue AccumulatingDespite the bearish price action, large investors remain active buyers. Michael Saylor's Strategy company announced on January 20 that it had purchased 22,305 BTC for approximately $2.13 billion. This acquisition demonstrates continued institutional confidence in Bitcoin's long-term value proposition.

Robert Kiyosaki, author of "Rich Dad Poor Dad," publicly stated he remains unbothered by Bitcoin's price volatility. He also mentioned gold and silver in his recent social media post, expressing conviction that he will continue accumulating BTC regardless of short-term price movements. Kiyosaki cited concerns about economic stability as his primary motivation for holding hard assets.

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Newton Gitonga covers cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and digital finance. He specializes in breaking down complex trends with clear, data-driven reporting. His work focuses on market analysis, technical insights, and the evolving role of altcoins in shaping global markets.

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70% of Institutions Say Bitcoin is Undervalued Despite 30% Crash – Bitcoin About to Rally?

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Most institutional investors remain bullish on Bitcoin despite brutal fourth-quarter volatility that erased nearly a third of the asset’s value from recent peaks.

A new Coinbase Institutional and Glassnode survey found 70% of institutions view BTC as undervalued, even after the token dropped from above $125,000 in early October 2025 to trade around $90,000 by year-end, while 60% of non-institutional investors share that conviction.

Source: Coinbase InstitutionalThe findings come from a quarterly poll of 148 global investors, split between 75 institutions and 73 non-institutions, conducted between December 10, 2025, and January 12, 2026.

Despite the October liquidation event that shook altcoin markets and compressed leverage across derivatives platforms, most respondents held or added to crypto positions rather than retreating.

Around 62% of institutions and 70% of non-institutions either maintained existing allocations or increased net long exposure since October.

Source: Coinbase InstitutionalBearish Sentiment Rises, But Doesn’t Dominate PositioningPerceptions of the market cycle shifted noticeably during the quarter.

Around 26% of institutions and 21% of non-institutions now believe crypto has entered the bear-market markdown phase, up sharply from just 2% and 7%, respectively, in the prior survey.

Source: Coinbase InstitutionalThat shift exposes the weight of October’s deleveraging event, which saw the Altcoin Season Index plummet and mid-cap tokens struggle to recover their third-quarter gains despite the launch of several spot altcoin ETFs in the US.

Still, the uptick in bearish views did not translate into widespread selling. Most investors stuck with their positions, and sentiment toward Bitcoin specifically remained constructive.

“We have a constructive view for 1Q26,” Coinbase Global Head of Research David Duong wrote in the report. “We believe that crypto markets are entering 2026 in a healthier state, with excess leverage having been flushed from the system in Q4.“

Bitcoin dominance held relatively steady through the turbulence, rising only marginally from 58% to 59% over the quarter, a sign that institutional capital continued to favor the largest digital asset even as smaller tokens faced sustained selling pressure.

Source: Coinbase InstitutionalOpen interest in BTC options overtook perpetual futures as market participants sought downside protection, with the 25-day put-call skew staying positive across 30-day, 90-day, and 180-day expiries.

Source: Coinbase InstitutionalCoinbase Survey Points to Macro Support and Policy ProgressSeveral factors underpinned the optimistic outlook. Inflation held steady at 2.7% in December’s Consumer Price Index reading, and the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model projected robust 5.3% real GDP growth for the fourth quarter as of January 14.

While the future direction of monetary policy remained uncertain, Duong said the firm still expects the Federal Reserve to deliver two rate cuts totaling 50 basis points currently priced into Fed funds futures, “which should provide a tailwind for risk assets broadly and crypto specifically.“

Questions about comprehensive crypto market structure legislation persist, but confidence in eventual regulatory clarity stayed firm.

“We’re confident that we will eventually see a set of rules that allows the industry to reach its full potential,” the report stated, noting that major policy progress in the US, particularly around the proposed CLARITY Act, could boost investor sentiment further.

Beyond the survey, separate data shows institutional engagement deepening across channels.

A recent Bitwise and VettaFi poll found 32% of financial advisors allocated to crypto in client accounts during 2025, up from 22% in 2024, with registered investment advisors leading at 42%.

Similarly, a separate Coinbase survey found that younger US investors now allocate 25% of their portfolios to non-traditional assets, compared with 8% among older cohorts.

Risks Remain, But Long-Term Trajectory HoldsThe Coinbase report acknowledged headwinds. While the economy appears solid, the jobs market cooled in 2025, with the US adding just 584,000 positions, down from 2 million in 2024, partly due to increased AI adoption.

Geopolitical tensions have flared in several regions, and any escalation that disrupts energy markets could dampen investor appetite.

“A meaningful uptick in inflation, a spike in energy prices, or a significant flare up of geopolitical tensions could warrant a more cautious approach to risk assets,” the report warned.

Still, onchain metrics improved after October’s shakeout. Bitcoin supply moved within three months, surged 37% in the fourth quarter, while coins unmoved for over a year fell 2%, indicating short-term distribution that likely cleared weaker hands.

Source: Coinbase InstitutionalEthereum’s Net Unrealized Profit/Loss ratio swung sharply through 2025, hitting capitulation in the first quarter, then rising to optimism in the third quarter, and settling back into fear territory by year-end.

Source: Coinbase InstitutionalDespite recent ETF outflows totaling $1.62 billion over four trading days and Bitcoin slipping below $90,000, institutional conviction appears durable. As Duong put it, “crypto markets are entering 2026 in a healthier state.”

2 mins mins

In Brief Metaplanet stock drops 7% after reporting a $680M bitcoin accounting impairment. Company posts non-cash losses while maintaining strong revenue and profit forecasts. Metaplanet holds over 35,000 bitcoin and projects higher income for fiscal 2026. Metaplanet shares fell sharply after the company reported a large bitcoin-related impairment in its latest financial disclosure. The Tokyo-listed bitcoin treasury firm recorded significant paper losses, which weighed on investor sentiment and share performance.

According to Yahoo Finance, Metaplanet’s stock fell more than 7% following the report. The decline followed weeks of sideways trading and came immediately after the financial update.

Metaplanet Inc Chart | Source: Yahoo Finance The company reported an impairment loss of 104.6 billion yen ($680 million) tied to bitcoin price volatility in December 2025. This accounting adjustment reflected lower market prices rather than any reduction in actual bitcoin holdings.

*Notice Regarding Revision of Full-Year Earnings Forecast for Fiscal Year Ending December 2025, Recording of Bitcoin Impairment Loss, and Announcement of Full-Year Earnings Forecast for Fiscal Year Ending December 2026* pic.twitter.com/VIKYRYb981

— Metaplanet Inc. (@Metaplanet) January 26, 2026 Metaplanet clarified that the impairment is non-cash and does not affect operations or liquidity.
However, the figures translated into a consolidated ordinary loss of 98.6 billion yen ($640 million).

The firm also projected a consolidated net loss of 76.6 billion yen ($498 million) for the fiscal year. Management attributed the losses solely to accounting treatment under Japanese reporting standards.

Metaplanet ended 2025 holding 35,102 bitcoin, up significantly from the previous year.
Bitcoin traded well below the firm’s average acquisition price at year’s end.

Strategy Shifts and Forecast Revisions Shape Investor Outlook Despite the impairment, Metaplanet raised its full-year revenue forecast for fiscal 2025. Revenue expectations increased to 8.9 billion yen ($57.8 million), exceeding earlier guidance.

The company also lifted its operating profit forecast to 6.3 billion yen ($41 million).
Management credited stronger performance from its bitcoin income generation business.

That business applies structured options strategies using bitcoin as collateral. The firm also expanded funding flexibility through preferred equity issuance and a $500 million credit facility.

For fiscal 2026, Metaplanet forecast revenue of 16 billion yen ($104 million). Operating income is expected to reach 11.4 billion yen ($74 million).

The company did not issue net income guidance due to bitcoin price volatility. Management emphasized that accounting swings do not reflect underlying business strength.

Metaplanet last reported a bitcoin purchase in late December 2025. The firm plans to release final fiscal results in mid-February as investors monitor market conditions.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.

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A sweeping U.S. winter storm has forced a sharp pullback in bitcoin mining activity, knocking a significant share of the network’s computing power offline as operators curtail electricity use to ease pressure on strained power grids.

The storm, named Fernan, has driven extreme cold, snow, and ice across large parts of the country, leaving more than one million residents without power and prompting grid operators to issue conservation alerts.

During the extreme weather, Foundry USA — the largest bitcoin mining pool by hashrate — has seen its connected computing power drop by roughly 60% since Friday. Data from miningpoolstats.stream shows Foundry USA’s hashrate falling from a recent peak near 328 exahashes per second (EH/s) to about 139 EH/s. Foundry currently accounts for roughly 23% of the global mining pool hashrate market share, according to The Block’s data.

Hashrate refers to the amount of computing power dedicated to securing the Bitcoin network and processing transactions. When large amounts of hashrate drop offline, blocks are produced more slowly until the network’s automated difficulty adjustment rebalances mining incentives.

In total, an estimated 200 EH/s has gone offline across the network, pushing average bitcoin block times above the protocol’s 10-minute target. Mempool data shows average block times climbing to roughly 12.4 minutes, with the next bitcoin difficulty adjustment currently estimated at a 15% downward reset — a mechanism designed to restore block production cadence after sustained hashrate declines.

