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Graphite One (TSXV:GPH,OTCQX:GPHOF) announced on November 13 that it has identified rare earth elements (REEs) at its Graphite Creek deposit, located north of Nome, Alaska.

“The presence of two Defense Production Act Title III materials — graphite and REEs — in a single deposit further underscores Graphite Creek’s position as a truly generational deposit,” said President Anthony Houston.

“Given the robust economics of our planned complete graphite materials supply chain, the presence of Rare Earths at Graphite Creek suggests that recovery as a by-product to our graphite production will maximize the value.”

Geochemical analysis of drillcore samples reveals elevated levels of heavy rare earths and all five principal permanent magnet REEs: neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium and samarium.

Testwork is ongoing at the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Advanced Instrumentation Laboratory, and at Activation Laboratories. Graphite One is also collaborating with a US Department of Energy national lab on REE extraction.

REEs are essential to modern technologies, from permanent magnets in wind turbines and electric vehicles, to high-performance fiber optics, lasers and defense systems.

China, which dominates global production of both magnet REEs and graphite, imposed export limits last year and has continued to expand these restrictions in 2025.

Graphite One is advancing a US-based graphite supply chain, including transport from Nome to an advanced graphite and battery materials plant in Warren, Ohio, with a co-located recycling facility to reclaim graphite and other materials.

Graphite Creek has received support through a US$37.5 million Defense Production Act Title III grant, as well as non-binding letters of interest totaling US$895 million from EXIM Bank.

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

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Researchers have documented the first known recovery of naturally formed nanoscale monazite from a living plant, potentially opening up new paths to recover in-demand rare earth materials.

The study, published this month in Environmental Science & Technology, identifies nanoscale monazite crystals inside Blechnum orientale, an evergreen fern known to accumulate rare earths at unusually high concentrations.

The work was carried out by researchers at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with a geoscientist at Virginia Tech in the US.

In the paper, the authors write that the discovery “opens new possibilities for the direct recovery of functional rare earth element (REE) materials,” adding, “To our knowledge, this is the earliest reported occurrence of rare earth elements crystallising into a mineral phase within a hyperaccumulator.”

The method, known as phytomining, relies on certain plants that naturally pull unusual amounts of metals from the ground. In this case, the fern absorbed rare earths so efficiently that tiny mineral crystals formed inside its tissues.

The mineral identified — monazite — is normally created deep underground under intense heat and pressure.

The team’s analysis shows that the fern somehow produced nanoscale versions of it under normal surface conditions, with the highest concentrations found in its leaflets and roots. In this state, the plant appears to lock the metals outside its cells as a way of protecting itself, with the process enabling the mineral to crystallize.

Monazite is prized for uses ranging from lasers to electronics to materials that withstand high heat and radiation, so finding it naturally produced inside a plant could open up a new, lower-impact source of rare earths.

REEs take priority in global supply race

REEs, a group of metals used in permanent magnets, lasers, consumer electronics and advanced defense systems, are receiving renewed international scrutiny as governments race to reduce dependence on concentrated supply chains.

Earlier this month, the US Department of the Interior published its final 2025 list of critical minerals, naming 60 minerals deemed vital to the American economy and exposed to supply risk.

The list emphasizes the importance of rare earths, which the US imports heavily, and highlights neodymium, scandium and dysprosium as metals where supply disruptions would impose the “highest cost” on the US economy.

Washington has moved in parallel to strengthen access to rare earths through domestic production, expanded mapping of US deposits and agreements with partners in Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand.

In addition to these efforts, US officials continue to signal confidence that Beijing will adhere to commitments under a rare earths framework outlined last month.

Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a recent interview that a deal with China will “hopefully” be done by Thanksgiving, while also rejecting a report suggesting that Beijing is planning new restrictions on US companies.

Are plants a viable source of rare earths?

The use of ferns for mineral extraction remains at an early stage, and the researchers emphasize that phytomining is not a replacement for conventional production.

But finding mineralized rare earths in a living organism offers a proof of concept that could broaden how countries approach resource development at a time when REEs remain strategically critical for major economies.

