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Syntheia Corp. (CSE: SYAI) (Syntheia.ai) (the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that further to its press releases dated July 23, 2025, September 2, 2025, and September 12, 2025, the Company has closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $237,000.00 through the issuance of 1,975,000 units (each, a ‘Unit’) at a price of $0.12 per Unit (the ‘Offering’).

Each Unit was comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a ‘Common Share‘) and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a ‘Warrant‘). Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.16 until October 6, 2030 (the ‘Expiry Date‘), subject to an accelerated expiry in the event the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares exceeds $0.20 for 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may, within 10 business days of the occurrence of such event, deliver a notice to the holders of the Warrants accelerating their Expiry Date to a date that is not less than 30 days following the date of such notice and the issuance of a press release by the Company announcing the acceleration notice (the ‘Accelerated Exercise Period‘). Any unexercised Warrants shall automatically expire at the end of the Accelerated Exercise Period.

Gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation.

The Offering constituted a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (‘MI 61-101‘) as certain insiders of the Company subscribed for an aggregate of 250,000 Units pursuant to the Offering. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed on a specified market and the fair market value of the participation in the Offering by insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the of the Offering, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances in order to complete the Offering in an expeditious manner.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act‘) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons as defined under applicable United States securities laws unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Syntheia

Syntheia Corp. is an early-stage artificial intelligence technology company, channeling its efforts into refining and expanding its proprietary, conversational AI-based platform (the ‘Syntheia AI Platform‘). The Syntheia AI Platform represents the integration of natural language processing (‘NLP‘) technology, enabling it to not only understand but also respond to human language with accuracy. The Syntheia AI Platform, a generative, AI-powered algorithm equipped with a human-like voice, boasts self-learning capabilities derived from NLP methodologies.

Currently in beta testing, the Syntheia AI Platform is crafted to offer a suite of automated solutions, particularly for retail-focused businesses where customer interaction and service are key to operations. At the heart of the Syntheia AI Platform is its use of AI to emulate human cognitive processes, combined with a sophisticated large language model, which is integral for interpreting and generating human-like language responses.

For further information, please contact:

Tony Di Benedetto
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: (844) 796-8434

Cautionary Statement

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release contains certain ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as ‘plan’, ‘expect’, ‘project’, ‘intend’, ‘believe’, ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘potential’, ‘proposed’ and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions ‘may’ or ‘will’ occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

The securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/269347

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Investing

Allied Critical Metals Announces $10 Million Strategic Non-Brokered Private Placement

Allied Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: ACM,OTC:ACMIF) (OTCQB: ACMIF) (FSE: 0VJ0) (‘Allied’ or the ‘Company’), is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement offering (the ‘Offering’) for gross proceeds of up to $10,000,000 by issuing up to 16,666,666 common shares of the Company (the ‘Shares’ and, each, a ‘Share’) at a price of $0.60 per Share.

The Shares will be offered to purchasers pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions (‘NI 45-106‘) to purchasers resident in Canada, except Quebec, and certain jurisdictions outside of Canada. Pursuant to NI 45-106, the securities offered under the Offering will not be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

There is an offering document (the ‘Offering Document‘) related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company’s website at www.alliedcritical.com. Prospectus investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for ongoing exploration and development activities on the Borralha Tungsten Project and Vila Verde Tungsten Project and for additional working capital.

The Offering is subject to approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the ‘CSE‘).

The Company may pay finder’s fees in connection with the Offering to eligible finders in accordance with policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws consisting of (i) a cash commission of up to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, and (ii) a number of finders warrants (‘Finders Warrants‘), equal to up to 7% of the number of Shares issued under the Offering with each Finders Warrant exercisable for one additional Share of the Company for a period of 24 months at $0.60 per Share from the closing date of the Offering (the ‘Closing Date‘). The Offering is expected to close on or about October 21, 2025, or such other date as determined by the Company.

This press 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 the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

About Allied Critical Metals Inc.

