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Avino Silver & Gold Mines (TSX, NYSE-A: ASM) said Monday it has bought down and extinguished all royalties and remaining payments for full ownership of its La Preciosa project in Durango, Mexico. It paid $13.25 million up front and agreed to an $8.75 million deferred payment in a year. The move is aimed at lowering the project’s operating cost profile ahead of mining to start this year. Management views the transaction as beneficial for net asset value. It says it simplifies La Preciosa’s cost structure and retains more value for shareholders and communities. “This cornerstone asset is now materially unencumbered,” CEO David Wolfin said in a press release. “This transaction represents a unique investment opportunity for Avino, as operators rarely get the chance to increase project value through the purchase of previously granted royalties.” In Mexico, producers have been consolidating and adding growth projects, underlining focus on high‑grade, near‑mill feed and clear paths to cash flow. Endeavour Silver (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) is ramping its new Terronera mine in Jalisco toward 1,900–2,000 tonnes per day. Pan American Silver (TSX, NYSE: PAAS), which won Mexican competition clearance for its acquisition of MAG Silver (TSX, NYSE: MAG) and the Juanicipio interest, reflects the market’s push for scale and long‑life silver ounces. Silver gains Silver is up 30% from a year ago on rate‑cut expectations and industrial demand, lifting silver‑miner equities, analysts have noted. Silver prices held steady around $38.80 per oz. on Monday, hovering near their highest levels since 2011 amid bets on US Federal Reserve policy easing next month. Avino shares rose 6% or C$0.34 on Monday afternoon in Toronto to C$5.92. The stock has more than quadrupled this year and has a market capitalization of C$869 million. The buyback removes a 1.25% net smelter returns royalty on the Gloria and Abundancia areas and a 2% gross value royalty elsewhere, Avino said. It also eliminated a discovery-linked payment of $0.25 per silver‑equivalent oz. on new reserves declared outside the resource area. The company used its about $48 million in cash on hand for the up-front cheque. It says the deferred payment is like a production payment it plans to make within a year of starting production from the deposit. The royalty clean‑up aligns La Preciosa with that backdrop and with Avino’s plan to shift to a mainly silver mix as it brings Gloria and Abundancia online. Coeur completed a feasibility study on La Preciosa in 2014, but that open-pit plan doesn’t represent Avino’s development concept. The company has a plan to grow from one to three producing assets by the end of the decade. The news follows on the bonanza silver exploration results reported this month at La Preciosa. The company is driving the 360‑metre San Fernando access decline toward the Gloria and Abundancia veins and plans to add La Preciosa material into its mine plan. More drilling Surface drilling at La Preciosa is slated to run to the end of October to support mine planning and modelling. Avino aims to update the Avino and La Preciosa mineral resources and publish initial reserves as it moves it into production. La Preciosa hosts a 2023 indicated resource of 17.4 million tonnes grading 176 grams silver per tonne and 0.34 gram gold per tonne for a silver-equivalent grade of 202 grams per tonne. The deposit holds 99 million oz. silver and 189,000 oz. gold, or 24 million silver-equivalent ounces. It holds another 4.4 million tonnes inferred at 151 grams silver and 0.25 gram gold for 170 grams per tonne silver-equivalent, for 21 million oz. silver and 35,000 oz. gold, or 24 million oz. silver-equivalent. Including the Avino mine and its planned oxide leach expansion, the company has global measured and indicated resources of 53.1 million tonnes grading 100 grams silver per tonne and 0.47 gram gold per tonne (162 grams per tonne silver-equivalent) for 171 million oz. silver and 799 million oz. gold, or 277 million oz. silver-equivalent.

Galan Lithium (ASX: GLN) said on Monday it is proceeding with a proposed A$20 million ($13 million) private placement for its Hombre Muerto West (HMW) lithium project in Argentina following the completion of due diligence by The Clean Elements Fund. As previously announced on June 20, Clean Elements will purchase nearly 182 million of Galan’s shares at a price of A$0.11 each, representing a 21% premium at the time. The purchase will be made in two equal tranches of A$10 million, with the first closing within five business days and the second tranche closing no later than Nov. 22. At market close Monday, the stock traded at A$0.14 apiece, giving the Australian lithium developer a market capitalization of A$135 million ($87.5 million). The proceeds are expected to fund the Phase 1 construction activities at the HMW project in Catamarca province, which is targeting a 4,000-tonne-per-annum lithium carbonate equivalent operation capable of producing a 6% lithium chloride concentrate product. First output is scheduled for the first half of 2026, with a projected mine life of 40 years over four phases. Upon completing the ramp-up, its production capacity would rise to 6,000 tonnes per annum. First production on track “With the support of Clean Elements, Galan now has the funding certainty to complete Phase 1 construction at HMW and is firmly on track to deliver first lithium chloride concentrate production in H1 2026,” Galan’s managing director Juan Pablo Vargas de la Vega said in a press release. The due diligence by Clean Elements – an existing shareholder – has confirmed HMW is “an exceptional lithium project, combining substantial scale and grade with execution capability that places it among the best globally,” he added. Last month, the $217 million HMW project was approved for the new incentives program in Argentina known as RIGI (Régimen de Incentivo para Grandes Inversiones), which provides a reduced corporate income tax rate of 25% and fiscal stability for 30 years. It is the sixth project to be accepted into the program. “This is a major milestone for Galan that will further strengthen HMW’s global competitive position as a future low-cost producer,” de la Vega commented in a July 28 press release. .

