Breaking
New Market Perspective
Author

admin

Browsing
Investing

BPH Energy LimitedRaises $1.2M to Accelerate Funding of Hydrocarbon and Cortical Investments

Sydney, Australia (ABN Newswire) – BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) announced that it has received binding commitments from new and existing sophisticated investors to raise approximately $1.2 million (before costs) (‘Placement’). The Placement will comprise the issue of 134,222,222 new fully paid ordinary shares (‘Placement Shares’) in the Company at an issue price of $0.009 per share. The Placement Shares will be issued pursuant to the Company’s existing placement capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 and 7.1A.

HIGHLIGHTS

– Binding commitments received to raise approximately $1.2 million through a Placement at $0.009 per share

– Placement participants will receive 1 Attaching Option for each New Share subscribed for under the Placement, exercisable at $0.03 per share, with an expiry date being the same as the Options to be issued under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025

– BPH funded to execute its next phase of hydrocarbon and Cortical Dynamics investments

– The Federal Court hearing for the PEP-11 judicial review application is scheduled for February 20 and 23, 2026

Placement participants will receive 1 free Attaching Option for each Placement Share subscribed for under the Placement, exercisable at $0.03 each with an expiry date being the same as the options to be issued under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025 (‘Attaching Options’).

Oakley Capital Partners Pty Limited (‘Oakley Capital’) and 62 Capital Limited (’62 Capital’) acted as Joint Lead Managers for the Placement. Oakley Capital and 62 Capital will be paid a cash fee of 6% on funds raised under the Placement and an aggregate of 33,555,555 Broker Options (‘Broker Options’) on the same terms as the Attaching Options.

The Attaching Options and Broker Options will be issued on the same day as the Options to be issued under the Options Prospectus and the Company intends to apply for quotation of the Options subject to the Company meeting ASX quotation requirements.

Commenting on the capital raising, Executive Director Mr David Breeze said:

‘We are pleased to have received strong support in the Placement. The funding allows BPH to accelerate the exploration programs to unlock the potential on our gas projects especially with the current gas supply crisis as well as assist the next phase of associate Cortical Dynamic Limited’s expansion. The funding also leaves BPH well-placed ahead of the Federal Court hearing for the PEP-11 judicial review scheduled for February 20 and 23, 2026, where the PEP-11 Joint Venture will seek to overturn the Federal Government’s rejection of the PEP-11 permit extension’

USE OF FUNDS

The proceeds raised under the Placement provide BPH with an enhanced cash position to fund its hydrocarbon projects and to assist in the continued development of Cortical Dynamics.

The intended use of funds will be for:

– $0.85 million – Funding for exploration and development of oil and gas investments

– $0.1 million – For working capital including costs of the offer

– $0.25 million – Funding for Cortical Dynamics

PLACEMENT DETAILS

The Placement offer price of $0.009 per share represents a 18.2% discount to BPH’s last price of $0.0011 per share on Thursday, 8 January 2026, and a 7.8% discount to the 15-day VWAP of $0.00976 per share.

Settlement of the Placement is expected to be completed on or around 14 January 2026.

A total of 12,259,551 Placement Shares, 134,222,222 free Attaching Options, and 33,555,555 Broker Options (pro rata to their management of the Placement) will be issued under ASX Listing Rule 7.1. A total of 121,962,671 Placement Shares will be issued under ASX Listing Rule 7.1A.

The Attaching Options and Broker Options will be issued following the close of the Offer under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025.

Placement Shares will rank equally with existing fully paid ordinary shares.

The Company will issue a supplementary Options Prospectus as soon as possible.

About BPH Energy Limited:

BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) is an Australian Securities Exchange listed company developing biomedical research and technologies within Australian Universities and Hospital Institutes.

The company provides early stage funding, project management and commercialisation strategies for a direct collaboration, a spin out company or to secure a license.