Allied Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: ACM,OTC:ACMIF) (OTCQB: ACMIF) (FSE: 0VJ0) is a Canadian-based mining company focused on the expansion and revitalization of its 100% owned past producing Borralha Tungsten Project and the Vila Verde Tungsten Project in northern Portugal. Tungsten has been designated a critical metal by the United States and other western countries, as they are aggressively seeking friendly sources of this unique metal. Currently, China, Russia and North Korea represent approximately 86% of the total global supply and reserves. The tungsten market is estimated to be valued at approximately USD $5 to $6 billion and it is used in a variety of industries such as defense, automotive, manufacturing, electronics, and energy.

Please visit our website at www.alliedcritical.com.

Also visit us at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allied-critical-metals-inc
X: https://x.com/@alliedcritical/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliedcriticalmetals/

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Per: ‘Roy Bonnell’

Roy Bonnell
Chief Executive Officer and Director

Contact Information

For further information or investor relations inquiries, please contact:
Dave Burwell, Vice President, Corporate Development
Tel: 403 410 7907 | Toll Free: 1-888-221-0915
Email: daveb@alliedcritical.com

The Canadian Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains ‘forward-looking statements’, including with respect to the use of proceeds. Wherever possible, words such as ‘may’, ‘would’, ‘could’, ‘should’, ‘will’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘plan’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘estimate’, ‘potential for’ and similar expressions have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of the Company’s management for future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, those listed in the Company’s Listing Statement and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca ). Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed timeline and use of proceeds for exploration and development of the Company’s mineral projects as described in the Company’s Listing Statement, news releases, and corporate presentations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These factors should be considered carefully, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company’s Listing Statement dated April 23, 2025 and news release dated May 16, 2025, and the documents incorporated by reference therein, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/269365

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Investing

American AI Expert to Partner with HUI in Gulf States

Hydrogen Utopia International PLC (LSE: HUI), a company pioneering non-recyclable waste-to-hydrogen systems, is delighted to announce that it has entered into a Binding Outline Agreement with BPODash LLC (‘BPOD’), a U.S.-based developer of advanced AI-powered monitoring and predictive analytics for industrial operations.

BPOD offers a cloud-based platform that connects operational and business data across industrial sites. The technology gives plant operators a clear, real-time view of everything from feedstock intake to final off-take, while using AI to spot potential issues early, predict performance, and guide smarter decisions. The result is reduced downtime, improved efficiency, and stronger profitability.

BPOD’s platform, built by industry veterans with deep expertise in plasma gasification, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and incineration, has been specifically designed for the complex environments of renewable and waste-to-energy facilities. Its’ artificial intelligence tools consolidate operational and business data across entire plants, forecasting performance, preventing downtime, and maximising efficiency. The system is supported by 24/7/365 monitoring and integrates seamlessly with existing plant controls and enterprise software, providing a single intelligent layer for operators and executives.

The Binding Outline Agreement proposes to give HUI exclusive rights to integrate BPOD’s technology into its waste-to-hydrogen projects across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) once a Definitive Agreement has been reached. This combination is expected to enable HUI’s facilities not only to convert waste into clean hydrogen but also to operate as digitally optimised, AI-driven plants with real-time oversight and predictive decision-making capabilities.

As AI and data technologies continue to expand at unprecedented speed, the energy demand behind this digital revolution has become one of the most pressing global challenges. Clean, scalable hydrogen is also increasingly recognised as the fuel that could power the growth of the AI economy without adding to the carbon burden. Through this partnership, HUI intends to demonstrate how AI-enabled operations can be incorporated into hydrogen production to deliver energy and digital resilience sustainably in one of the world’s most forward-looking markets.

The Definitive Agreement is expected to be executed within 180 days.

Richard Fish is a director and shareholder of HUI and a director and shareholder of BPODash LLP. The terms of the Binding Outline Agreement have been reviewed by the Directors of HUI with Richard Fish having recused himself from the Board’s consideration of the matter.