The US Dollar has been at the center of significant volatility over the past few weeks, navigating a softer NFP release at the beginning of the month, a notably stronger PPI report, and a Federal Reserve Chair Powell who was interpreted as dovish despite his measured tone. This led to a drop in the Greenback last Friday, followed by a minor rebound in today's session. On the other hand, the Swiss Franc hasn't pursued its strengthening trend against its major counterparts as the Swiss National Bank got caught in a massive disinflationary trend, forcing their dovish tone. As a reminder, Switzerland has achieved one of the worst tariff deals with the US, with the Swiss products marked up 39% as they arrive in the US, hurting their export-oriented economy. USD/CHF was one of the FX pairs that saw the most consistent decline throughout the start of 2025, dropping by as much as 14.77% from peak to trough. The 2025 and 14-year lows sit at 0.7875. However, since its lows were formed with a double bottom, the pair is now trading back above the key 0.80 psychological level. Current price action is now reflecting indecision from a confluence of technical patterns. We will examine how these patterns are influencing the current price action and identify potential breakout levels for upcoming trading. Read More: Ethereum and cryptocurrency markets send worrying signs despite last Friday's spikeUSDCHF Multi-timeframe technical analysisUSDCHF Daily Chart USDCHF Daily Chart, August 25, 2025 – Source: TradingView Bulls have rebounded sharply from the Friday down-move in the pair, but looking at the past 9 days of price action hasn't led to much. Prices are holding within the Daily pivot zone between 0.80 and 0.81 as the 50-Day MA flattens right in the middle, acting as a consolidation magnet. Also, the 2025 downwards trendline should be acting as immediate resistance but it seems that the mix between current zig-zags in the US Dollars supplemented by a dovish SNB don't help to gain direction. This is why the current Pivot limits should serve as good technical breakout points: Either a break above or below, followed by a consolidation or a retest of the higher/lower bound should see continuation. If buyers and sellers fail to step in, the price action promises to be rangebound even further. Let's try to look closer to see if there's any element in shorter timeframes allowing to tilt the scales. USDCHF 4H Chart USDCHF 4H Chart, August 25, 2025 – Source: TradingView The action from today's session may give the intermediate hand to the Bulls as bears have failed to push the action below the 0.80 psychological handle despite a strong selloff in the US Dollar amid a dovish interpretation of Powell's speech (you can access it right here). However, bulls will have to break both the current 0.8070 highs as intermediate resistance (getting tested as we speak) and closing strongly above 0.81 if they want to regain early 2025 levels. Levels of interest for USDCHF trading: Support Levels: 0.80 Immediate Pivot0.7950 bull Pivot0.7875 to 0.79 Main SupportResistance Levels: 0.8070 high volume zone within Pivot (getting tested)0.81 Pivot highsMain resistance 0.8150 to 0.82 (0.8170 July 31st Highs)USDCHF 1H Chart USDCHF 1H Chart, August 25, 2025 – Source: TradingView Looking at the 1H timeframe allows us to spot further details within the ongoing consolidation pivot. The lows of the consolidation pivot that preceded today's rebound are located between 0.80 to 0.8020 and the highs are between 0.8090 to 0.81. Buyers have the immediate advantage but will have to face current short-timeframe overbought conditions within a range, tough times amid unchanging fundamentals. Track any breakout to support analysis for upcoming trading. Failure to break concisely above or below the boundaries of the Pivot would reinforce the current range. Safe Trades! Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Ethereum has become the default settlement layer engine of decentralized finance, and Tom Lee, the co-founder of Fundstrat Global Advisors, has recently expressed a bullish stance on ETH that was far from a random call. This dominant position explains why Lee’s confidence in ETH is rooted in speculation and the backbone of digital finance. How Ethereum Powers The Largest Share Of Decentralized Finance In an X post, analyst AdrianoFeria has highlighted that Tom Lee, the co-founder of Fundstrat Global Advisors, has chosen ETH because it is the default choice for stablecoins, tokenization, and DeFi, and the very rails on which the future of finance is being built. Ethereum is the internet of finance, and Wall Street is finally waking up to the reality. Tom Lee and more high-profile figures of institutional finance are entering the ETH race and quietly building positions. The analyst noted that Ethereum treasuries are not just decentralized asset trackers (DATs). Rather, they are the perfect vehicle for influential billionaires who are late to ETH to gain leveraged exposure, while gifting early investors an entire army of mainstream ETH bulls who will defend their allocation in the media and beyond. He has also stated that the representation of these treasuries and the capital flowing in is not just retail noise anymore, but is big money with a megaphone. The people backing Ethereum are changing the story at the highest levels of finance, and ETH is getting closer to cementing its role as the backbone of global markets. However, this isn’t Bitcoin’s game anymore. It’s Ethereum’s internet of finance, and the smart money knows it. For those still clinging to the tired argument that ETH isn’t a store of value, the market has been slapping that narrative down for a decade. Despite endless FUD from no-coiners and even insiders, ETH has been the best-performing asset in the world over the last ten years. Why ETH’s Volume Momentum Could Matter For Bulls Following its recent upward trend to a new all-time high, AdrianoFeria also revealed that the ETH momentum over the past three months has been more than just price appreciation. It has been a showcase of growing market dominance. Unlike most altcoins, ETH has consistently brought higher trading volume on exchanges compared to any other crypto asset, including Bitcoin. ETH’s volume has been trending upward steadily, while signaling sustained investor interest and market activity. The widening gap between ETH and BTC trading volumes underscores a shift in market attention, and as ETH/BTC continues to climb, more traders and institutions are prioritizing Ethereum.

Mastering Retracements in Trading: A Practical Guide Mastering Retracements in Leverage Trading Retracements are one of the most powerful tools in technical analysis, and understanding how they work can significantly improve your trading results. In this article, we’ll break down why retracements work and how to trade them effectively using a common-sense approach. Why Do Retracements Work in Trading? Retracement levels are widely used by traders to identify potential reversal or continuation points within a trend. Most traders rely on Fibonacci retracement levels such as 38.2%, 50%, and 61.8%. These levels aren’t magical or based on some supernatural force. they work because so many traders use them. The logic is simple: the more market participants watch the same levels, the more likely those levels become self-fulfilling. When price approaches a popular Fibonacci level, traders react, creating market behavior that often respects those zones. This collective action increases the significance of these retracement levels. How to Use Retracements in Trading: A Common-Sense Strategy To trade retracements successfully, you need to look beyond just the chart and understand market dynamics. Instead of reacting blindly to price movement, think of retracements as opportunities to enter in the direction of the trend. Here’s the basic concept: In a trending market, prices often become overbought or oversold. The market then needs a shakeout to eliminate weak hands before continuing its move in the direction of the trend.. For example, in a downtrend, price will occasionally retrace upward. This upward move shakes out weak short positions before the next leg down. In an uptrend, price will occasionally retrace downward. This downward move shakes out weak long positions before the next leg down. When the retracement ends and the trend resumes, there is often a lack of buying (selling) interest combined with fresh selling (buying) pressure, which accelerates the move back in the direction of the trend. In other words, with positions reduced there is less ability for a market to absorb fresh buying (selling) in the direction of the prevailing trend. Some call it buy the dip or sell the blip once the retracement bottoms (tops) out. This is why, after a retracement stalls, the next move often pushes to a new low (in a downtrend) or a new high (in an uptrend) before any real reversal happens. Price Action Clues During Retracements If the market fails to make a new low or high after a retracement, it can signal that the trend is losing momentum. This is an important observation for traders who want to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the market. For instance, look at GBPUSD after the large spike higher as the currency retraces off the high. To signal another leg up, 1.3544 would need to be broken once the retracement bottoms out. Any failure to do so would indicate a risk of a top and a reversal. Leverage trading GBPUSD 4 HOUR CHART (38.2% tested) FIBOS (Fibonacci levels for GBPUSD 1.3390 => 1.3544 Summary: Common Sense Approach to Trading Retracements Retracements often occur because the market needs to correct extreme positions. Fibonacci levels work because they are widely followed, creating psychological support and resistance zones. When a retracement stalls and reverses, it usually signals trend continuation, provided the market breaks to a new low or high. If the market fails to make a new extreme after a retracement, it could indicate a potential stall or trend reversal. Always confirm your analysis with technical indicators and keep an eye on key chart levels that might signal a true reversal instead of just a retracement. Retracements aren’t just random pullbacks. They are opportunities for smart traders. By understanding why they happen and how to use them, you can anticipate price action, improve your entries, and trade with odds tilted on your side. Leverage trading Take a FREE Trial of The Amazing Trader The post Mastering Retracements in Trading appeared first on Forex Trading Forum.