Other U.S.-focused pools have also been affected. Luxor, another major North American mining pool, saw its hashrate fall from roughly 45 EH/s to around 26 EH/s over the same period. Smaller declines have also been observed at Antpool and Binance Pool, suggesting total curtailments may exceed 110 EH/s, even though those pools are less concentrated in the U.S.

Flexible bitcoin power needs The pullback reflects a growing pattern in which bitcoin miners act as flexible, interruptible loads during periods of extreme weather.

Many large-scale mining operations participate in demand-response programs, allowing them to rapidly shut down rigs, sell power back to the grid, or avoid operating during peak pricing periods — receiving compensation or energy credits for doing so — in order to stabilize the electricity system.

The Block has documented similar episodes in past weather-driven disruptions. In early 2024, bitcoin mining hashrate fell by an estimated 25% during large-scale curtailments in Texas as miners powered down to relieve grid stress. More recently, a bout of extreme cold in the U.S. contributed to Bitcoin’s first negative difficulty adjustment in four months, underscoring how weather shocks can temporarily reshape network conditions.

The contrast with earlier grid crises is notable. During Texas’s February 2021 Winter Storm Uri, large-scale crypto mining was far less integrated into grid management. Since then, Texas and other U.S. regions have added substantial large-load capacity, much of it tied to bitcoin mining and data center operations designed to ramp consumption up or down quickly.

For the Bitcoin network, the slowdown remains mechanical rather than structural. Once weather conditions ease and miners reconnect equipment, hashrate is expected to rebound, restoring block times and reinforcing miners’ role as both industrial consumers and shock absorbers during periods of grid stress.

It’s important to note that this flexible-load model may face limits over time as portions of the mining sector increasingly diversify into artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. Unlike bitcoin mining, those workloads are often less tolerant of sudden curtailment, potentially altering how future data centers interact with power markets during periods of stress.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao predicts a Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) super cycle in 2026, saying the four-year cycle “will probably break” as the U.S. goes pro-crypto.

CZ Calls Bitcoin Super Cycle For 2026During an exclusive interview with CNBC at Davos last Thursday, Zhao said he has “very strong feelings” that 2026 will be a super cycle for Bitcoin—breaking the traditional four-year boom-and-bust pattern.

He explained that Bitcoin historically follows four-year cycles with an all-time high followed by a drop. But this year is different because the U.S. is pro-crypto and other countries are following that lead.

Zhao doesn’t trade, saying he holds Bitcoin and BNB (CRYPTO: BNB) without attempting to time the market.

On a multi-year view, CZ is confident Bitcoin is headed higher, calling the direction “very easy to predict” over a five to ten year horizon.

Binance US Is Coming BackZhao confirmed Binance US is preparing a comeback after the SEC dropped its lawsuit “with prejudice”—meaning it cannot be brought back.

“The business got destroyed. They lost the banking channels in 2023 after the SEC lawsuit. But now they got a banking channel back,” Zhao said.

Moreover, Binance US has a “huge cost fee advantage” over competitors like Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) due to a much lower cost structure, allowing it to offer much lower fees.

Zhao saw Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong in Davos and said the space needs multiple exchanges for competition to benefit consumers.

Trump Pardon: No Connection To World Liberty FinancialZhao also addressed controversy around his October 2025 pardon, denying any connection to Binance’s relationship with the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial (CRYPTO: WLFI) crypto venture.

“Based on my knowledge, there’s really no connection,” he said.

He clarified that MGX’s $2 billion payment to Binance in USD1 stablecoin was a transaction payment, not an investment in World Liberty Financial. 

Binance converted portions of the payment immediately and never intended to hold the full amount.

Zhao has never met Trump directly and said he’s never talked to him or shaken hands with him.

Prison And RegretsZhaoserved four months in prison in 2024 after pleading guilty to enabling money laundering. His first roommate was a double murderer serving 30 years.

Asked what he’d do differently, Zhao said: “I would have blocked US users from day one.”

The pardon lifted what he called a psychological burden. He was technically a free man before but with felon status—now he’s fully free.

What Happens NextZhao owns a large but undisclosed stake in Binance and has no plans to return operationally.

He spends time working on Giggle Academy, a free education platform, and advising governments on crypto regulation.

For Bitcoin, the super cycle call sets up 2026 as a test of whether institutional adoption and regulatory clarity can override Bitcoin’s historical cyclical pattern.

Image: Shutterstock

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XRP Ledger (XRPL), the decentralized blockchain processing XRP transactions, has surpassed $1 billion in value in regard to on-chain tokenized assets and stablecoins.

New numbers mark an important milestone in XRP Ledger’s transition from a crypto-native network to institutional-grade financial infrastructure.

The growth has been primarily led by RLUSD, Ripple’s fully backed stablecoin, recently listed on Binance, with an expanding range of tokenized funds, U.S. Treasuries, and credit products adding to the momentum. 

Growing XRPL adoption Beyond stablecoins, financial institutions are increasingly using XRPL to tokenize traditional assets, signaling a shift away from speculative blockchain activity toward mainstream financial integration. 

The Ledger’s appeal lies in its ability to settle transactions quickly at minimal cost, while maintaining scalability and decentralization, which are key requirements for institutional adoption. 

Moreover, the network’s quantum-resistant Dilithium cryptography further strengthens its long-term security profile, while interoperability has positioned it as an attractive platform for regulated asset issuance. 

U.S. Treasuries on XRPL hit record highs Especially noteworthy, XRPL now hosts more than $150 million in tokenized U.S. Treasury debt, reflecting rapid growth in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. While the figure remains modest relative to larger networks, it represents a sharp 2,900% increase from roughly $5 million recorded a year ago.

Treasury debt also significantly exceeds private equity tokenization at $55.2 million, though still trailing stablecoins, which account for $392.9 million. A majority of XRPL-based Treasury tokenization is concentrated among three issuers. Namely, OpenEden Digital leads with $61.6 million through its OpenEden TBILL Vault, accounting for roughly 41% of the total. 

Nonetheless, XRPL remains a relatively small player in the broader tokenized Treasury market, as the total on-chain U.S. Treasury debt across all blockchains currently stands at approximately $10.13 billion, leaving XRPL with about 1.4% of the total net value.

Featured image via Shutterstock

In brief The crypto market saw over $750 million in liquidations over the past 24 hours, $579 million of which came from long positions. Open interest has been range-bound since January 8, signaling low participation. The chances of a Bitcoin run to $100,000 on prediction market Myriad have fallen 21% over the past week. Bitcoin’s outlook deteriorated over the weekend, with Monday volatility triggering a $750 million crypto liquidation spike.

A closer look at the data shows that over 77% of the liquidations came from long positions, according to CoinGlass data, a trend that has been dominant over the past week due to top crypto’s sustained slide lower.

Bitcoin’s drop from last week’s local top of $95,400 saw it drop to lows of $86,126 over the weekend, per CoinGecko data, before selling pressure pushed it to its current price of around as $87,700, down 1% on the day.

Derivatives participation has remained thin, with aggregate open interest—the total number of open positions—bracketed between 245,000 and 267,000 BTC since January 8, according to Velo data.

Over the past week, however, the cumulative spot and perpetual volume delta indicators have been trending lower, suggesting a sustained selling pressure from both avenues.

“Bitcoin’s weakness is driven by a clear absence of interest from large players at current levels,” Georgii Verbitskii, founder of non-custodial Web3 platform TYMIO, previously told Decrypt.

What’s driving Bitcoin’s decline?The unfolding financial crisis in Japan has emerged as a key catalyst.

A bond selloff that began last week has accelerated into a steep decline in the yen, which has been in freefall since April 2024. The downtrend intensified in the first two weeks of January, though rumors of intervention from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York have temporarily stalled the yen’s slide.

🇯🇵 YEN INTERVENTION WARNING SHAKES MARKETS

Markets are on high alert after Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned of action against “abnormal” yen moves, fueling speculation of imminent currency intervention — possibly with U.S. support.

Traders reported the New York Fed… pic.twitter.com/JQTWkX0BON

— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) January 25, 2026

The fragile macro backdrop is weighing on risk assets, with Bitcoin’s price action reflecting its growing sensitivity to traditional financial turbulence.

Users on Myriad, owned by Decrypt’s parent company Dastan, now assign a 33% chance that Bitcoin’s next major move will be toward $69,000 rather than $100,000—up from 14% on January 17.

Meanwhile, traditional safe havens are attracting capital: gold is up 2.08%, and silver has risen 1.6% on the day, underscoring the defensive rotation currently sidelining Bitcoin.

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The U.S. dollar is weakening again, and investors are watching closely. As the Dollar Index drops to a 4-month low, fears of possible yen intervention are growing. 

Historical data shows that a weaker dollar has always helped Bitcoin rise sharply, raising the question of whether this drop could spark the next Bitcoin rally.

Dollar Index Hit 4-Month Low as Yen Intervention Talk GrowsThe U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) has fallen to around 96.8, its lowest level in nearly four months. This puts the dollar more than 15% below its 2022 high, making its recent performance the weakest seen since 2017.

However, experts say that the dollar’s fall became sharper after the U.S. Federal Reserve contacted major banks to check conditions in the Japanese yen market.  Such checks are often seen as early signals of possible foreign exchange intervention. 

Soon after this, the dollar dropped quickly against the yen, moving close to 154 yen per dollar.

Even Japanese officials have also said they are ready to step in if currency moves become unusual. They confirmed they are in talks with U.S. authorities, which has increased talk of possible joint action.