Aleksandra Binkowska, CEO of Hydrogen Utopia International PLC, commented:
‘Artificial intelligence is transforming industries worldwide, but its extraordinary energy demands require equally extraordinary solutions. Hydrogen is that solution, the clean enabler of the AI economy. By combining BPODash’s predictive analytics with HUI’s waste-to-hydrogen systems, we are creating facilities that are not only sustainable but also intelligent, efficient, and future-proof. This is a unique opportunity to place hydrogen at the heart of both the energy transition and the digital revolution.’

Richard Fish, Director of Hydrogen Utopia International PLC, commented: ‘Partnering with BPODash enables Hydrogen Utopia to unlock the full potential of our operational data. Their AI-driven platform gives us the clarity and control needed to optimize plant performance, reduce downtime, and sharpen our margins-critical steps toward our focus on delivering hydrogen at less than $2 per kilogram. This is not just digital transformation; it’s strategic acceleration.’

Yuri Verbowski and Darrell Hill, CoFounders, BPODash, commented: ‘BPODash is pleased to collaborate with HUI on this groundbreaking initiative. AI delivers its best results when guided by real expertise, and this partnership combines cutting edge analytics with seasoned industry specialists. Together, we’ll ensure every insight is actionable, every prediction reliable, and every plant optimized for the realities of hydrogen production. HUI’s projects in MENA are an ideal fit for our technology. As AI’s energy demand accelerates, we’ll demonstrate how expert guided, digitally optimized hydrogen plants deliver real time intelligence, resilience, and a lower carbon footprint.’

For further information, please contact:

Hydrogen Utopia International PLC

Aleksandra Binkowska

+44 20 3811 8770

Alfred Henry Corporate Finance Limited (LSE Corporate Adviser)

Nick Michaels/Maya Klein Wassink

+44 20 8064 4056

Novum Securities Limited (Broker)

Jon Belliss/Colin Rowbury

+44 20 7399 9400

Capital Plus Partners Limited (Broker)

Dominic Berger

+44 7799888544

About Hydrogen Utopia International PLC

HUI aims to become one of the leading new European companies specialising in converting non-recyclable mixed waste plastic into hydrogen and other carbon-free fuels, new materials or distributed renewable heat.

A HUI facility uses non-recyclable mixed waste plastic as feedstock and turns it into syngas from which new products and energy can be produced. HUI anticipates that its revenues will be derived from a variety of sources, dependent upon location and configuration of the HUI facilities, including the sale of syngas, hydrogen and other gases, electricity and heat sales, and the payment to it of fees for a given quantity of non-recyclable mixed waste plastic received at a HUI facility.

HUI will target areas where there is significant private sector interest or potential, financial backing is accessible and or where substantial EU and/or government funded sources of grants and loans are or may be available. The global increase in fossil fuel-based energy prices reinforces the need for alternative, price competitive energy sources, which HUI’s business model can provide.

Source

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Investing

Freegold Provides 2025 Golden Summit Program Update

Freegold Ventures Limited ( TSX : FVL,OTC:FGOVF ) (OTCQX: FGOVF ) is pleased to provide a project update. Drilling at Golden Summit is advancing steadily, with five drill rigs currently active on site. The focus for this year has been directed at infill drilling to upgrade inferred resources to indicated status—an essential step for the upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS). As inferred resources cannot be included in the PFS, this work is critical for the project’s advancement.

2025 PROGRAM

Drilling is continuing with five drill rigs
Conversion of inferred resources into indicated & further exploration drilling and geotechnical drilling.
37 holes (~24,000m completed to date: 5 holes reported (~3030m)
Ongoing metallurgical work, focusing on flowsheet optionality with sulphide oxidation, is a key part of our strategy to maximize the potential of the resource.
Commencement of Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS)

Focus is also on defining the limits of mineralization in the Dolphin/Cleary area, as well as conducting further exploration drilling and completing essential geotechnical drill holes.