The XRP price action continues to dominate analysts’ discussions as bullish technical setups point toward a potential breakout. Popular crypto analyst Dark Defender has shared insights that reinforce this bullish sentiment, noting that regardless of which technical framework traders apply, the outcome points to the same conclusion: XRP is poised to explode. XRP Price Predicted To Explode Soon Dark Defender has declared that “all roads lead to Rome” as XRP’s long-awaited Cup and Handle formation is now nearing completion. On the weekly chart, XRP successfully carved out a rounded cup portion after months of consolidation. The cryptocurrency is finishing the “handle” portion of the pattern, a final corrective move before a potentially powerful breakout. In addition to the Cup and Handle pattern, Dark Defender highlighted in his post on X social media that Elliott Wave analysis aligns with this bullish theory. The ABC correction within the handle suggests that XRP may have already finalized its retracement, now positioning itself higher for the next impulsive wave. Fibonacci retracement levels further confirm this setup, with price action reportedly holding firmly above the 23.06% retracement at $2.85 and establishing strong support for the next move. Dark Defender emphasized that the next major target for XRP could be as high as $5.85, corresponding with the 261.8% Fibonacci Extension level. According to the analyst, the convergence of multiple technical methods—whether through the Cup pattern, historical patterns, or Elliott Wave—all confirm the same bullish outcome for XRP. Bull Flag Scenario Repeats Another critical factor adding to the bullish sentiment is XRP’s possible repeat of a Bull Flag formation that has historically preceded breakouts. In a new analysis on X, Dark Defender referenced a scenario from November 2024, when XRP was trading at $1.13. At the time, the analyst anticipated a move toward $2.40 based on a Bull Flag setup. That pattern played out successfully, with the cryptocurrency’s price rallying exactly as predicted. Now, XRP appears to be setting up for a repeat performance. On the current weekly chart, the cryptocurrency is consolidating within another Bull Flag following a sharp upward leg. The flag is tightening just above the $3 mark, with immediate support levels at $3 and $2.85. Dark Defender indicated that holding these levels is critical, as it could validate the bullish continuation pattern and potentially set the stage for the next breakout. Based on the analysis, the upside targets of this Bull Flag formation are substantial. Fibonacci extensions identify XRP’s next bullish targets at $3.35 (70.2%), $4.39 (161.8%) and an ultimate move toward $5.85 (261.8%). Dark Defender has highlighted that this repeating pattern is a clear signal that XRP is getting ready for its next major bullish phase, just as it did in late 2024.

Bitcoin is entering a pivotal moment after failing to secure a close above the highly watched $125,000 all-time high. The rejection at this level triggered a sharp retrace, leaving bulls defending critical demand zones around $110,000–$112,000. This range is now seen as the line in the sand that could determine whether BTC resumes its bullish trajectory or faces deeper consolidation. Market analysts remain divided. Some highlight the resilience of buyers who continue to absorb selling pressure and maintain higher lows. Others, however, warn that failing to reclaim momentum soon could give bears the upper hand and accelerate a correction. Top analyst Axel Adler expressed caution, noting that large sellers have appeared on centralized exchanges in recent sessions. According to Adler, what’s concerning is that these sellers seem to lack proper execution strategies such as TWAP (Time-Weighted Average Price), which could amplify volatility and put further pressure on short-term price action. Despite these red flags, overall CEX Netflow remains green, signaling that buyers are still in control for now. However, Adler warns the balance is shifting: if sellers continue to increase their presence, buyers may soon be outnumbered, potentially tipping Bitcoin into a more pronounced downturn. Bitcoin Bulls Face A Test As Focus Shifts To Ethereum According to Axel Adler, this phase in Bitcoin’s cycle highlights the changing dynamics of institutional and corporate interest. Adler points out that “right now would be the perfect time for Saylor & Co. to step up their buying,” referencing Michael Saylor and other high-profile corporate investors who have historically supported Bitcoin at key levels. However, Adler also stresses that the corporate sector’s attention has clearly shifted toward Ethereum, where accumulation and leverage activity have been dominating headlines. This Ethereum frenzy, fueled by both whale accumulation and institutional inflows, has contributed to Bitcoin’s current stall. While ETH rallies toward new highs and captures market liquidity, BTC has consolidated, failing to generate the same momentum seen earlier in the year. For many analysts, this isn’t necessarily bearish—it reflects a rotation of capital within the crypto ecosystem. From a technical perspective, Bitcoin is testing its previous ATH zone as support, a critical level that bulls must defend. Holding this range could validate the current consolidation as healthy before a new push higher. However, a failure here could open the door to deeper corrections, especially if capital rotation into ETH continues at the current pace. Testing Support At A Pivotal Level The daily Bitcoin chart shows price under pressure after failing to sustain momentum above $123K and reversing sharply lower. BTC is now trading near $111,829, just above the 100-day moving average at $111,567, which is emerging as critical short-term support. The 50-day moving average at $116,544 has flipped into resistance after last week’s breakdown, highlighting a weakening bullish structure. This zone around $111K–$112K is decisive. A confirmed close below would open the door for deeper downside, potentially targeting the 200-day moving average near $100,866, which coincides with a major psychological threshold at $100K. On the upside, bulls must reclaim the $115K–$116K region to regain momentum and set up another attempt at the $123K ATH. Price action shows that sellers have recently been in control, as reflected by consecutive lower highs and a failure to hold demand above $115K. However, as long as BTC maintains the 100-day MA, the broader uptrend remains intact, suggesting this could develop into a consolidation phase rather than a full reversal. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Aris Mining (TSX: ARIS; NYSE-A: ARMN) is set to leave Canada with the sale of its Juby gold project, its sole Canadian asset, to McFarlane Lake Mining (CSE: MLM) in an investment deal scaled up to $25 million. The deal is to see Aris become a 19.9% shareholder in McFarlane Lake, and consists of up to $15 million in bridge financing from a syndicate of lenders and a non-brokered equity offering of up to $10 million, the company reported Monday. The specified terms of the deal bring more structure to it than when it was previously announced last month. Juby is located in Northern Ontario, roughly between Timmins and Sudbury. “Execution of this transaction allows McFarlane to take hold of what I believe is one of Ontario’s premier undeveloped gold deposits,” McFarlane Lake Chair and CEO Mark Trevisiol said in a release. “It represents the first step in the process of unlocking value at the Juby Gold property, in a gold market where almost all producers are experiencing unprecedented cash flows.” Aris, led by CEO Neil Woodyer who also founded Endeavour Mining (LSE, TSX: EDV) and Leagold Mining, has its main projects in South America. While the McFarlane deal ends the company’s projects in Canada, it hasn’t stated any plans to move its Vancouver headquarters or delist from the TSX. Colombian mines Its primary Segovia mine is in Colombia’s historical Antioquia district where a second mill joined production last month as it aims for 300,000 oz. output next year. Bringing the Marmato bulk‑mining project online by the end of next year could push total production above 500,000 oz. once fully ramped. Juby is an exploration project hosting 21.3 million indicated tonnes grading 1.13 grams gold per tonne for 773,000 oz. contained oz., according to a 2020 resource. It also hosts 47.1 million inferred tonnes at 0.98 gram gold for 1.4 million contained ounces. Resource update McFarlane has also started working on a resource update for Juby and plans to drill about 10,000 additional metres on the project, work that is expects will raise Juby’s ounces, the company said earlier this month. McFarlane shares shot up 27% to a new year-long high of C$0.09 apiece on Monday morning in Toronto, for a market capitalization of C$27.8 million. The bridge financing portion of the deal is to fund the cash portion of McFarlane’s acquisition bid for Juby as well as an interest in Aris’ nearby Knight properties. McFarlane has the option to raise the bridge financing to up to C$20 million. The company will issue lenders up to 48 million common shares in the deal at 15¢ each. In the equity offering, McFarlane is to issue up to 92.6 million common and flow-through shares at C$0.15 apiece to raise up to C$10 million. The deals are expected to close by Sept. 11.

