Market Signal Briefing

Digital Asset Treasury (DATs) firms Tron, Bitmine, and Strategy are all down from their mid-2025 highs by double-digit percentages, as analysts claim the hype around crypto treasuries is dwindling.

Nasdaq-listed Tron Inc., a toy and souvenir manufacturer that has transitioned into a crypto treasury, has seen its shares collapse by 85% from a June 20 peak of $12.80, according to TradingView data. In September alone, the stock fell 55%, erasing much of the gains that followed its entry into the market.

Strategy, the software company now known as the largest Bitcoin holder among publicly traded companies, has also shed about 30% of its value over the last three months. The Ethereum treasury, Bitmine Immersion Technologies, is down 67% over the same period.

DATs hype is fading fast, analysts warn
According to some market analysts, the decline of these stocks is attributed to a familiar monthly cycle of hype, frenzy, and eventual cooling that new financial products experience during their initial launch.

Peter Chung, head of research at Presto Research, said that the surge in valuations came from excitement rather than fundamentals. 

“It is common for hype and frenzy to take over when a new meta is introduced,” he said in a recent interview. “As cooler heads prevail, the asset tends to find a stable footing, leading to a decline in its valuation. This year it happened with Circle’s IPO, and it is happening with DATs.”

Strategy’s Michael Saylor was the first to bring the idea to publicly listed institutions when he began converting the company’s corporate cash into Bitcoin in 2020. Saylor transformed the financial intelligence firm, then known as MicroStrategy, into a proxy for BTC exposure and inspired more businesses that had hoped to replicate its success.

Some firms in 2025 executed reverse mergers to quickly list on exchanges, while others broadened exposure to other tokens, including Ethereum, Solana, and Dogecoin.

Healthcare company KindlyMD raised $51.5 million through a private share sale and an additional $200 million via convertible notes to fund its bitcoin treasury launch. The company’s enterprise value-to-net asset value ratio dropped from 75 in May to just 0.7 over the past week, according to data from K33 Research.

DAT stocks falling due to execution missteps and regulations
Some industry watchers believe the treasury strategy has been poorly executed by most companies, who they reckon got into the business blindly. Stephen Gregory, founder of crypto trading platform Vtrader, asserted that many firms rushed to market without a fully sustainable business plan. 

“The recent drop in crypto treasury companies was a result of bad execution and rushing to the market without fully fleshing out their strategy,” Gregory said.

Moreover, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority have opened investigations into suspicious stock trades linked to more than 200 companies that announced crypto treasury strategies.

Even stocks of firms tied to digital assets, such as Trump Media & Technology Group, which is majority-owned by President Donald Trump, shed 3.8% in September alone. 

Market saturation shadows US government pro-crypto fueled rally
The surge in crypto prices earlier this year, combined with new US accounting rules and favorable regulatory signals from the Trump administration, pushed more companies to launch digital asset treasuries. 

“The majority of the market can’t hold bitcoin, but they can hold equities,” crypto investor and prominent businessman Kevin O’Leary explained.

Data from BitcoinTreasuries.net shows that more than 180 public companies have added bitcoin to their balance sheets so far, holding a combined 4.7% of the total supply. Nearly half of them are considered imitators of Strategy, according to Vetle Lunde, head of research at Norway-based K33.

“The performance of some of these stocks earlier this summer was just mind-blowing,” Lunde said. “It’s been just a very wild ride, and now the bitcoin treasury space is getting quite saturated.”

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Bitcoin has reclaimed the $115,000 level, restoring momentum after weeks of uncertainty and signaling that bulls are regaining strength. The move comes as traders push back against selling pressure, with renewed optimism spreading across the market. For many, the rebound highlights Bitcoin’s resilience and its ability to bounce after testing key support levels.

Yet, not everyone feels convinced. Several analysts warn that despite the recent upside, Bitcoin may still face the risk of a deeper correction. The recovery looks promising, but the broader structure remains fragile, and cautious voices continue to dominate discussions. A failure to hold above $115,000 could once again expose the market to volatility and downside pressure.

Adding another layer of concern, key data shows that Galaxy Digital’s Bitcoin sales remain ongoing. These sales, taking place even as Bitcoin rises, highlight the complex dynamics at play and temper the optimism around the recent rally.

Galaxy Sales Weigh On Bitcoin
Top analyst Darkfost shared fresh data that revealed a significant move in Bitcoin markets yesterday. According to him, 1,190 BTC were sent mainly to Binance, most likely to be sold. At current prices, that transaction represents more than $135 million worth of Bitcoin, underscoring that large-scale institutional selling continues even as bulls fight to sustain momentum above $115,000.

Galaxy Digital Address Outflow | Source: Darkfost
Such transfers often signal that sellers, in this case Galaxy Digital, are actively reducing exposure, which can pressure the market during sensitive periods. While Bitcoin has managed to rebound from its recent lows near $108,000, these heavy sales create an overhang of supply that traders must absorb before a convincing uptrend can take hold. The timing adds even more weight, as Bitcoin enters a new stage marked by macro uncertainty.

The looming US government shutdown now stands as one of the biggest risk factors for global markets. Political deadlock in Washington threatens to disrupt financial stability and could trigger volatility across equities, bonds, and digital assets. For Bitcoin, this situation creates both risk and opportunity: on one hand, fear-driven selling could drag prices lower; on the other, Bitcoin’s role as a hedge may attract inflows from investors seeking protection.

BTC Approaches Resistance After Strong Rebound
Bitcoin is trading near $116,200 after a sharp rebound from last week’s lows around $109,000. The 8-hour chart highlights renewed bullish momentum, with price now pressing toward the key resistance zone at $117,500. This level has repeatedly capped rallies since late August, making it the line to watch for confirmation of a broader breakout.

BTC nearing key resistance | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView
The recent move higher also pushed BTC back above its 50-period (blue) and 100-period (green) moving averages, both of which had previously acted as resistance. The price is now consolidating above these levels, showing that bulls are regaining short-term control. However, the 200-period moving average (red) sits just overhead near $115,000, and Bitcoin has only just cleared it — leaving the breakout unconfirmed.

Momentum remains constructive, but the market still faces a pivotal test. A decisive close above $117,500 could invite stronger buying pressure, opening the door for a run toward $120,000 and potentially retesting the yearly highs near $125,000. Conversely, rejection at this level could trigger profit-taking, dragging the price back toward $114,000 or even $112,000.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

The U.S. Treasury just handed a big win to Bitcoin companies and their supporters. In new interim guidance, the Treasury and IRS announced that corporations will no longer be forced to pay tax on unrealized crypto gains under the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT). 

For firms like Strategy, Coinbase, this decision removes a major cloud that had been hanging over their Bitcoin-heavy balance sheets.

What does the CAMT Rule mean?For months, the CAMT rule had worried companies because it meant taxes would be calculated not on what they actually earned, but on the “paper gains” recorded in their financial statements. In simple terms, if Bitcoin’s price went up, firms had to count that as income, even if they never sold their coins. 

A 15% minimum tax on those gains could have created massive bills for companies like Strategy and Coinbase, both of which strongly opposed the proposal.

The new guidance allows companies to exclude unrealized crypto gains and losses from their adjusted financial statement income (AFSI) when calculating CAMT. This means companies won’t have to pay tax on Bitcoin unless they actually sell it.

Support From LawmakersThe pushback against CAMT wasn’t just from corporations. Senator Cynthia Lummis, a long-time Bitcoin advocate, also argued the rule was unfair and harmful to innovation. 

Following the Treasury’s announcement, she praised the move, saying it paves the way for America to lead globally in Bitcoin adoption.

What does this mean for Strategy?For Michael Saylor’s Strategy, the decision could not have come at a better time. The firm owns more than 640,000 BTC, purchased for around $47 billion and now worth roughly $74 billion. Earlier this year, it reported $14 billion in unrealized gains, the kind of numbers that would have triggered huge tax obligations under CAMT starting in 2026.

Even Coinbase, the largest U.S.-based exchange, also holds a substantial Bitcoin reserve, estimated at over 120,000 BTC.

With the Treasury’s adjustment, those risks have disappeared. Strategy can continue its bold Bitcoin bet without fear of paying taxes on unrealized profits.

Despite big investments and clear demand for yield, most Bitcoin holders have never tried BTCFi because the platforms feel complex and unfamiliar. Without simpler products and better communication, BTCFi could stay a niche space for insiders rather than reach mainstream adoption.

Summary

Most Bitcoin holders still haven’t touched BTCFi, even though investors are pouring money into the space and there’s clear demand for yield and liquidity.
The problem is that current platforms are built for crypto insiders, leaving everyday BTC users confused, cautious, or unaware these products even exist.
Unless BTCFi becomes simpler and better communicated, it risks staying niche instead of reaching the broader Bitcoin audience, GoMining warns.

While venture funding and media hype might suggest that Bitcoin DeFi — or simply known as BTCFi — is on the rise, Bitcoin users tell a different story. A new survey by GoMining shared with crypto.news found that nearly 80% of BTC holders have never used BTCFi, highlighting a gap between the industry’s ambitions and its actual adoption.

GoMining’s results of survey on BTCFi | Source: GoMining
Similar to decentralized finance (DeFi) on Ethereum, BTCFi was meant to offer a set of tools and platforms that let people use BTC in financial ways beyond just buying and holding. For example, people could use BTC for lending, getting access to synthetic Bitcoin assets, or bridging them via cross-chain bridges to get access to different networks.