Drilling Progress and Timeline

To date, a total of 37 drill holes, amounting to ~24,000 meters, have been completed. Additionally, five more drill holes are currently in progress. Assay results are pending for a significant number of holes. Drilling activities are scheduled to continue through mid-December, after which the program will pause for the winter and resume in February 2026 . The results from the 2025 drilling will be incorporated into a revised mineral resource estimate, which will be utilized for the upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).

Resource Enhancement and Pre-Feasibility Study Preparation

In addition to efforts to upgrade the resource base through a combination of infill and geotechnical drilling, additional geochemical and metallurgical testing is also being undertaken. Preparatory work for the PFS also encompasses:

Installation of vibrating wire piezometers (VWPs) in drill holes for groundwater monitoring
Collection of surface water samples
Organising mammal and habitat surveys to establish baseline environmental data
Conducting cultural resource assessments, including paleontological studies, for review by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and federal agencies, and developing mitigation plans as needed
Mapping of wetlands, with mitigation strategies being formulated where required
Continuing geological mapping and sampling to identify new exploration targets for future development

Metallurgical Test Work
Metallurgical testing is currently underway at BaseMet Labs in Kamloops, BC . A master composite sample, weighing over 1,500 kilograms and derived from twelve drill holes, forms the basis for this work. As part of the PFS, several trade-off studies are planned, including a comparison of the added benefits of further sulphide oxidation with a simpler Gravity-CIL flowsheet.

Oxidation Process Optimization
During the current phase of metallurgical testing, a sulphide concentrate is being produced to enable optimization of oxidation processes. Three commercially available oxidation methods, all of which have demonstrated effectiveness with Golden Summit materials, are under evaluation:

Pressure Oxidation (POX): Achieved over 92% total gold recovery in testwork to date.
BIOX: Achieved over 91% total gold recovery in testwork to date.
Albion Process: Achieved over 93% total gold recovery in testwork to date.

Solid residues resulting from these oxidation processes have been subjected to environmental characterization and waste testing in accordance with EPA guidelines. The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) was applied to all residues, with leachate levels for metals remaining below regulatory limits.

Flotation Test Results and Environmental Assessment
Flotation testing continues for the master composite. Initial locked-cycle tests have shown gold recovery rates exceeding 95%, utilizing gravity and cleaner flotation with the sulphide concentrate accounting for less than 5% of the total mass, thereby minimizing the volume that needs further oxidation. These results support building a small pilot plant at BaseMet to produce a substantial amount of concentrate for upcoming oxidation optimisation studies. These studies will be ongoing over the next several months.

Flotation tailings from this process have also passed the EPA TCLP procedure 1311, with all leachate concentrations for metals falling below maximum allowable limits, confirming environmental compliance. Further investigations are ongoing to understand better and characterize the environmental impact of all flowsheet products and tailings.

Additional Project Information
Golden Summit currently hosts an Indicated Primary Mineral Resource: 17.2 Moz at 1.24 g/t Au and an Inferred Primary Mineral Resource: 11.9 Moz at 1.04 g/t Au, using a 0.5 cut-off grade and a gold price of $2,490 .

A plan map detailing the locations of drill holes—both completed and in progress can be found here:

https://freegoldventures.com/site/assets/files/6287/nr_2025_drilling_v2_20251003.png

The qualified person responsible for the scientific and technical information in this update is Alvin Jackson , P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration and Development for Freegold.

About Freegold Ventures Limited
Freegold Ventures Limited is a TSX-listed company focused on mineral exploration in Alaska .

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This update contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, information regarding planned expenditures, exploration programs, potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, the completion of an updated NI 43-101 technical report, and other future plans. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These factors include, but are not limited to, the completion of planned expenditures, the ability to complete exploration programs on schedule, and the success of those programs. For a comprehensive discussion of risk factors, refer to Freegold’s Annual Information Form for the year ended 2024-12-31, available at www.sedar.com .