Ethereum has once again made headlines by climbing to a fresh all-time high, confirming the strength of its ongoing uptrend. However, despite the bullish price action, warning signs are flashing on the technical front as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) shows a rare divergence. With price pushing higher but momentum indicators losing steam, ETH now faces a critical test on its path toward the much-anticipated $5,000 milestone. Ethereum Breaks Record With Weekly Close Above $4,600 GrayWolf6, in a recent post on X, highlighted that ETH has achieved a significant milestone by closing the weekly candle above $4,600. This level had previously marked the highest weekly close, and as anticipated, ETH went on to set a new all-time high (ATH) last week. Currently, ETH is trading within the upper resistance zone of the $3,900–$4,800 range. This region is historically challenging and could invite selling pressure as traders look to secure profits. GrayWolf6 noted that his outlook is for ETH to attempt a push beyond the $5,000 mark. Such a move would not only confirm strong bullish momentum but also open the door for further upside targets as buyers maintain control of the trend. He added that the $5,100 level is especially critical to watch in the coming days. GrayWolf6 concluded by stating that he will be monitoring developments closely throughout the week and sharing updates accordingly. Choppy Price Action Likely As Market Tests Momentum Another analyst, Cryptonite, recently shared an update highlighting the mixed signals currently appearing on Ethereum’s chart. He noted that the chart is presenting a rare and somewhat messy pattern, where price has been making higher highs while the RSI has printed lower highs, a classically bearish divergence. However, the RSI is also showing higher lows, which signals that the downside momentum may not be as strong as it initially appears to be. This unusual setup has left ETH in a rather complex position. Cryptonite explained that as long as the RSI maintains these higher lows, the long-term outlook remains favorable for the bulls, despite the short-term volatility. This makes sense given that ETH is currently trading around its all-time high levels, a zone that naturally attracts both profit-taking and renewed buying interest, leading to unpredictable price swings. Another factor worth watching, according to Cryptonite, is trading volume. Despite ETH recording higher highs in price, volume has been declining, which could be a warning sign of weakening momentum. Until stronger participation returns, ETH’s next major move may remain uncertain, with volatility likely to dominate in the short term.

Kenorland Minerals (TSXV: KLD) has reported more high-grade assays from the Frotet project in northern Quebec with an initial resource on its Regnault gold system due in the months ahead. The latest assays include 12.15 metres grading 26.33 grams gold per tonne from 500.15 metres down hole 25RDD261 on the R6 vein, with intervals of 1.8 metres at 99.64 grams gold and 1.2 metres at 93.48 grams gold, Kenorland reported on Monday. Infill drilling along the same R6 structure in hole 25RDD257 cut 14.4 metres averaging 3.45 grams gold from 526.7 metres down, including 4.6 metres at 7.51 grams. Hole 25RDD257 targeting the R1 vein returned 7.8 metres grading 13.98 grams gold from 283 metres depth, with an interval of 1.15 metres at 81.01 grams. “Step-out and infill drilling during the 2025 winter program has continued to confirm the scale, continuity, and high-grade nature of the Regnault system,” the company said in a release. “Step-out holes returned some of the most significant mineralisation intersected to date, remaining open and highlighting strong potential for growth at depth.” The assays, following similar results a year ago, come as Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining assumes operatorship at Frotet and hires a consultant to work on an initial resource for Regnault expected in late 2025 or early 2026. Kenorland, backed by a 9.9% investment from Centerra Gold (TSX: CG; NYSE: CGAU,) retains a 4% net smelter return royalty. Monday’s assays were the last 13 of 34 drill holes completed in the nearly 23,000-metre winter program at the site about 800 km north of Montreal in the Chibougamau region. Uptick Shares in Kenorland gained 1% to C$2.02 apiece in Toronto on Monday morning, valuing the company at C$158.4 million. They’ve traded in a range of C$0.96 to C$2.32 over the past year. Infill drill hole 25RDD260 along vein R2Ereturned 9 metres at 2.58 grams gold including 0.7 metre at 17.9 grams. Several narrower intervals included 4.5 metres at 18.06 grams gold from 405.8 metres in hole 25RDD259 on the R5 structure; 4.8 metres at 9.85 grams gold from at 396 metres in hole 25RDD264 on the R6 system; and 1.7 metres at 31.59 grams gold starting at 85 metres in hole 25RDD258 of the R9 vein. The company is also advancing a portfolio of early-stage gold projects in Ontario. In June, Kenorland signed an option agreement with Centerra to explore the Flora, Western Wabigoon and Algoman properties. Centerra can earn up to a 70% interest by funding exploration and advancing the projects to a preliminary economic assessment, while Kenorland would retain a 30% interest carried through to prefeasibility.

Silver held firm on Monday despite losing steam from last week’s rally, as investors continue to weigh the outlook on US interest rates. Spot price traded around $38.90 an ounce for a 0.1% intraday loss. Earlier, it had briefly touched $39 for the first time in a month. In New York, silver futures were 0.6% lower at $38.82 per ounce. Click on chart for live prices. The precious metal is coming off a 2% gain last week, amid rising speculation of a Federal Reserve rate cut next month. A speech by Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Friday solidified those expectations, with markets now seeing a near 90% chance of a September rate cut. Like gold, silver tends to perform well during a low-rate environment, as these metals yield no interest. Backed by rising demand for hard assets, silver has risen by more than 34% year to date, even outpacing gold’s performance. “Powell’s remarks fueled the conviction that policy easing lies ahead,” Pepperstone research strategist Ahmad Assiri said in an emailed note to Bloomberg on Monday. Looking ahead, “further signs of labor market softness would strengthen the case for cuts and amplify demand” for precious metals, he added. (With files from Bloomberg)

The US government has added copper, potash and silicon to its draft list of critical minerals, in the most significant overhaul since the it was first published in 2018. The update, mandated every three years under the Energy Act of 2020, follows the 2022 version and now includes 54 minerals. Six were proposed for addition—copper, silicon, potash, silver, lead and rhenium—while two, tellurium and arsenic, were removed. Copper and silicon were included because of the severe economic consequences that supply disruptions could trigger in refined forms, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. Lead and rhenium, which narrowly missed the 2022 cutoff, were added under the new methodology. Potash was also included after updated modelling flagged the risks of potential trade barriers from major suppliers, particularly Canada. Silver was added to hedge against a low-probability but high-impact disruption scenario in Mexico. Tellurium was dropped as the US has shifted from net importer to exporter following increased domestic production. Arsenic was removed after revised data showed Peru, not China, is the leading producer, lowering the risk of supply disruption. Three types of minerals For the first time, critical minerals are divided into three risk categories: high, elevated and moderate. The new methodology also considers the economic fallout of supply shocks and highlights “single points of failure,” where reliance rests on a sole domestic producer. The assessment spans 84 mineral commodities, 402 industries and more than 1,200 scenarios, which the USGS says offers a more realistic and usable framework for policymakers. The 2025 draft underscores how evolving market conditions and new data are reshaping Washington’s view of supply vulnerabilities. The final list will be published after a 30-day period of public comment.

Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) says it is moving onto the second phase of its Kamoa-Kakula dewatering plan after four new high-capacity, submersible pumps arrived on site and are undergoing installation. Operations at Kamoa-Kakula, the largest copper producer in Africa, were disrupted earlier this year after seismic activity caused severe flooding of the underground mine, particularly the eastern section. Mining activities were halted for approximately three weeks following the May 18 incident. In an effort to gradually restore mining operations at Kamo-Kakula, Ivanhoe, as the operator, proceeded with a three-staged dewatering plan. The first stage, which was to stabilize and maintain current water levels with temporary pumps, was completed on June 2, allowing the company to resume mining at Kamoa West. The second stage requires the installation surface-mounted pumps and new permanent infrastructure to fully dewater the mine. According to the company, two of the new 4.2-megawatt pumps are expected to be operational by month-end, and the remaining two by mid-September. These pumps will be fully submerged until the end of November, when the majority of the dewatering is expected to be completed. In a note published by BMO Capital Markets on Monday, analyst Andrew Mikitchook said the “update matches previously guided timelines for dewatering Kakula”. Shares of Ivanhoe Mines gained 0.8% to C$11.80 apiece during the morning trading hours, taking its market capitalization to C$15.9 billion ($11.5 billion). Guidance reinstated soon Ivanhoe noted that the western side is expected to be fully dewatered within eight weeks, which would allow the company to regain access to the higher-grade areas relatively quickly. As such, mining grades are expected to improve notably towards year-end. Also in late 2025, the third stage of dewatering activities will start, involving the use of existing horizontal pumping infrastructure to dewater the remaining areas deep on the eastern side. Additionally, as water levels subside, rehabilitation will commence immediately as required. Selective mining within the existing workings at Kamoa East could start in the first quarter of 2026, the company said, adding that a life-of-mine plan, to be included in an updated technical report, is also expected around that time. While the Kamoa-Kakula team continues with the dewatering efforts, Ivanhoe’s management expects to deliver a copper production outlook for 2026 and 2027 in mid-September. Due to the disruptions this year, the company has already revised down its 2025 guidance by 28% to between 370,000-420,000 tonnes of copper in concentrates. BMO’s Mikitchook previously said in a note that “management’s goal is to return Kamoa-Kakula to similar throughputs as previously planned by 2027.” The company recently said that mining rates at the western section of Kamoa-Kakula had recovered to about 300,000 tonnes per month, with both concentrators running at 80–85% capacity, as of mid-June.

The Australian dollar has steadied on Monday after posting sparkling gains of 1.1% on Friday. In the North American session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6503, up 0.18% on the day. Powell sends US dollar sharply lower The US dollar retreated against all the major currencies on Friday, including the Australian dollar. This followed Federal Reserve Chair Powell's dovish speech at a meeting of central bankers' in Jackson Hole. Powell discussed the two key concerns for the Fed - inflation and employment. He noted that upside risk to inflation due to tariffs and expressed concern about the labor market, saying that "downside risks to employment are rising" and such risks could materialize quickly. The markets seized on Powell's dovish comments about the employment picture, which bumped up expectations that the Fed will cut rates in September to around 85%. As well, a second cut before the end of the year is a strong possibility. The inflation and employment reports in the first week of September could be significant factors in the Fed's rate path in the fourth quarter. It remains to be seen how many times the Fed will lower rates before year's end but what is clear is that the prolonged wait-and-see stance is about to end. Will RBA minutes signal another rate cut? The Reserve Bank of Australia lowered rates by a quarter-point to 3.60% at the August 12 meeting. Investing will be combing through the minutes of that meeting on Tuesday. With inflation down to 2.1% in the second quarter, the decision to lower rates was a no-brainer. However, the Reserve Bank shocked the markets in July when it held rates rather than cutting, saying it needed to see additional inflation data. The central bank still remains very concerned about inflation, even though it downgraded it growth forecast at the August meeting to 1.7% from 2.1%. If the minutes focus on the country's weak growth, this could be a sign of further rate cuts and the Australian dollar could reverse its recent gains. AUD/USD Technical 0.6524 is a weak resistance line. Next, there is resistance at 0.6555There is support at 0.6469 and 0.6438 AUDUSD 1-Day Chart, August 25, 2025 Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Stocks continue to hold up after last week’s dovish interpretation of Powell’s remarks, with Friday’s rally still leaving US indices near their recent highs. While the current open is slightly lower than the Friday peak, the Dow Jones is still trading above its previous all-time highs, showing a picture of relative strength as Participants await further news. The Nasdaq is attempting to re-enter its upward channel and the S&P 500 has formed a short-timeframe double top, leaving the immediate bullish hand to the Dow Jones, the oldest of all US Indices. With earnings season close to finishing (Nvidia earnings are approaching, releasing Wednesday) and macro data delivering mixed signals, investors appear cautious on Tech but not willing to aggressively fade the latest strength due to the Dovish interpretation of Powell's Friday speech. The coming sessions may determine whether the ongoing small selling develops into a broader retracement or simply a consolidation before another push higher. Let's take a look at an Intraday chart for the Dow Jones. Read More: Ethereum and cryptocurrency markets send worrying signs despite last Friday's spikeDow Jones 4H Chart and technical levels Dow Jones 4H Chart, August 25, 2025 – Source: TradingView The Dow Jones broke new record highs on Friday, marking the current All-time highs at 45,757 (both CFD and actual index). However, the index just attained the highs of its intermediate upward channel, leading to the current profit-taking. Look for a break-retest at the previous ATH (45,283) for further bullish continuation. Bears will want to see a further correction from there to regain the immediate hand. Technical levels for the Dow Jones: Resistance Levels All-time high resistance 45,757ATH Resistance Zone 45,700 (+/- 150 pts)1.618 Fibonacci-Extension 46,260Support Levels Previous ATH resistance zone, now pivot 45,00045,283 previous ATH44,000 Main Support ZoneSafe trades and succesful trading week! Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Shiba Inu has been showing signs of preparing for a significant price move, and technical analysis is pointing to a bullish breakout on the macro timeframe. Although Shiba Inu is down by 2.8% in the past 24 hours, a chart pattern that has been forming over the past several months suggests that the token could be on the brink of a powerful rally. According to crypto analyst Javon Marks, the structure of SHIB’s price action is displaying an inverse head and shoulders pattern, which shows the possibility of a massive 540% price surge. Inverse Head And Shoulders Signals Explosive Move The analysis, which was shared on the social media platform X, shows how Shiba Inu has been shaping an inverse head and shoulders structure on the 5-day candlestick chart. Marks noted that the token is still in the “final shoulder areas” of the formation, meaning it has yet to fully confirm the breakout. Basically, this means that Shiba Inu is currently in the process of forming the right shoulder before confirming the breakout. The pattern has been forming for more than two years, as it goes as far back as the second half of 2022, where the troughs of the left shoulder formed between July and December 2022. The head of the pattern, which represents the deepest pullback in the structure, took form between September and November 2023 during the bear market low. Since that point, the chart has been unfolding into the right shoulder. If the pattern plays out as predicted, Shiba Inu could be ready for a run that stretches far beyond its current price range. This inverse head and shoulders bullish setup is one of the most recognized reversal patterns in technical analysis, as it often indicates the end of a prolonged downtrend and the beginning of a major rally. Price Target Points To 540% Upshoot Based on the inverse head and shoulders structure above, Javon Marks predicted a price target at $0.000081, which represents a 540% move from the current price of Shiba Inu. However, this is keeping in mind that the breakout has yet to occur, and the analyst’s prediction did not come with a timeline for this breakout. As such, this breakout move would require volume and possibly a bounce from a strong support level to validate the bullish pattern. If Shiba Inu were to surge to $0.000081 as predicted, this price range would place the token trading close to its all-time high of $0.00008616, which has stood for almost four years. Interestingly, Marks noted that this move might not end at $0.000081, and it could result in new all-time highs. At the time of writing, however, SHIB remains far below that projected target, trading at $0.00001263. This reflects a 6.2% decline from its 24-hour high of $0.00001347.