What a Weaker Dollar Means for BitcoinBitcoin has often shown an inverse relationship with the U.S. dollar. When the dollar weakens, risk assets like Bitcoin tend to benefit. However, the last time the Dollar Index saw a major fall, back in 2017, Bitcoin entered a historic bull run, rising from under $200 to nearly $20,000, making a 100% rally. 

Today, a similar setup is forming.

Crypto analyst TED recently highlighted that Bitcoin’s correlation with the Japanese yen is near record highs. This means that if the yen strengthens due to intervention, Bitcoin could also see support.

In past yen intervention events, Bitcoin first saw sharp volatility, including a 29% weekly drop, followed by a strong 100% rally that doubled its price in a short time.

Arthur Hayes Sees Big Bitcoin UpsideBitmex co-founder Arthur Hayes remains strongly bullish if liquidity returns. He believes that if central banks resume balance sheet expansion, Bitcoin could climb to $200,000 by March 2026. 

In a more aggressive view, he has suggested $500,000 is possible if global money flows surge.

Despite the growing speculation, Bitcoin is currently trading near $87,615, down 1% over the last 24 hours.

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.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 26, 2026) - Prospector Metals Corp. (TSXV: PPP) (OTCQB: PMCOF) (FSE: 1ET) ("Prospector" or the "Company") today provided an update on the Company's fully funded 2026 drill campaign on the ML Project in the Yukon.

Key Point Summary:

Prospector's 2026 drilling program will include 25,000 meters. All required land use permits are in place, and three drill rigs have been secured with drilling expected to begin in May 2026.The total budget for the 2026 exploration work is estimated at approximately $15 million. Prospector currently has over $42 million in cash and cash equivalents, so the Company is well funded for this program maintaining a strong balance sheet through 2026 (See Prospector news release November 26th, 2025).Initial drilling will be focussed on the newly discovered TESS Zone (See Prospector news release October 1st, 2025). The first holes will target expansion of mineralization along trend and to depth.The 2026 drill program will also test newly generated and previously undrilled TESS "look-alike" targets which have been identified within a 4 km radius of the TESS Zone.A detailed review of the datasets that cover the 108.69, sq km ML project area following the 2025 program has identified a number of high priority drill targets which will also be tested in 2026. Key targets include Skarn Ridge, and several newly generated targets that have not been previously drill tested (See Prospector news release November 26th, 2025).TESS Zone Expansion Drilling
The first holes of the 2026 season will be drilled at the newly discovered TESS Zone. To date, two holes have been drilled at TESS and both yielded wide intervals of high-grade gold, copper, and silver, including 13.79 g/t Au, 1.84% Cu and 38.08 g/t Ag over 44m from hole ML25-31(1) and 7.29 g/t Au, 0.91% Cu and 24.98 g/t Ag over 14m from hole ML25-32(2). The TESS Zone is hosted in a near-vertical structural corridor, and our 2026 drill plan will systematically test this structure along trend and to depth. Ongoing in-house technical work is currently refining proposed final collar locations and will be reviewed and approved by the ML Technical Committee. Evaluation of the alteration, mineralization, and structural controls of the TESS - North Vein is ongoing and includes additional geochemical analysis and petrographic studies.

The TESS Zone occurs north of the historic North Vein occurrence and would not have been tested by historic drilling. At surface the TESS Zone is obscured by a thin layer of talus and is a blind discovery. Both zones are pervasively oxidized at surface and appear to have a strong association with jarosite alteration. In ML25-031, the TESS Zone consisted of an upper, sulfide rich, zone with disseminated to massive arsenopyrite-chalcopyrite-pyrite-pyrrhotite within calc-silicate to vuggy silicified and clay altered rocks with strongly Au – Cu values (14m of 4.60 g/t Au, 3.76 g/t Cu, & 74.23 g/t Ag from 62m depth(1)) and a lower, pervasively calc-silicate altered zone with black sulfidic fractures, disseminated arsenopyrite – pyrrhotite - chalcopyrite, coarse Bi-Te minerals, local visible gold, and significantly elevated Au (24.65m of 21.93 g/t Au, 1.14% Cu, and 25.58 g/t Ag from 81.35m depth(1)). Hole ML25-032 was an over-cut of ML25-031 and returned 14m of 7.29 g/t Au, 0.91% Cu, & 24.98 g/t Ag from 57.05m depth and correlates as the projection of the upper sulfide rich zone interested in ML25-031, confirming the mineralized zone is steeply dipping(2). The mineralization occurs within a broader zone of strong oxidation, fracturing, and localised brecciation with anomalous pathfinder elements (As +/- Bi +/- Cu) but low gold grades and includes the projection of the lower gold rich zone intersected in ML25-031. The current interpretation is that mineralization on the TESS - North Vein is structurally controlled along ENE trending, steeply dipping, zones of fracturing and brecciation. It is also anticipated that the zones of mineralization will have a plunge controlled by the intersection of the structural zones with host lithologies and/or other structures.

Figure 1: Cross-section of ML25-031 & -032 on TESS - North Vein looking East

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1564/281569_01ee5adc24de2b37_002full.jpg

Drill Testing TESS "look-alike" Targets
The TESS Zone displays a distinct geological, geophysical and geochemical signature that we can use to search for additional "look-alike" zones. The Prospector technical team has identified several priority drill targets within a roughly 4km radius of TESS based on criteria such as rock geochemistry, alteration, and structural setting.

Mineralization at the TESS - North Vein is pervasively oxidized at/near surface and appears to have a strong association with jarosite alteration and other iron oxide minerals, which is coincident with strong linear features interpreted as mineralized structures. Within the broader Java - TESS area there are multiple other jarosite and iron-oxide anomalies with associated structural trends and a significant population of rock and soil samples with strongly elevated Au (>5 g/t) with a similar geochemical association as TESS - North Vein. Each of these targets are currently being classified and ranked for follow up field investigation and, ultimately, drill testing.

Figure 2: Plan map of Java - TESS - North Vein area with gold in rocks and jarosite alteration from WorldView-3 satellite imagery.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1564/281569_01ee5adc24de2b37_003full.jpg

Skarn Ridge
Skarn Ridge is located 4km to the south of TESS, it has been significantly drilled and has lots of mineralized space between it and TESS. Drilling in 2025 at Skarn Ridge successfully identified several closely spaced gold zones hosted in near vertical structural panels. Key intercepts from 2025 include 45.65m of 2.11 g/t Au & 0.48% Cu from 44m depth (ML25-010)(3); 25m of 2.97 g/t Au from 137m depth (ML25-014)(4); and 27m of 2.04 g/t Au & 0.42% from 24m depth and 19m of 4.33 g/t Au & 0.5% Cu from 57m depth (ML25-024)(2). Gold-bearing structures at Skarn Ridge occur parallel to each other and are open along trend and to depth. Drilling in 2026 will test both the strike and depth extent of mineralized corridors identified during the 2025 drill program and test the potential for additional, subparallel, zones of mineralization on the broader Skarn Ridge target. Ongoing studies at Skarn Ridge include additional geochemical analysis, petrographic studies, and structural-lithologic analysis of drill core and oriented core data to aid in assessment of potential plunge controls on mineralized zones.

Mineralization on Skarn Ridge, and the Bueno target on trend to the south, is hosted within a series of north-northeast trending, steeply dipping, structural zones and associated splays. Individual mineralized trends range from 1-2m wide up to 44m wide and can be traced in multiple drill holes (i.e. ML-10-13 and 22-25) The corridor has now been traced over 1.5km along strike and has over 600m of vertical continuity. The 2025 drilling at Skarn Ridge - Bueno successfully confirmed key structural interpretations for the ML Project resulting in a new exploration model that can be applied project-wide Within the structural corridors, gold mineralization is noted in every rock type on the Skarn Ridge - Bueno Trend and is best developed within strongly fractured/brecciated calc-silicate altered and/or iron rich units, and along lithologic contacts. The gold mineralization is, locally, coincident with significant copper mineralization, however, the gold and copper mineralizing events appear to be independent of each other. Gold is focused within structural corridors and is strongly associated with bismuth and tellurium mineralization, whereas copper is more broadly distributed and only occurs within strongly calc-silicate altered units.

Figure 3: Cross-sections of ML25-012/-013 (top), ML25-010/-011 (upper middle), ML25-022/-023 (lower middle), & ML25-024/-025 (bottom).

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New Greenfield Drill Targets
In addition to the Java - TESS - North Vein and Skarn Ridge targets discussed above, numerous other prospects are known on the project; many of which have received little to no follow up work. In addition, large portions of the project are un/under explored and there is significant potential for new discoveries. An example of this potential is the discovery of the Rubble North target during the 2025 prospecting efforts which returned samples of 57.8 g/t Au and 109 g/t Au from strongly silicified and brecciated siliciclastic rocks with quartz – arsenopyrite veins and are associated with strongly elevated As, Bi, and Te(4). The area lies approx. 750m north of Skarn Ridge and was targeted based on the projection of mineralized structures on Skarn Ridge to the NNE. This is significant because it demonstrates the potential for both strong vertical and lateral continuity on mineralized structural trends across the project. Assessment of the targets is ongoing and plans for follow up work will including additional rock sampling & prospecting, geologic mapping, additional soils and/or ground based geophysical surveys, and drill testing as warranted.