As the US, China and other nations look for secure supply routes, the possibility that plants themselves may contribute to the pipeline adds a new dimension to a field dominated by mining companies.

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

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East Star Resources (LSE:EST) and Endeavour Exploration announced they have entered into a binding earn-in and joint venture (JV) agreement to advance gold exploration in Kazakhstan.

Endeavour Exploration, a subsidiary of top gold producer Endeavour Mining (LSE:EDV,TSX:EDV,OTCQX:EDVMF), will have the right to earn up to an 80 percent interest in a new JV company via staged investments.

Stage 1 includes a US$5 million payment within two years, equivalent to a 51 percent interest. If an additional US$20 million is given over three years, its interest will increase to 70 percent.

The last 10 percent will be given to Endeavour if it funds and completes a prefeasibility study.

During the initial phase, East Star will act as manager of the JV.

The area of interest for the partnership includes two proven, underexplored mineral belts.

‘This agreement with Endeavour is a transformational milestone for East Star that validates the quality of our exploration programme and provides a clear pathway to unlock the full potential of our gold exploration strategy,” said East Star Resources CEO Alex Walker in a November 13 press release.

While the JV will focus on gold, East Star is also pursuing copper in Kazakhstan.

Its assets include a volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit with a JORC-compliant resource estimate of 20.3 million metric tons at 1.16 percent copper, 1.54 percent zinc and 0.27 percent lead.

An investor webcast is scheduled for Tuesday (November 18) to discuss the terms of the JV.

Both parties will fund the JV company in proportion to their ownership share after the earn-in period.

Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) said on Monday (November 17) that it has signed a joint development agreement with environmental technology company Calix (NYSE:CALX,ASX:CXL) to develop Calix’s Zero Emissions Steel Technology (Zesty) green iron demonstration plant in Western Australia.

If approved, the plant will be built at a site in Kwinana, south of Perth, that was previously earmarked for Rio Tinto’s BioIron research and development facility and associated pilot plant.

Under the deal with Calix, Rio Tinto will invest more than AU$35 million, pending project milestones. Funding from the mining giant will include both in-kind and financial contributions.

The plant received AU$44.9 million in Australian Renewable Energy Agency support in July.

Rio Tinto’s work will include helping Calix reach a final investment decision through technical support, engineering services and advocacy. Subject to a final investment decision and successful project construction, Rio Tinto will provide up to 10,000 tonnes of various Pilbara iron ores for plant commissioning and the initial testing phase.

The miner will also provide introductions to potential customers for downstream use of the Zesty product.

“The world needs low-emissions steel if it is going to decarbonise, and we continue to look at a range of ways Pilbara iron ores can help to do this as new technologies emerge,” said Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Matthew Holcz.

He added that Rio Tinto will keep progressing BioIron with its partners, the University of Nottingham and Metso. However, the company has decided that the current furnace design requires additional development.

“Both projects are part of our work to reduce emissions and support the future of iron ore in Australia and the communities that depend on it,’ Holcz added, referring to Zesty and BioIron.

Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Walmart announced Friday that longtime CEO Doug McMillon will retire at the end of January — which came as a surprise to some given the company’s success in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.

John Furner, Walmart’s U.S. CEO, will assume the role of overall CEO on Feb. 1, the company said. McMillon will continue to serve in an executive and advisory role through January 2027. Furner, 51, began his career at Walmart as an hourly associate.

McMillon, 59, has held the top job since 2014 and is only the fifth person to lead the storied company in its 63-year history.

McMillon has overseen a radical transformation of Walmart’s image in a little over a decade.

In 2014, Walmart had a reputation as a budget retail option and was accused of underpaying its associates. Today, it draws more well-to-do shoppers and has earned credit for adopting innovative personnel policies.

McMillon also built up Walmart’s e-commerce operation into the country’s second-largest, behind only Amazon. Over the course of McMillon’s tenure, the value of Walmart’s shares has increased some 300%.

“Serving as Walmart’s CEO has been a great honor and I’m thankful to our Board and the Walton family for the opportunity,” McMillon said in a statement. “I’ve worked with John for more than 20 years. … He’s uniquely capable of leading the company through this next AI-driven transformation.”

