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Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., an outspoken opponent of antisemitism, said Wednesday that those who refuse to speak out against the heinous acts Hamas perpetrated in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 ‘have no business’ claiming to be humanitarians.

‘If you refuse to condemn Hamas for the murder, maiming, mutilation, rape, torture, and abduction of thousands of Jews and Israelis on October 7, then you have no business calling yourself a humanitarian,’ Torres wrote on X. 

‘A humanitarianism that devalues Jewish life is no humanitarianism at all, for it has been hollowed out by antisemitism,’ he added.

The congressman has been a strong voice of support for Israel.

‘The singular stumbling block to ending the war is the terrorist organization that barbarically began it: Hamas. Scapegoating Israel is so second nature to the international community that Hamas’ role in precipitating and perpetuating the war has been all but forgotten,’ Torres wrote on X earlier this month.

In another post on X this month he opined that ‘Antisemitism is the deadliest disease ever to afflict the human heart.’

In a post last month, he asserted, ‘If Israel is the sole country in the Middle East—indeed the world—for which you reserve the label ‘apartheid’—then your use of the term is probably propagandistic rather than principled and your purpose is not constructive criticism but the destructive delegitimation of Israel as a Jewish State.’

Torres has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since early 2021.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

IsoEnergy Ltd. (NYSE American: ISOU) (TSX: ISO) (‘IsoEnergy’) and Purepoint Uranium Group Inc. (TSXV: PTU)PTU) (OTC: PTUUF) (‘Purepoint’) are pleased to report continued strong results from drilling at their 50/50 Dorado joint venture project (‘Dorado’ or the ‘Project’), located in Saskatchewan’s world-class Athabasca Basin (Figure 1). The most recent drill hole, PG25-07A, stepped out approximately 70 metres northeast of the ‘Nova Discovery’ intercepts at the Q48 target area and returned stronger mineralization, with an average of 11,100 counts per second (CPS) measured on a Mount Sopris 2PGA-1000 downhole radiometric probe across a much wider interval of 14.0 metres, including a peak reading of 110,800 CPS.

The recent Nova Discovery results further define the mineralized trend at the Q48 target as a steeply dipping, uranium-bearing structure hosted within the basement rocks, underscoring the potential scale and strength of the system emerging at Dorado. All assays from the current program, including holes PG25-04 and PG25-05, are pending on a rush basis and will be disclosed once available.

Highlights

  • PG25-07A intersected a continuation of the Nova Discovery uranium basement hosted mineralization approximately 70 metres northeast of PG25-05 and 60 metres below the unconformity, averaging 11,100 CPS over 14.0 metres with a peak of 110,100 CPS.
  • The Nova Discovery mineralization at Q48 remains open to the northeast, the direction of increasing radioactivity, but wet marsh ground conditions currently prevent further drilling in that direction. Follow-up drilling is expected to resume this winter, when frozen ground allows for more efficient land-based access.
  • The drill rig has now been mobilized to the Turaco target, located approximately 8 km northeast of the Q48 target within the Dorado project. Up to four holes are planned at Turaco as part of the 5,400-metre drill program approved by the joint venture partners for 2025.

‘The recent Nova Discovery results underscore just how much potential remains at Dorado,’ said Chris Frostad, President and CEO of Purepoint Uranium. ‘PG25-07A has successfully extended the Nova Discovery zone by 70 metres and delivered our strongest intercept to date, both in intensity and thickness based on radioactivity. The systematic way we’ve approached Q48 is paying off, and we expect the next phase of drilling will push this discovery even further.’

‘The results from PG25-07A mark a significant leap forward for our new Nova discovery,’ added Philip Williams, CEO and Director of IsoEnergy. ‘This step-out hole shows that the mineralized structure continues northeast and that the grades and thickness are improving as we move along the trend. While we have had to pause advancement in this direction due to ground conditions, we are eager to return this winter to continue following what we believe is shaping up to be an exciting discovery.’