Most of the historic exploration efforts on the ML Project have focused on high-grade Au-Cu+/-Ag occurrences within thermally altered sediments on the margins of intrusive bodies and/or dikes and sills. Only minor exploration efforts been performed for "classic" reduced intrusion related gold system (RIRGS) sheeted vein style mineralization which is more typical of known deposits throughout the Tombstone belt including Dublin Gulch/Eagle, Snowline Gold's Rouge, and Sitka Gold's RC/Clear Creek project, among others. Currently, there are five mapped intrusive bodies on the project and include the Anvil, Fishbowl, Mike Lake, Lorrie Lake, and Bear stocks; five of which have known occurrences of sheeted vein style mineralization with anomalous Au (+/-Cu) and an associated As-Bi-Te geochemical signature. Additionally, modelled geophysical data on the project including magnetic susceptibility and gravity indicate strong potential additional "blind" intrusive bodies at shallow depths (<1km). Evaluating the project for intrusion hosted mineralization will be a priority for the 2026 season and current efforts to aid targeting include evaluation of existing geochemical datasets, detailed assessment of geophysical datasets, regional – target scale lithologic and structural interpretations, and petrographic studies.

Figure 4: ML Project Target Areas

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(1) See the Companies news release dated Oct. 1, 2025.
(2) See the Companies news release dated Nov. 26, 2025.
(3) See the Companies news release dated Sept. 2, 2025.
(4) See the Companies news release dated Oct. 20, 2025.

Qualified Person
The technical content disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Jodie Gibson, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of Prospector, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument NI 43-101 ("NI 43-101").

About Prospector Metals Corp.
Prospector Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. The Company is focused on district scale, early-stage exploration of gold and base metal prospects. Prospector currently has over $42 million in cash and cash equivalents. Creating shareholder value through new discoveries, the Company identifies underexplored or overlooked mineral districts displaying important structural and mineralogical occurrences similar to more established mining operations. The majority of acquisition activity occurs in Yukon and Ontario, Canada – Historical mining jurisdictions with an abundance of overlooked geological regions possessing high mineral potential. Prospector establishes and maintains relationships with local and Indigenous rightsholders and seeks to develop partnerships and agreements that are mutually beneficial to all interested parties.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Prospector Metals Corp.

Prospector Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions:

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to,the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects, including the ML Project, and the timing related thereto of the drill program, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, and other project opportunities. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281569

Source: Prospector Metals Corp.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 26, 2026) - Optimi Health Corp. (CSE: OPTI) (OTCQX: OPTHF) (FSE: 8BN) ("Optimi" or the "Company"), a Health Canada-licensed manufacturer of pharmaceutical psychedelic drug products, today reported that it has completed a production cycle for its MDMA and psilocybin capsules intended for supply into Australia under the Authorised Prescriber Scheme.

The completed batch consists of 1,000 MDMA capsules in a 60 mg dosage form and 1,000 naturally derived psilocybin capsules in a 5 mg dosage form. Final packaging, labelling, and batch release were completed in accordance with Optimi's Drug Establishment Licence issued by Health Canada. The capsules are GMP-compliant and supported by Certificates of Analysis confirming conformance with applicable quality specifications, following receipt of the required Australian import permits.

"This production run has been released and approved for import, allowing Optimi to continue supplying MDMA and psilocybin into Australia's regulated healthcare system," said Dane Stevens, Chief Executive Officer of Optimi Health. "Completing this first production cycle of 2026 positions us to expand access across the country for patients suffering from PTSD and TRD."

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) represent significant unmet medical needs in Australia. National data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate that approximately 5-6% of Australians experience PTSD in a given year, representing roughly 1.3 to 1.5 million people. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, more than 1.3 million Australians are affected by depressive disorders, and clinical research suggests that around one-third of individuals with major depressive disorder do not respond adequately to standard treatments.

Australian clinics, hospital networks, and programs operating under the Authorised Prescriber Scheme may seek information regarding access through Mind Medicine Australia at [email protected]. For global inquiries outside of Australia, please contact the Company at [email protected].

About Optimi Health Corp.

Optimi Health Corp. (CSE: OPTI) (OTCQX: OPTHF) (FSE: 8BN) is a leading producer of prescribed psychedelic treatments for mental health therapies. As a Health Canada-licensed, GMP compliant pharmaceutical manufacturer producing validated MDMA and botanical psilocybin products from two 10,000-square-foot facilities in British Columbia, Optimi supplies active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage forms to regulated channels, with products currently in market for prescription use in Australia via the Authorized Prescriber Scheme and accessible in Canada through the Special Access Program. For more information, please visit www.optimihealth.ca.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including with respect to the role of psychedelic medicines in insured mental health care. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies, certain of which are unknown. 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. These statements may involve estimates, assumptions, and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and 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 risk factors include but are not limited to those factors which are discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings available under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Except as expressly required by applicable law, 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 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. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281580

Source: Optimi Health Corp.

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 26, 2026 / New America Acquisition I Corp. (NYSE:NWAXU) (the "Company"), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced that, commencing on January 26, 2026, holders of the units (the "Units") sold in the Company's initial public offering may elect to separately trade the Company's shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share ("Class A Common Stock"), and redeemable warrants ("Warrants") included in the Units.

Shares of Class A Common Stock and Warrants received from the separated Units will trade on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbols "NWAX" and "NWAXW," respectively. Units that are not separated will continue to trade on NYSE under the symbol "NWAXU." No fractional Warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units, and only whole Warrants will trade. Holders of Units will need to have their brokers contact Odyssey Transfer and Trust Company, the Company's transfer agent, in order to separate the Units into shares of Class A Common Stock and Warrants.

The Units were initially offered by the Company in an underwritten offering. Dominari Securities LLC ("Dominari Securities") and D. Boral Capital LLC ("D. Boral Capital") acted as co-book-running managers for the offering. Copies of the prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained free of charge by visiting EDGAR on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") at www.sec.gov or from Dominari Securities by email at [email protected], by standard mail to Dominari Securities LLC, 725 Fifth Avenue, 23rd Floor New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at +1 (212) 393-4500; or from D. Boral Capital, Attention: Compliance Department, 590 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, via email at [email protected] or telephone at +1 (212) 970-5150.

The registration statement relating to the securities of the Company became effective on November 19, 2025, in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About New America Acquisition I Corp

New America Acquisition I Corp is a blank-check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company intends to target established U.S.-based companies that contribute to industrial capacity, technological innovation, and economic resilience, with a focus on automation, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and energy systems. Learn more at https://newamericaacquisition.com/

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and include statements regarding the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's registration statement and final prospectus for the Company's initial public offering filed with the SEC, which could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Copies of these documents are available on the SEC's website, at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this press release, except as required by law. No assurance can be given that the Company will ultimately complete a business combination transaction.

Contact New America Acquisition I Corp.:
Brian S. Siegel, IRC®, M.B.A.
Senior Managing Director
Hayden IR - Chicago
(346) 396-8696 (o)
[email protected]

SOURCE: New America Acquisition I Corp.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Farmmi, Inc. (NASDAQ: FAMI) ("Farmmi" or the "Company"), today announced the establishment of a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Bluesage Marketing Inc, which will conduct marketing business. This marks the Company's latest strategic development and the first step in its entry into the AI-driven digital marketing industry.

Strategic Significance: The Leap from "Product Supply" to "Commercial Enablement"

The Company considers an entry into the digital marketing industry represents a milestone for Farmmi. It will extend the Company's business landscape from traditional supply chain services to the top of the value chain: brand building and customer acquisition.

Forging a New Growth Engine: Upon the integration of advanced AI and Big Data analytics technologies in its operations, Bluesage will be positioned to provide cross-border marketing solutions for its clients and contribute to the Company's overall profitability through digital services.

Building a Complete Ecosystem: The new business aims to connect "backend logistics fulfillment" with "frontend customer acquisition," and enhance the platform's customer stickiness and competitiveness with respect to customer acquisition.

Ms. Yefang Zhang, CEO of Farmmi, Inc., commented:

"The establishment of Bluesage Marketing Inc. marks Farmmi's U.S. operational expansion from downstream logistics services to a more complete supply chain system featuring 'Smart Logistics + Smart Marketing.' Through this strategic extension, we are hopeful that Farmmi will be able to provide global clients with end-to-end full-chain empowerment ranging from logistics to sales."

About Farmmi, Inc.

Founded in 1998, Farmmi, Inc. (Nasdaq: FAMI) is an agricultural products supplier, distributor and logistics service provider, with a focus on edible mushrooms (including shiitake and wood ear mushrooms) and other agricultural products. The Company distributes high-quality agricultural goods to the global markets primarily through its established distribution channels. For more information, please visit the Farmmi official website.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Such offers may only be made in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

Certain statements in this press release regarding the Company's future growth prospects are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: our ability to secure financing on favorable terms, customer order fulfillment, earnings volatility, exchange rate fluctuations, our ability to manage growth, the ability to generate revenue from business expansion and acquisitions, our ability to attract and retain qualified professionals, customer concentration, segment concentration, and other factors affecting the general economic conditions of the industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at www.sec.gov. Farmmi may also make additional forward-looking statements from time to time in written or oral form, including in filings with the SEC and in reports to shareholders. Please note that all forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions believed to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

For more information, please contact: 

Farmmi, Inc.
Investor Relations
Tel: +86-0578-82612876
[email protected]

SOURCE Farmmi, Inc.

, /PRNewswire/ - Blue Moon Metals Inc. ("Blue Moon" or the "Company") (TSXV: MOON) (Z: BMM) (Frankfurt: 8SX0), today announced that on Monday January 26th, its common shares will commence trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "BMM". The common shares will continue to trade on the TSXV Venture Exchange under the symbol "MOON" and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "8SX0" but will no longer trade on the OTCQX under the symbol "BMOOF". Upon commencement of trading on the Nasdaq shareholders are not required to take any action; however, shareholders who purchased shares on OTCQX are encouraged to monitor their brokerage accounts to ensure holdings are correctly reflected in respect of the Nasdaq listing. In support of this next phase, the Company has appointed Peter Madsen to the Board of Directors with his term to commence concurrent with the Nasdaq listing.