America’s retail landscape continues to rapidly evolve, as consumer spending habits increasingly bifurcate between wealthier households and everyone else.

However, Walmart’s quarterly results have held steady — and the company has been justly rewarded by investors. Just this year, Walmart shares have climbed around 13%. Over the course of McMillon’s tenure, the retailer’s stock price is up some 300%.

On Walmart’s most recent earnings call in August, McMillon indicated the company has been able to withstand the broader pressures facing consumers. Its shoppers’ “behavior has been generally consistent,” he said. “We aren’t seeing dramatic shifts.”

Other retailers have not been so fortunate.

Target’s shares have lost about one-third of their value this year, as the chain works to regain its footing in a more value-conscious environment. In August, longtime CEO Brian Cornell announced plans to step down.

Amazon, meanwhile, has fared slightly better as consumers continue to prioritize the convenience of online shopping. But it recently announced thousands of layoffs affecting corporate employees. Amazon’s share price has climbed about 8% this year.

McMillon has also steered Walmart through a volatile period in U.S. politics, during which elected officials have engaged directly with companies and consumers have proven willing to boycott corporate giants over social issues.

Walmart found itself in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs in May, after it signaled plans to increase some prices in response to his tariffs.

“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, ‘EAT THE TARIFFS,’ and not charge valued customers ANYTHING. I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!”

While subsequent reports indicated that Walmart had indeed increased prices on some items, McMillon said in August that the changes were gradual enough that consumer habits shifted only modestly.

Six months after Trump singled Walmart out over tariffs, he did so again — but for a very different reason.

In recent weeks, the Trump White House has repeatedly touted Walmart’s 2025 Thanksgiving menu package — which costs less overall than the retailer’s similar menu did last year — as a sign that the president’s economic policies have helped drive down grocery prices for consumers.

But there is a flaw in that rationale. This year’s Walmart Thanksgiving menu contains fewer items than last year’s menu did.

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Locksley Resources Ltd (ASX: LKY, OTCQX: LKYRF, FSE: X5L) (“Locksley” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce it has formalised a research collaboration with Columbia University, one of the United States’ premier institutions in sustainable mineral processing, to advance next-generation recovery and separation of REEs and other energy and technology critical metals from geologic resources in the Mountain Pass region, California.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Locksley Resources enters into a Sponsored Research Agreement with Columbia University to develop advanced, sustainable processing technologies for Rare Earth Elements (REE) and critical metal recovery
  • Research will integrate AI-driven ore characterisation, innovative electrochemical recovery, and CO2 assisted mineral processing to address limitations of traditional, non-U.S. processing methods
  • Program complements Locksley’s existing green DeepSolv antimony processing partnership with Rice University, establishing a unified, dual-commodity U.S. technology development strategy
  • Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA) and Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) will underpin recommendations for scalable, low-impact pilot pathways in the U.S.
  • Research focus areas align directly with critical funding mandates from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recent US$355 million funding announcement. Including the US$80 million “Mine of the Future – Proving Ground” initiative, supporting development, processing innovation, and sustainable mining technologies

The research program will be led by Professor Greeshma Gadikota, Director of the Lenfest Centre for Sustainable Energy at Columbia University and a leading researcher in electrochemical and CO assisted mineral processing technologies.

Professor Greeshma Gadikota, Principal Investigator at Columbia University, commented:

“Our team is excited to collaborate with Locksley Resources on developing scalable, low impact pathways for rare earth recovery. The combination of advanced electrochemical science, Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted resource mapping, and industry aligned pilot design, offers a transformative route toward sustainable critical minerals production in the U.S.”

Program Overview

The collaboration will develop an integrated technology platform for the advanced characterisation, recovery, and separation of REEs and transition metals from carbonatite, monazite, and silicate ores within the Clark Mountain District, the geological district that hosts both the El Campo Prospect and the adjacent Mountain Pass Mine.