Figure 1: Location of the Q48 and Turaco Target areas, the initial focus of the 2025 drill program, highlighted. (CNW Group/IsoEnergy Ltd.)

Figure 2: Location Map of 2025 Drill Program at Q48 Target Area and the new Nova Discovery. (CNW Group/IsoEnergy Ltd.)

Figure 3: IsoEnergy and Purepoint Uranium Joint Venture including, Dorado Project, Aurora Project and Celeste Block (CNW Group/IsoEnergy Ltd.)DDHs PG25-06 and PG25-07A

Drill hole PG25-06 targeted the brittle fault associated with mineralization (Figure 1) at the unconformity approximately 20 metres northeast of initial drilling (Figure 2). The drill hole was collared with a dip of -64 degrees and encountered Athabasca sandstone to a depth of 316 metres. Granitic gneiss displaying paleoweathering alteration was drilled to 341 metres then generally unaltered granite, pegmatites and pelitic gneiss was drilled to the completion depth of 482 metres. Projection of the Nova Discovery zone mineralization suggests the radioactive sandstone interval of 1,040 cps over 2.3 metres in the Mount Sopris 2PGA-1000 downhole gamma probe (Table 1), which occurs within core lost between 312.4 to 314.0m, is related to the primary mineralized structure.

Hole PG25-07A was collared from the PG25-04 drill pad and initial deviation resulted in a large 70 metre step out to the northeast of the PG25-05 mineralized intercept. The unconformity was intersected at a depth of 322 metres and the drill hole intercepted the radioactive structure approximately 40 metres up-dip of PG25-04. From the unconformity, granitic gneiss with pegmatitic intervals was encountered to a depth of 392 metres that was initially clay altered for 5 metres, weakly chlorite altered for 20 meters, unaltered for 36 metres, then became chloritized and silicified for 9 metres. Chloritized pelitic gneiss was drilled from 392 to 441 metres, unaltered graphitic and pyritic pelitic gneiss to 459 metres, followed by unaltered granitic gneiss and pegmatites with minor pelitic gneiss to the completion depth of 548 metres.

The PG25-07A Nova zone mineralization starts within granitic gneiss at 382.3 metres and extends into pelitic gneiss to a depth of 396.3 metres returning an average of 11,100 cps over 14.0 metres. A primary mineralized structure of the Nova zone is hosted in sheared, reddish-brown altered granitic gneiss with pitchblende that returned an average of 82,300 cps over 0.6 metres with a peak of 110,800 cps. A second strongly mineralized interval occurs within lost pelitic gneiss core and returned an average of 46,000 cps over 0.4 metres.

* See Qualified Person Statement below.

Table 1: Downhole Gamma Results of Drill Holes PG25-06 and 07A

Hole ID

From (m)

To (m)

Length (m)

Avg. cps

Max. cps

PG25-06

250.8

251.5

0.7

665

805

312.6

314.9

2.3

1,040

1,770

341.2

345.3

4.1

980

1,980

347.6

348.4

0.8

860

1,060

351.4

353.1

1.7

910

1,320

403.3

404.7

1.4

1,410

2,600

PG25-07A

382.3

396.3

14.0

11,100

110,800

Includes

385.5

386.1

0.6

82,300

Includes

392.3

392.7

0.4

46,000

397.4

399.8

2.4

4,500

20,200

401.5

402.8

1.3

6,200

21,500

Includes

402.0

402.4

0.4

14,400

484.4

484.9

0.5

1,720

3,680

Note: Mt. Sopris 2PGA probe used to record downhole gamma readings

Q48 Target Area

The Q48 zone lies within the southern portion of the Project and is characterized by a steeply dipping, north-south trending conductive package identified through geophysical surveys. Historic drilling in the area intersected strongly altered and structurally disrupted rocks at the unconformity and in the basement, including garnetiferous pelitic gneiss, graphitic pelitic gneiss, and semipelite, with local weak radioactivity and zones of intense clay alteration. These results, combined with the geophysical response, highlighted Q48 as a highly prospective but underexplored target.