BLUE MOON METALS TO BEGIN TRADING ON NASDAQ UNDER BMM AND APPOINTS PETER MADSEN TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (CNW Group/Blue Moon Metals) The Nasdaq listing marks an important milestone for the Company, increasing its visibility among global investors and broadening access to the U.S. capital markets. Trading on Nasdaq is expected to support the Company's continued growth and long-term strategic objectives.

"Our Nasdaq listing represents a significant step forward for Blue Moon Metals," said Christian Kargl-Simard, CEO. "It strengthens our presence in the U.S. market and provides additional opportunities to engage with a wider investor base. We are also please to announce the appointment of Peter Madsen to the Board of Directors. Peter's experience and expertise will be invaluable in supporting our U.S. growth strategy. Blue Moon's growth strategy in the U.S. is anchored by the previously announced acquisition of the Springer processing plant located in Nevada, which we expect to complete shortly. The Springer processing hub will treat the high-grade copper-zinc-gold-silver ores from the Blue Moon Mine located in Mariposa County, California where current activities include the development of an exploration decline. We also expect to upgrade the historical Springer tungsten-molybdenum resources with a view to redeveloping the mine. In addition, Blue Moon is looking to acquire other high grade critical metals underground mines in the Western United States that can be developed quickly with ore transported to Springer and processed there. With Oaktree Capital Management and Hartree Partners LP as our largest shareholder group, we expect significant U.S. shareholder growth and liquidity improvement during 2026."

Peter Madsen, a U.S. based Director, is a seasoned finance professional with over four decades of experience in financial markets both on the sell and buy side. Peter began his career at L.F Rothschild in 1984 and went with colleagues to the mortgage unit at Bear Stearns in 1985. Peter rose to Senior Managing Director at the age of 29 and was there until 1995 when he departed to become Chief Investment Officer of a large family office named Alpha Investment Management. After six years he left to manage his own family office. Peter joined Countrywide Alternative Asset Management at the outset of the 2008 financial crisis and ran a capital structure arbitrage product. Peter is now a Senior Managing Director at U.S. Brokerage firm Deer Isle Capital where he works on strategic capital formation for asset managers and corporations. Peter holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Colorado Boulder.

About Blue Moon

Blue Moon is advancing 3 brownfield polymetallic projects, including the Nussir copper-gold-silver project in Norway, the NSG copper-zinc-gold-silver project in Norway and the Blue Moon zinc-gold-silver-copper project in the United States. All 3 projects are well located with existing local infrastructure including roads, power and historical infrastructure. Zinc and copper are currently on the USGS and EU list of metals critical to the global economy and national security. Major shareholders include Oaktree Capital Management, Hartree Partners LP, Wheaton Precious Metals, Altius Minerals Corporation, Baker Steel Resources Trust, LNS and Monial. More information is available on the Company's website (www.bluemoonmetals.com).

Neither 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 release.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this news release contains forward looking information pertaining to the following: the completion of the Springer Mine and Mill transaction; expected benefits and synergies from the Springer Mine and Mill transaction; production estimates and growth in reserve and resources of the Springer Mine and Mill; successful operation of the Springer Mine and Mill; continued testing, exploration, mining and advancement of Blue Moon's operations across multiple jurisdictions; conversion of the Springer Mine and Mill to support Blue Moon mining operations; mineral price expectations; further acquisitions of additional assets; and other matters ancillary or incidental to the foregoing.

A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information or could cause the Company's current objectives, strategies and intentions to change. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the completion of the Springer Mine and Mill transaction; integration of Springer Mine and Mill operations; risks associated with mining operations in Nevada and California; regulatory and permitting risks at the state and federal level; and management's ability to anticipate and manage the factors and risks referred to herein. A comprehensive discussion of other risks that impact Blue Moon can also be found in its public reports and filings which are available at www.sedarplus.ca and on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. 

The forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Blue Moon's management, including but not limited to: expectations concerning prevailing commodity prices; the ability to obtain, renew and extend permits as required; estimates of reserves and resources various sites; the completion of the Springer Mine and Mill transaction; the integration of the Springer Mine and Mill operations; the realization of expected synergies and benefits from the Transaction.

Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents management's current expectations and are based on information currently available to management, and are subject to change after the date of this news release. Accordingly, the Company warns investors to exercise caution when considering statements containing forward-looking information and that it would be unreasonable to rely on such statements as creating legal rights regarding the Company's future results or plans.

The Company cannot guarantee that any forward-looking information will materialize and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information. The Company is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation) to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. All of the forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by the cautionary statements herein.

SOURCE Blue Moon Metals

Gaming Platform Leader Deploys Advanced Payment Systems, AI-Driven Marketing, and Enterprise CRM to Enhance User Experience

, /PRNewswire/ -- VIP Play, Inc. (OTCQB: VIPZ), is an first AI-first sports entertainment and fan engagement company, pioneering the future of interactive sports experiences, today announced the successful completion of a comprehensive technology upgrade initiative spanning payment processing, digital infrastructure, and customer engagement capabilities designed to accelerate growth and improve user retention.

The multi-phase deployment, executed over recent months, represents a key operational milestone for VIP Play Inc. as the company scales its platform and expands its market presence.

Key Technology Upgrades Include:

Executive Leadership Enhancement: On October 15, 2025, executive directors from Black Fire Innovation, the #1 Gaming Research & Innovation Center, joined VIP Play, Inc., bringing world-class gaming research and innovation expertise to the organization. Digital Platform Modernization: Launch of a completely redesigned VIP Play, Inc. website on November 5, 2025, delivering enhanced user experience and functionality. Marketing & Brand Innovation: Deployment of influencer and AI-driven marketing programs generating 142,000–481,000 views per campaign, with aggressive influencer and referral programs driving brand awareness. A potential"Beat AI" campaign is planned for Q1 2026. Customer Engagement Technology: Hootsuite-powered social media management capability deployed November 10, 2025, followed by an enhanced customer retention program on November 14, 2025. Enterprise CRM Implementation: HubSpot CRM deployed on January 26, 2026, to provide advanced customer relationship management and data-driven insights. "These advancements mark a transformative shift in how VIP Play, Inc. delivers value to customers and accelerates our long-term growth trajectory," said Les Ottolenghi, Chief Executive Officer of VIP Play, Inc. "By integrating top-tier gaming research expertise with enterprise-level CRM, and AI systems, we are building a next-generation platform capable of deeper engagement, smarter personalization, and sustained operational performance. Our AI-powered marketing engine and upcoming 2026 campaigns represent the next frontier of our innovation roadmap."

The Company's strategic focus on reactivating dormant users—supported by upgraded  payment capabilities and data-driven retention programs—reinforces our commitment to  increasing customer lifetime value and expanding its engaged user base.

About VIP Play, Inc.

VIP Play, Inc. (OTCQB: VIPZ) is an AI-first sports entertainment and fan engagement  company, pioneering the future of interactive sports experiences. By blending artificial intelligence with mobile sports wagering, sweepstakes, and immersive fan features, VIP Play, Inc. delivers more than a mobile sportsbook in Tennessee; it creates a dynamic community where fans can connect, compete, and celebrate the games they love.

VIP Play, Inc. integrates AI-powered personalization, predictive insights, and social  interactivity into every touchpoint. The company's AI-driven roadmap ensures secure, data-centric, and responsible fan experiences while meeting the highest compliance standards. Visit https://vipplayinc.com to learn more.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the  Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, and projections about the future of Vip Play, Inc. and its business operations. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our expectations about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on  our business model, market growth, revenue potential, technological advancements, product developments, and our strategies for expanding into new markets.

Words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "should," "will," "could," "may," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

The potential limitations or challenges associated with the deployment and scalability of AI technologies; Evolving regulatory and compliance requirements related to AI and data privacy; Competitive pressures in the rapidly evolving AI industry; Market adoption and customer acceptance of AI-based products and solutions; Technological risks, including cybersecurity threats, data breaches, or failures of AI systems; The ability to attract and retain talent with the necessary expertise in AI and machine learning; Changes in economic conditions, customer preferences, and market demand; and Other factors described in VIP Play Inc. periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Changes in gaming regulations and laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate; Our ability to maintain compliance with evolving regulatory requirements; The effectiveness of our risk management and compliance frameworks; Our ability to implement and maintain internal controls and governance structures; Competition in the online gaming industry; Our ability to maintain our technology infrastructure and protect against cybersecurity threats; Economic conditions that may adversely affect consumer spending; Our ability to attract and retain qualified compliance and management personnel; Changes in consumer preferences and gaming trends; Regulatory actions or investigations that could impact our operations or reputation. These forward-looking statements reflect our beliefs and assumptions only as of the  date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance.

SOURCE VIP Play, Inc.

January 26, 2026 07:00 ET  | Source: SPRINGVIEW HOLDINGS LTD

Singapore, Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Springview Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: SPHL) (the “Company”), through its wholly owned operating subsidiary Springview Enterprises Pte. Ltd., today announced that it has entered into an arrangement where it has secured exclusive patent license and intellectual property (“IP”) development rights to a portfolio of proprietary drainage connection technologies for Singapore and Southeast Asia.