SOURCE Freegold Ventures Limited

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2025/07/c8111.html

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Investing

Crypto Market Update: Bitcoin Price Hits New All-time High

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (October 6) 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$125,434, up by 2.3 percent in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$124,565, and its highest was US$126,080. Bitcoin achieved its strongest weekly close at US$123,400 on October 3, affirming entry into a new price discovery phase, before hitting new highs on Monday.

Bitcoin price performance, October 6, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin’s market cap briefly surpassed US$2.5 trillion, driving a record US$5.95 billion into digital assets.

Bitcoin dominance in the crypto market now stands at 54.49 percent.

On-chain data indicates that Bitcoin is entering a renewed accumulation phase, marked by reduced selling pressure from long-term holders and stabilization among short-term investors. Strong institutional exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows, increased on-chain transfer volumes and healthy derivatives market indicators form a strong structural base for potential further gains, but tight Bollinger Bands point to impending short-term volatility and price consolidation.

Bitcoin researcher Axel Adler Jr. highlights that Bitcoin is trading near the upper boundary of the 21 day Donchian channel. The Bitcoin futures flow index reading of 96 percent signals sustained bull pressure.

Adler also points out that the short-term holder MVRV ratio is nearing resistance around US$133,000, indicating potential near-term profit taking. Scenarios include momentum-driven consolidation between US$122,000 and US$124,000, or a mean reversion pullback to US$118,500 to US$120,000, supported by key moving averages.

Ether (ETH) has exceeded Bitcoin’s upward price movement, rising by roughly 5.2 percent in the last 24 hours to US$4,725.31, its highest valuation of the day. Its lowest valuation was US$4,589.41.

Ether continues to hold firm above its US$4,500 support, with market watcher Ted Pillows highlighting US$4,750 as the next major resistance level for the cryptocurrency. However, he also warned that a drop below the US$4,250 to US$4,060 zone would shift momentum back to the bears.

Altcoin price update

Solana (SOL) was priced at US$235.40, an increase of 3.7 percent over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Monday was US$233.70, and its highest was US$237.29.

XRP was trading for US$3.03, up by 2.5 percent over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$2.99, and its highest was US$3.05.

ETF data and derivatives trends

The Fear & Greed Index currently reads 59, remaining firmly in neutral territory since the tail end of last week.

Last week, the cumulative net flow for spot Bitcoin ETFs was predominantly positive, with several days of inflows. According to data from the week of September 29 to October 3, spot Bitcoin ETFs had inflows on all five days, with October 3 recording the highest inflows at US$985.08 million. The inflows were led by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ:IBIT) and the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (BATS:FBTC).

Cumulative total inflows for spot Bitcoin ETFs stood at US$60.05 billion as of October 3.

The derivatives landscape reflects cautiously bullish sentiment, with the perpetual funding rate holding steady at 0.01, indicating balanced positioning between longs and shorts in the perpetual swap markets.

The session saw US$27.76 million in liquidations over the last four hours, predominantly impacting short positions, a signal of aggressive short covering as price momentum accelerated. Open interest retreated by 0.44 percent in the same span, to US$94.83 billion, suggesting some deleveraging or profit-taking after the day’s strong rally.

Despite the slight pullback in open interest, the notional value in major futures and options contracts remains near record levels, underscoring persistent institutional and speculative engagement. Implied volatility stands at 40.9, reflecting a moderate risk premium amid heightened spot activity and brisk rotation across both futures and options venues. With options open interest surging to historic highs and spot/volatility correlations positive, traders are leaning on structured call spreads rather than outright longs to manage term premiums and risk.

Today’s crypto news to know

Grayscale launches first US spot crypto ETPs with staking

Grayscale Investments has launched the first US-listed spot crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs), enabling staking for its Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (ARCA:ETHE), Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF (ARCA:ETH) and Grayscale Solana Trust (OTCQX:GSOL), the last of which is awaiting regulatory approval to uplist as an ETP.

Traditional brokerage investors can now earn passive staking rewards, which have been limited to native crypto platforms, through regulated funds, providing exposure to the Ethereum and Solana networks.