Institutional pouring also seems to be growing. Data from Maestro, an enterprise-grade Bitcoin-focused infrastructure provider, shows that BTCFi venture funding surged to $175 million across 32 rounds in the first half of 2025, with 20 out of 32 deals focused on DeFi, custody, or consumer apps in the BTCFi space.

For crypto natives only
Yet, according to GoMining’s survey, which questioned more than 700 people across North America and Europe, around 77% of Bitcoin holders have never tried BTCFi. As the firm explains, the problem isn’t a lack of demand, as the survey showed that 73% of Bitcoin holders want to earn yield on their assets, while 42% are interested in accessing liquidity without selling.

GoMining’s results of survey on BTCFi | Source: GoMining
Adoption appears to be slowed by trust and complexity. More than 40% of respondents said they would commit less than 20% of their Bitcoin to BTCFi products, a conservatism GoMining linked to confusion and security worries.

Mark Zalan, CEO of GoMining, said the results matched what the company has seen in its own work, adding that there’s an “enormous appetite for these opportunities, but the industry has built products for crypto natives, not for everyday Bitcoin holders.”

Lack of awareness
Perhaps the clearest challenge for BTCFi is awareness. Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed — or about 65% — couldn’t name a single BTCFi project. For Zalan, this points to a failure in communication

“This isn’t a failure of Bitcoin holders to keep up. The BTCFi industry must communicate more effectively with its target market. When two-thirds of potential users can’t name a single project in your space, you’re facing an adoption challenge that education can solve.”

Mark Zalan

GoMining’s findings suggest that so far, BTCFi has been talking mostly to insiders rather than the broader base of Bitcoin owners.

Not like DeFi
One reason for the disconnect may be that BTCFi has borrowed heavily from Ethereum’s DeFi model. But Bitcoin users tend to have different preferences. They often favor custodial wallets and regulated exchange-traded funds over self-custody and complex protocols.

As Zalan explained, Bitcoin holders “aren’t Ethereum users,” adding that Coinbase and Bitcoin ETFs succeeded “because they prioritized accessibility.” In other words, while the appetite exists, platforms still need to be simpler, safer, and easier to use.

The survey paints a picture of a sector with both potential and barriers. Bitcoin holders clearly want yield and liquidity options, but they aren’t rushing to BTCFi platforms because of trust issues, complexity, and low brand recognition.

And that contradiction creates both challenges and possibilities. If BTCFi platforms invest more in clear communication and straightforward onboarding, they might be able to win over the wider Bitcoin audience. But if not, BTCFi risks remaining a niche space for crypto insiders rather than the millions of Bitcoin holders it aims to serve.

With $1B in open interest, are XRP and Solana the new institutional trades? Andjela Radmilac · 4 mins ago · 2 min read

The speed at which Solana and XRP futures gained traction shows institutions want more than BTC/ETH exposure.

Oct. 1, 2025 at 3:19 pm UTC

2 min read

Updated: Oct. 1, 2025 at 3:22 pm UTC

Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

For years, CME’s crypto business was a one-asset story: Bitcoin, backed by its liquid futures market, and since 2022, a growing options market. The introduction of Ethereum futures diversified its crypto offering, but it still remained tied to the market’s largest asset.

That narrative changed when it launched XRP and Solana futures. In just months, the open interest for SOL and XRP futures passed $1 billion. Solana hit the milestone in just five months, faster than it took both Bitcoin and Ethereum to reach the same mark when they launched.

That number matters. $1 billion in OI is the informal threshold where institutions start taking an asset seriously in derivatives. Below that, futures can be too thin to support basis trades, structured notes, or the hedges asset managers require. Above it, the contract starts to function like real financial plumbing. The speed at which Solana and XRP have crossed this line shows real institutional demand, not just speculative activity.

The flows also show how the “regulated stack” is broadening. Until recently, traders looking to short, lever up, or run basis strategies in anything beyond BTC and ETH were pushed offshore to Binance or OKX. CME’s push into Solana and XRP pulls some of that business into its clearinghouse, where collateral rules and accounting treatment are friendlier to funds.

The more liquidity migrates to CME, the easier it becomes for traditional desks to justify crypto allocations.

Options are the next leg.With OI swelling, the infrastructure is now in place for CME to list Solana and XRP options just as it did with Bitcoin and Ethereum. That’s where structured products come to life: dealers can start quoting covered calls, asset managers can hedge volatility, and liquidity providers can run the same playbook that’s become standard in BTC/ETH.

It’s no accident that the conversation around Solana futures ETFs is running in parallel: derivatives depth is a prerequisite for ETF approval.

Solana’s climb to $1 billion OI took barely five months, outpacing the early trajectories of Bitcoin and Ethereum futures. For context, Ethereum futures needed more than a year to cross that bar after CME listed them in 2021.

Some of that is cyclical. Crypto is bigger now, with ETFs and institutional rails already in place. But part of it is specific: funds are clearly seeking exposure to Solana and XRP as distinct trades, not just as “altcoin beta.”

Solana’s throughput and huge DeFi/consumer stack make it a clear bet on “Ethereum-style” activity at a faster clip. For XRP, it’s the regulatory clarity after Ripple’s courtroom wins and the token’s legacy role in cross-border settlement. Both assets now have credible narratives that can be expressed in size through CME.

What this really signals is that the CME crypto mix is shifting from a duopoly to a portfolio. BTC and ETH still dominate, but the rise of XRP and Solana futures means that Q4 could be the first time traditional desks are genuinely running multi-asset crypto books inside a US-regulated clearinghouse.

If options follow, that portfolio expands into structured products, risk-transfer trades, and eventually ETF fuel.

Mentioned in this articleLatest Solana Stories

Volato Group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire M2i Global (OTC:MTWO), a move that pairs a U.S. private aviation operator with a company focused on building a supply chain for critical minerals.

Atlanta-based Volato, which trades on the NYSE American under the ticker SOAR, runs a fractional jet ownership and charter platform supported by proprietary scheduling and management software.

Reno-based M2i Global, listed on the OTCQB as MTWO, is developing what it calls a “turnkey ecosystem” for securing access to minerals seen as vital to U.S. energy and defense needs.

Alongside the deal, M2i said it has appointed Anthony Roger Moore to its advisory board. Moore has spent more than 55 years in international finance, working in capital markets, project finance, mergers and acquisitions, and alternative investments across more than 30 countries.

He has a long-standing focus on Africa, where he has been involved in mining and environmental projects.

“Anthony provides M2i with unique relationships and contacts all over the globe, as we bring access and supply of critical minerals and extraction processing back to America,” said Alberto Rosende, M2i’s chief executive.

Moore said he was impressed by M2i’s mission to secure alternatives to Chinese mineral supply and would use his global network “especially in Africa, to help the company deliver on its promise for critical mineral supply.”

In the update, the two companies said the transaction will be formally documented in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including a registration statement and proxy materials for Volato shareholders.

M2i is seeking to play a role in establishing a U.S. Strategic Mineral Reserve and has highlighted environmental initiatives such as reducing pollution from artisanal gold mining in Africa. Volato, meanwhile, continues to expand its aviation platforms, including its Mission Control scheduling system and Vaunt, a marketplace that connects travellers with available private flights.

HOUSTON, Oct. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR) (“Intuitive Machines” or the “Company”), a leading space technology, infrastructure, and services company, has completed its previously announced acquisition of KinetX, Inc. (“KinetX”), which specializes in deep space navigation, systems engineering, and constellation mission design. The acquisition enhances Intuitive Machines’ ability to provide customers secure, reliable communications and precision navigation for lunar and interplanetary missions by combining its data service platform with KinetX deep space navigation technology.

The stock acquisition was completed for $30 million before closing adjustments, including approximately $15 million in cash and approximately 1,400,000 shares of Intuitive Machines common stock. With a track record supporting NASA and other leading space agencies, KinetX is certified by NASA for deep space navigation and has supported some of the most ambitious planetary missions in history, including navigation services to Mercury, Pluto, asteroids, and the Moon. KinetX expertise in deep space navigation and mission planning enhances Intuitive Machines’ ability to deliver end-to-end space data relay solutions for lunar and interplanetary missions.

"By uniting deep space navigation and data services, we’re giving customers the confidence to securely operate across the solar system with precision and autonomy so they can explore and innovate faster,” said Intuitive Machines CEO, Steve Altemus. “With KinetX's navigation expertise now paired with our lunar-proven spacecraft and data network, we believe Intuitive Machines is positioned to lead in cislunar space and carry that advantage forward to Mars.”

“For decades, KinetX has delivered the navigation expertise behind missions across the solar system,” said Altemus. “Adding KinetX to Intuitive Machines expands our data services portfolio and accelerates our work in building the secure, scalable space capabilities our nation and customers depend on.”

The acquisition extends Intuitive Machines’ infrastructure footprint across Houston, Phoenix, Maryland, and other U.S. locations, aligning with key opportunities in civil exploration, national security space, and future Mars telecommunications programs.

About Intuitive Machines

Intuitive Machines is a diversified space technology, infrastructure, and services company focused on fundamentally disrupting lunar access economics. In 2024, Intuitive Machines successfully soft-landed the Company’s Nova-C class lunar lander, on the Moon, returning the United States to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. In 2025, Intuitive Machines returned to the lunar south pole with a second lander. The Company’s products and services are focused through three pillars of space commercialization: Delivery Services, Data Transmission Services, and Infrastructure as a Service.