Under the arrangement, Springview obtained exclusive, royalty-free and sublicensable rights to use, develop and commercialize certain patented drainage connection technologies, together with contractual rights relating to a pending Singapore patent application, inventor know-how and all locally developed improvements (“Licensed Technology”). The arrangement is structured to deliver long-term exclusivity and ownership outcomes equivalent to direct patent ownership within the licensed territory.

Unlocking a Smarter Way to Build in a Growing Regional Construction Market

Southeast Asia continues to experience high levels of construction and infrastructure activity, driven by urbanization, public housing programs and tightening standards for water management and building performance. In Singapore, the push for higher build quality, durability and lifecycle efficiency is accelerating demand for compliant, standardized and scalable solutions that reduce rework and site complexity.

The Licensed Technology focuses on modular, pre-embedded drainage connection devices designed to:

Streamline installation efficiency and reduce on-site construction complexity,Improve long-term system reliability and performance andSupport consistent, repeatable outcomes across residential, commercial and infrastructure projects.
Springview believes this technology may be integrated into a wide range of building types and prefabricated elements where consistency, compliance and construction efficiency are critical.

IP Driven Platform for Regional Expansion

The arrangement positions Springview to build an IP driven platform in Singapore and the broader Southeast Asian markets. Under the arrangement, Springview will retain ownership of all improvements and new intellectual property developed locally in connection with the Licensed Technology, creating a scalable foundation for:

Product localization and regulatory alignment in Singapore,Selective expansion into Southeast Asian markets,Collaboration with developers, contractors and prefabrication partners, andLong-term value creation anchored on IP technology. Springview intends to evaluate commercialization pathways in line with market demand and regulatory requirements, while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital deployment and risk management.

Strengthening Competitive Edge and Shareholder Value

Springview views this transaction as a strategic step in sharpening its technology differentiation and competitive positioning within the construction value chain. By securing exclusive rights over patents, know-how and future developments relating to the Licensed Technology, the Company aims to drive more sustainable growth, enhance margin resilience and support long-term shareholder value creation as construction markets in Singapore and Southeast Asia continue to evolve.

About Springview Holdings Ltd

Springview Holdings Ltd (Nasdaq: SPHL), through its wholly owned operating subsidiary, Springview Enterprises Pte. Ltd., designs and constructs residential and commercial buildings in Singapore, with an operating history dating back to 2002. Springview’s projects cover four main types of work: new construction, reconstruction, additions and alterations, and other general contracting services. With a skilled team of in-house experts, the Company provides a one stop solution that fosters strong customer relationships, offering a comprehensive range of services such as design, construction, furniture customization and project management. The Company also offers post-project services, including defect repairs and maintenance, that further enhances its customer engagement and future project opportunities.

For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://ir.springviewggl.com/.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, we or our representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the information currently available to us. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “hopes” or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including: our ability to change the direction of the Company; our ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; and the competitive environment of our business. These and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement.

Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking events discussed in this press release and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives, may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives might not occur.

For more information, please contact:

Springview Holdings Ltd
Investor Relations Department
Email: [email protected]

HomeETFs and Funds AnalysisETF Analysis

SummaryHYBL invests in both high-yield bonds and senior loans.Relative to peers, it has an average 7.2% yield, average returns too.It's expenses are much higher than average, although that hasn't impacted its returns in the past.This idea was discussed in more depth with members of my private investing community, CEF/ETF Income Laboratory. Learn More » Liubomyr Vorona/iStock via Getty Images

The SPDR Blackstone High Income ETF (HYBL) is an actively managed ETF focusing on senior loans and high-yield corporate bonds. Although there is nothing significantly wrong with the fund, it's 0.70% expense ratio is

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within 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.

  Vancouver, British Columbia – TheNewswire - January 26, 2026 – North Atlantic Titanium Corp. (CSE:NATO) (OTCPK: MUZU.F) (FSE:Y33) ("North Atlantic Titanium" or the “Company”), is pleased to announce that the Company has made the first option agreement payment of $200,000 in cash and is issuing 1,000,000 shares of the Company to Romaine River Titanium Inc., the Everett titanium property optionor. The Company has an option to earn, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, an undivided interest of up to 75 per cent in the Everett titanium property (the “Everett Project”), located 40 kilometres from the port city of Havre-Saint-Pierre, Que., and three km from Rio Tinto's producing Lac Tio titanium mine.

Dwayne Yaretz, CEO commented as follows: “With the first option payment completed, we are now positioned to commence our planned exploration activities at the Everett Project. The Company will proceed with the completion of exploration and metallurgical testing in preparation for diamond drilling and verification of historical data.”

Grant of Incentive Stock Options

The Company also announces that it has granted effective today, an aggregate of 2,000,000 stock options (each, an “Option”) to directors, consultants and employees of the Company in accordance with the Company’s stock option plan. Each Option is exercisable into one common share (each, a “Share”) in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.15 per Share, for a period of 3 years from the date of grant.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR

Dwayne Yaretz, CEO
North Atlantic Titanium Corp.
Phone: 778-709-3398
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.natitanium.com

About North Atlantic Titanium Corp.

North Atlantic Titanium is a Canadian publicly traded exploration company focused on advancing the Everett titanium deposit in Quebec. The Company also holds a 100-per-cent interest in the Sleeping Giant South project, located in the Abitibi greenstone belt, approximately 75 kilometres south of Matagami, Que. As well, the Company is currently assessing two option agreements to acquire up to 80 per cent of the silver, zinc, lead XWG and LMM properties, and an exploration agreement at the WLG mine, all located in Henan province, China.

For more information, please visit our website at www.natitanium.com.

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

This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to the expected size of the Offering, the anticipated timing of closing the Offering, the ability of North Atlantic Titanium to satisfy all conditions to closing the Offering, and the expected use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond North Atlantic Titanium’s control, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include general economic and capital markets conditions, stock market volatility, the ability of North Atlantic Titanium to obtain necessary consents for the Offering, including the approval of the Exchange, and the ability of North Atlantic Titanium to complete the Offering on the terms expected or at all. Although North Atlantic Titanium believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions, based on currently available information, concerning future events, which may prove to be inaccurate. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future plans, operations, results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, North Atlantic Titanium does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities.

   

Toronto, Ontario – TheNewswire - January 26, 2026 – Homeland Nickel Inc. (“Homeland” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: SHL, OTC: SRCGF), is pleased to announce the appointment of Jordan Black, P. Eng., as Corporate Secretary of the Company after the resignation of Errol Farr, CPA effective today.

  Jordan is a Senior Geotechnical Engineer and entrepreneur with experience across mining, engineering and technology sectors. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Ramp Metals Inc. Ramp Metals is a grassroots exploration company with a focus on a new gold and copper district in Saskatchewan, Canada. Previously, he was Geotechnical Team Lead (and Senior Geotechnical Engineer) at WSP Canada, where he focused on mining projects and innovation. WSP operates globally across more than 40 countries with around 78,000 people worldwide and reported revenue of ~14 billion USD in 2025. He also served as Vice President of Business Development at GoldSpot Discoveries Inc. GoldSpot is a technology company that leverages artificial intelligence to reduce capital risk while working on increasing success rates in resource exploration.

  Errol Farr commented “It is with a heavy heart that I announced my resignation to the board of directors yesterday. I came on board just over 2 years ago and it has been an absolute pleasure to serve the Company. In the last year I have taken on the role of CEO for two other public companies and I am required to dedicate more time to those affairs. With the enormous success of Homeland recently, it has hastened the need to have my duties assumed by people that can focus on driving Homeland forward. I would like to thank Steve Balch, CEO, Ashley Nadon, CFO and the board of directors for providing me with this great opportunity. I wish all the shareholders of Homeland the greatest of success in building the greatest nickel story ever.”

  Steve Balch commented “It’s been a great 2 years with Errol as our Corporate Secretary, and we wish him well in his new CEO roles. We also welcome Jordan Black aboard who will make an excellent fit with Homeland going forward”.

  In connection with the appointment Jordan Black has been granted 500,000 stock options exercisable at $0.47 expiring January 26, 2029.

  This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

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

  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Stephen Balch, President & CEO

Phone:        905-407-9586

Email:        [email protected]

When Jensen Huang first met Morris Chang decades ago, he told the founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company that one day Nvidia would be the chip foundry's biggest customer.

That's a story Huang, Nvidia's CEO, was asked about on a recent podcast, and it's a promise that is on track to be realized this year.

Nvidia will become TSMC's largest customer this year, according to analyst estimates and Huang himself. Apple is believed to currently be TSMC's largest customer, mostly to manufacture A-series chips for iPhones and M-series chips for PCs and servers.

The positional swap will mark a fundamental shift in the semiconductor industry, reflecting Nvidia's growing importance amid the AI infrastructure buildout.

On the podcast published this month, Huang said that switch has already happened.

"Morris will be happy to know Nvidia is TSMC's largest customer now," said Huang, adding that he was personally very happy about the milestone.

Creative Strategies chief analyst Ben Bajarin said he projects Nvidia to generate $33 billion in TSMC revenue this year, or about 22% of the chip foundry's total. Apple, by comparison, is projected to generate about $27 billion, or about 18% of TSMC's revenue.

"The scale of this drastically changed," Bajarin said. "A couple years ago, you could just see how much more capacity Nvidia was demanding from TSMC."

Nvidia and TSMC declined to comment. Apple didn't respond to a request for comment.