Drilling by IsoEnergy in 2022 confirmed that the conductive trend at Q48 hosts brittle faults, shears, and alteration, characteristics of uranium-bearing hydrothermal systems in the Athabasca Basin. The current program is designed to systematically follow-up and fully test the Q48 conductive corridor.

Turaco Target Area

The Turaco zone lies within the central portion of the Project and is characterized by a broad area with high conductivity. Although numerous geophysical surveys have been conducted, including airborne electromagnetics (VTEM), ground EM, induced polarization and gravity, previous drilling has failed to properly explain the interpreted EM conductors. A recent review of the geophysical results by Condor Consulting North of Vancouver, BC has selected alternative EM conductor picks that better explain the conductive responses and used Maxwell Modeling to accurately locate the position of discreet conductors. Drilling will commence at one of the high priority target areas identified by Condor.

About the Dorado JV Project

Dorado (Figure 3) is the flagship project of the IsoEnergy-Purepoint 50/50 joint venture, a partnership encompassing more than 98,000 hectares of prime uranium exploration ground. The Project includes the former Turnor Lake, Geiger, Edge, and Full Moon properties, all underlain by graphite-bearing lithologies and fault structures favorable for uranium deposition.

Recent drilling by IsoEnergy east of the Hurricane Deposit has intersected strongly elevated radioactivity in multiple holes. The anomalous radioactivity confirms the continuity of fertile graphitic rock package and further highlights the opportunity for additional high-grade discoveries across the region.

The shallow unconformity depths across the Dorado property—typically between 30 and 300 metres—allow for highly efficient drilling and rapid follow-up on results.

* See Qualified Person Statement below.

Gamma Logging and Geochemical Assaying

A Mount Sopris 2PGA-1000 downhole total gamma probe was utilized for radiometric surveying. The total gamma results provided in Table 1 were selected using a cutoff of 500 cps over a 0.5 metre width. All drill intercepts are core width and true thickness is yet to be determined.

Core samples are submitted to the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon. The SRC facility is independent of IsoEnergy and PurePoint and is ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (scope of accreditation #537). The samples are analyzed for a multi-element suite using partial and total digestion inductively coupled plasma methods, for boron by Na2O2 fusion, and for uranium by fluorimetry.

Qualified Person Statement

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release relating to IsoEnergy and Purepoint was reviewed and approved by Dr. Dan Brisbin, P.Geo., IsoEnergy’s Vice President, Exploration and Scott Frostad BSc, MASc, P.Geo., Purepoint’s Vice President, Exploration, who are ‘Qualified Persons’ (as defined in NI 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (‘NI 43-101’)).

For additional information with respect to the current mineral resource estimate for IsoEnergy’s Hurricane Deposit, please refer to the Technical Report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 entitled ‘Technical Report on the Larocque East Project, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada’ dated August 4, 2022, available under IsoEnergy’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

This news release refers to properties other than those in which IsoEnergy and Purepoint have an interest. Mineralization on those other properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Joint Venture properties.

About IsoEnergy Ltd.

IsoEnergy (NYSE American: ISOU; TSX: ISO) is a leading, globally diversified uranium company with substantial current and historical mineral resources in top uranium mining jurisdictions of Canada, the U.S. and Australia at varying stages of development, providing near-, medium- and long-term leverage to rising uranium prices. IsoEnergy is currently advancing its Larocque East project in Canada’s Athabasca basin, which is home to the Hurricane deposit, boasting the world’s highest-grade indicated uranium mineral resource. IsoEnergy also holds a portfolio of permitted past-producing, conventional uranium and vanadium mines in Utah with a toll milling arrangement in place with Energy Fuels. These mines are currently on standby, ready for rapid restart as market conditions permit, positioning IsoEnergy as a near-term uranium producer.