Contacts

For investor inquiries:
[email protected]

For media inquiries:
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d6282fce-d2ec-4b88-8f6e-32677de5f4c6

This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of MSDL either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. 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.

MIAMI, Oct. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NextNRG (NASDAQ: NXXT), a pioneer in AI-driven energy innovation transforming how energy is produced, managed, and delivered, today announced the launch of its mobile fueling operation’s newest hub in Fort Myers, Florida, further extending its nationwide footprint. The expansion establishes a fully operational presence in a region home to major e-commerce distribution centers supporting national fulfillment networks, positioning NextNRG to serve the area's growing commercial demand.

NextNRG's entry into the region positions the company to serve both large commercial clients and a growing network of local businesses, supporting continuous operations that keep fleets, generators, and equipment running efficiently.

The Fort Meyer’s hub reflects NextNRG's nationwide growth strategy: anchoring large commercial clients while expanding a local customer base around each hub. With this launch, NextNRG continues to broaden its footprint across Florida’s Gulf Coast, while expanding its national footprint. By strategically growing its presence, the company continues to strengthen its unique position, offering a complete end-to-end suite of energy solutions for both commercial and individual customers. This expansion reflects the broader momentum behind NextNRG’s operations, as the company’s growth trajectory has accelerated throughout 2025, with revenues surpassing last year’s figures and strong projections pointing toward record performance by fiscal year-end. This growth has been driven by the company’s ability to scale operations consistently while maintaining operational efficiency and reliability through strategic business initiatives.

“Expanding into Fort Myers demonstrates our continued growth across Florida and nationwide,” said Michael D. Farkas, Executive Chairman and CEO of NextNRG. “Establishing our presence in a region with significant e-commerce and commercial fleet activity positions us to capture demand from high-volume operations while building local customer density. Our mobile fueling services, together with our integrated energy solutions, enable businesses to operate more efficiently at scale. With strong momentum across our operations, we're confident in the strong growth ahead.”

About NextNRG, Inc.

NextNRG Inc. (NextNRG) is Powering What's Next by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into utility infrastructure, battery storage, wireless EV in-motion charging, renewable energy and mobile fuel delivery, to create a unified platform for modern energy management.

At the core of its strategy is the Next Utility Operating System®, which uses AI to optimize both new and existing infrastructure across microgrids, utilities, and fleet operations. NextNRG's smart microgrids serve commercial, healthcare, educational, tribal, and government sites delivering cost savings, reliability, and decarbonization. The company also operates one of the nation's largest on-demand fueling fleets and is advancing wireless charging to support fleet electrification.

To learn more, visit www.nextnrg.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statement describing NextNRG's goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions, or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Words such as "expect," "intends," "will," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those related to NextNRG's business and macroeconomic and geopolitical events. These and other risks are described in NextNRG's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. NextNRG's forward-looking statements involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although NextNRG's forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by NextNRG. Except as required by law, NextNRG undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations Contact

NextNRG, Inc.
Sharon Cohen
[email protected]

Dental cleanings, screenings, and education for kids ages 4 to 17 to spotlight the importance of oral care access

, /PRNewswire/ -- October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and Concorde Career Colleges is celebrating by hosting no-cost community events at select campuses. The initiative not only honors the dental hygiene profession but also underscores the importance of preventive care and expanding access to oral health services for children and families.

According to the CDC , approximately 57 million Americans live in areas with too few dental providers to meet residents' needs. The current disparities in access to oral healthcare demonstrate the urgent need for greater investments in training to expand the dental care workforce nationwide.

On Monday, October 13, Concorde's dental hygiene programs at select campuses will host pediatric Making Smiles events, providing preventive dental services for children ages 4 to 17, such as X-rays, dental cleanings, fluoride applications, sealants, and dental kits filled with oral care essentials, at no cost.

Care is provided by Concorde dental hygiene students under the supervision of licensed dental professionals and faculty members. Events are made possible through the generous support of sponsors PDS Health, Heartland Dental, and Liberty Dental Plan.

"Concorde Career Colleges is proud to serve our communities by helping bridge the gaps in oral health care access," said Kevin Prehn, President of Concorde Career Colleges. "These events allow our students to provide meaningful care while gaining valuable hands-on patient experience, and we're grateful to our sponsors for joining us in this important initiative."

On Monday, October 13, the following Concorde campuses are hosting events with no-cost dental services (advanced registration is required):

Making Kansas City Smile (Kansas City, Missouri)

Registration: concorde.fyi/KC-Smile 

Making Miramar Smile (Miramar, Florida)

Registration: concorde.fyi/Miramar-Smile
This location is also accepting appointments for seniors ages 60+.

Making Tampa Smile (Tampa, Florida)

Registration: concorde.fyi/Tampa-Smile 

Making San Diego Smile (San Diego, California)

Registration: concorde.fyi/SanDiego-Smile
This location is also accepting adult and senior appointments.

Making San Bernardino Smile (San Bernardino, California)

Registration: concorde.fyi/SB-smile 

Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Two locations, noted above, will also open appointments for adults and seniors.

Concorde's commitment to community dental care access extends beyond National Dental Hygiene Month. At the 14 campuses that offer dental hygiene programs, Concorde operates year-round Dental Hygiene Clinics, which provide low-cost preventive care to local residents, helping address unmet dental health needs for children, adults, and seniors. Clinic hours vary by location.

About Concorde Career Colleges

Concorde Career Colleges, the healthcare division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., (NYSE: UTI), operates 17 campuses across eight states and online under the brands Concorde Career College and Concorde Career Institute to prepare America's next generation of health care and dental professionals for rewarding careers. The Concorde blended education model combines online coursework with in-person lab classes and clinical settings. Concorde's student-focused academic programs and personalized support prepare graduates for in-demand careers in nursing, dental, respiratory, diagnostic and other healthcare roles. Concorde is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Council on Occupational Education (COE). For more information, visit concorde.edu and uti.edu; LinkedIn at @Concorde Career Colleges and @UniversalTechnicalInstitute; or X at @ConcordeCareer and @news_UTI.

Media Contact:
Sharon Rolenc
[email protected]
612-720-2083

SOURCE Concorde Career Colleges

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Partnership underscores shared commitment to workforce wellness and reduced barriers to behavioral healthcare

, /PRNewswire/ -- Optavise, a leading provider of employee benefits services, offering personalized expert guidance backed by technology, today announced a strategic partnership with Rula, a nationwide behavioral healthcare provider group dedicated to making high-quality mental healthcare accessible to all.

Rula Logo

Through this partnership, Optavise Clear clients can access Rula's extensive network of licensed behavioral health professionals, making it easier for employees and their families to connect with care when they need it most. The solution is available at no additional cost to Optavise Clear clients.

"Optavise is proud to partner with Rula to expand access to mental health services for today's workforce, making it easier for employees to receive support when they need it most," said Joshua Madson, Head of Worksite Strategy at Optavise. "Our partnership reinforces our commitment to helping employers and employees make better health and financial decisions. By integrating Rula's behavioral health solution into Optavise Clear, organizations can deliver a more comprehensive benefits experience that supports overall workforce wellness and employee satisfaction."

The collaboration further strengthens Optavise Clear's comprehensive solution by enhancing mental healthcare access for employees, simplifying their wellness experience and providing a streamlined connection to trusted care.

Key benefits provided through the partnership include:

An in-network behavioral health solution for employees and their family members ages 5+.
Rapid appointment availability—typically within three days for talk therapy.
A guided scheduling experience with automatic multi-appointment booking, ensuring continuity of care.
Rigorous clinical quality standards backed by Rula's evidence-based, outcome-driven approach to care.
Rula's mission is to create a world where every person can access high-quality mental health care, with over 21,000 licensed providers and more than 170 million people covered through in-network partnerships. Rula is dedicated to making the mental healthcare journey easier by treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.

"At Rula, we believe that mental health care should be as accessible and seamless as any other essential health service," said Gabe Diop, co-founder of Rula. "We thank Optavise for their partnership and shared commitment to helping employees and their families connect with trusted providers when they need it most."

About Optavise
Optavise provides personalized employee benefits solutions to help employers and their employees optimize their benefits and make better health and financial decisions. Optavise offers a unique combination of innovative technology, flexible voluntary benefits, and experts who educate and communicate with employees about their benefits. A part of the CNO Financial Group (NYSE: CNO) family of brands, Optavise operates through direct sales to employers and a nationwide network of more than 10,000 broker partners and over 600 dedicated agents that serve nearly 20,000 employers. For more information, visit Optavise.com.

About Rula
Rula is the best way for individuals, couples, and families to get in-network mental health care that delivers progress. With a diverse network of more than 21,000 licensed providers, nationwide next-day therapy and psychiatric availability, and 24/7 crisis support, Rula meets people wherever they are on their mental health journey. Patients match with a best-fit provider in minutes, confirm their out-of-pocket insurance costs, attend their telehealth sessions, and track improvement all within a single easy-to-use platform. And when they need support, Rula's team is there to provide live help from real humans. Rula Health accepts most major insurance networks, including Aetna/CVS, Anthem/Elevance, Cigna/Evernorth, Kaiser, United Healthcare/Optum, and many Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield plans, covering over 170M lives across the US. Learn more at Rula.com.