“Staking in our spot Ethereum and Solana funds is exactly the kind of first mover innovation Grayscale was built to deliver,” said Grayscale CEO Peter Mintzberg in a press release.

“As the #1 digital asset-focused ETF issuer in the world by AUM, we believe our trusted and scaled platform uniquely positions us to turn new opportunities like staking into tangible value potential for investors.”

Grayscale will manage staking via institutional custodians and diversified validator networks to reduce risks. The launch represents a milestone in crypto product sophistication and regulatory acceptance, and is expected to attract institutional capital and deepen investor participation in staking rewards.

Morgan Stanley endorses Bitcoin allocation for client portfolios

Morgan Stanley’s (NYSE:MS) Global Investment Committee has formally advised clients to include digital assets in their portfolios, marking a significant policy shift for one of Wall Street’s most established banks.

In a note dated Sunday (October 5), the firm recommends up to 4 percent crypto exposure in “opportunistic growth” portfolios and up to 2 percent for “balanced growth” accounts. The report also emphasizes Bitcoin’s role as a “scarce, digitally native asset” with increasing institutional relevance.

While many investors view the move as validation of Bitcoin’s maturing status and the formal ushering of crypto’s ‘mainstream era,’ some traders called it “too late” given prior gains.

Morgan Stanley also confirmed that its E*Trade platform will soon allow trading in Bitcoin, Ether and Solana via a partnership with ZeroHash.

Coinbase seeks national trust charter to expand payment services

Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) has applied for a national trust company charter from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, a move designed to expand its payments and custody operations under unified federal oversight.

In an October 3 blog post, Vice President Greg Tusar clarified that Coinbase “has no intention of becoming a bank,” but aims to streamline regulation for new financial products.

Approval would enable Coinbase to scale its recently launched Coinbase Payments platform, which facilitates stablecoin transactions for merchants on Shopify (NYSE:SHOP) and eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY).

Coinbase has also deepened partnerships with JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM), enabling direct account links between Chase customers and Coinbase wallets through API integration.

Similar Office of the Comptroller of the Currency charter applications have been filed by other platforms as digital payment infrastructure moves further into mainstream finance.

Plume Network registers as transfer agent

Plume Network, a layer-2 blockchain focused on tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs), announced it has registered as a transfer agent with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The move allows Plume to manage tokenized securities under US law, automating traditional transfer agent functions like shareholder registry management and corporate action reporting onchain.

This development comes amid efforts to integrate traditional finance with blockchain technology, specifically through the issuance and management of tokenized securities. Institutional involvement in the RWA market is still in its early stages, primarily focusing on low-risk instruments like US treasury bills.

Potential exists for expanding into new fundraising and investor engagement methods.

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.

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Investing

David Morgan: Silver’s Rubicon Moment? US$50 in Sight, but Watch for Shakeout

David Morgan, publisher of the Morgan Report, shares his thoughts on silver as the white metal’s price approaches US$50 per ounce.

He believes silver may be approaching a ‘crossing the rubicon moment,’ but emphasized that its move comes amid a much broader transition in the financial system.

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

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Politics

Trump warns of ‘massive bloodshed’ if Hamas fails to agree to peace deal: ‘MOVE FAST’

President Donald Trump made a social media post about Hamas on Sunday evening, minutes before the deadline for a peace proposal passed.

The deadline was 6 p.m. ET Sunday. In a message on Truth Social, Trump wrote that there had been ‘very positive discussions with Hamas, and Countries from all over the World (Arab, Muslim, and everyone else) this weekend, to release the Hostages, end the War in Gaza but, more importantly, finally have long sought PEACE in the Middle East.’

‘These talks have been very successful, and proceeding rapidly,’ Trump said. ‘The technical teams will again meet Monday, in Egypt, to work through and clarify the final details.’

The president added that the first phase of the peace plan ‘should be completed this week.’

‘I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST,’ Trump emphasized. ‘I will continue to monitor this Centuries old ‘conflict.’’

Trump added, ‘TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW — SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!’