Apple reports first-quarter earnings on Thursday, and the company is forecasting as much as 12% revenue growth in the quarter.

watch now

TSMC doesn't discuss the ranking of its 522 customers, although it said in March that its top 10 customers made up 76% of the company's net revenue, adding that its largest customer at the time accounted for 22% of its net revenue. The second-largest customer accounted for 12% of net revenue.

Nvidia's impact is apparent in the chip foundry's financials.

TSMC's HPC sales, which include Nvidia's AI chips, made up 55% of net revenue in fourth-quarter earnings that were reported earlier this month. That was up from 40% in 2022, the year the AI boom kicked off with the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT. AI accelerators, which are currently dominated by Nvidia, made up "high-teens" of TSMC's total 2025 sales.

Nvidia's sales are rising quickly and outpacing Apple's growth. In February, Nvidia is expected to report 66% growth to $213 billion in sales in its fiscal 2026, which ends this month. Apple's growth in its fiscal 2025, ended in September, was 6.4%.

Additionally, Nvidia's AI chips are bigger and more complicated to produce than what Apple manufactures, which means they cost more.

The shift also highlights TSMC's role as the largest contract supply foundry in the world, providing chip manufacturing and related services to nearly every processor maker, including Advanced Micro Devices, Intel, Broadcom and Qualcomm.

TSMC has an estimated 70% of the total market for chip manufacturing revenue, according to market researcher TrendForce. Although rival Intel has said it wants to make leading node chips in the U.S., it has yet to announce an anchor customer, and on Thursday, the company saw its stock plunge 13% after reporting soft first-quarter guidance and production concerns.

Huang understands the importance of TSMC's supply to Nvidia.

He visited Taiwan five times last year. In November, he attended the foundry's annual sports day while wearing the same red shirt as TSMC employees. On that trip, he also reportedly visited TSMC's fab equipped with the 3 nanometer technology used to produce Nvidia's Rubin chip, which is in full production and expected to ship later this year.

TSMC's latest quarterly results showed how the company's business is being transformed by the demand for AI chips. Company executives said they were weighing increased investment into additional factories, but were acting cautiously.

For the December quarter, TSMC reported $33.73 billion in net revenue, up 21% on an annual basis, and projected 30% growth in sales this year. The strong forecast is driven by TSMC's success in AI chips, which the company expects to grow at a "mid-to-high-fifties" compound growth rate through 2029.

"Our customers' customer, who are mainly the cloud service providers, are also providing strong signals and reaching out directly to request the capacity to support their business," TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said, according to a company transcript. "Thus, our conviction in the multi-year AI mega-trend remains strong."

TSMC said it planned to spend as much as $56 billion on capital expenditures this year and expects to increase that to capture AI demand, adding that investments made this year would come online in 2028. Still, the company remains conservative about long-term projections that can span five years into the future.

"I'm also very nervous about it, you bet," Wei said when asked about an AI bubble, according to the transcript. "Because we have to invest about $52 billion to $56 billion for the CapEx, right?"

TSMC and Apple have had a close relationship because of the volume of iPhone chips, which are smaller than AI GPUs and therefore less expensive per unit. The stability of that relationship allowed TSMC to aggressively invest in new capacity for cutting-edge technologies, which are called the "leading nodes."

Apple wanted the latest production nodes because the more advanced the manufacturing process, the more power-efficient the chip can be, improving device battery life. But power efficiency on the latest nodes is also important to Nvidia. That's because energy is an input into the return on investment on its AI systems.

"It just changes the dynamic where what was the driving force for TSMC — Apple — now shifts to Nvidia, and to some degree AMD, which is sort of the guarantee-scale customer that helps you justify the increase in CapEx to each new node," Bajarin said.

Apple will still need lots of chips from TSMC, but on the Taiwanese company's earnings call earlier this month, the only customer whose product names were mentioned was Nvidia.

"My customers, their product improvements continue to increase," Wei said. "It's well-known from Hopper to Blackwell to Rubin — that almost doubles, triples their performance."

Wei added that, from his point of view, the bottleneck in the AI industry remains "TSMC's wafer supply."

LOI from the Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Program Includes Proposed $277 Million of Federal Funding and a $1.3 Billion Senior Secured Loan from the CHIPS Act

By 2030, Transaction Enables Largest Domestic Heavy Rare Earth, Critical Mineral, Metal, and Magnet Production to Support U.S. Semiconductor, Defense, Energy, and Other Major Industries

Significantly Bolsters U.S. National Security and Competitiveness by Developing Essential Domestic Supply of Critical Minerals, Metals, and Magnets Currently Unavailable Outside China

Secures Domestic Access to 12 of the U.S. Government’s Top 30 Most Essential Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements

STILLWATER, Okla., Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- USA Rare Earth, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAR) (USAR or the Company) today announced its entry into a non-binding Letter of Intent (the LOI) with the U.S. Department of Commerce and a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Program has provided an LOI covering a total of $1.6 billion, including $277 million in proposed federal funding and $1.3 billion in a proposed senior secured loan under the CHIPS Act. In conjunction with this announcement, USAR has raised a common stock PIPE in the amount of $1.5 billion anchored by Inflection Point with participation from large mutual fund complexes.

The LOI with the U.S. Government reflects the strategic importance of USAR’s mine-to-magnet platform and its role in closing the rare earth element and critical mineral supply gap for essential industries that underpin U.S. national security, including semiconductors, other critical technologies, and advanced manufacturing. The LOI is subject to further diligence, finalization of agreements, customary closing conditions, and approvals.

This capital is expected to accelerate and de-risk USAR’s growth objectives across mining, processing, metal-making and magnet manufacturing, and supports a business that by 2030 will:

Extract 40,000 metric tons per day of rare earth and critical mineral feedstock from USAR’s Round Top deposit, which is expected to begin commercial production in 2028;Process a combined 8,000 metric tons per annum (tpa) of third-party MREC and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) and critical mineral oxides and concentrates at Round Top, including dysprosium (Dy), terbium (Tb), yttrium (Y), gadolinium (Gd), hafnium (Hf), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), lutetium (Lu), ytterbium (Yb), holmium (Ho), gallium (Ga), and zirconium (Zr), all essential to semiconductors, aerospace, defense and energy production, and largely unavailable domestically;Reshore 10,000 tpa of heavy rare earth element (heavy REE) metal- and alloy-making and strip-casting capacity, capabilities that do not currently exist in the U.S., through the top-tier expertise of our subsidiary Less Common Metals Ltd. (LCM);Increase neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet-making capacity to 10,000 tpa, more than double previously planned capacity; andProcess 2,000 tpa of swarf resulting from our NdFeB magnet production. “This landmark collaboration with the U.S. Government represents a transformative step in USAR’s mission to secure and grow a resilient, independent domestic rare earth value chain,” said Barbara Humpton, Chief Executive Officer of USA Rare Earth. “We are grateful to President Trump, Secretary Lutnick, and Secretary Wright for their support and recognition of the strategic importance of rare earth materials and permanent magnets. With this unprecedented show of public and private support for our Company, we are positioned to accelerate the build-out of important domestic capabilities that are essential to U.S. national security, global economic competitiveness, and critical technologies of the future.”

“This transformational collaboration with Department of Commerce and the proposed $1.6 billion of CHIPS Act funding, along with $1.5 billion of private sector financial and strategic capital, will help secure the heavy rare earth supply chain for the U.S. and its allies and underscores USAR’s strategic nature in support of national and economic security,” said Michael Blitzer, Chairman of the Board of USA Rare Earth and Chairman and CEO of Inflection Point. “USAR and the Department of Commerce will mobilize a multi-year partnership at unprecedented scale and speed to build out capacity across heavy rare earth feedstock, processing, metal, and magnets, and we are proud to partner with the U.S. Government in support of the Company's next phase of growth. We look forward to successfully implementing this ambitious plan with the goal of generating substantial financial returns for our shareholders.”

“USA Rare Earth’s heavy critical minerals project is essential to restoring U.S. critical mineral independence,” said Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. “This investment ensures our supply chains are resilient and no longer reliant on foreign nations.”

In addition to the collaboration with the Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory has signed a LOI to collaborate with USAR to advance heavy REE separation technologies at the Company’s Wheat Ridge lab and Round Top deposit, leveraging digital twin technology. Under the Trump administration, the DOE has prioritized innovation in process modeling, the use of digital twins, and the deployment of testbeds for material-processing R&D. Through this partnership, the DOE will contribute to the development of digital twins to advance rare earth element separation technologies, with the ultimate goal of establishing the country’s first fully domestic mine-to-magnet supply chain.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy is ending America’s reliance on foreign nations for the critical materials essential to our economy and national security,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “The DOE is partnering with USAR to rebuild the critical minerals supply chain. By expanding domestic mining, processing, and manufacturing capabilities, we are creating good-paying American jobs and safeguarding our national security.”

“Accelerating the onshoring of rare earth minerals, metals, and magnets is paramount to national and economic security,” said the Executive Director of the U.S. Investment Accelerator, Michael Grimes. “With the Department of Commerce’s funding for USA Rare Earth’s vertically integrated mine-to-magnet operations, we will significantly increase the domestic supply of crucial components for semiconductors, defense, and numerous other industries strategic to the United States.”

"The CHIPS Program’s proposed $277 million funding and $1.3 billion loan will be instrumental for the construction of a domestic integrated supply chain for critical minerals and NdFeB magnets, which are essential for semiconductor chip manufacturing,” said Bill Frauenhofer, Director of the CHIPS Program. “Yttrium, gallium, terbium, and the other nine critical and strategic minerals that will be mined in Texas, along with the Oklahoma magnet production, provides U.S. semiconductor companies a reliable domestic source and removes choke points in their manufacturing supply chain that enable chemical vapor deposition, high-k materials, compound semiconductors, dopants, and other foundational applications.”