The project includes three principal aims:

  • Characterisation of Ores: Detailed mineralogical, compositional, and morphological studies of REE-bearing ores using advanced spectroscopy and microscopy to inform processing design.
  • Technology Development: Creation of tuneable electrochemical and CO2 assisted leaching systems for >80% dissolution efficiency, followed by pH-swing and sorbent- based selective recovery of REEs and co-metals.
  • Field Deployment Strategy: Integration of TEA and LCA to identify scalable, low impact pilot pathways for mine-to-material deployment.

Columbia will also utilise AI-enabled ore mapping and low impact mining technologies, including selective trenching systems, autonomous precision cutters, and AI-driven rock recognition, to evaluate novel “Mines of the Future” concepts under active U.S. Department of Energy and ARPA-E frameworks.

Locksley will advance project funding of US$150,000 over the next 12 months to support the development of the intellectual property under the Agreement.

Strategic Importance

This collaboration expands Locksley’s established U.S technology platform alongside Rice University’s DeepSolv DES processing program, broadening the Company’s U.S. university partnerships to encompass both antimony and rare earth elements, two critical minerals central to American supply chain independence.

This strategic positioning is further strengthened by the recent DOE’s US$355 million funding announcement supporting domestic critical minerals production, sustainable mining technologies, and pilot-scale processing development. Many of Columbia program’s key research workstreams, including electrochemical extraction, AI-enabled ore mapping, and TEA/LCA frameworks are directly aligned with the objectives of the DOE initiatives.

Click here for the full ASX Release

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Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH ) (OTCQX: SYHBF ) (Frankfurt: SC1P ) (‘Skyharbour’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that is has entered into a definitive and binding purchase agreement (the ‘Purchase Agreement’) with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (‘RTEC’) to increase and consolidate its ownership interest in the Russell Lake Uranium Project (‘Russell Lake’ or the ‘Project’) through the acquisition of RTEC’s minority interest in the Project (the ‘Transaction’). The Project is strategically located in the central core of the Eastern Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan, with access to regional infrastructure, including an all-weather road and powerline.

Russell Lake Project Location Map:
https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/SKY_RussellLake.jpg

Transaction Details:

Immediately prior to closing, RTEC’s interest in the Project will be approximately 42.3%. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Skyharbour has agreed to acquire 100% of RTEC’s minority interest in the Project in exchange for cash consideration of C$10 million (the ‘Purchase Price’). The Purchase Price shall consist of a C$2 million deposit payable within five business days of the date of execution of the Purchase Agreement (the ‘Deposit’) and a C$8 million cash payment at closing (the ‘Closing Payment’), which is expected to be on or before December 21 st , 2025.

Skyharbour shall grant to RTEC a 0.25% net smelter returns royalty over Russell Lake. The acquisition of RTEC’s interest in Russell Lake will increase Skyharbour’s interest in the Project to 100%, subject to several other net smelter return royalties held by third parties.

Russell Lake Uranium Project Overview:

The Russell Lake Project is a large, advanced-stage uranium exploration property totalling 73,314 hectares strategically located between Cameco’s Key Lake and McArthur River Projects, and adjoining Denison’s Wheeler River Project to the west and Skyharbour’s Moore Uranium Project to the east. The northern extension of Highway 914 between Key Lake and McArthur River runs through the western extent of the property and greatly enhances accessibility, while a high-voltage powerline is situated alongside this road. Skyharbour’s acquisition of a majority interest in Russell Lake creates a large, nearly contiguous block of highly prospective uranium claims totalling 109,019 hectares between the Russell Lake and the Moore uranium projects. Several notable exploration targets exist on Russell, including the Grayling Zone, the M-Zone Extension target, the Little Man Lake target, the Christie Lake target, the Fox Lake Trail target and the newly identified Fork Zone target. More than 35 kilometres of largely untested prospective conductors in areas of low magnetic intensity also exist on the Property. Skyharbour is the operator and owns a majority interest in Russell Lake, having formed a joint venture partnership with RTEC at the project.

Qualified Person:

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Serdar Donmez, P.Geo., VP of Exploration for Skyharbour as well as a Qualified Person.