BPH provides funding for commercial strategies for proof of concept, research and product development, whilst the institutional partner provides infrastructure and the core scientific expertise.

BPH currently partners with several academic institutions including The Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT).

Source:
BPH Energy Limited

Contact:
David Breeze
admin@bphenergy.com.au
www.bphenergy.com.au
T: +61 8 9328 8366

News Provided by ABN Newswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
Investing

Crypto Market Update: BNY Mellon Moves Toward Tokenized Deposits for Institutional Clients

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (January 9) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin and Ether price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$90,165.72, down by 0.7 percent over 24 hours.

Bitcoin price performance, January 9, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$3,069.12, down by 1.2 percent over the last 24 hours.

Altcoin price update

  • XRP (XRP) was priced at US$2.08, down by 2.0 percent over 24 hours.
  • Solana (SOL) was trading at US$135.48, down by 1.5 percent over 24 hours.

Today’s crypto news to know

BNY Mellon steps toward tokenized deposits

BNY Mellon (NYSE:BK), a major global financial services firm, has begun converting customer cash holdings into digital tokens on its specialized platform, according to a Friday announcement. This step supports the bank’s goal of offering flexible digital cash for large-scale financial operations. Early users include top banks and tech-forward companies.

The system starts by handling security deposits and loan margins, using digital records on a secure, private digital ledger to mirror clients’ existing cash claims at the bank. It follows BNY’s standard rules for safety, legal checks and oversight. Actual cash amounts are tracked in the bank’s regular systems to meet government reporting needs.

Rain announces Series C funding round

Rain, a payments company using stable digital dollars, announced it raised US$250 million in its latest funding round led by ICONIQ, with other investors joining in. This values the company at US$1.95 billion and brings its total funding to over US$338 million since its earlier rounds.

Rain provides businesses with one-stop tools to create digital dollar cards accepted anywhere Visa (NYSE:V) works, add rewards, switch regular money to stable digital dollars, manage secure digital wallets and send payments. According to the company, its technology now handles over US$3 billion in yearly transactions for more than 200 partners like Western Union, Nuvei, and KAST. These services reach 2.5 billion people for daily buys like coffee or flights, plus business costs such as cloud computing and online ads.

Ripple secures FCA approval to expand UK crypto payments

Ripple has received regulatory approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to scale its crypto-enabled payments services in the country.

The approval covers both cryptoasset registration and an Electronic Money Institution license, allowing UK businesses to use Ripple’s platform for cross-border payments involving digital assets.

The authorization comes through Ripple Markets UK Ltd and positions the firm to operate under tighter regulatory scrutiny ahead of the UK’s broader crypto rulebook.

The approval arrived just as the FCA outlines a transition to full licensing for crypto firms by 2027.

Ripple has long treated the UK as a strategic hub, with its London office now its largest outside the US. The XRP token rose by 1 percent following the announcement, extending gains of almost 11 percent from the past week.

South Korea signals green light for spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2026

South Korea plans to allow spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2026 as part of a wider economic growth and market reform strategy aimed at attracting foreign capital.

Officials pointed to the active trading of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US and Hong Kong as a key reference in lifting long-standing restrictions that barred crypto assets from serving as ETF underlyings.

The move is expected to align with broader financial reforms designed to support South Korea’s bid for inclusion in MSCI’s developed-market index. Regulators are also fast-tracking a second phase of digital asset legislation that will establish a comprehensive framework for stablecoins.

At the same time, authorities are pushing to internationalize the won, including expanding offshore access and introducing 24-hour onshore FX trading by mid-2026.

UK sets September 2026 deadline for full crypto licensing regime

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed that crypto firms must obtain full authorization by September 2026 to continue operating under a new regulatory regime launching in 2027.

The change will replace the current registration-only system with a licensing framework that mirrors standards applied to traditional financial products.

Firms will need to apply during a fixed window opening in September 2026, with no automatic conversion for those already registered under existing anti–money laundering rules.