The U.S. Government’s proposed funding will feature milestones consistent with USAR’s funding needs and create a structure that aligns taxpayer returns and the objectives of institutional investors and excludes the need for government price supports or government offtake agreements. The collaboration reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to strengthening supply chains, reducing reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals, rebuilding strategic industrial capabilities, and ensuring secure access to materials essential for semiconductor manufacturing, robotics, industrial motors, electric vehicles, drones, fighter jets, nuclear submarines, satellites, and other advanced technologies.

Transaction Overview

The non-binding LOI with the Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Program includes $277 million of proposed federal funding and a proposed $1.3 billion senior secured loan.Additionally, USAR will issue to the Department of Commerce 16.1 million shares of common stock and approximately 17.6 million warrants.USAR has also signed a securities purchase agreement for a $1.5 billion PIPE transaction (69.8 million shares issued at $21.50 per share) with Inflection Point and other fundamental and strategic investors. The PIPE transaction, together with the proposed U.S. Government funding and loan, would bring the total amount of capital to $3.1 billion.The PIPE is expected to close on January 28, 2026, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, and the CHIPS Program’s funding and senior secured loan are subject to finalization of agreements and other customary closing conditions, expected this quarter. USAR Q4 2025 Highlights

The Company also announced the following achievements and milestones, which occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2025.

Business Highlights

Finalized flow sheet for the Round Top development project, validated through bench- and pilot-scale testing, supporting completion of the Accelerated Mining Plan in 2H 2026.Accelerated plans to begin commercial production at Round Top in late 2028, two years earlier than previously anticipated.Stillwater, Oklahoma magnet facility remains on track to complete commissioning in Q1 2026.Closed the acquisition of LCM, a manufacturer of specialized rare earth metals and both cast and strip-cast alloys.LCM established a strategic relationship with Solvay S.A., a multinational chemical company, to supply rare earth metals to Permag, a leader in high-precision magnets and magnetic assemblies.LCM signed a supply agreement with Solvay and Arnold Magnetic Technologies Corp., a subsidiary of Compass Diversified, for production of advanced permanent magnets.Subsequent to quarter-end: Announced plans to build a 3,750 mtpa plant through LCM Europe to produce metal and alloy in Lacq, France, co-located with Carester SAS’s Caremag oxide and recycling facility.Announced selection of Fluor Corporation and WSP Global Inc. as engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) partners for the build-out and commercialization of the Round Top mine. Preliminary Financial Highlights
The Company expects to report that as of December 31, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents in excess of $350 million. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company anticipates both operating expenses and operating loss in the range of $56 million and $62 million, and capital expenditures in the range of $37 million and $43 million.

These estimates are preliminary and subject to normal end-of-year closing procedures and audit, and accordingly, are subject to change. As a consequence, actual results may differ from the preliminary results described above.

Analyst Conference Call
USAR will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the U.S. Government partnership, PIPE transaction, and the accelerated and expanded development plans. The conference call and related presentation will be accessible through a live webcast on the Company’s investor relations website at usare.com/investor-relations. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Company’s website.

Live Conference Call
Monday, January 26, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET
US / Canada Toll-Free: +1 (866) 652-5200
Local / International Toll: +1 (412) 317-6060
Webcast link: Live Webcast

Conference Call Replay
Available approximately three hours after the live call concludes.
Expiration: February 26, 2026
US and Canada Toll-Free: (855) 669-9658
Local / International Toll: +1 (412) 317-0088
Access code: 4954787

Transaction Advisors
Latham & Watkins LLP and White & Case LLP acted as legal advisors and Moelis & Company LLC (Moelis) acted as exclusive financial advisor to USAR in structuring its agreements with the U.S. Government.

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. acted as lead placement agent and Moelis also acted as co-placement agent to USAR in connection with the announced PIPE transaction. White & Case LLP acted as legal advisor to USAR in the PIPE transaction, and DLA Piper LLP (US) acted as legal counsel to the placement agents in the PIPE transaction.

About USA Rare Earth
USA Rare Earth, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAR) is building a fully integrated rare earth and permanent magnet supply chain across the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. Through its ownership of LCM, one of the world’s leading producers of rare earth metals and alloys, and its development of magnet manufacturing capacity in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USAR operates across the entire value chain from heavy rare earth processing to metal-making, alloy production, and neodymium magnet manufacturing. By combining domestic feedstock from the Round Top deposit with advanced processing technologies, recycling capabilities, and a growing European industrial footprint, USAR is establishing a secure, sustainable, Western-aligned supply of materials essential to defense, electrification, robotics, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing industries.

PIPE Financing
The securities being sold in the PIPE have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or applicable state securities laws and accordingly may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and such applicable state securities laws.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities, nor shall there be any sale of the securities being offered in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release are or contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties include statements relating to the expected U.S. Government investment and its expected benefits, including the anticipated terms of the expected U.S. Government investment and anticipated timing of closing and funding; the PIPE and its expected benefits, including anticipated timing of closing and funding; the preliminary financial results discussed above; the Company’s investment plans, including the development of the Round Top deposit, development and expansion of processing and separation facilities, development and expansion of metal-making and strip-casting facilities, and development and expansion of the magnet manufacturing facility, including the timing, cost, production capacities, and estimated outputs of each facility; the benefits of the transaction between USAR and LCM, including without limitation expectations for future development, operations, business strategies, financial performance, sales and customers; and the projected operating results and performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Words such as "anticipate", "believe", "can", "continue", "could", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "intend", "may", "might", "plan", "possible", "potential", "predict", "project", "seek", "should", "strive", "target", "will", "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (1) the risk that the investment from the U.S. Government or the PIPE transaction are not completed on the expected terms, or at all; (2) the risk that USAR will not be able to execute its business plan to successfully use the proceeds of the expected U.S. Government transaction and the PIPE; (3) risks related to the timing and achievement of the expected business milestones of expected U.S. Government investment, including with respect to the development of the Round Top deposit, development and expansion of processing and separation facilities, development and expansion of metal-making and strip-casting facilities, and development and expansion of the magnet manufacturing facility; (4) the risk that the expected U.S. Government investment, which will be funded in phases over time subject to the Company achieving milestones, ultimately results in less proceeds to the Company than anticipated; (5) significant dilution associated with the expected U.S. Government investment and PIPE transaction; (6) the risk that the Company will not be able to execute its business plan to successfully use the proceeds of the expected U.S. Government investment and the PIPE; (7) the availability of appropriations from the legislative branch of the U.S. Government and the ability of the executive branch of the U.S. Government to obtain funding and support contemplated by the expected U.S. Government investment; (8) the determination by the legislative, judicial or executive branches of the U.S. Government that any aspect of the expected U.S. Government investment was unauthorized, void or voidable; (9) the Company’s ability to obtain additional or replacement financing, as needed; (10) the Company’s ability to effectively assess, determine and monitor the financial, tax and accounting treatment of expected U.S. Government investment, together with the Company’s and the U.S. Government’s obligations thereunder; (11) the Company’s ability to effectively comply with the broader legal and regulatory requirements and heightened scrutiny associated with government partnerships and contracts; (12) the significant long-term and inherently risky investments the Company is making in mining and manufacturing facilities may not realize a favorable return; (13) the diversion of management time from ongoing business operations and opportunities as a result of the expected U.S. Government investment and/or the PIPE; (14) the risk that acquired businesses will not be integrated successfully or that the integration will be more costly or difficult than expected; (15) the risk that the synergies from any of the transactions that USAR has completed or is pursuing may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; (16) the risk that any announcement relating to a transaction could have an adverse effect on the market price of USAR's common stock; (17) the risk of litigation related to the expected U.S. Government investment, the PIPE and/or the development of the Company’s projects; (18) the diversion of management time from ongoing business operations and opportunities as a result of a transaction; (19) the risk of adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships; (20) the ability to build or maintain relationships with customers and suppliers; (21) the Company's ability to successfully develop its magnet production facility and the timing of expected production milestones; (22) competition in the magnet manufacturing industry; (23) the ability to grow and manage growth profitably; (24) the Company's ability to build or maintain relationships with customers and suppliers; (25) the ability to attract and retain management and key employees; (26) the overall supply and demand for rare earth minerals; (27) the timing of commissioning, commercialization and expansion of the Company’s manufacturing facilities, and the timing and amount of future production from each component of the Company’s value chain; (28) the costs of production, capital expenditures and requirements for additional capital, including the need to raise additional capital to implement the Company's strategic plan and access the potential U.S. Government investment; (29) substantial doubt regarding the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for the twelve months following the issuance of its third quarter 2025 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements; (30) the timing of future cash flow provided by operating activities, if any; (31) the risk that the Round Top Deposit might not be able to be commercially mined and the Company's ongoing exploration programs may not result in the development of profitable commercial mining operations; (32) the uncertainty in any mineral estimates, uncertainty in any geological, metallurgical, and geotechnical studies and opinions; (33) the Company’s ability to successfully commence swarf processing; and (34) transportation risks. Detailed information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially has been and will be included in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC, including the Company's Form 10-K that the Company filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025 and the Company's latest Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of their date, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after their date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor Relations Contact
Lionel McBee
VP, Investor Relations
[email protected]

Media Relations Contact
Teneo
[email protected]