Ethereum has once again taken center stage in the crypto market after surging to a new all-time high above the $4,900 level on Sunday. The rally, which pushed ETH into uncharted territory, highlighted the strength of bulls after weeks of steady institutional accumulation and market momentum. However, the price did not hold these highs for long. Ethereum has since retraced, dropping back to the $4,600 region, where bulls are now attempting to establish support before the next move higher. This pullback has sparked debate among analysts. Some view the retracement as a sign of a potential local top, cautioning that ETH may require a period of consolidation before another breakout attempt. Others, however, remain firmly bullish, pointing to strong fundamentals and growing institutional interest as signals that Ethereum’s rally is far from over. Adding weight to the bullish case, key on-chain data reveals that Binance whales continue to position themselves heavily in Ethereum. Large spot and futures orders attributed to these players have been flowing consistently, particularly after ETH confirmed its positive trend. This steady accumulation suggests confidence in Ethereum’s long-term trajectory, even as short-term volatility continues to shape the market’s direction. Binance Whales Accumulate Ethereum According to top analyst Darkfost, Ethereum’s Average Order Size on Binance chart provides clear insight into the behavior of different cohorts, distinguishing between retail investors and whales. Since July, a significant shift has taken place: whale activity on Binance has surged. This reflects a growing trend of large-scale accumulation, with whale-sized spot and futures orders continuing to flow into the market as ETH edges closer to the $5,000 mark. What makes this trend particularly noteworthy is the timing of whale participation. Unlike retail investors, who often try to buy early and ride potential upside, whales tend to prefer entering once a bullish trend has been confirmed. Darkfost highlights that this pattern is evident now, as whale orders began accelerating only after Ethereum reversed its earlier downtrend and regained strong bullish momentum. This validates the idea that large players seek reduced risk and clearer confirmation before allocating capital at scale. With both retail and institutional participants aligning, the coming weeks could be decisive in determining whether ETH firmly breaks into new price discovery. If whales continue to buy at this pace, Ethereum’s rally could extend far beyond its 2021 highs. Testing Critical Support Level Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading around $4,598 after a sharp retracement from its new all-time high near $4,900. On the 4-hour chart, the structure shows that ETH is still maintaining a bullish trend, although momentum has cooled after last week’s explosive rally. The 50 SMA ($4,455) and 100 SMA ($4,435) are now converging just below current price levels, acting as immediate dynamic support. This cluster strengthens the bullish outlook as long as ETH can remain above it. A deeper drop toward the 200 SMA ($4,068) would signal a broader correction phase and potentially extend the consolidation before another push higher. The recent pullback shows that sellers are active near the $4,900–$5,000 region, which now forms a critical resistance. A breakout above this level would open the path to uncharted territory and likely accelerate momentum, with targets potentially stretching toward $5,200 and beyond. On the downside, failure to hold the $4,450–$4,400 support area could shift sentiment bearish in the short term, with traders eyeing $4,200 as the next key demand zone. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Cryptos have all shined on Friday after Powell's speech that largely got interpreted as dovish – One of my thesis was that these moves may have been slightly over-extended compared to what was actually said. Markets tend to act erratically with algorithmic movements and stops triggering leading to extreme moves that tend to be corrected after some proof-reading by some of the largest participants. The US Equities market is still around its Friday highs with the Dow Jones futures above their previous highs (down small on the pre-open session) indicating no strong correction from the recent upside. On the other hand, cryptos are looking a bit more skeptical – Ethereum broke a new record on Saturday ($4,956) before retracting lower, currently down 4% on the session. Bitcoin also retested $117,000 and quickly reversed back to around the $111,000 handle, retesting its support zone that will have to hold to avoid a more bearish short-term outlook. You can access our latest analysis for BTC right here to get your levels for upcoming trading. Read More: Markets Weekly Outlook - Fed Chair Pivot Ignites Rally Ahead of US PCE and Japanese Inflation DataA look at the Cryptocurrency market cap Crypto Market Cap, August 25, 2025 – TradingView Despite the new record in ETH, the rest of the market hasn't followed through with the Market cap correcting around 8% since. The chart is still far from bearish but this will have to be monitored to check if the bullish momentum inverts further. Crypto Market reversed from Friday gains Crypto Market overview, August 25, 2025 – Source: Finviz The picture is red, but most cryptos are still fairly close to their highs, I would suggest to look at risk-on/risk-off assets demand to assess if the mood gets better from here or not. Ethereum Daily and intraday chartsEthereum Daily Chart Ethereum Daily Chart, August 25, 2025 – Source: TradingView If the current picture stays like this, a double top combined with a bearish divergence (new highs in price ≠ new highs in RSI) could bring some decent reasons for Participants to take profit around here. Nonetheless, as always in Financial markets, if the price action was that bearish, prices would be much lower already. But these signs are not to be taken lightly and have to be monitored closely for upcoming trading. Ethereum 4H Chart Ethereum 4H Chart, August 25, 2025 – Source: TradingView Ethereum has retracted from its recent highs (ETH CFD not showing but actual coin traded to $4,956 highs, currently around $4,640) which allowed overbought momentum to cool down on shorter timeframes. As long as prices hold above the $4,000 to $4,095 (Dec 2024) pivot zone, the price action remains more bullish than bearish – but do keep an eye on the potential double top mentioned on the daily timeframe. Levels of interest for ETH trading: Support Levels: $4,200 consolidation Zone (minor support)$4,000 to $4,095 Main Pivot$3,500 Main Support ZoneResistance Levels: $4,950 Current new All-time highs$4,700 to $4,950 All-time high resistance zonePotential main resistance $5,230 Fibonacci extension.Safe Trades! Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

After months of underperforming compared to BTC USD, Ethereum crypto is now in focus. Not only has it been resilient, absorbing selling pressure, but after the disappointment in H1 2025, the coin is on the cusp of breaking 2021 highs. At spot rates, ETH USD is trading above $4,500 after surging to over $4,900 over the weekend. Although prices were rejected and fell to current levels, the uptrend remains. From the daily chart, BTC USD has found key support around the $110,000 level. Notably, the drop seen in the past few hours today is a continuation of the sell-off posted on August 24, when bears completely reversed the gains of August 22. Technically, as long as BTC USD is capped below $118,000, bears are in control, and they may pierce through $110,000 in a bear trend continuation, confirming losses from August 14. (Source: TradingView) Meanwhile, ETH USD bulls are optimistic. Based on Coingecko data, Ethereum crypto is up 22% in the past month and an impressive 67% in the last year of trading. Despite the shakeout in Bitcoin over the weekend, ETHUSDT is up nearly 8% in the last week of trading. Technically, the gains of August 22 define the short-term price action. Buyers have the upper hand as long as prices trend above $4,200, the low of August 22. Once $4,900 breaks, ETH USD will enter new territory, possibly setting a solid foundation for a leg up to $10,000. DISCOVER: The 12+ Hottest Crypto Presales to Buy Right Now Bitcoin Bulls Dominate as Liquidity Dries Up While confidence is high among Ethereum holders, traders should be cautious, considering Bitcoin’s high market dominance. As of August 25, Bitcoin controls 56% of the total crypto market, while ETH crypto has risen to 14%. This high market dominance means that if Bitcoin drops below critical support levels, such as $110,000, the odds of BTC USD dragging other altcoins, including some of the top Solana meme coins, are high. The odds are stacking up against Bitcoin. According to Glassnode, as of August 25, all Bitcoin cohorts, from small retail holders to whales, are in distribution mode, selling or preparing to sell. Analysts note that those holding between 10 and 100 BTC are leading the charge. (Source: Glassnode via X) Multiple factors, including profit-taking after the recent surge to new all-time highs, could drive this broad sell-off. Macroeconomic uncertainties, such as softening labor markets and rising inflation, are also considerations. Though the Federal Reserve might consider slashing rates in September, BTC USD could face immense selling pressure from holders in the short term. As holders sell, onchain data shows that Bitcoin liquidity is also falling. The Spent Volume metric, which measures the total value of BTC transacted daily, is shrinking, averaging 529,000 BTC in the last week. This drop suggests that downside momentum may wane, though analysts advise traders to proceed cautiously. According to Lee, thanks to this substantial stash, Bitmine generates over $200 million in net revenue from staking. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in 2025 BTC USD Falls As Ethereum Surges: Will ETH USD Break $5K? BTC USD hovers around $110,000 support ETH USD is up 22% in a month, trading above $4,500 Bitcoin holders looking to dump BTC Bitmine bought $2.2 billion of ETH last week The post BTC USD Feels the Pressure as Big Players Shift to Ethereum: What’s Next? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