Trump previously announced the deadline in an Oct. 3 post on Truth Social, delivering an ominous warning to Hamas about accepting the deal.

‘If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,’ Trump wrote. ‘THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’

The peace proposal was unveiled by Trump in late September.

The plan calls for an end to Israel’s military operations, the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip under a Palestinian governing body overseen by a U.S.-led international coalition.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reportedly agreed to the 20-point plan, per Reuters.

Fox News Digital’s Caitlin McFall and Bonny Chu contributed to this report.

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Politics

More lawmakers say they’re rejecting paychecks as government shutdown drags on

A growing number of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have declared they’re forgoing their paychecks as the government shutdown drags on.

The federal government has been shut down for nearly a week after Senate Democrats rejected Republicans’ plan to fund agencies through Nov. 21 multiple times.

Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, Tom Barrett, R-Mich., Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, and Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa., are among the Republicans who wrote to the Chief Administrative Officer of the U.S. House of Representatives asking for their pay to be withheld during a shutdown.

Democrats like Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Lou Correa, D-Calif., have requested the same.

But lawmakers requesting their pay be withheld cannot forgo it altogether, because federal law requires them to be paid.

Article I of the Constitution states, ‘The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.’

Further, the 27th Amendment prevents any changes to congressional pay until after the next election.

Most House and Senate lawmakers are paid $174,000 yearly — a figure that has not changed since 2009 — while members of congressional leadership can earn more.

A source familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that members of Congress can elect to have their pay withheld until a shutdown is over, but they must receive that as backpay when the government is funded again.

Meanwhile, Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the Committee for House Administration, told Bloomberg Government last week that those checks can go into an account separate from lawmakers’ usual salaries. He told the outlet, ‘It’s an administrative way of withholding pay for people who choose to.’

Congressional staffers, meanwhile, automatically miss paychecks if their pay period falls during a government shutdown — but that is also backpaid when the shutdown ends.

Some lawmakers, like Sens. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., have announced they would donate their paychecks for the duration of the shutdown.

‘Each day the government remains closed, I will be donating my salary to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, which provides help to vulnerable populations who may be impacted by this reckless choice,’ Moody said in a statement last week.

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Politics

Self-described ‘unapologetic supporter of Israel’ John Fetterman weighs in as Trump seeks to broker peace deal

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a staunch and unflinching Israel supporter, wants Hamas to accept the peace deal President Donald Trump is aiming to help broker, and is calling out pro-Palestinian protesters for not demanding that Hamas agree to the peace deal.

‘Good morning to everyone except all the protesters who aren’t protesting for Hamas to accept the peace deal,’ the senator declared in a Sunday post on X.

In a post on Friday, Fetterman shared a screenshot of a Mediaite headline that read, ‘CNN’s Dana Bash Wonders Why Pro-Palestine Movement Isn’t Pressuring Hamas to Accept Trump Deal’ — in his post, the senator commented, ‘For those protesters: Hamas > Peace,’ adding, ‘No flotilla, blocking a highway or disrupting public events demanding Hamas to take the peace deal.’

Israel went to war against Hamas in response to the heinous October 7, 2023, attack in which terrorists committed atrocities including mass murder, rape, and kidnapping. But Trump posted a statement on Truth Social last week in which Hamas declared willingness to negotiate a deal including the release of all hostages, dead and alive.

‘Hamas must choose peace or its own destruction. Send the hostages home, now. As an unapologetic supporter of Israel, the Gaza War must end to have peace and security for Israel and Palestinians. Politics aside, credit to @POTUS’ peace plan to get to this encouraging point,’ Fetterman noted in a Friday post on X, sharing a screenshot of a Reuters headline that said, ‘Hamas says it agrees to release all Israeli hostages under Trump Gaza plan.’

Trump indicated in a Sunday evening Truth Social post, ‘There have been very positive discussions with Hamas, and Countries from all over the World (Arab, Muslim, and everyone else) this weekend, to release the Hostages, end the War in Gaza but, more importantly, finally have long sought PEACE in the Middle East.’