SOURCE Optavise

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Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) does not plan to cut its profit margins due to the end of the $7,500 federal electric vehicle (EV) tax credit.

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The following amendment has been made to the 'Helium-3 Discovery at Jetstream #1, Topaz Project' announcement released on 01 October 2025 at 02:00 a.m. (Eastern).

The number 14.5% has been corrected to 14.5.

All other details remain unchanged.

The full amended text is shown below.

CASCAIS, Portugal, Oct. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pulsar Helium Inc. (AIM: PLSR, TSXV: PLSR, OTCQB: PSRHF) (“Pulsar” or the “Company”), a leading helium project development company, is pleased to announce a landmark discovery of helium-3 at its Topaz Project in Minnesota. Laboratory results from the Jetstream #1 well have revealed sustained helium-3 concentrations up to 14.5 parts per billion (ppb) in produced gas. This level of helium-3 places Topaz amongst the highest accumulation of naturally occurring helium-3 ever publicly reported in a terrestrial gas reservoir worldwide. As previously reported (Pulsar News Release September 19, 2025) the Jetstream #1 well also had a sustained flow containing 7–8% helium-4 (the more common isotope of helium), confirming that Topaz’s helium is not only high-grade in helium-4 but also highly enriched in the rare helium-3 isotope.

Helium-3: Value and Strategic Significance 

Helium-3 is one of the rarest and most valuable isotopes on Earth, with reported prices of up to US$18.7 million per kilogram, more than 100,000 times the price of common helium (helium-4). Against this backdrop, discovering a terrestrial source with sustained helium-3 content at up to 14.5 ppb is an extraordinary development. 

NASA and the U.S. Government are actively funding lunar helium-3 extraction, with regolith concentrations estimated between 1.4 and 15 ppb, averaging around 4 ppb. Grants and early purchase agreements are supporting technologies for regolith heating, gas separation, and transport, reflecting helium-3’s strategic importance. In this context, the significance of Pulsar’s discovery is clear, with terrestrial helium-3 levels now comparable to, and potentially exceeding, average concentrations found on the Moon, without the need for lunar excavation.

Highlights

Exceptionally High: Laboratory analysis of gas samples from the Jetstream #1 well at the Topaz Project (Minnesota) shows sustained helium-3 concentrations ranging from 1.3 to 14.5 ppb, amongst the highest naturally occurring helium-3 levels publicly reported in a terrestrial reservoir.Consistent Isotopic Signature: The ³He / ⁴He isotopic ratio in Jetstream #1 gas is consistently about 0.09 Rₐ across all samples measured in multiple labs. This steady isotopic signature indicates a single, stable helium gas source throughout the reservoir.Pulsar Results vs. Peers: Pulsar’s helium-3 discovery vastly exceeds any previously reported by other helium explorers. For example, a recent discovery by an industry peer in Australia encountered helium-3 only in the sub-ppb range (with a low isotopic 3He / 4He ratio characteristic of crustal helium), underscoring the world-class significance of Topaz’s results. Jetstream #1’s helium-3 concentration now amongst the highest publicly disclosed in any land-based gas reservoir worldwide.Strategic and Commercial Value: Helium-3 is exceedingly rare and valuable, commanding ~US$2,500 per liter in specialized markets. This discovery establishes a potential new terrestrial supply of this isotope.Critical Applications: Helium-3’s unique properties make it crucial for cutting-edge technologies. It is sought after as a fuel for future fusion energy reactors, for enabling quantum computing and advanced cryogenics (ultra-low temperature cooling), and for high-efficiency neutron detection devices used in nuclear security and research.
Thomas Abraham-James, President & CEO of Pulsar, commented:

“We are thrilled to announce this remarkable helium-3 discovery, a result that firmly places Pulsar Helium on the map as a pioneer in the field. To encounter helium-3 concentrations of this magnitude at our Topaz Project in Minnesota is nothing short of extraordinary. This achievement not only validates the exceptional nature of the Topaz Project but also underscores the strategic importance of our exploration efforts. Helium-3 is a game-changer isotope with tremendous scientific and commercial value. The fact that we have discovered such high levels in the USA, when helium-3 is so scarce globally, is testament to the world-class potential of Topaz. Meanwhile, the next-richest naturally occurring source of helium-3 is arguably the surface of the Moon which has attracted interest from NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy – we believe that Minnesota will be a more reliable and economically viable option. This discovery positions Pulsar at the forefront of the helium industry not just as a supplier of conventional helium (helium-4), but potentially as a supplier of helium-3. It’s a development of significance not only for our Company and shareholders, but also for the broader scientific and energy communities. We look forward to advancing this project and unlocking its full value in a responsible and impactful way.”

Helium-3 Analytical Results

The analytical data indicate a consistent ³He / ⁴He isotopic ratio of approximately 0.09 Rₐ across all tested intervals of Jetstream #1. The ³He / ⁴He ratio is stable regardless of helium-4 concentration (i.e. from gas containing ~1% helium-4 up to the richest sample of 11.4% helium-4), suggesting a single, homogeneous source of helium charging the reservoir, rather than sporadic pockets or contamination. Notably, one sample containing 11.4% helium-4 by volume yielded approximately 14.5 ppb of helium-3, consistent with the overall isotopic trend. This uniform enrichment of helium-3, relative to helium-4, is a strong indicator of the unique genesis and high quality of the Topaz helium source, setting it apart from typical helium accumulations which often contain only trace helium-3.

Helium-3 analyses were conducted by Smart Gas Sciences LLC (Smart Gas) in Ohio and independently verified at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts – accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

At Smart Gas, helium isotopes were measured by first purifying gas samples on a high-vacuum line, where reactive species are removed with getters and cryogenic traps ensuring only helium reaches the detector apparatus. The purified helium is then analyzed on a Thermo Helix SFT static-vacuum noble-gas mass spectrometer, which simultaneously collects 3He and 4He at high resolution, eliminating interferences such as HD⁺. Results are calibrated against air standards and reported both as absolute 3He / 4He ratios and in R/Rₐ units (relative to the atmospheric reference ratio).

At WHOI, samples were measured for helium concentrations and isotope ratios on a Nu Instruments multi-collector Noblesse mass spectrometer, which was used to determine the isotope ratios of all 23 stable noble gases. Due to the resolving power of the instrument, 3He was resolved from HD+, eliminating any mass interference during the helium measurement. The instrument is interfaced to an automated noble gas processing and purification inlet system, which allows for full separation and purification of the various noble gas species using cryogenic separation prior to inlet into the mass spectrometer. Results were normalized to a series of high He standards in order to optimize accuracy of 3He / 4He and helium concentrations. Helium data are reported both as absolute helium concentrations and 3He / 4He values in R/Rₐ format (relative to air).

Other Known Natural Helium-3 Occurrences

From a global perspective, the highest 3He / 4He values on record have been observed not in conventional gas reservoirs, but volcanic geological settings, for example, in mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal vent systems such as the East Pacific Rise, and in volcanic hotspots like Hawaii’s Loihi Seamount. These environments have produced anomalously high 3He / 4He (more than an order of magnitude above air levels), but they are coupled with relatively low absolute helium abundances, making them poor targets to commercially exploit.

A recent helium find by a peer company in Australia showed helium-3 in trace amounts (well below 1 ppb, with a low isotopic ratio indicative of purely radiogenic helium). In stark contrast, Topaz’s results are more than an order of magnitude greater in helium-3 content, pointing to a geologically distinct helium source with a higher inherent ³He / ⁴He ratio. This leap in helium-3 concentration marks not only a scientific milestone but also carries significant economic and strategic implications for Pulsar Helium and the industry as a whole.

What is Helium-3?

Helium-3 is one of the rarest and most valuable substances on the planet. In Earth’s atmosphere, helium-3 exists at only about 7 parts per trillion, and historically it has been obtainable mainly as a by-product from nuclear facilities (via tritium decay) or in minute quantities from certain natural gas fields. At current market rates, helium-3 commands ~US$2,500 per liter (~US$18.7 million per kilogram) due to its scarcity and utility. The exorbitant value (on the order of 100,000 times the price of common helium-4) reflects the critical applications of helium-3 in advanced technology and research.

The isotope’s ability to absorb neutrons makes it indispensable for neutron detectors used in nuclear security and scientific instrumentation. Its low boiling point and unique quantum properties enable ultra-low-temperature cooling systems (utilized in quantum computing and fundamental physics experiments). Moreover, helium-3 is a promising fuel for nuclear fusion reactions, when combined with deuterium, helium-3 could produce energy with virtually no radioactive waste, a long-term goal of fusion energy programs.

As spacefaring nations look to the Moon’s helium-3 reserves, Pulsar’s terrestrial discovery is positioned to be both scientifically significant and strategically relevant. Helium-3 sits at the intersection of homeland security, energy security, and technological leadership, with control over supply carrying important geopolitical implications.

As an exceptionally scarce keystone resource, helium-3 has the potential to influence future international power dynamics and underpin next-generation technologies. Pulsar’s discovery also creates scope for potential strategic partnerships and commercial applications across sectors ranging from clean energy to national security.