About Skyharbour Resources Ltd.:

Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada’s Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with interest in thirty-seven projects covering over 616,000 hectares (over 1.5 million acres) of land. Skyharbour has acquired from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project, which is located 15 kilometres east of Denison’s Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco’s McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced-stage uranium exploration property with high-grade uranium mineralization in several zones at the Maverick Corridor. Adjacent to the Moore Project is the Russell Lake Uranium Project, which hosts widespread uranium mineralization in drill intercepts over a large property area with exploration upside potential. The Company is actively advancing these projects through exploration and drilling programs.

Skyharbour also has joint ventures with industry leader Orano Canada Inc., Azincourt Energy, and Thunderbird Resources at the Preston, East Preston, and Hook Lake Projects, respectively. The Company also has several active earn-in option partners, including CSE-listed Basin Uranium Corp. at the Mann Lake Uranium Project; TSX-V listed North Shore Uranium at the Falcon Project; UraEx Resources at the South Dufferin and Bolt Projects; Hatchet Uranium at the Highway Project; CSE-listed Mustang Energy at the 914W Project; and TSX-V listed Terra Clean Energy at the South Falcon East Project.

In aggregate, Skyharbour has now signed earn-in option agreements with partners that total to over $36 million in partner-funded exploration expenditures, over $20 million worth of shares being issued, and $14 million in cash payments coming into Skyharbour, assuming that these partner companies complete their entire earn-ins at the respective projects.

Skyharbour’s goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions.

Skyharbour’s Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin:
https://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/news/SKY_SaskProject_Locator_2025_07_16_v1.jpg

To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH) visit the Company’s website at www.skyharbourltd.com .

Skyharbour Resources Ltd.

‘Jordan Trimble’

Jordan Trimble
President and CEO

For further information contact myself or:
Nicholas Coltura
Investor Relations Manager
Skyharbour Resources Ltd.
Telephone: 604-558-5847
Toll Free: 800-567-8181
Facsimile: 604-687-3119
Email: info@skyharbourltd.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be ‘forward-looking statements’. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements, including receipt of TSXV approval to the Transaction and the closing of the Transaction. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, exploration and development successes, regulatory approvals including TSXV approval, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedarplus.ca for further information.

Holly Iervella

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

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Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (November 14) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

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

Bitcoin and Ether price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$94,223.98, a 4 percent increase in 24 hours and its lowest valuation of the day. Its highest was US$97,203.84.

Bitcoin price performance, November 14, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin’s drop below US$95,000 on Friday, driven by expiring derivatives, whale selling, and weak institutional and retail demand, has intensified fears of an entrenched bear market.

Analysts predict Q4 could be Bitcoin’s “worst fourth quarter on record.’

On X, analyst @follis_ notes that the Wyckoff Distribution model, a classic five phase pattern typically observed near market tops and often precursor to prolonged selling pressure, could signal a potential end to Bitcoin’s bull run.

The pattern suggests that after a buying climax near US$122,000 and a sequence of tests failing to create new highs, the price entered a markdown phase. Bitcoin could drop to US$86,000 if key support levels fail to hold.

Meanwhile, Ether (ETH) was priced at US$3,129.77, a 1.6 percent decrease in the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3,131.31, while its highest was US$3,246.27.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$139.74, down by 1.9 percent over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$138.83, while its highest was US$143.61.
  • XRP was trading for US$2.27, down by 1.5 percent over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$2.26, while its highest was US$2.33.

Fear and Greed Index snapshot

Bitcoin’s bearish trajectory has pushed market sentiment into extreme fear. As of today, CMC’s Crypto Fear & Greed Index continues to trend in extreme fear territory with the indicator sitting at 22, marking the lowest levels of investor confidence since March and signaling that traders are highly cautious about entering the market.

CMC Crypto Fear and Greed Index, Bitcoin price and Bitcoin volume.

Chart via CoinMarketCap.

Derivatives data

Bitcoin and Ether futures markets saw a wave of long-side liquidations in the hours leading up to the end of the trading day, signaling trader capitulation amid continued price weakness. Roughly US$65.24 million in Bitcoin positions were liquidated over a four hour window, with the bulk coming from longs. Ether followed a similar pattern, registering US$22.13 million in liquidations, again concentrated among leveraged long positions.