Companies that miss the window face sharp operational limits, including bans on entering new cryptoasset business while awaiting approval.

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

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
Investing

Tech Weekly: CES Announcements Reignite Memory Shortage Concerns

We also break down next week’s catalysts to watch to help you prepare for the week ahead.

In this article:

    This week’s tech sector performance

    Tech markets spent the first full week of 2026 responding to headlines out of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) announcements helped drive Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) momentum. This enthusiasm pushed the index to a fresh record midweek before a bout of profit taking and renewed concerns weighed on sentiment heading into Friday (January 9).

    The Nasdaq finished the week up 0.95 percent from Monday’s (January 5) open, powered by gains in memory and storage names like Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) and Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) after upbeat commentary on next-generation data infrastructure. However, the rally faded as investors rotated into defensive stocks after US President Donald Trump proposed a US$1.5 trillion “Dream Military” budget.

    Labor market indicators for the week suggest a continued, gradual cooling in the American job market, supporting the case for future US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

    North of the border, Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) retreated after briefly hitting a record, mirroring the US market’s rotation in the second half of the week, weighed down by Venezuela oil fears.

    3 tech stocks moving markets this week

    1. Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU)

    Shares of Micron Technology rose 0.12 percent on Monday after the company provided an investor update confirming strong demand for its high-bandwidth memory, critical for AI GPUs, through 2026.

    Comments on storage shortages at CES amplified gains on Tuesday, driving an 8.25 percent advance for Micron that day alongside additional memory stocks. The company saw a 6.14 percent weekly gain.

    2. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)

    Lockheed Martin jumped by as much as 2.06 percent on Thursday (January 8) after Trump’s Truth Social post prompted an investor rotation to defensive tech stocks.

    3. SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK)

    Sandisk, a company focused on NAND flash, SSDs and memory cards for consumer and AI data center use, jumped as much as 27.57 percent on Tuesday as comments at CES from NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) and Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930,OTCPL:SSNLF) executives reignited concerns of forthcoming price increases for NAND flash memory.

    SanDisk, Lockheed Martin and Micron Technology performance, January 5 to 9, 2026.

    Chart via Google Finance.

    Top tech news of the week

      • Huang also announced that NVIDIA’s new AI server racks will not require outside cooling, a revelation that caused the stocks of cooling equipment suppliers, such as Modine Manufacturing (NYSE:MOD) and Johnson Controls International (NYSE:JCI), to fall.

                      Tech ETF performance

                      Tech exchange-traded funds (ETFs) track baskets of major tech stocks, meaning their performance helps investors gauge the overall performance of the niches they cover.

                      This week, the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) advanced by 2.47 percent, while the Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXQ) saw a gain of 1.45 percent.

                      The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SMH) also increased by 1.98 percent.

                      Tech news to watch next week

                      Next week will bring bank earnings, starting with JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) on January 12, and Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) on January 15. January 15 will also bring the latest quarterly results from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM).

                      US producer price index data will hit on January 14, testing Fed interest rate cut bets, while Micron is set to break ground on its US$100 billion New York mega-fab on January 16.

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

                      This post appeared first on investingnews.com

                      Keep Reading
                      Business

                      Warner Bros. Discovery rejects Paramount’s amended takeover offer

                      Warner Bros. Discovery on Wednesday rejected Paramount Skydance’s amended takeover offer, the latest in a series of rejections in David Ellison’s pursuit of the streaming and cable giant.

                      The media company said it remains committed to the $82.7 billion deal it reached in December to sell its streaming service, studio and HBO cable channel to Netflix.

                      ‘The Board unanimously determined that the Paramount’s latest offer remains inferior to our merger agreement with Netflix across multiple key areas,’ Warner Bros. Discovery Chairman Samuel Di Piazza said in a statement.

                      ‘Paramount’s offer continues to provide insufficient value,’ he continued.