Helium-3 Separation

At present, there is no commercial technology in operation that separates helium-3 from helium-4 in a gas stream at scale. Pulsar is in active dialogue with potential collaborators and looks forward to formalizing partnerships to evaluate methods for helium-3 separation in future processing scenarios, with the aim of producing helium-3 as a pure product. The Company invites interest from research groups and technology developers keen to collaborate or trial their separation techniques at Topaz and actively encourages open dialogue and outreach.

About the Topaz Project

The Topaz project is located in northern Minnesota, USA, where Pulsar is the first mover and holds exclusive leases. Drilling at the Jetstream #1 appraisal well reached a total depth (“TD”) of 5,100 feet (1,555 meters) in January 2025, successfully penetrating the entire interpreted helium-bearing reservoir and beyond. Drilling of the Jetstream #2 appraisal well was completed on February 1, 2025, reaching a TD of 5,638 feet (1,718 meters). In August 2025, the Jetstream #1 well was successfully flow-tested using a wellhead compressor, delivering a peak gas flow rate of approximately 1.3 million cubic feet per day with a sustained flow of 7–8% helium (as helium-4). Meanwhile, a multi-well drilling campaign at Topaz is set to commence in early October 2025 to expand the Company’s understanding of the helium reservoir and advance Pulsar’s strategy to become a leading helium producer in response to growing global demand.

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

Further Information:

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

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

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

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

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

About Pulsar Helium Inc.

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

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

Qualied Person Signoff

In accordance with the AIM Note for Mining and Oil and Gas Companies, the Company discloses that Thomas Abraham-James, President, CEO and Director of the Company has reviewed the technical information contained herein. Mr. Abraham-James has approximately 20 years in the mineral exploration industry, is a Chartered Professional Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM CP (Geo)), a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists and a Fellow of the Geological Society of London.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to the Company's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the statements regarding bringing the Topaz project to production, anticipated full plant construction contract in 2026, final investment decision being made in 2026, the potential impact of the drill results, flow testing and pressure testing on the next iteration of the resource estimate; the potential of CO2 as a valuable by-product of the Company’s future helium production; and the potential for future wells. Forward-looking statements may involve estimates and are based upon assumptions made by management of the Company, including, but not limited to, the Company's capital cost estimates, management's expectations regarding the availability of capital to fund the Company's future capital and operating requirements and the ability to obtain all requisite regulatory approvals. 

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

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

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

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

Fort Myers expansion establishes fully operational hub in region with high-volume e-commerce distribution centers, strengthening NextNRG’s position as Florida Gulf Coast’s leading mobile fueling provider

MIAMI, Oct 1, 2025 – PRISM MediaWire (Press Release Service – Press Release Distribution) – NextNRG (NASDAQ: NXXT), a pioneer in AI-driven energy innovation transforming how energy is produced, managed, and delivered, today announced the launch of its mobile fueling operation’s newest hub in Fort Myers, Florida, further extending its nationwide footprint. The expansion establishes a fully operational presence in a region home to major e-commerce distribution centers supporting national fulfillment networks, positioning NextNRG to serve the area’s growing commercial demand.

NextNRG’s entry into the region positions the company to serve both large commercial clients and a growing network of local businesses, supporting continuous operations that keep fleets, generators, and equipment running efficiently.

The Fort Meyer’s hub reflects NextNRG’s nationwide growth strategy: anchoring large commercial clients while expanding a local customer base around each hub. With this launch, NextNRG continues to broaden its footprint across Florida’s Gulf Coast, while expanding its national footprint. By strategically growing its presence, the company continues to strengthen its unique position, offering a complete end-to-end suite of energy solutions for both commercial and individual customers. This expansion reflects the broader momentum behind NextNRG’s operations, as the company’s growth trajectory has accelerated throughout 2025, with revenues surpassing last year’s figures and strong projections pointing toward record performance by fiscal year-end. This growth has been driven by the company’s ability to scale operations consistently while maintaining operational efficiency and reliability through strategic business initiatives.

“Expanding into Fort Myers demonstrates our continued growth across Florida and nationwide. Establishing our presence in a region with significant e-commerce and commercial fleet activity positions us to capture demand from high-volume operations while building local customer density. Our mobile fueling services, together with our integrated energy solutions, enable businesses to operate more efficiently at scale. With strong momentum across our operations, we’re confident in the strong growth ahead.”

Michael D. Farkas, Executive Chairman and CEO of NextNRG
About NextNRG, Inc.

NextNRG Inc. (NextNRG) is Powering What’s Next by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into utility infrastructure, battery storage, wireless EV in-motion charging, renewable energy and mobile fuel delivery, to create a unified platform for modern energy management.

At the core of its strategy is the Next Utility Operating System®, which uses AI to optimize both new and existing infrastructure across microgrids, utilities, and fleet operations. NextNRG’s smart microgrids serve commercial, healthcare, educational, tribal, and government sites delivering cost savings, reliability, and decarbonization. The company also operates one of the nation’s largest on-demand fueling fleets and is advancing wireless charging to support fleet electrification.

To learn more, visit www.nextnrg.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statement describing NextNRG’s goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions, or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Words such as “expect,” “intends,” “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those related to NextNRG’s business and macroeconomic and geopolitical events. These and other risks are described in NextNRG’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. NextNRG’s forward-looking statements involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although NextNRG’s forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by NextNRG. Except as required by law, NextNRG undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations Contact

NextNRG, Inc.
Sharon Cohen
[email protected]

Source: NextNRG, Inc.

Speculative stocks occupy a unique place in the market. Companies with solid fundamentals and long track records in resilient industries often dominate investor attention, especially those that consistently return capital through dividends. From time to time, however, early-stage businesses with significant growth potential enter the conversation, even when they have not yet reached the revenue stage.

Lithium Americas Today

LAC

Lithium Americas

$5.73 -0.01 (-0.17%)

As of 09/30/2025 03:59 PM Eastern

52-Week Range$2.31▼

$7.53Price Target$4.72

Lithium Americas NYSE: LAC illustrates this dynamic well. Three years ago, the company signed an exclusive agreement with General Motors NYSE: GM to form a joint venture for co-ownership and operation of the Thacker Pass lithium mine. Located in Nevada, it represents the largest known lithium deposit in the United States and one of the largest worldwide, with the potential to supply up to 25% of global lithium demand.

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There is no denying the evolving electric vehicle (EV) trend. Companies up and down the EV supply chain are aligning themselves for future success. But with Thacker Pass not slated to open until 2028, that success appeared to be in the distant future for Lithium Americas. That was until last week, when an unexpected catalyst sent shares of LAC surging.       

The Trump Factor That Sent Lithium Americas’ Stock Soaring
Lithium Americas is a pick-and-shovel play. It isn’t involved in the manufacturing of an EV end product. Instead, as an ancillary business, it intends on making use of the Thacker Pass’s abundant lithium reserves as part of the EV battery supply chain. Although lithium prices are well off their five-year high, steadily increasing demand as a consequence of rising EV adoption paints a bullish picture. 

But that picture remains years away from materializing for LAC. Instead, the impetus for last week’s price surge came directly from the White House. And no matter how promising a company’s future may be, few developments spur rallies quite like the president expressing an interest in taking a stake in a publicly traded company. 

That’s exactly what happened when, on Aug. 22, President Trump announced that the United States would be assuming 10% ownership in Intel NASDAQ: INTC. Since the announcement of that $8.9 billion investment, INTC is up more than 39%. 

And that’s what happened again, when on Sept. 23, reports emerged indicating that the Trump administration was negotiating a 10% equity stake in Canadian mining company Lithium Americas. With Trump and his advisors renegotiating the terms of Lithium Americas’ $2.26 billion Department of Energy loan, the market’s reaction sent shares soaring nearly 152% higher by the end of the week.

Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC) Price Chart for Wednesday, October, 1, 2025

The move, which has rare bipartisan support in D.C., is viewed as strategic to national security and as a means of reducing U.S. reliance on China, which is currently the world’s largest lithium refiner. Despite not having the world’s largest reserves, China’s notable investments in foreign mines, its extensive domestic processing infrastructure, and its wide-reaching adoption of EVs have put it well ahead of the pack in lithium processing. 

By some estimates, the country processes between 67% and 72% of the global supply. The Trump administration’s Lithium Americas move looks to change that.

While U.S. EV Demand Is Struggling, It’s a Different Story Abroad
In the United States, the EV industry is at a crossroads and facing a daunting near-term future. Despite record sales in the first half of 2025, those figures dipped in Q2. Recently, they’ve begun to tick up again as the result of the EV tax credit—which provided up to $7,500 for new EV purchases and up to $4,000 for used eligible used EV purchases—expiring on Sept. 30 as a provision of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which was signed into law in July. That reversed the incentives set forth in the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. 

But the EV industry is hardly a monolith, and demand outside of the United States is resilient and rapidly expanding. According to industry research consultancy firm Grand View Research, the global EV market, which was valued at $1.328 trillion in 2024, is forecast to undergo parabolic growth, reaching $6.524 billion by 2030. That would be good for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.5% between this year and the start of the next decade. 

While Asia Pacific was the largest market in 2024, the U.S. EV market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. That bodes well for Lithium Americas’ future. And even with analysts’ average 12-month price target representing nearly 18% potential downside from today’s share price, the long game is promising for this now-$1.39 billion market cap company.  

Should You Invest $1,000 in Lithium Americas Right Now?Before you consider Lithium Americas, you'll want to hear this.