Later in the post, he warned, ‘TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW — SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!’

Fetterman accused the Democratic Party of an ‘ongoing and escalating betrayal of Israel,’ in a post on X last month.

Sharing a screenshot of a headline from The Hill that read, ‘Pair of Senate Democrats charge Israel with ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Palestinians,’ Fetterman firmly pushed back.

‘I reject this in the strongest terms. My party’s ongoing and escalating betrayal of Israel is gross and outrageous,’ he asserted.

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Investing

Platinum Price Pushes Past US$1,600 to Fresh 12 Year High

The platinum price broke US$1,600 per ounce on Monday (September 29), its highest level since April 2013.

What’s moving the platinum price? A number of factors are at play in this notoriously volatile market.

As a precious metal, nearly a quarter of demand for platinum comes from the jewelry sector. When the gold price is high, as it is now at nearly US$3,900 per ounce, platinum jewelry becomes an attractive, lower-cost alternative.

With more than 70 percent of demand for platinum metal coming from the industrial and automotive sectors, the market is highly price sensitive to economic cycles. However, despite the current economic uncertainty that’s driving gold higher, the platinum price is being buoyed by stable demand in the auto sector, emerging demand in the hydrogen fuel cell industry and persistent supply challenges out of major platinum-producing nations like South Africa.

Platinum supply under pressure

Supply constraints are an ongoing trend in the platinum market and a major driver of prices in 2025.

In its Q2 Platinum Quarterly, the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) predicts that global platinum mine supply will drop by 6 percent to 5.43 million ounces for this year.

Heavy rainfall and flooding in top producer South Africa in the first quarter of the year had a major impact on an industry already reeling from high-cost electricity and dwindling reserves.

In late August, Paul Dunne, CEO of Northam Platinum Holdings (JSE:NPH) in South Africa, told Reuters that a higher platinum price in 2025 will likely not do much to alleviate the pressures facing production in the country.

“Recent price appreciation is offering some relief to the (platinum-group metals) sector,” he said in a statement. “However, it is still not yet at levels that will support sustainable mining across the industry and certainly not the much-needed development of new operations.”

Suffice it to say that problems in the supply side will continue to support platinum over the longer term.

Platinum demand seen as sustainable

As for platinum demand, Mykuliak sees a few key important drivers, including autocatalysts for hybrid vehicles, increased hydrogen adoption for industrial uses and Chinese demand for platinum jewelry as an alternative to gold.

In the automotive industry, platinum is used in catalytic converters for vehicle exhaust systems for emissions control. The rise of electric vehicles (EVs), which do not require catalytic converters to control emissions, is expected to cut into platinum demand over time.

However, high costs and range anxiety are leading auto buyers to choose hybrids over battery EVs. Because hybrid engines still require catalytic converters, the auto sector continues to be a reliable source for platinum demand.

In the hydrogen sector, platinum has a role as a catalyst in the proton exchange membrane electrolyzers used for green hydrogen production and in hydrogen fuel cells. The WPIC has noted that the hydrogen market be ‘a meaningful component of global demand by 2030 and potentially the largest segment by 2040.’

As for jewelry demand, the WPIC is predicting an increase of 11 percent year-on-year to 2.23 million ounces in 2025. China is expected to represent more than one quarter of that growth as the fabrication of platinum jewelry in the region is expected to grow by 42 percent to 585,000 ounces.

Platinum price outlook

The platinum price has since pulled back from the US$1,600 level, coming in at US$1,558 in midday trading on Thursday (October 2). But a correction is expected in the short term, explained Mykuliak, who believes the fundamental outlook for the precious metal is still positive.

“Looking ahead, I expect volatility. My base case is a US$1,650-US$1,750 range by the year-end, with possible dips toward US$1,450 if profit-taking intensifies,” she said. “On the upside, if South African power disruptions worsen or hydrogen policies accelerate, US$1,850-US$1,950 is realistic, with US$2,000 also within reach.”

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

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