The crypto market moved quickly after Jerome Powell hinted that interest rate cuts may finally come. Many assets moved immediately, and the Shiba Inu price was among the top gainers. According to this post on X, more than just a price chart, this moment reminded many that SHIB’s strength lies in market timing and its loyal community support. Powell’s Hint Sparks Instant Shiba Inu Price Momentum When Powell suggested that long-awaited rate cuts may soon be possible, the market responded quickly. Investors waiting for a clear signal rushed to position themselves, and SHIB wasted no time showing its power. The coin’s price surged with a 12% green candle in a quick move that shows how possible rate cut hints from policymakers can send crypto prices soaring fast. It was not just a random jump in price but a reminder of how closely tied SHIB is to larger economic shifts. When the Federal Reserve shows signs of easing, money tends to flow into risk assets, and SHIB has proven it can move with conviction. The sharp rise showed that the price can move much more quickly when the proper signals appear and that the meme coin is more active and responsive than many expected. The move suggests global signals could directly influence the Shiba Inu price. In this case, just a few words from Jerome Powell were enough to spark a strong reaction as his comments spread across markets and caught the eye of traders everywhere. It shows that when there are hints of a possible US interest rate cut, SHIB reacts quickly and moves in to align with the market trend. The ShibArmy Behind Shiba Inu’s Price Strength The X post states that price action can be exciting, but its community truly makes SHIB stand out. While price swings often draw attention, Shiba Inu’s true strength lies in its community. The ShibArmy has shown steady support even during uncertain times, and this loyalty helps SHIB stay strong and resilient in the crypto market. Instead of waiting for the world to tell them when to move, the ShibArmy stays active and prepared. This strength is not new. From the beginning, Ryoshi’s vision for Shiba Inu was more than charts and numbers; it was about creating a project and a community that could endure and be ready when the world finally noticed. The latest reaction to Powell’s hint reflects that same vision, with holders not simply chasing prices but being committed to the bigger picture. The ShibArmy understands that charts can rise and fall, but true resilience comes from staying together and believing in the long-term story. Powell’s possible rate cuts may have lit the spark for the latest surge, but the community’s loyalty keeps the fire burning. As others wait on the sidelines for more signals, SHIB’s supporters repeatedly prove they are always ready for what comes next.

Ethereum has been fighting transaction censorship, and its co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, may have just found the solution: the FOCIL framework. But what is the FOCIL framework, and how does it solve one of Ethereum’s biggest issues? Broadly speaking, Ethereum’s censorship risks stem from validators and MEV-boost relays that selectively exclude transactions. Some relays, such as Flashbots, once chose to exclude transactions on Ethereum from addresses sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). In fact, at its peak, over 56% of Ethereum’s blocks were OFAC-compliant. (All-Time Percentage of OFAC Compliant Transactions) Buterin, on 22 August 2025, shared a post on X stating his plans to maintain blockchain neutrality through the Fork-Choice Enforced Inclusion (FOCIL) framework. He argued that forcing validators to include transactions from sanctioned addresses, such as those linked to Tornado Cash, could violate US sanctions law that carries penalties of up to 20 years. Currently, validators can filter sanctioned transactions while still participating in block production. Soleimani cautioned that FOCIL’s enforcement could make it legally impossible for US validators, as well as attestors and core system developers, to operate without risking prosecution. Buterin, however, stood firm in his belief that Ethereum must remain a neutral protocol. EXPLORE: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in 2025 Key Takeaways The FOCIL framework is designed to maintain Ethereum’s transaction neutrality FOCIL gives 17 proposers inclusion rights per slot, preventing censorship even if two builders control 99% of blocks Valid concerns have emerged regarding FOCIL’s enforcement exposing US validators, attestors and developers to penalties The post What is the FOCIL Framework? Solution To Reinforce Ethereum’s Impartiality appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Will Japan join BRICS? The BRICS bloc — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and six other members — has often struggled with internal cohesion. But BRICS is now more united than ever. And according to recent reports, they’re eyeing stealing Japan from the G7 economic bloc. Why’s it happening? Two words: Trump’s tariffs. Will Japan Join BRICS? It’s More Likely Than Ever (X) The trade war started when Donald Trump stepped back into the Oval Office. Tariffs hit Japanese cars first, like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan, industries that are built into Japan’s national identity. Nearly a third of those exports went to the United States, and overnight that pipeline was throttled. Then came electronics, semi-conductors, agriculture, and even seafood. Trump went online to defend it: “America must come first. Even allies can’t take advantage of our generosity.” In Tokyo, the line landed like a betrayal. Members of parliament were reportedly asking one another, “If even Japan isn’t considered an ally, then what is left?” While Japan reeled, Beijing and Moscow moved in. Chinese delegations began arriving with offers of tech partnerships, joint energy projects, and payment systems that sidestepped the dollar. By April, Bloomberg reported on a private meeting in Shanghai in which Japanese, Chinese, and Russian officials explored what full BRICS membership might entail. The kicker is that Japan is already trading a lot more with BRICS members: Japanese exports to China have jumped 14% in six months. Sales to India are up 21%, Brazil 18%. In South Africa, corporations are hunting for platinum and lithium projects. Even Russia is still in the mix. Sanctions haven’t stopped the energy trade that several other countries besides Japan exploit. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 Could Tariffs Unite BRICS? Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to visit China for the first time in over seven years after the White House announced a fresh 25% tariff on Indian imports, bringing total duties to 50%. U.S. tariffs may be doing what years of summits could not: pushing them closer together. (Statista) China is already the largest trading partner for Brazil, accounting for 28% of exports and 24% of imports. Meanwhile, India and China remain the top buyers of Russian oil, helping Moscow weather sanctions even as its economy falters. According to IMF data, BRICS GDP growth outpaced the global average in 2024 at 4%, compared to 3.3% worldwide and just 1.7% across the G7. Projections for 2025 keep BRICS growth above 3.4%, nearly triple the G7’s 1.2%. DISCOVER: Top 20 Crypto to Buy in 2025 Is Japan The Next Candidate to Watch? BRICS is going to back their new currency with a basket of commodities to compete with the USD, so the US will, in all likelihood, do the same. Their gold reserves are not sufficient on their own. That means gold, bitcoin, oil reserves, and rare earth mineral reserves will be used. BRICS is no longer just a club of emerging economies. With Washington looking erratic on trade and foreign policy, the bloc is positioning itself as the calmer alternative. Expansion is now on the table, and countries once thought unthinkable. Japan, among them, could join the fold. EXPLORE: Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino Hopes For Net Positive From US Elections, Says Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Is A Great Idea: 99Bitcoins Exclusive Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways Will Japan join BRICS? The BRICS bloc – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa – have had their differences, but are ready to unite. With Washington looking erratic on trade and foreign policy, the bloc is positioning itself as the calmer alternative. The post Japan Joins BRICS? BRICS Just “Declared War” on the U.S. Dollar appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