                      In a letter to shareholders, Di Piazza wrote that Paramount Skydance’s offer carries ‘significant costs, risks and uncertainties as compared to the Netflix merger.’ The way the Paramount deal is structured creates a ‘lack of certainty’ about its finalization, he added.

                      Di Piazza adds in the letter that if the company were to agree to the Paramount merger and it failed to close, it would result in a ‘potentially considerable value destruction.’

                      ‘What matters most right now is our focus as we start the year,’ Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said in a memo to employees seen by NBC News. ‘Our operating plans remain unchanged, and our priorities for 2026 are clear and intentional.’

                      Zaslav wrote that the ‘review was conducted with discipline and rigor, and was supported by independent financial and legal advisors.’

                      On Dec. 22, Paramount Skydance increased its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery with a personal guarantee from billionaire Larry Ellison, who was backing the financing for the deal. His son, David Ellison, is the CEO of Paramount Skydance.

                      However, that was not enough for Warner Bros. Discovery. That beefed-up offer followed Warner Bros. Discovery’s Dec. 17 public rejection of Paramount. It also preceded multiple private rejections before Paramount Skydance went public.

                      In a statement Thursday, Paramount said it remained committed to the offer that WBD has rejected twice. “WBD continues to raise issues in Paramount’s offer that we have already addressed, including flexibility in interim operations,” Paramount said.

                      At stake is the future of one of the most storied media empires in the United States.

                      The bidding by Paramount also comes amid a monumental shift in the media and streaming landscape at large. On Monday, Versant Media, the cable network spinoff from Comcast, began trading as an independent company. Shares have plunged more than 20% over the course of those two days. (Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and NBC News.)

                      On CNBC, Di Piazza said it would be a mistake to compare Warner Bros. Discovery‘s cable networks to Versant. ‘Discovery Global is different, it has a lot more scale,’ he said.

                      Streaming companies such as Apple, Netflix and Amazon are also challenging traditional broadcasters such as Paramount-owned CBS for sports rights.

                      Warner Bros. Discovery controls properties ranging from CNN Worldwide and the Discovery Channel to HBO, as well as the Warner Bros. film studio and archive.

                      Despite the back and forth between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount, Netflix has so far proceeded with the deal it inked Dec. 5, under which the world’s largest streaming company would acquire a stake in WBD.

                      Warner’s cable networks would be spun out into a separate company as part of that deal. However, Paramount Skydance wants to buy everything Warner Bros. Discovery owns.

                      Paramount’s controlling shareholders, the Ellisons, have suggested they could obtain regulatory clearance more quickly and easily than Netflix.

                      In mid-2025, the Ellisons acquired Paramount with approval from the Trump administration. But that approval only came after CBS News agreed to pay $16 million to President Donald Trump’s future presidential library over an interview that “60 Minutes” had conducted with then-presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris.

                      Netflix, for its part, has met with Trump at the White House over the deal. But Trump has said either bidder poses potential problems, in his view.

                      Netflix said in a statement that it ‘welcomed the Warner Bros. Discovery board of directors’ continued commitment to the merger agreement’ the two companies reached last year. ‘Netflix and Warner Bros. will bring together highly complementary strengths and a shared passion for storytelling,’ Netflix’s co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said.

                      Di Piazza said on CNBC that the difference between Paramount’s offer and that of Netflix is that Warner Bros. and Netflix already ‘have a signed merger agreement’ that has ‘a clear path to closing.’ Di Piazza also said the Netflix deal offers ‘protections for our shareholders, if something stops the close, whatever that might be.’

                      Trump has said he will be personally involved in reviewing whichever merger proceeds.