About Purepoint

Purepoint Uranium Group Inc. (TSXV: PTU) (OTCQB: PTUUF) is a focused explorer with a dynamic portfolio of advanced projects within the renowned Athabasca Basin in Canada. Highly prospective uranium projects are actively operated on behalf of partnerships with industry leaders including Cameco Corporation, Orano Canada Inc. and IsoEnergy Ltd.

Additionally, the Company holds a promising VMS project currently optioned to and strategically positioned adjacent to and on trend with Foran Mining Corporation’s McIlvenna Bay project. Through a robust and proactive exploration strategy, Purepoint is solidifying its position as a leading explorer in one of the globe’s most significant uranium districts.

www.isoenergy.ca 

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

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‘plans’, ‘expects’ or ‘does not expect’, ‘is expected’, ‘budget’, ‘scheduled’, ‘estimates’, ‘forecasts’, ‘intends’, ‘anticipates’ or ‘does not anticipate’, or ‘believes’, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will be taken’, ‘occur’ or ‘be achieved’. This forward-looking information may relate to additional planned exploration activities, including the timing thereof and the anticipated results thereof; and any other activities, events or developments that the companies expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at the time, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such assumptions include, but are not limited to, that planned exploration activities are completed as anticipated; the anticipated costs of planned exploration activities, the price of uranium; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms; and that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Joint Venture’s planned activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although each of IsoEnergy and Purepoint have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Such statements represent the current views of IsoEnergy and Purepoint with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by IsoEnergy and Purepoint, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following: the inability of the Joint Venture to complete the exploration activities as currently contemplated; ; uncertainty of additional financing; no known mineral resources or reserves; aboriginal title and consultation issues; reliance on key management and other personnel; actual results of technical work programs and technical and economic assessments being different than anticipated; regulatory determinations and delays; stock market conditions generally; demand, supply and pricing for uranium; and general economic and political conditions. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in each of IsoEnergy’s and Purepoint’s most recent annual management’s discussion and analyses or annual information forms and IsoEnergy’s and Purepoint’s other filings with the Canadian securities regulators which are available, respectively, on each company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. IsoEnergy and Purepoint do not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Source

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

China has discovered a new uranium deposit in the Tarim Basin at a depth of 1,820 meters, the deepest recorded for sandstone-type uranium in the country, according to state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

CNNC said the discovery was made through a combination of deep drilling and predictive geological modeling and is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on imported nuclear fuel.

This type of deposit, long favored for its relative ease and low cost of extraction, is emerging as a crucial part of China’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign uranium amid an unprecedented expansion of its nuclear power fleet.

“By implementing relatively deep drilling verification, we finally discovered thick industrial uranium mineralisation in the desert heart,” said Qin Mingkuan, principal investigator at CNNC, as quoted by state broadcaster CCTV.

According to official data, China imported about 13,000 metric tons of uranium in 2023, while domestic production amounted to just 1,700 metric tons.

However, demand is still soaring. The International Atomic Energy Agency estimates that China’s nuclear fleet could require over 40,000 metric tons of uranium annually by 2040, nearly triple today’s global annual uranium production.

Shifting ground

Until recently, most of China’s uranium was extracted from granite and volcanic rock formations in the southern provinces, which are harder to mine and less scalable.

In contrast, sandstone-hosted uranium, found in northern regions like Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, is more conducive to in-situ leaching, a process that allows for less invasive, lower-cost recovery.

According to CNNC, The newly discovered deposit in Tarim is a proof point for China’s investment in geophysical modeling, which it used remote sensing and predictive analytics to identify the site before drilling.

The achievement is also being seen as a technological validation for CNNC’s flagship “National No. 1 Uranium” demonstration project in the Ordos Basin in Inner Mongolia — now the country’s largest uranium production base by capacity.

Earlier this month, that site produced its first barrel of uranium, just a year after breaking ground.

The project employs advanced in-situ leaching techniques that use carbon dioxide and oxygen-enriched water to extract uranium from underground ore bodies. The process is touted as not only environmentally cleaner than traditional mining, but also more efficient.