The XRP community has been paying close attention to Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, as he continues to share details about his latest project. Based on a recent post on X, Schwartz signaled a development that could soon move beyond testing and into production. To accompany his update, he shared performance charts that provide a glimpse into how the system has been running in the past few days. Ripple CTO Prepares XRPL Hub For Production David Schwartz revealed on the social media platform X that the XRPL Hub server he has been testing is close to being ready for production. Schwartz explained that the past three days of performance have been encouraging, and stability levels are now high enough for the hub to be considered for wider rollout next week. Schwartz had previously revealed his plans to create a high-performance hub that sets aside special connection slots for UNL validators, important nodes, and servers that run XRPL-based applications. The hub is designed to strengthen XRPL’s connectivity by improving reliability for peers and validators, while also providing developers with a consistent gateway into the network. In his update, Schwartz noted that the server has been stable since its restart five days ago. According to the metrics he shared, the hub has been maintaining a peer count that has steadily increased from around 300 connections earlier in the week to over 357 peers at the most recent check. This consistency indicates that the server is successfully handling traffic across the XRPL ecosystem. What’s Next For The Hub? Schwartz noted that the system had shown strong performance over the last three days, enough for him to consider transitioning it into production as early as next week. However, the monitoring data showed occasional latency spikes, which Schwartz linked to higher outbound bandwidth usage. These spikes did not occur every time bandwidth rose, and this makes the pattern somewhat puzzling but not alarming. On the other hand, latency stayed well below levels that would impact real-world performance, with the 10% latency line never exceeding 33 milliseconds since the restart. The broader latency averages are comfortably within acceptable ranges. Even at peaks, the bandwidth usage is within safe capacity. Peer disconnections, which saw spikes earlier in the week, have since normalized to an average around 17 per interval. Together, these metrics underline that the system is stable and capable of supporting a wider role within the XRPL ecosystem as Schwartz prepares for the next stage. Reactions to Schwartz’s update on X show that the XRPL community is closely tracking the hub’s development, and many XRP enthusiasts have welcomed the prospect of a production-ready rollout. If all goes well, Schwartz should be able to give a definitive update regarding production next week. Schwartz had clarified that this hub is a personal project he has been building independently, separate from his work as CTO at Ripple.

The secret Trump crypto plan is finally being unveiled. You thought Teflon Don was only a benevolent force for digital assets? What a laugh. Washington is testing a new frontier in crypto regulation. Under the GENIUS Act, passed in July, the Treasury explores whether DeFi protocols should carry built-in identity checks at the smart contract level. It’s an approach pitched as a weapon against illicit finance but seen by critics as an assault on the foundations of permissionless code. MoneroPriceMarket CapXMR$5.04B24h7d30d1yAll time Experts Explain: How ID-Embedded Smart Contracts Would Work Under the framework, DeFi protocols could be required to verify a user’s government ID, biometric credential, or wallet certificate before transactions are executed. That would effectively hard-code Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules into DeFi. “Real-time monitoring for suspicious activity can make it easier for platforms to mitigate risk, detect and ultimately prevent money launderers from using their networks,” said Fraser Mitchell, Chief Product Officer at AML provider SmartSearch. (X) Critics warn the opposite outcome: “On paper, it looks like a neat compliance shortcut. But you turn a neutral, permissionless infrastructure into one where government-approved identity credentials gate access,” said Mamadou Kwidjim Toure, CEO of Ubuntu Tribe. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Is Trump Crypto ID Plans Focused on Privacy or Compliance? As it stands, supporters argue this could legitimize DeFi and attract more institutional adoption. Opponents counter that embedding IDs directly in wallets could kill pseudonymity, enable government surveillance, and even pave the way for automated tax collection. Two words: Not good. Another concern is who gets left behind. Roughly a billion people globally still lack a formal ID. Migrants, refugees, and the unbanked are especially at risk. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 What Comes Next For ID Checks in US Crypto? According to recent DeFi Llama figures, DeFi total value locked (TVL) sits near $95 billion, with lending protocols like Aave and MakerDAO still leading flows. Embedding identity checks could drastically alter these flows. Compliance-first protocols might see a surge in institutional deposits, while “pure” permissionless platforms could face liquidity flight if users balk at surveillance. For now, the debate underscores a deeper question: is DeFi meant to be a regulated market extension of traditional finance, or a parallel system built on privacy and autonomy? EXPLORE: Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino Hopes For Net Positive From US Elections, Says Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Is A Great Idea: 99Bitcoins Exclusive Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways The secret Trump crypto plan is finally being unveiled. You thought Teflon Don was only a benevolent force for digital assets? What a laugh. According to recent DeFi Llama figures, DeFi total value locked (TVL) sits near $95 billion. The post Secret Trump Crypto Plan Exposed: Are DeFi ID’s the End of Freedom in America? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Iron ore prices climbed to a one-week high on Monday after Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO; ASX: RIO) suspended operations at its Simandou project in Guinea, following an incident that killed a contract worker at the SimFer mine site in Nzérékoré. The most-traded January iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) closed daytime trading 2.27% higher at 787 yuan ($110.06) per tonne, its highest level since August 14. On the Singapore Exchange, benchmark September iron ore rose 2.69% to $103.3 per tonne as of 0810 GMT, also the highest since August 14. Rio Tinto, the world’s largest iron ore producer, holds two of the four Simandou mining blocks through its SimFer joint venture with China’s Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH) and the Guinean government. The company had previously expected its first iron ore shipment from the project in November. “All activity at the SimFer mine site is currently suspended, and support is in place for colleagues affected by this event,” the company said. Simon Trott, who assumed the role of Rio Tinto’s chief executive officer on Monday, is expected to visit the site. He confirmed the company will launch an investigation. Rio is developing Simandou with partners including Aluminum Corporation of China. Initial shipments will be modest as production ramps up, but at full capacity the mine is expected to deliver nearly 120 million tonnes of high-quality iron ore annually, making it one of the largest new sources of supply globally. The fatality highlights ongoing safety challenges for Rio. This marks the seventh death at its operations in the past two years. Last October, a contractor was killed at the SimFer port site, and in January of the same year, four employees died in a charter flight crash en route to the Diavik diamond mine in northern Canada. Before these incidents, Rio had recorded five consecutive years without fatalities at its managed operations. Meanwhile, near-term demand for iron ore remained firm despite production restrictions in China’s top steelmaking hub, Tangshan, imposed to ensure cleaner air in Beijing ahead of a military parade marking the end of World War Two. Average daily hot metal output — a key gauge of iron ore demand — held steady at 2.41 million tonnes in the week ending August 21, according to consultancy Mysteel. Market sentiment was further supported after Shanghai announced it would ease home-buying restrictions for eligible families. Shares of Rio Tinto rose 2.4% on Monday in Australia, giving the company a market capitalization of A$164 billion ($106 billion). ($1 = 7.1509 Chinese yuan) (With files from Reuters)