                      Paramount did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

                      This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

                      Keep Reading
                      Investing

                      RETRANSMISSION: Blackrock Silver Closes C$15 Million Private Placement Led By a C$7 Million Investment from Eric Sprott

                      Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC,OTC:BKRRF) (OTCQX: BKRRF) (FSE: AHZ0) (‘Blackrock’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce the completion of its non-brokered private placement (the ‘Offering’) previously announced on December 24, 2025. 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a company beneficially owned by Eric Sprott, purchased an aggregate of C$6,999,960 of the Offering. The Offering consisted of a total of 13,636,300 units of the Company (the ‘Units’) at a price of C$1.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of C$14,999,930. Each Unit consisted of one common share of the Company (each, a ‘Common Share’) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a ‘Warrant’). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of C$1.50 per Common Share until January 8, 2028.

                      Andrew Pollard, Blackrock’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: ‘Supported by Eric Sprott and a new cornerstone investor, this $15 million financing meaningfully strengthens our balance sheet as we advance Tonopah West toward development. As an emerging American silver developer, we are accelerating permitting and de-risking initiatives in 2026 to support the advancement of a secure, high-quality domestic source of silver for the U.S. market.’

                      The net proceeds of the Offering are intended to be used by the Company to fund exploration, permitting and pre-development activities on the Company’s Tonopah West project and for general working capital.

                      In connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company paid Research Capital Corporation (the ‘Finder‘) finder’s fees in cash totalling C$689,997 and issued to the Finder a total of 627,270 non-transferable finder’s warrants (‘Finder’s Warrants‘) in connection with the Units placed by the Finder. Each Finder’s Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of C$1.50 until January 8, 2028.

                      The participation of Eric Sprott in the Offering constituted a ‘related party transaction’, within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (‘MI 61-101‘). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of the related party participation in the Offering as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involved the interested parties, exceeded 25% of the Company’s market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

                      The Common Shares, Warrants and Finder’s Warrants issued in connection with the Private Placement and the Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and Finder’s Warrants are subject to a hold period expiring on May 9, 2026.

                      The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act‘) or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

                      About Blackrock Silver Corp.

                      Backed by gold and silver ounces in the ground, Blackrock is a junior precious metal focused exploration and development company driven to add shareholder value. Anchored by a seasoned Board of Directors, the Company is focused on its 100% controlled Nevada portfolio of properties consisting of low-sulphidation, epithermal gold and silver mineralization located along the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada.

                      Additional information on Blackrock Silver Corp. can be found on its website at www.blackrocksilver.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.

                      Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

                      This news release contains ‘forward-looking statements’ and ‘forward-looking information’ (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements‘) within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things: the net proceeds from the Offering and the intended use of proceeds therefrom; the advancement of the Tonopah West project towards development, including the acceleration of permitting and de-risking initiatives at the Tonopah West project; and the intention for the Tonopah West project to function as a future secure, high-quality domestic source of silver for the U.S. market.

                      These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones; the availability of skilled labour and no labour related disruptions at any of the Company’s operations; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled activities; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for operations are received in a timely manner; the ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to properties and the surface rights necessary for operations; and the Company’s ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

                      The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data; general market, political, economic and industry conditions; and those factors identified under the caption ‘Risks Factors’ in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form.

                      Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

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

                      For Further Information, Contact:

                      Andrew Pollard
                      President and Chief Executive Officer
                      (604) 817-6044
                      info@blackrocksilver.com

                      NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

                      To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279847

                      News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

                      This post appeared first on investingnews.com

                      Keep Reading
                      Investing

                      Is 2026 The Year The Cannabis Industry Matures?

                      The executive order (EO) of December 18 to reclassify cannabis to Schedule III is a monumental decision that will fundamentally reshape the market.

                      The official recognition of its medical utility is a designation that cannot be removed from the administrative record.

                      The industry is evolving from a lifestyle-driven, speculative sector into a professionalized asset class centered on medical and pharmaceutical applications. This shift moves the sector from a speculative, wait-and-see environment to a high-stakes period requiring fundamental restructuring.

                      Clearing the judicial runway

                      The path to federal rescheduling is currently obstructed by a stalled administrative hearing process that has reached a procedural standstill.