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October 01, 2025 09:20 ET

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SEALSQ

Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --   

        

SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) ("SEALSQ" or "Company"), a company that focuses on developing and selling Semiconductors, PKI, and Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products, today announced a breakthrough initiative with SEALCOIN AG (SEALCOIN), which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform and a subsidiary of SEALSQ’s parent company WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), to protect Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents from the looming threats posed by quantum computing. Building on its pioneering expertise in Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and trusted semiconductor technologies, SEALSQ is introducing a new suite of solutions designed to safeguard AI operations and decision-making processes against adversarial quantum attacks.

Today’s cryptographic systems are under threat from the rise of quantum computing. Even the most secure digital identities and transactions risk becoming vulnerable. To address this, SEALCOIN AG is embedding quantum-resistant cryptography into every layer of its agent infrastructure, from identity certificates and wallet authorizations to smart contract execution. In partnership with SEALSQ, and leveraging the upcoming QS7001 secure element, this collaboration future-proofs AI Agents from the ground up. SEALSQ’s post-quantum secure AI framework integrates NIST-recommended PQC algorithms with its secure element chips and embedded cryptographic modules, ensuring confidential inference through homomorphic encryption optimized for SEALSQ hardware, robust identity and authentication with post-quantum digital identities, trusted execution environments that defend against both classical and quantum-level attacks, and scalable deployment across IoT, autonomous vehicles, smart infrastructure, defense, and healthcare.

“AI is only as trustworthy as the systems that protect it,” said Carlos Moreira, CEO of SEALSQ. “With this launch, SEALSQ provides the missing link between artificial intelligence and post-quantum cybersecurity, ensuring that AI agents remain reliable partners for humanity, even in the quantum era.”

This announcement coincides with the release of Episode 6 in SEALCOIN AG’s educational video series on Secure AI Agents, titled “Future-Proofing with Post-Quantum Security.” The series explores foundational principles of secure agent autonomy, including cryptographic identity, trusted transactions, decentralized execution, and now, quantum-resilient infrastructure (Link to the episode).

Over the past six episodes, SEALCOIN AG’s Secure AI Agent series has charted the journey from principle to practice for truly autonomous and trustworthy AI Agents. Starting with the foundation that autonomy without security is an illusion, the series explored why AI Agents need cryptographic identity and verifiable transactions to prevent spoofing and manipulation. It then showcased the core infrastructure SEALCOIN provides, verifiable certificates, controlled wallets, smart contracts, and immutable records, and illustrated how these elements come together in real-world agent-to-API interactions to enable secure, end-to-end autonomy. The series highlighted the transformative impact of this architecture, opening the door to new business models like autonomous procurement, AI-driven commerce, and machine-to-machine markets, before concluding with how SEALCOIN AG and SEALSQ are future-proofing agents with post-quantum security to ensure their trust and autonomy endure well into the quantum era. Videos to the previous episodes available on https://sealcoin.ai/solutions/

Clarifying SEALCOIN AG’s Role: Enabling AI Infrastructure, Not AI Solutions

As enthusiasm around artificial intelligence continues to surge, SEALCOIN AG takes a transparent stance. We are not developing AI models or selling AI-based solutions, our focus is on delivering the underlying infrastructure that empowers AI Agents to operate securely and autonomously.

Our technology provides the essential building blocks: verifiable identity, cryptographic wallets, decentralized execution, and post-quantum resilience. It’s the digital equivalent of supplying shovels to gold miners, empowering developers, platforms, and enterprises to build meaningful AI use cases on trusted foundations. This sets SEALCOIN apart by grounding our value in verifiable, enabling technology.

About SEALCOIN
SEALCOIN is a decentralized platform designed to enable transactional IoT at scale. By embedding secure payment and authentication capabilities directly into IoT devices, SEALCOIN makes device-to-device economies not just possible, but practical. More information available on www.sealcoin.ai.

About WISeKey
WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

About SEALSQ:
SEALSQ is a leading innovator in Post-Quantum Technology hardware and software solutions. Our technology seamlessly integrates Semiconductors, PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), and Provisioning Services, with a strategic emphasis on developing state-of-the-art Quantum Resistant Cryptography and Semiconductors designed to address the urgent security challenges posed by quantum computing. As quantum computers advance, traditional cryptographic methods like RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) are increasingly vulnerable.

SEALSQ is pioneering the development of Post-Quantum Semiconductors that provide robust, future-proof protection for sensitive data across a wide range of applications, including Multi-Factor Authentication tokens, Smart Energy, Medical and Healthcare Systems, Defense, IT Network Infrastructure, Automotive, and Industrial Automation and Control Systems. By embedding Post-Quantum Cryptography into our semiconductor solutions, SEALSQ ensures that organizations stay protected against quantum threats. Our products are engineered to safeguard critical systems, enhancing resilience and security across diverse industries.

For more information on our Post-Quantum Semiconductors and security solutions, please visit www.sealsq.com.

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This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning SEALSQ Corp and its businesses. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our business strategy, financial performance, results of operations, market data, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, as well as any other statements which are not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include SEALSQ's ability to continue beneficial transactions with material parties, including a limited number of significant customers; market demand and semiconductor industry conditions; and the risks discussed in SEALSQ's filings with the SEC. Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by SEALSQ with the SEC.

SEALSQ Corp is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SEALSQ Corp.
Carlos Moreira
Chairman & CEO
Tel: +41 22 594 3000
[email protected] Investor Relations (US)
The Equity Group Inc.
Lena Cati
Tel: +1 212 836-9611
[email protected]

SYDNEY , Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kazia Therapeutics Limited (NASDAQ: KZIA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapies for brain cancers, today announced its participation in a fully funded Australian Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) project titled "Sequential & Temporal Therapeutic Agility for the Treatment of Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG)". Under this three-year initiative, a consortium of leading researchers will establish DMG-ADAPTS, an advanced AI-enabled clinical decision-making platform designed to optimize sequencing and timing of targeted therapies for diffuse midline glioma (DMG), including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

After the Binance team regained control of the BNB Chain X account, the “4” meme coin used by the hacker to gain profit from victims saw its price skyrocket by 500% shortly after his rugpull.

Summary

BNB Chain’s official X account hacker stole around $8,000 from victims before using the funds to pump and rug-pull a meme coin called “4.”
The BNB community reportedly mocked the hacker by collectively buying into the “4” token, causing it to surge over 500%.

In his latest post, former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao claimed that the community was seemingly mocking the BNB Chain X account hacker after they sold all the meme coins for a $4,000 profit. The meme coin had been in the market for about a year but briefly reached a peak of 500% following the hack on BNB Chain’s official X account.

“Interestingly, after the hacker dumped ALL his tokens for a $4k gain, the community took over and bought the meme coin higher, as a mock to the hacker. Funniest come back by the community!” said CZ in his latest post.

According to data from pump.fun, the meme coin simply dubbed “Four” briefly surged above 500% before dropping down in value after the hacker reportedly cashed out on $4,000. The hacker had funneled some of the stolen funds from victims into the token before rug-pulling it afterwards.

The meme coin’s image depicts a cartoonish picture of Changpeng “CZ” Zhao’s based on the social media picture of him flashing four fingers, indicating his four-month prison sentence after he was convicted by U.S authorities.

BNB Chain hacker’s meme coin “4” briefly rose by 500% after he rug-pulled the tokens | Source: pump.fun
According to data from pump.fun, the “4” meme coin reached a golden candle before dropping back down from its high. It is currently valued for $19,400 in market cap due to the community’s collective pump. In the past 24 hours, the meme coin has seen a trading volume of $57,400. Within one hour, it has risen by 185% following the community’s rapid takeover of the meme coin that CZ claimed no longer has any tokens left in circulation.

Social media users celebrated the meme coin takeover after the hacker reportedly drained $8,000 in damages from victims who clicked on phishing links that stole funds from their crypto wallets. According to the post-mortem report, as many as 10 phishing links were shared on the compromised account.

The biggest loss came from a single user who lost approximately $6,500 from the hackers actions impersonating BNB (BNB) Chain. He then used the funds to pump his meme coin “4” and pulled the rug on 100% of his tokens for $22,000.

What happened to BNB Chain’s X account?
On Oct. 1 at around 05:30 UTC, the BNB Chain English account was compromised. The hacker used the X account with the golden check to trick users into clicking on a link that promoted a fake airdrop event for BNB token holders.

The hacker posted around 10 posts repeatedly containing the same message about an airdrop event, which actually contained malicious phishing links that would connect user wallet’s to the hacker’s.

At the time, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao took to his platform to warn users of the breach and remind them not to click on any links, as the security team for Binance tried to regain control of the social media account or get it suspended.

The Chinese language account for BNB Chain also informed users that the English X account has been hacked by an unidentified third party.

At around 8:30 UTC, the Binance team was able to regain access to the BNB Chain X account and explained that the root cause of the hack is still under investigation. However, the damages were estimated to reach $8,000. The team promised to fully compensate victims of the hack who lost their funds in the process.

XRP rises towards $3 as early Ripple employee steps away from leadership Oluwapelumi Adejumo · 7 seconds ago · 2 min read

David Schwartz is set to explore new horizons within the XRP community and transition into a board position.

