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Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (January 21) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

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

Bitcoin and Ether price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$90,066.08, up by 0.6 percent over 24 hours.

Bitcoin price performance, January 21, 2025.

Chart via TradingView

After yesterday’s sell-off, BTC’s price rose after US President Donald Trump’s speech at Davos, where he said he expects to sign the crypto market structure bill “very soon.”

During his address, Trump also said he supported the GENIUS Act, which he signed into July 2025 because it was “politically popular,” adding, “much more importantly, we have to make it so that China doesn’t get hold of it…once they have that hold, we’re not going to be able to get it back.”

BTC experienced a volatile trading day, coming close to US$90,300 before dropping to US$87,304, followed by another rise towards US$90K.

In an email, Samer Hasn, a senior market analyst at XS.com, maintains that the current BTC market correction is being driven by a combination of escalating geopolitical risks, including President Trump’s ultimatum regarding the annexation of Greenland and Middle East tensions, as well as tightening global liquidity, highlighted by record-high Japanese government bond yields.

‘The institutional appetite for digital assets is also showing signs of fatigue, with US spot Bitcoin ETFs reversing course to post nearly US$500 million in outflows over just two sessions,’ he wrote.

‘This erratic on-off flow suggests that the record inflows seen last week were driven by speculative hot money rather than the solid, long-term accumulation required to sustain a bull market.’

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$3,026.90, up by 0.9 percent over the last 24 hours.

Altcoin price update

  • XRP (XRP) was priced at US$1.97, up by 3.3 percent over 24 hours.
  • Solana (SOL) was trading at US$130.88, up by 2.5 percent over 24 hours.

Today’s crypto news to know

Steak ‘n Shake announces BTC bonus for hourly employees

Steak ’n Shake is launching a BTC bonus program for all hourly employees, offering US$0.21 worth of BTC per hour.

Announced today via X, the rewards will be subject to a two-year vesting period. The initiative expands the chain’s partnership with Fold, following a 2025 pilot program. This move reinforces Steak ’n Shake’s aggressive BTC strategy, which includes accepting BTC payments and a recent US$10 million BTC purchase to be added to its corporate BTC reserve.

Galaxy to launch US$100 million crypto hedge fund

Cryptocurrency group Galaxy Digital (NASDAQ:GLXY) is reportedly planning to launch a US$100 million hedge fund, according to a report today from the Financial Times, which cited people familiar with the matter and internal sources close to the firm.

The fund is set to launch in Q1 of this year, with up to 30 percent of its assets invested in crypto tokens and the rest in financial services stocks impacted by changes in digital asset technologies and laws.

Crypto czar says banks and crypto companies will merge

During an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks, joined by Michael Kratsios, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy director, said that banks and crypto companies will eventually merge into one digital asset industry once the market structure bill passes through Congress.

‘After the bill passes, the banks are going to get fully into the crypto industry. So we’re not going to have a separate banking industry and crypto, it’s going to be one digital asset industry. Over time, the banks like the idea of paying yield because they’re going to be in the stablecoin business,’ he said from Davos.

Bitget: Macro reset reframes Bitcoin’s role as risk appetite cools

Crypto markets are entering 2026 under a markedly different macro backdrop, as geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and shifting rate expectations force investors to reassess risk.

According to Bitget CMO Ignacio Aguirre, capital is rotating back toward traditional safe havens, with gold reclaiming its defensive role while Bitcoin trades more like a risk asset amid tighter liquidity.

The roughly US$1.3 trillion erased from US equities underscores a broader repricing rather than a market anomaly, reflecting how policy uncertainty typically drives investors to pull back first before selectively re-entering.

Aguirre notes that similar patterns played out during the 2008 financial crisis and the 2022 crypto downturn, where sharp contractions ultimately set the stage for renewed growth.

In the near term, Bitcoin could face additional pressure and test lower support levels before finding stability.

Longer term, however, structural factors such as improving infrastructure and institutional participation continue to support a bullish thesis. The adjustment, Aguirre argues, is part of crypto’s maturation rather than a rejection of its long-term value.

DeFi groups push Back on FTC’s approach to non-custodial systems

Major crypto policy groups are urging the US Federal Trade Commission to rethink how it applies consumer protection rules to decentralized finance.