                      While the EO mandates an expeditious timeline, the actual movement is frozen because the DEA has yet to enter a briefing schedule following a request for an interlocutory appeal.

                      Legal expert Shane Pennington suggests that the most efficient path forward is for the administration to simply cancel or withdraw the pending ALJ hearing altogether by citing the lack of constitutional Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and documented ex parte communications, and move directly toward a final rule based on the HHS’s already established medical record.

                      By withdrawing the hearing, the Department of Justice effectively moots the current interlocutory appeal, allowing the DOJ to issue a Final Rule relatively quickly.

                      Once the final rule is published, the industry and movement will likely shift to the DOJ side against prohibitionist stays in federal appellate courts. This is a stark contrast to previous years, where advocates were on the offensive.

                      The capital markets thaw

                      The true catalyst for investors in 2026 is not the headline of rescheduling but the fundamental transformation of balance sheets. For decades, the cannabis industry operated under so-called “cannabis exceptionalism”, a state where standard business rules, tax laws and banking protections were suspended, blocking deductions and choking liquidity.

                      Rescheduling will remove these barriers to unleash normalized cash flows and institutional capital into a sector long treated as radioactive, though Ahrens notes major wirehouses will block stocks until the ink dries

                      Additionally, moving to Schedule III eliminates the Section 280E penalty, which currently prevents businesses from deducting standard operating expenses like rent and payroll, and unlocks bankruptcy protections. Ahrens pointed out that US cannabis firms have been forced to operate leanly on a shoestring compared to Canadian counterparts; normalized taxation will finally allow these firms to operate as legitimate consumer or healthcare categories.

                      Current effective tax rates can soar to 70 percent or more; post-rescheduling, these rates are expected to align closer to the standard 21 percent corporate rate.

                      The removal of Section 280E is expected to trigger a cash flow expansion. Perceived risk reduction could cause valuation multiples to improve after-tax earnings. Higher valuations and greater cash flow will increase debt capacity and make acquisitions easier to finance and more accretive.

                      “The first thing US cannabis companies are going to do is pay down their debt,” said Ahrens. “I’d (also) expect to see more M&A once everything is complete.”

                      Clinical legitimacy and the CBD bridge

                      Schedule III, while not legalizing cannabis, reduces the federal hurdle for clinical trials. This eases security and compliance requirements for researchers, paving the way for FDA-approved cannabinoid treatments and creating a formal pipeline for medical legitimacy.

                      Dr. Priyanka Sharma of Casmira Therapeutics noted the EO’s call for HHS, FDA, CMMS and NIH to collaborate on research methods using real-world evidence, including randomized controlled trials, longitudinal studies and patient interviews to inform clinical standards.

                      She emphasized a CMMI pilot arming healthcare professionals with tools to manage complex Medicare patients on hemp-derived CBD, including duration, dosing and drug interactions.

                      With federal research barriers lowered, MSOs become realistic acquisition targets for Big Pharma giants looking for validated medical compounds.

                      A critical wildcard for the 2026 market is the impending federal crackdown on intoxicating hemp products under Farm Bill revisions, set to take effect in November 2026.

                      Ahrens expects the new definition to remove unfair competition by pulling intoxicating gray market products from shelves, pushing consumers toward the regulated MSO market.

                      Sharma noted the EO explicitly acknowledges this hemp-derived legal instability, positioning CBD as a federal priority for research coordination and clinical frameworks.

                      The bottom line

                      While market volatility remains high, this remains a market for long-term fundamental thinkers, not short-term speculators, as the industry moves toward concrete regulatory execution.

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

                      This post appeared first on investingnews.com

                      Keep Reading
                      Investing

                      Approval of up to €110m Portuguese State Grant

                      Savannah Resources Plc, the developer of the Barroso Lithium Project in Portugal, a ‘Strategic Project’ under the European Critical Raw Materials Act and Europe’s largest spodumene lithium deposit (the ‘Project’), is delighted to announce the award of a non-reimbursable grant (the ‘Grant’) of up to approximately €110 million (approximately US$128 million) from the Portuguese State and supported by national funds under the European Commission Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework.