Strategic push for uranium

China’s renewed focus on domestic uranium forms part of its overall strategy to support its nuclear energy ambitions, which are now among the most aggressive in the world.

According to a Goldman Sachs report, roughly half of all nuclear reactors currently under construction worldwide are located in China.

As of the end of 2024, the country had 58 operational reactors generating about 56.9 gigawatts of electricity, with another 32 reactors under construction expected to add more than 34 gigawatts of capacity. Dozens more are in the planning pipeline.

The China Nuclear Energy Association further projects that installed capacity will reach 200 gigawatts by 2040 — a level that would more than double the current US nuclear fleet and make China the undisputed global leader in atomic energy.

To fuel that expansion, China has adopted a “three-thirds” approach: one-third of uranium to be sourced domestically, one-third from overseas joint ventures or equity stakes, and one-third purchased on the open market.

But recent geopolitical tensions — including US export restrictions on some nuclear-related equipment — have increased pressure on Beijing to accelerate domestic uranium production.

In April, China’s State Council approved the construction of additional reactors across five coastal sites, requiring a combined investment of nearly 200 billion yuan (US$27.9 billion).

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Oil prices fell sharply during the second quarter, after reaching year-to-date highs early in the year.

Between January and the end of June, Brent shed 18.26 percent from US$81.69 to US$66.77. West Texas Intermediate made a similar decline falling 16.94 percent from US$78.86 to US$65.50, over the same time period.

The contraction was largely attributed to OPEC+ easing production cuts and increasing output.

Global supply was further bolstered by China’s strong import volumes and rising domestic output, giving refiners room to delay purchases and adding to a mild US inventory build, both of which added downward pressure.

Conversely, seasonal demand from the US summer driving season and solid Q2 GDP growth in China offered some support.

Despite that backdrop, the five top-performing oil and gas stocks on the TSX and TSXV have seen share price growth over Q2 2025. All year-to-date performance and share price data was obtained on July 16, 2025, using TradingView’s stock screener, and oil and gas companies with market caps above C$10 million at that time were considered.

1. Falcon Oil & Gas (TSXV:FO)

Year-to-date gain: 43.75 percent
Market cap: C$127.55 million
Share price: C$0.115

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Falcon Oil & Gas is an international oil and gas company incorporated in BC, Canada. The company specializes in the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas assets, with interests in assets in Australia, South Africa and Hungary.

On January 24, Falcon issued its first corporate update of 2025, announcing the launch of a well stimulation campaign for two wells for the Shenandoah South pilot project in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin, located in Australia’s Northern Territory.

The company has a 22.5 interest in the Beetaloo joint venture, with Tamboran Resources (NYSE:TBN,ASX:TBN) owning the remaining 77.5 percent.

Falcon’s share price spiked several times in June, reaching a year-to-date high of C$0.14 on June 17, which it maintained through late June. The stock movement coincided with Beetaloo updates, including “stellar” flow test results on June 17.

“The IP30 flow rate results announced today of 7.2 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d), are truly stellar and marks another major data point in the Beetaloo Sub-basin again demonstrating that it compares to the best shale wells in the United States,” CEO Philip O’Quigley wrote in the press release.

2. Imperial Oil (TSX:IMO)

Year-to-date gain: 25.67 percent
Market cap: C$57.37 billion
Share price: C$112.70

Calgary-based Imperial Oil is a prominent Canadian energy company involved in the exploration, production, refining and marketing of petroleum products. With a history spanning over 140 years, Imperial operates diverse assets across Canada, including oil sands, conventional crude oil and natural gas assets.

On January 31, Imperial released its Q4 2024 results, reporting an estimated net income of C$1.23 billion in Q4 2024, slightly down from C$1.24 billion in Q3. The decline was attributed to lower price realizations, partly offset by higher production and improved refinery utilization in the Downstream segment.

On May 2, the company announced a Q2 2025 dividend of C$0.72 payable on July 1.