Oct. 1, 2025 at 12:45 pm UTC

2 min read

Updated: Oct. 1, 2025 at 12:45 pm UTC

Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

David Schwartz, one of Ripple’s longest-serving figures, announced on Sept. 30 that he will step down as Chief Technology Officer after more than thirteen years in the position.

Schwartz, who joined Ripple in its early days and became one of the most recognizable voices in the XRP community, said the decision followed what he called a “personal inflection moment” after decades of working in technology.

According to him:

“The time has come for me to step back from my day-to-day duties as Ripple CTO at the end of this year. I’m really looking forward to spending more time with the kids and grandkids and going back to the hobbies I set aside. But be warned, I’m not going away from the XRP community.”

Next focusRather than leaving the ecosystem, Schwartz plans to operate his own XRP Ledger (XRPL) node and share its output data with the broader community.

He added that he intends to explore new XRP use cases outside Ripple’s current priorities, hinting that more announcements are coming.

To maintain continuity, Schwartz will remain connected to Ripple as Emeritus CTO and has also accepted a position on the company’s Board of Directors.

He emphasized that this new role will allow him to continue contributing to Ripple’s mission and long-term vision while giving him flexibility to pursue independent projects.

Speaking about Schwartz’s role in the development of XRP and the XRPL, Monica Long, Ripple’s president, said:

“This mighty community wouldn’t exist without you – nor the inventions of Proof of Association, the DEX, smart escrow, continuous auction in an AMM.”

XRP edges higherSchwartz’s resignation news did not unsettle XRP traders. Instead, the digital asset gained more than 3%, briefly approaching the $3 threshold, according to CryptoSlate’s data.

This price position is seen as a key point that could trigger further momentum if sustained.

Despite this, XRP trades well below its historic peak of $3.84, leaving room for future recovery.

Mentioned in this articleLatest XRP Stories

Metaplanet Inc. (OTCQX:MTPLF) has added over 5,000 Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) to its growing treasury as BTC traded near $116,300 on Tuesday morning, breaking a key resistance trendline at the start of "Uptober."

Bitcoin Breaks Wedge Pattern As $120,000 Target Emerges

BTC Technical Outlook (Source: TradingView)

Technical Analysis: On the 4-hour chart, Bitcoin broke out of a multi-week falling wedge as trading volumes improved, confirmed by a rising On-Balance Volume indicator. 

The price is holding above clustered moving averages between $112,600 and $113,300, which now serve as near-term support.

Resistance sits near $118,000, aligned with the neckline of a rounded bottom formation. 

A clear move above that level could open the path toward $120,000–122,000, while a drop below $114,000 would expose downside risk toward $110,000–108,000.

Uptober Stats Hint At Another Monster Rally For BTC

BTC Monthly Returns Analysis (Source: Coinglass)

October has historically been a standout month for Bitcoin. 

According to Coinglass, BTC has averaged a +20.24% return since 2013, with gains posted in nine of the last 12 Octobers. 

Notable rallies include +47.81% in 2017, +39.93% in 2021, and +27.7% in 2020.

This seasonal pattern, dubbed "Uptober," often fuels speculative inflows, with November also delivering strong historical gains, averaging +46%.

Read Also: FIS Stock Outlook: Why Trouble May Linger Until 2028

Metaplanet Snaps Up 25,555 BTC In Treasury Power PlayJapanese firm Metaplanet Inc. disclosed a purchase of 5,419 BTC at an average of ¥17.28 million ($115,633) per coin, spending ¥93.65 billion ($637 million).

This brings its total holdings to 25,555 BTC, accumulated at an average cost of ¥15.58 million ($106,000).

The company has aggressively expanded its treasury since March, when it held just 4,000 BTC, and now ranks among the largest corporate holders globally. 

Its roadmap includes scaling to 1% of Bitcoin's supply by 2027, backed by more than ¥500 billion ($3 billion) in raised capital.

Metaplanet also introduced perpetual preferred shares to fund purchases without diluting equity, signaling an innovative financing model for corporate adoption.

Outlook For October 2025With resistance levels cleared and seasonal trends favorable, Bitcoin enters October with momentum tilted to the upside. 

The near-term outlook points toward $120,000–125,000, though a pullback below $114,000 would put the rally at risk.

Sentiment is also supported by continued corporate accumulation and remarks from prominent industry figures, including Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who emphasized Bitcoin's fixed supply and suggested it could underpin valuations approaching $1 million.

Read Next:

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Reveals Secret To Hiring Top Engineers: Win A Coding Contest Or Forget It
Image: Shutterstock

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Is Ripple's edge at risk as SWIFT tries out the blockchain? Short answer: not yet, but the long game just got interesting.

International payments need a fresh coat of modern paint. Old-school solutions from Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), MoneyGram, and Western Union are too slow and too expensive. Newer options like PayPal (PYPL -3.70%) or Wise (WIZE.Y -3.59%) aren't always faster or cheaper.

Many investors see XRP (XRP 3.37%) and the integrated RippleNet service as the obvious answer. Ripple transactions can move money from one country to another in seconds, with average fees of $0.0002 per transfer. Ripple Labs has established local banking partnerships in dozens of countries, making the transfer experience seamless for most users. Send a few dollars to Sweden, and your friend, uncle, or e-commerce retailer receives a handful of Swedish kronor (SEK) right away.

Surely, the XRP/Ripple system must disrupt international payments over time. No one else is working on a modern, digital global money transfer platform, right?

Image source: Getty Images.

What SWIFT's blockchain move is (and isn't) at this early stage
Except good old SWIFT is actually making digital moves right now.

The Belgium-based organization just kick-started its own crypto-powered payment system. It's not exactly a brand-new service, but the addition of a blockchain-driven transaction ledger to the existing SWIFT system. The effort involves more than 30 financial institutions, including global giants like Bank of America (BAC -1.57%), Citi (C -1.57%), JPMorgan Chase (JPM -0.05%), and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD 0.21%). Some of these mega-banks have been loud critics of blockchain solutions in the past; it's nice to see them on the other side of the argument here.

The first step is an early stage conceptual prototype by Ethereum (ETH 3.25%) developer ConsenSys. This approach combines SWIFT's decades of trust-building with a fast, secure, and low-cost digital ledger, most likely using tokens on the Ethereum blockchain.

"A digital shared ledger, created with the SWIFT community, offers transparency and interoperability, two priorities to effectively manage cross-border payments in a 24/7 world," said AJ McCray, Bank of America's head of global payments, in a prepared statement.

What this means for XRP right now (spoiler alert: not much yet)
XRP investors will note that Monday's announcement didn't erase the Ripple token from the crypto market. XRP gained 0.2% on Monday -- a bit slower than Bitcoin's (BTC 3.26%) 2.5% jump or Ethereum's 2.3% price increase, but still a solid price gain.

SWIFT's blockchain ambition is just not that big of a deal -- yet.

You see, SWIFT appears to hold most of the cards in this game. Rumor has it that the group is kicking the tires of an XRP-based payment system, too. There may be other blockchain programs in the works that just haven't seen daylight and made headlines yet.

Indeed, SWIFT might end up with several new transaction rails that can handle payments faster and cheaper than the old money wires. Some future version of the Ethereum system could end up side by side with a Ripple-like XRP setup. Other options could include versatile blockchain platforms such as Polkadot (DOT 4.74%), Solana (SOL 5.10%), or Avalanche (AVAX 4.52%). I'm not saying that these cryptos absolutely have active SWIFT work going on, but I sure wouldn't be surprised to hear the news.

SWIFT and XRP are playing the long game
At their core, blockchains and cryptocurrencies are just a new way to manage secure transactions and ownership on a global scale. I see no reason why SWIFT shouldn't explore these newfangled digital ledgers in several concurrent development projects.

One day, different SWIFT transactions might just use different back-end systems, depending on what's best in each specific case. If I'm on the right track with this line of thought, I'm sure XRP will handle plenty of that business. Then again, so will Ethereum and maybe even the old bank-messaging systems.

Only time will tell what SWIFT will look like in 5 or 10 years, or which cryptocurrencies will shape the group's services over time. But SWIFT is not going quiet into that good night, choosing instead to explore the new world of digital payments. It's not the end of XRP's hopes and dreams, but perhaps the start of a more pleasant SWIFT experience.

Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Anders Bylund has positions in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polkadot, Solana, and XRP. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Avalanche, Bitcoin, Ethereum, JPMorgan Chase, PayPal, Solana, Wise Plc, and XRP. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2027 $42.50 calls on PayPal and short September 2025 $77.50 calls on PayPal. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

TLDR:

Tether partners with Rumble to roll out the USAT stablecoin, aiming for fast adoption in U.S. crypto markets.
Rumble will integrate a wallet offering USAT access, tapping into its 51 million monthly active users.
Tether invested $775 million in Rumble in 2024, securing a 48% stake before launching this new U.S. stablecoin.
USAT is built to meet U.S. federal stablecoin rules under the GENIUS Act, opening a path for regulated adoption.

Tether has struck a high-stakes partnership with video platform Rumble to promote its newly launched USAT stablecoin in the U.S. The alliance aims to tap Rumble’s audience to drive adoption. 

The move underscores Tether’s return to the U.S. stablecoin arena. It follows Tether’s earlier investment in Rumble and a growing regulatory opening. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino unfolded the plan live at TOKEN2049 in Singapore.