In a joint letter, industry organizations including the Crypto Council for Innovation and the Blockchain Association warned that enforcement models designed for custodial finance do not translate cleanly to non-custodial systems.

They argue that imposing centralized safeguards such as kill switches or circuit breakers could weaken, rather than enhance, security by undermining decentralization.

The groups further emphasized that developers who do not control user funds should not be treated as financial intermediaries. Overly prescriptive standards, they said, risk stifling innovation and driving responsible development outside the United States.

The appeal comes as Congress debates broader crypto legislation, raising concerns that regulatory overlap could create confusion.

Trump signals imminent signing of Crypto market structure bill

President Donald Trump said he expects to sign a long-awaited crypto market structure bill “very soon,” injecting fresh momentum into legislation that has faced recent turbulence in Congress.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump framed the bill as a step toward expanding financial access, explicitly referencing Bitcoin and digital assets more broadly.

His remarks followed a contentious week on Capitol Hill after a planned Senate Banking Committee vote was abruptly pulled. That setback was triggered when Coinbase withdrew its support over concerns about provisions affecting stablecoin yield products.

White House officials have since signaled impatience with industry infighting that could derail passage.

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

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Sun Summit Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) (‘Sun Summit’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to report assay results from all 2025 drilling at the Finn Zone of its JD Project in the Toodoggone Mining District, north-central British Columbia. 2025 drill results will be integrated into an updated 3D model and will inform the fully funded 10,000 meter drill program planned for 2026.

Drill hole FZ-25-002 returned a significant interval of near-surface gold-silver mineralization: 46.0 meters of 1.03 g/t gold with 44.9 g/t silver from 38.0 meters down hole, including 6.0 meters of 5.30 g/t gold with 157.9 g/t silver from 60.0 meters down hole. This interval is punctuated with a 1.0-meter zone that returned 784.0 g/t silver, highlighting the high-grade and historically overlooked silver potential of the Finn zone epithermal-related system.

Highlights:

  • Drill hole FZ-25-002 investigated the gold-silver mineralization potential of the Finn Zone and evaluated the structural controls on the high-grade silver component. The drill hole intersected a broad zone of near-surface gold-silver mineralization punctuated with high-grade gold and silver veins and hydrothermal breccias:
    • 46.0 meters of 1.03 g/t gold with 44.9 g/t silver from 38.0 meters downhole, including
    • 17.0 meters of 2.31 g/t gold with 113.1 g/t silver from 49.0 meters downhole, and including
    • 6.0 meters of 5.30 g/t gold with 157.9 g/t silver from 60.0 meters downhole
    • high-grade gold-silver intercepts of:
      • 447 g/t silver with 0.93 g/t gold over 1.0 meter at 53.0 meters down hole
      • 19.75 g/t gold with 80.90 g/t silver over 1.0 meter at 60.0 meters down hole
      • 784 g/t silver with 6.79 g/t gold over 1.0 meter at 65.0 meters down hole
  • Confirms the strong high-grade gold-silver potential of the Finn Zone: Numerous high-grade intercepts in drill holes FZ-25-002 and FZ-25-001 (e.g., 273 g/t silver with 2.6 g/t gold over 0.51 meters at 38.3 meters downhole and 22.9 g/t gold with 29.0 g/t silver over 0.50 meters at 65.0 meters downhole, (Table 1) demonstrate the high-grade potential of the target. Additional drilling and modelling focused on the structural controls on the silver-rich zones are planned for follow-up drill programs.
  • Strong gold-silver mineralization intersected in FZ-25-004 confirms the expansion potential of the Finn Zone down-dip. The drill hole investigated the down-dip extent of bulk-tonnage style mineralization of the Finn Zone and intersected multiple zones of mineralization including a strong interval of gold-silver mineralization approximately 160 meters down-dip from FZ-25-002 (15.8 meters of 1.17 g/t gold with 9.12 g/t silver from 104.0 meters downhole, including 7.0 meters of 1.72 g/t gold with 15.3 g/t silver from 111.0 meters downhole).
  • Strong porphyry-related alteration intersected in two reconnaissance drill holes at the Belle South target: Zones of intense phyllic and local potassic alteration overprinting polymictic breccias suggest proximity to a robust porphyry-copper system. The +8.5 km trend of significant hydrothermal alteration coincident with IP and magnetic anomalies is considered strongly prospective for porphyry-related mineralization. Significant exploration across the JD Porphyry trend is planned for 2026.