Imperial shares reached a year-to-date high of C$113.05 on July 13. The rally occurred after Scotiabank raised its share price target for Imperial from C$100 to C$110 on July 11, citing stronger refining margins and earnings outlook.

3. MEG Energy (TSX:MEG)

Year-to-date gain: 10.07 percent
Market cap: C$6.7 billion
Share price: C$26.35

MEG is an energy company solely focused on in-situ thermal oil production in the southern Athabasca oil region of Alberta, Canada. Utilizing innovative enhanced oil recovery projects, including steam-assisted gravity drainage extraction methods, the company aims to increase oil recovery responsibly while reducing carbon emissions.

In mid-May, Strathcona Resources (TSX:SCR) made an unsolicited C$4.1 billion offer for MEG, a move company executives quickly denounced.

In a subsequent press release on June 16, MEG called the offer “inadequate, opportunistic, and NOT in the best interests of MEG or its shareholders.”

Chairman of the Board James McFarland stated in the release, ‘A combination with Strathcona would expose shareholders to inferior assets and significant capital markets risks, including a C$6 billion overhang resulting from Waterous Energy Fund’s 51 percent ownership in the combined company.”

MEG has launched a strategic review and welcomed alternative bids from other companies.

Shares of MEG rose to a year-to-date high of C$26.14 on June 20, on the heels of the statement and alongside news that operations at the company’s Christina Lake operations in Alberta would resume at full capacity following wildfire interruptions.

4. Headwater Exploration (TSX:HWX)

Year-to-date gain: 3.75 percent
Market cap: C$1.65 billion
Share price: C$6.92

Headwater Exploration is a Canadian oil and gas company focused on developing high-quality assets in Alberta’s Clearwater play and low-decline natural gas in New Brunswick’s McCully Field.

In March, Headwater reported strong 2024 results, with annual production up 13 percent year-over-year to 20,310 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) and net income rising 20 percent to C$188 million.

Headwater released its Q1 2025 results and a company update in May, highlighting the receipt of TSX approval for a normal course issuer bid, allowing it to repurchase up to 10 percent of its public float over the next year.

Additionally the company reported record production of 22,066 boe/d during Q1 and adjusted funds flow of C$92.4 million. Net income for the period came in at C$50 million. The company declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.11 per share during Q1 and ended the quarter with no debt and C$63.6 million in adjusted working capital.

Company shares spiked to a year-to-date high of C$7.43 on January 9, and reached a Q2 high of C$7.22 on June 19, which coincided with a broader surge in the oil market.

5. Athabasca Oil (TSX:ATH)

Year-to-date gain: 3.72 percent
Market cap: C$2.84 billion
Share price: C$5.57

Athabasca Oil is focused on developing thermal and light oil assets within Alberta’s Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. The company has established a substantial land base with high-quality resources. Its light oil operations are managed through its private subsidiary, Duvernay Energy, in which the company holds a 70 percent equity interest.

On March 5, Athabasca Oil released its 2024 year end results, highlighting strong production and significant cash flow increases. The company averaged 36,815 boe/d during 2024, marking a 7 percent year-over-year increase.

Its Q1 2025 results released on May 7 reported further production growth, with average petroleum and natural gas production of 37,714 boe/d and average thermal oil output of 34,742 barrels per day.

Athabasca Oil generated C$130 million in adjusted funds flow and C$71 million in free cash flow. The company returns capital to shareholders through annual share buybacks, and at the time of the release, it had completed C$94 million in buybacks since the start of 2025.

Broad market positivity in mid-June pushed shares of Athabasca Oil to a year-to-date high of C$6.16 on June 20.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (July 23) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

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

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$118,148, down by 0.7 percent over the last 24 hours. Its highest valuation on Wednesday was US$118,462, while its lowest valuation was US$117,583.

Bitcoin price performance, July 23, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin traded lower over the past 24 hours, hovering between $117,000 and $120,000 amid several market pressures.

A major whale moved over US$1.2 billion in dormant BTC, sparking speculation of potential selling.