Tether Leverages Rumble to Propel USAT Adoption
According to report, Tether will use Rumble as a key distribution channel for USAT stablecoin in the U.S., Ardoino announced. 

He said Rumble will introduce a crypto wallet integrating USAT and other stablecoins, expected later in the year. That wallet becomes a direct path for Rumble’s users to access crypto dollars. The tie-up is central to Tether’s push into regulated U.S. markets.

Rumble reportedly attracts about 51 million active users per month, a potential gateway for new on-ramps. Tether already holds a 48 % equity stake in Rumble, following a $775 million investment made in late 2024. That capital injection gave it substantial influence over the platform.

Tether insists that USAT is designed to satisfy U.S. regulatory standards. It sees Rumble’s crypto wallet as a mechanism for compliance and scale. The project relies on the existing user base rather than building audiences from scratch. With this method, Tether hopes to accelerate crypto adoption in the American stablecoin market.

Because it’s a reported-speech and factual approach, the announcement aims to stay transparent. It avoids hype. It frames the partnership as a strategic extension of Tether’s offerings, rather than just a marketing stunt.

Crypto Price, Market Moves & U.S. Stablecoin Strategy
USAT is part of Tether’s policy to reenter the U.S. stablecoin sector under new legislation. The GENIUS Act passed in July created a federal stablecoin framework. That provides legal cover for dollar-backed digital currencies in the U.S.

Tether’s flagship USDT remains a major presence globally. But in the U.S., Tether now faces competition from Circle’s USDC and others. The new alliance with Rumble signals a more aggressive approach to gaining market share at home.

Market watchers will track how this partnership affects token price and liquidity. If Rumble’s wallet onboarding works, USAT could gain early interest from Rumble’s base. At the same time, scrutiny from regulators and audits will matter greatly.

Finally, the success of this integration may shape how other stablecoin issuers view distribution. Using a media platform as a channel could become a trend. But for now, the direct link between Rumble and Tether remains the headline news.

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, used a wide-ranging conversation on the Lex Fridman Podcast to make one of his clearest long-term calls on Bitcoin yet: “I believe it will come to a point when Bitcoin is worth $1 million.” The remarks appear on Fridman’s newly released episode with Durov.

Why Bitcoin Will Reach $1 Million: Pavel Durov
Pressed by Fridman on why he kept accumulating Bitcoin and whether he sees further upside, Durov traced his conviction to the asset’s earliest days and to its monetary design. “I was a big believer in Bitcoin since more or less the start of it,” he said, recalling that he bought “my first few thousand of Bitcoin in 2013,” around “$700 per Bitcoin,” and refused to sell even as the price later fell toward $300.

“And my response to them was, I don’t care. I’m not going to sell it. I believe in this thing.” For Durov, the crux is Bitcoin’s censorship resistance and predictable issuance: “Nobody can confiscate your Bitcoin from you. Nobody can censor you for political reasons. This is the ultimate means of exchange… The governments keep printing money like no tomorrow. Nobody’s printing Bitcoin. There is a predictable inflation and then it stops at a certain point. Bitcoin is here to stay.”

Durov also drew a sharp line between his personal finances and Telegram’s operating economics, saying Bitcoin appreciation has effectively financed his lifestyle, not profits from the company. “Telegram is a money losing operation for me personally. Bitcoin is something that allowed me to stay afloat,” he noted, adding that his long-term horizon on the asset has not changed since his early purchases more than a decade ago.

The timing of Durov’s $1 million thesis is notable given Telegram’s expanding role at crypto’s consumer edge. The company has progressively integrated the TON ecosystem into its product and business model, committing to Toncoin-based ad payments and revenue sharing for channel owners and opening its advertising platform to a broad set of markets. That TON-denominated ad infrastructure has been credited with catalyzing user and developer activity across Telegram’s mini-app economy.

On the wallet side, Telegram’s crypto functionality—first rolled out internationally—extended to the United States in July 2025, with the TON community’s wallet mini-app enabling in-app transfers and payments. The US expansion followed what Telegram described as nine-figure global wallet activation metrics in 2024, underscoring the scale of a potential distribution channel for on-chain payments and games.

As for the $1 million number itself, Durov anchored it in supply discipline and fiat debasement rather than in short-term market catalysts. His reasoning tracks with hard-cap arguments long advanced by Bitcoin’s most committed holders: issuance is programmatic and terminal, while fiscal and monetary expansion remains discretionary.

JUST IN: Telegram CEO says he thinks Bitcoin will go to $1,000,000 👀

“The governments keeps printing money like no tomorrow. Nobody is printing bitcoin.” 🚀 pic.twitter.com/AiDwr7xVkQ

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) September 30, 2025

Whether that macro narrative alone can deliver seven-figure prices is a market question; what Durov made clear is that his own positioning reflects a decade of conviction. “Just look at the trends,” he told Fridman. “Bitcoin is here to stay. All the fiat currencies remain to be seen.”

At press time, Bitcoin traded at $114,372.

BTC trades back above $114,000, 1-day chart | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com
Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, announced plans to “step back from [his] day-to-day duties” after more than a decade at the company.

Schwartz, one of the original architects of the XRP Ledger, announced in a Tuesday X post that he would be scaling back his responsibilities at Ripple after roughly 13 years at the blockchain firm.

“The time has come for me to step back from my day-to-day duties as Ripple CTO at the end of this year,” he wrote. Describing his time with Ripple as “a wild ride,” Schwartz indicated that the decision will allow him to spend more time with family while remaining active in the XRP community.

“But be warned, I’m not going away from the XRP community. You haven’t seen the last of me—now or ever.”

Schwartz Isn’t Cutting Ties Completely
After consulting for the NSA, Schwartz joined Ripple in 2011 as a cryptographer, helping design the ledger that underpins XRP transactions. He climbed the ranks to become the CTO in 2018,  and has since become one of the most recognizable voices in the XRP community, defending the ledger’s role against critics and guiding its evolution through regulatory battles and technical upgrades. 

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He will remain at Ripple as “CTO emeritus” — referring to an honorary title — and join the company’s board of directors.

“The last few months I’ve been tinkering on the side – spinning up my own XRPL node and publishing its output data, researching other use cases for XRP (besides what Ripple is focused on), and more,” he posted. “I truly enjoy this part — getting my hands dirty, talking to builders, coding for the pure love of it — and I’m really excited to get back to that. More to come on this very soon, I’m sure.”

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated on X that Schwartz was a “true OG in crypto,” touting the move. “I’m glad you won’t be far as you join the Ripple board, continuing to impart your deep crypto wisdom and guidance on what we’re building,” Garlinghouse added. A Ripple spokesperson confirmed that Dennis Jarosch, the firm’s senior vice president of engineering, will lead the technical team going forward.

The leadership change comes as Ripple positions its dollar-pegged stablecoin RLUSD deeper into tokenized treasury markets and boosts the XRP Ledger’s use cases beyond international payments.

Data from the crypto data provider CoinGecko shows that the price of 

XRP surged roughly 3.4% from $2.82 to $2.95 in the hours after Schwartz’s announcement. The cross-border payments token smashed its current all-time high price of $3.65 on July 18, 2025.

TL;DR

Bitcoin is edging toward $117,000 after several days of steady gains, driven by renewed institutional bidding.
Gold has simultaneously reached fresh all-time highs, prompting traders to interpret both rallies as a convergence between traditional and digital stores of value.
Analysts warn that a clean reclaim of the $117,500 zone may trigger an aggressive move toward uncharted territory before month-end.

Bitcoin continues to reinforce its status as a digital alternative to gold while the BTC/USD pair advances despite ongoing warnings about pending liquidations across exchange order books. Recent data shows that price action has consistently held key support levels even as retail leverage increases, a structure that often precedes sharp extensions when late-positioned traders get forced out of the market. Some trading desks report that spot buyers are now more dominant than futures participants, a sign of healthier market structure compared to previous speculative cycles.

Multiple chart watchers point to the $117,500 cluster as a technical inflection point. A decisive breakthrough could open the path toward the $120,000 region, historically known for attracting large-scale profit-taking. So far, bearish pressure has remained muted, surprising even those who expected a prolonged consolidation after a strong third-quarter close. Seasoned traders argue that the current setup resembles early breakout phases seen during previous moments, where initial resistance zones eventually gave way to exponential upside.

Derivatives desks note a rapid increase in volume, particularly in contracts targeting prices above $125,000 before month-end. That buildup suggests a portion of the market is pricing in continuation rather than retracement. Should this momentum persist, volatility could accelerate within hours, rewarding early entries positioned for trend expansion. Options traders highlight a growing preference for longer-dated calls, indicating that investors are no longer viewing $100,000 as a distant milestone but rather as confirmed support.

Gold Rally Surpasses Market Projections
Gold’s surge beyond $3,800 per ounce has reignited comparisons between both assets. The long-standing debate over whether Bitcoin can function as a protective asset alongside precious metals gains credibility each time both instruments push upward in tandem, rather than competing for capital flows. Portfolio managers who once dismissed Bitcoin on grounds of volatility now argue that its asymmetric returns justify strategic exposure when inflation expectations remain elevated.

Institutional Rotation Strengthens
Funds dedicated to digital assets report steady inflows since the start of the week, with capital arriving from portfolios typically restricted to physical commodities. If this rotation extends further, markets may witness a phase in which gold holds elevated territory while Bitcoin absorbs the bulk of speculative appetite.