The liquidations coincided with a clear contraction in open interest, suggesting that traders not only endured forced unwinds but also reduced overall exposure. Bitcoin open interest slipped 2.3 percent to US$66.05 billion, while Ether open interest saw a sharper 3.8 percent decline to US$36.31 billion.

Funding rates stayed positive — 0.007 for Bitcoin and 0.012 for Ether — indicating that the futures market remained slightly tilted toward bullish positioning despite the shakeout.

However, Bitcoin’s relative strength index sat at a notably low 27.33, entering the oversold zone and hinting that derivatives pressure may have pushed the market toward a possible short-term exhaustion point.

Taken together, the metrics point to forced deleveraging rather than a broad directional shift, though sustained weakness in open interest could temper near-term volatility once liquidation volumes normalize.

Today’s crypto news to know

Saylor denies reports of Bitcoin selloff

Strategy’s (NASDAQ:MSTR) Michael Saylor took to X on Friday to debunk reports that the company has reduced its Bitcoin holdings by roughly 47,000 BTC.

“I think the volatility comes with the territory,” he reiterated in a CNBC interview that day. “If you’re going to be a Bitcoin investor, you need a four-year time horizon and you need to be prepared to handle the volatility in this market.”

An earlier post from @Crypto Crib claims that the company had offloaded over 30,000 BTC; however, community-supplied context clarifies that 22,704 BTC were moved on October 31, and that these transfers were internal custody movements, not open-market sales.

Tether expanding commodity lending

In an interview with Bloomberg, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company is ‘expanding its presence in commodity lending,’ noting that the focus going forward will include traditional commodity trades like agriculture and oil managed under its new Trade Finance unit, which provides short-term credit for global supply chains.

The company has lent roughly US$1.5 billion in credit to commodities traders so far.

Alibaba builds tokenized payment system

Alibaba Grou Holding (NYSE:BABA) is developing a stablecoin-like system to streamline cross-border payments for its US$35 billion e-commerce network, aiming for a year-end launch.

The tokenized platform will initially support US dollars and euros, and will include further plans to expand to additional currencies using JPMorgan’s tokenization technology.

Under the system, artificial intelligence-driven smart contracts will automate settlements, dispute resolution, and conditional fund releases to reduce friction in B2B transactions. The system will operate alongside Alibaba’s Agentic Pay rail to enhance speed and transparency.

While not a formal stablecoin, the solution acts as a fiat-backed digital token for settlement purposes.

UAE tightens crypto access

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has enacted a new central bank law that broadens licensing requirements for financial services, effectively criminalizing unlicensed crypto activity. Article 170 imposes penalties, including fines up to AED 500 million (US$136 million) and imprisonment, for offering financial products without authorization.

Self-custody tools, such as Bitcoin wallets, blockchain explorers, and market-data services, now fall under the licensing net, creating compliance challenges for providers inside and outside the UAE.

Article 61 further restricts promotion, marketing, or publication of unlicensed financial activities, affecting even online communications. Companies have a one year window to comply, subject to central bank discretion.

Uniswap introduces continuous clearing auctions

Uniswap introduced continuous clearing auctions on Thursday (November 13), a new protocol aiming to facilitate token offerings through its infrastructure. The company said that the protocol will help teams ‘bootstrap liquidity on Uniswap v4 and find the market price for new and low-liquidity tokens,’ adding that several additional tools currently under development will eventually be added to help projects launch and deepen token liquidity on the platform.

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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Gerardo Del Real, co-owner of Digest Publishing, breaks down his portfolio, saying he’s currently bullish on copper, gold, silver and uranium, as well as critical metals.

‘I think this is the golden age of exploration and development in the critical metals space and the precious metals space. So take advantage of the market, folks,’ Del Real said.

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

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Nick Hodge, publisher at Digest Publishing, is most bullish on copper and uranium in 2026, but also believes gold and silver prices have further to go despite recent gains.

‘We are in the middle of a precious metals bull market,’ he said. ‘Silver hasn’t had its day yet, so I think that’s a pretty good indicator that we’ve still got some time to go.’

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

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