After a rotation into altcoins, investors took profits following recent highs, while outflows from spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) signaled weaker institutional demand.

Ethereum (ETH) was priced at US$3,592.65, down by 1.9 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation as of Wednesday was US$3,568.86, and its highest was US$3,657.02.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$188.86, down by 5.5 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$186.95, and its highest was US$192.58.
  • XRP was trading for US$3.25, down 8.9 percent in the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3.18, and its highest valuation was US$3.36.
  • Sui (SUI) is trading at US$3.70, down 5.5 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3.67, and its highest was US$3.84.
  • Cardano (ADA) was trading at US$0.8152, down by 6.9 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$0.8058, and its highest was US$0.8370.

Today’s crypto news to know

PNC Bank and Coinbase partner to advance digital asset solutions

PNC Bank and Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) have announced a strategic partnership to broaden access to digital asset solutions for PNC’s clients and institutional investors.

The collaboration will leverage Coinbase’s crypto-as-a-service platform, enabling PNC to offer secure and scalable cryptocurrency access. PNC clients will be able to buy, hold and sell cryptocurrencies directly through PNC’s platform.

PNC will also provide essential banking services to Coinbase, signifying a mutual commitment to strengthening the digital financial system. Both companies emphasize that this partnership will meet the increasing demand for secure and streamlined digital asset access.

Goldman Sachs and BNY to launch tokenized money market funds

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) and BNY (NYSE:BK) are preparing to offer institutional investors access to tokenized money market funds, aiming to enhance capital markets with real-time settlement, 24/7 access and increased efficiencies.

BNY clients will soon be able to invest in money market funds with ownership recorded on Goldman Sachs’ private blockchain, as per a Wednesday news release.

“As the financial system transitions toward a more digital, real-time architecture, BNY is committed to enabling scalable and secure solutions that shape the future of finance,” said Laide Majiyagbe, global head of liquidity, financing and collateral at BNY, adding that mirrored tokenization of money market funds is the first step.

This initiative involves major players such as BlackRock (NYSE:BLK), Fidelity Investments, Federated Hermes and the asset management divisions of Goldman and BNY.

Tokenized money market funds offer a contrast to interest-bearing stablecoins, which are specifically prohibited under the GENIUS Act, which was signed into law last week. They provide yield, which makes them a low-volatility tool for hedge funds, pensions and corporations.

SEC halts Bitwise crypto index ETF conversion for review

On Tuesday (July 22), the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Trading and Markets approved the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index to convert to an ETF, only to immediately pause it for review.

In a letter issued later that day, SEC Assistant Secretary Sherry Haywood said that the order will remain “stayed until the Commission orders otherwise.” Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas has suggested that the SEC might be delaying its approval until it establishes a listing standard for crypto ETFs.

Bitwise had applied for this conversion in November for its fund, which offers exposure to a range of cryptocurrencies.

Nate Geraci, president of NovaDius Wealth Management, described the situation as “bizarre,” drawing parallels to the Grayscale Digital Large Cap ETF conversion, which experienced a similar approval and subsequent pause on July 1.

Bitcoin millionaires surge by 16,000 in 2025, according to report

Nearly 16,000 new Bitcoin wallets have crossed the million-dollar threshold since Donald Trump assumed the presidency in January 2025, according to a Finbold report. The number of Bitcoin millionaires is up from 132,842 in November 2024 to 192,205 as of July 20, marking a 45 percent increase in just eight months.

Large holders with over US$10 million in BTC also saw gains exceeding 16 percent in the same period.

The surge has been linked to renewed investor optimism following Trump’s re-election, along with clear signals of regulatory support and clarity for digital assets.

A significant boost came this week when the US House passed the Genius Act. The legislation, expected to streamline compliance for institutions, is widely seen as the most comprehensive federal crypto framework to date.

The rapidly changing policy environment has encouraged capital inflows and bolstered confidence in US-based crypto markets, with the resulting daily average tallying to 88 new Bitcoin millionaires in 2025 alone.