                      The Grant represents a highly significant financial contribution towards the planned construction of the Project and further demonstrates the support the Project is receiving from the Portuguese State in recognition of its status as an asset of national and European importance in a new strategic industry for the country and the European Union.

                      Highlights:

                      • Source: The Grant draws on the State’s ‘Investments in Strategic Sectors’ Incentive Scheme, ruled by Government Order no. 306-A/2024/1, of November 27th (‘Regulation’) and falls under the contractual investment regime (‘RCI’), approved by Decree-Law No. 191/2014, of 31 December, representing a large investment project in sectors that are fundamental to the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy and in strategic sectors for the transition to a net-zero emissions economy.
                      • State Entities involved: The award is made by means of an investment agreement with the Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency (‘AICEP’), pursuant to the approval by the Managing Authority of the Thematic Programme for the Innovation and Digital Transition Programme (COMPETE 2030) and the Ministry of Economy and Territorial Cohesion and supported under the European Commission’s Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework.
                      • Conditions precedent: Savannah must comply with certain conditions and Project timelines in order to receive the Grant (see below).
                      • Next steps: Pursuant to the signing of the investment contract by the parties, Savannah will work with AICEP to make the Grant compatible with any future Project Financing and/or other potential funding options to complement the development of the Project. Once executed, Savannah expects that draw down from the first tranche of the funding will take place in parallel with the initial capital development phase of the Project.

                      Emanuel Proenca, CEO of Savannah said, ‘The award of this Grant marks another, highly important, milestone for Savannah and the Barroso Lithium Project. The scale of the financial commitment being made by the Portuguese State will provide a significant contribution towards the Project’s CAPEX as we target production from 2028. It also underlines the Portuguese State’s significant support for the Project’s delivery, and mirrors similar recent actions taken by other governments in support of strategic projects elsewhere in Europe and around the world.

                      ‘There are multiple social and economic benefits associated with bringing our Project into production, including creating a new industry and economic growth for Portugal, providing a domestic source of responsibly produced lithium raw material for Europe’s greater energy independence, and bringing much needed development and job opportunities to the Barroso region and the wider northeast of Portugal. We are conscious of the responsibility we have to deliver a project in accordance with the best international standards and to the benefit of many people and entities on the ground in the Barroso region with whom we already work. We are committed to fulfilling the demands and responsibilities associated with Portuguese State investment, and we have strong confidence in the State’s commitment to continue to do its part in making Portugal’s lithium battery value chain a success for the country’s current and future generations.’

                      ‘I look forward to providing Savannah’s shareholders and stakeholders with further updates regarding the Grant as it progresses’.

                      Henrique Freire, CFO of Savannah said, ‘This Grant is excellent news and represents strong financial and national support to our Project, which will instil great confidence in our existing and future stakeholders.

                      ‘Savannah has already made good progress on key elements of the potential financing package for the Project, including this Grant, ahead of a Final Investment Decision expected later in the year. In the months ahead we will continue to work on additional elements, such as debt financing and additional partnerships, so that we have a full suite of financing options available to deliver full execution of this highly strategic project.’

                      Further information

                      • Process and source of funding: The Grant is made following the call for Applications SIFN/ISE/01-2024 – Incentive System «Investments in Strategic Sectors», supported by national funds. Application no. 25645 was submitted by Savannah’s Portuguese subsidiary, Savannah Lithium, Unipessoal Lda, under the contractual investment regime (‘RCI’), approved by Decree-Law No. 191/2014, of December 31, and paragraph 1 of Article 1 of the Regulation, presenting large investment projects in sectors that are fundamental to the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy and in strategic sectors for the transition to a net-zero emissions economy. The application was evaluated and negotiated with AICEP and then received approval from the Managing Committee of the Managing Authority of the Thematic Programme for the Innovation and Digital Transition Programme (COMPETE 2030) and the Portuguese Government, under Order no. 241/2026, of December 29th, published within the Official Gazette (‘Diário da República’), Series 2, no. 4, on 7 January 2026.
                      • Objective: Construction of a new extraction and production unit for spodumene concentrate essential for the production of batteries, electrolyzers and other equipment that incorporate lithium in their composition, in Boticas (Vila Real district, NUTS II Norte).
                      • Financing: The call allows for 35% of the total amount of eligible expenses to be granted to the applicant. Hence, Savannah can receive up to a maximum total value of €109.67 million (US$128.31 million) in the form of a Non-Refundable Grant divided into two parts as follows:
                        • An amount of up to €82.25 million (US$96.23 million) equivalent to 75% of the total, granted as consideration for the execution of the operation (CAPEX); and
                        • An amount of up to €27.42 million (US$32.08 million) equivalent to 25% of the total, awarded as a contractual performance bonus sometime between 2031 and 2042.
                      • Status of Grant: The Grant is executed through an investment contract entered into between AICEP and Savannah Lithium Unipessoal Lda, under the terms of Decree‑Law no. 191/2014, of 31 December and the Regulation.
                      • Conditions precedent and execution risk. Savannah notes that while this Grant represents a significant milestone, the Project remains subject to permitting, financing, construction, and operational risks typical of mining developments. Shareholders should note that the timing and quantum of Grant receipts are contingent on meeting all contractual conditions. Should Savannah or the Portuguese State not comply with the conditions precedent before the end of the year, the contract would be void.
                      • Next steps: Pursuant to the signing of the investment contract, Savannah will work with AICEP to complete its execution and the fulfilment of all contractual and legal obligations, notably regarding the Grant’s compatibility with any future Project Financing and/or other potential funding option to complement the development of the Project.

                      Regulatory Information

                      This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (‘MAR’), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company’s obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

                      Follow @SavannahRes on X (Formerly known as Twitter)

                      Follow Savannah Resources on LinkedIn

                      For further information please visit www.savannahresources.com or contact:

                      Savannah Resources PLC

                      Emanuel Proença, CEO

                      Tel: +44 20 7117 2489

                      SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nominated Advisor & Broker)

                      David Hignell/ Charlie Bouverat (Corporate Finance)

                      Grant Barker/Abigail Wayne (Sales & Broking)

                      Tel: +44 20 3470 0470

                      Canaccord Genuity Limited (Joint Broker)

                      James Asensio / Charlie Hammond (Corporate Broking)

                      Ben Knott (Sales)

                      Tel: +44 20 7523 8000

                      Portugal Media Relations

                      Savannah Resources: Antonio Neves Costa, Communications Manager

                      Tel: +351 962 678 912

                      About Savannah

                      Savannah Resources is a mineral resource development company and the sole owner of the Barroso Lithium Project (the ‘Project’) in northern Portugal. The Project is the largest battery grade spodumene lithium resource outlined to date in Europe and was classified as a ‘Strategic Project’ by the European Commission under the Critical Raw Materials Act in March 2025.

                      Through the Project, Savannah will help Portugal to play an important role in providing a long-term, locally sourced, lithium raw material supply for Europe’s lithium battery value chain. Once in operation the Project will produce enough lithium (contained in c.190,000tpa of spodumene concentrate) for approximately half a million vehicle battery packs per year and hence make a significant contribution towards the European Commission’s Critical Raw Material Act goal of a minimum 10% of European endogenous lithium production from 2030.

                      Savannah is focused on the responsible development and operation of the Barroso Lithium Project so that its impact on the environment is minimised and the socio-economic benefits that it can bring to all its stakeholders are maximised.

                      The Company is listed and regulated on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange and trades under the ticker ‘SAV’.

                      Source

                      This post appeared first on investingnews.com

                      Keep Reading