South Korea warns fund managers to reduce exposure to crypto stocks

South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has issued informal warnings to asset managers over their exposure to crypto-related stocks and ETFs. According to the Korea Herald, firms with significant holdings in US-listed crypto companies such as Coinbase and Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) were reportedly told to scale back.

The directive follows the FSS’s longstanding 2017 stance prohibiting direct investment in virtual assets by financial institutions, despite recent global shifts in crypto regulation. While the agency has been reviewing possible easing of crypto rules, officials reportedly said that licensed entities must continue observing current guidelines.

The FSS has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the report.

PayPal unveils cross-border wallet platform

PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) has launched PayPal World, a cross-border payments network that integrates several of the world’s largest digital wallets, aiming to simplify international commerce for billions.

The platform’s initial partners include India’s UPI (via NPCI International), China’s Weixin Pay (via Tenpay Global) and PayPal’s own services including Venmo.

A memorandum of understanding has also been signed with Mercado Pago in Latin America.

According to PayPal CEO Alex Chriss, the initiative allows users to pay with their native wallets regardless of location. Chriss called it a potential “game changer” for frictionless payments in travel and e-commerce.

“The challenge of moving money across borders is incredibly complex, and yet this platform will make it so simple for nearly two billion consumers and businesses,’ Chriss said a recent press release.

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

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

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Joe Cavatoni, senior market strategist, Americas, at the World Gold Council, explains that market risk and uncertainty are driving gold, with H1 2025 seeing multiple record highs.

‘Think strategically when you think about gold, and keep that allocation in mind,’ he said.

He also shares thoughts on the importance of central bank allocations and the potential impact of tariffs and US economic conditions on gold during the second half of 2025.

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

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The White House on Wednesday (July 23) released a sweeping national strategy for artificial intelligence (AI), outlining over 90 federal actions designed to strengthen America’s position as the global leader in AI development.

The document fulfills a mandate laid out in President Donald Trump’s January 23 executive order, which called for the removal of what the administration described as “barriers to American leadership” in the field.

Titled “Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan,” the plan sets priorities across three core pillars: accelerating innovation, building domestic infrastructure and leading on global AI diplomacy and security.

The White House said parts of the strategy will be enacted via executive orders in the coming weeks.

Trump and senior officials are set to promote the initiative at an event on Thursday (July 2) night that will be hosted by the Hill and Valley Forum, a group of influential tech donors and investors.

“President Trump has prioritized AI as a cornerstone of American innovation,” said Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

“This plan galvanizes federal efforts to turbocharge our innovation capacity, build cutting-edge infrastructure, and lead globally, ensuring that American workers and families thrive in the AI era.”

The new initiative marks a clear departure from previous federal policy, explicitly revoking the Biden-era Executive Order 14110, “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence,” which had emphasized caution, regulation and ethical oversight. In contrast, the Trump administration’s AI directive aims to remove what it describes as “onerous” federal restrictions and foster what it calls innovation free from “ideological bias.”

The goal, according to Trump administration officials, is to secure the global proliferation of US-made AI technologies and prevent the dominance of foreign alternatives. Domestically, the plan pledges to fast track the permitting process for building new data centers and semiconductor fabs, and to launch national workforce initiatives targeting technical trades essential to AI infrastructure, such as electricians and HVAC technicians.

David Sacks, White House special advisor for AI and crypto, framed the plan in strategic and geopolitical terms.

“Artificial intelligence is a revolutionary technology with the potential to transform the global economy and alter the balance of power in the world,” Sacks said, adding that in order to win the AI race, the US must center its innovation domestically and “avoid Orwellian uses of AI.”

In May, the Trump administration reached agreements with the United Arab Emirates to grant the country access to advanced AI chips — part of a broader US$200 billion cooperation deal announced alongside plans for a 5 gigawatt AI campus in the United Arab Emirates. .

As of now, the White House has not provided a timeline for the full rollout of the 90 outlined actions, but officials said implementation would begin “in the coming weeks.”

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

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