‘Results from our late-season, modest, four drill hole program at the Finn Zone in 2025 have exceeded expectations and firmly establish the zone as a high-priority target for significant drilling in 2026. The presence of both high-grade and near-surface bulk-tonnage style gold-silver mineralization with strong continuity positions the target as an area for significant drilling in 2026,’ said Niel Marotta, CEO of Sun Summit Minerals. ‘We are fortunate to have growing institutional investor support and Sun Summit is fully funded for its 2026 drill program after closing an oversubscribed $11.5 million private placement in December 2025. Planning is underway for a considerable follow-up resource-focused drill program, with a minimum 10,000 meters of drilling expected. The 2026 program would exceed the 9,400 meters of cumulative drilling completed by Sun Summit in 2024 and 2025, and further adds to the 36,000 meters of historic drilling at JD prior to 2024. The focus of the 2026 drill program will be at the Creek to Finn Corridor, and drill results will contribute to an inaugural mineral resource estimate expected by Q2 2027.’

Table 1. Assay Results for 2025 Finn Zone Drill Holes

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)
FZ-25-001 29.00 69.00 40.00 1.18 21.1
including 35.00 42.00 7.00 0.88 39.8
including 38.30 38.81 0.51 2.60 237.0
including 58.00 69.00 11.00 3.37 28.5
including 65.00 65.50 0.50 22.90 29.0
and 107.00 111.00 4.00 2.13 2.7
and 121.00 124.00 3.00 0.70 1.3
and 175.50 179.00 3.50 1.14 2.3
FZ-25-002 26.00 32.00 6.00 0.35 16.6
and 38.00 84.00 46.00 1.03 44.9
including 49.00 66.00 17.00 2.31 113.1
including 53.00 54.00 1.00 0.93 447.0
including 60.00 66.00 6.00 5.30 157.9
including 60.00 61.00 1.00 19.75 80.9
including 65.00 66.00 1.00 6.79 784.0
and 144.00 148.00 4.00 1.77 0.3
and 193.00 197.00 4.00 0.79 3.6
FZ-25-003 101.10 110.00 8.90 0.44 2.2
and 137.00 145.00 8.00 0.39 1.2
and 220.00 225.54 5.54 0.33 5.5
FZ-25-004 44.41 56.20 11.79 0.83 1.0
including 53.00 56.20 3.20 1.87 2.4
and 96.00 98.00 2.00 7.54 0.7
and 104.00 119.80 15.80 1.17 9.1
including 111.00 118.00 7.00 1.72 15.3
Notes:

  1. Intervals are downhole core lengths. True widths are unknown.
  2. Calculations are uncut and length-weighted using a 0.10 g/t gold cut-off.
  3. Grades have not been capped in the length-weighted averaging.

2025 Finn Zone Drill Program

Four drill holes, totalling 950 meters were completed at the Finn Zone in 2025 (Figure 2 and Table 2). The epithermal-related, gold-silver zone is approximately 3.5 kilometers east of the Creek Zone (e.g., 81.0 meters of 4.8 g/t gold, see November 25th, 2025 news release) and marks the eastern extent of the highly-prospective 4.5 kilometer long, Creek to Finn corridor (Figure 1). The drill holes were designed to investigate the continuity of near-surface, high-grade gold-silver mineralization and the down-dip extent of bulk-tonnage mineralization intersected in previous drill programs (e.g., 35.7 meters of 7.26 g/t gold, 94 g/t silver including 1.0 meters of 215.4 g/t gold, 308 g/t silver in JD95-0472 and 20.85 meters of 8.76 g/t gold, 68 g/t silver including 11.0 m of 15.1 g/t gold,108 g/t silver in JD95-0972, Figure 2). Extensive modelling of compiled historical Finn zone drill data outlined a compelling zone of strong silver-rich mineralization (e.g., 45.0 m of 3.02 g/t Au, 136 g/t Ag including 5.0 meters of 8.18 g/t gold, 918 g/t silver in JD95-0762). Drilling in 2025 also focused on evaluating the structural and/or lithological controls on this gold-associated, silver-rich mineralization.

Highlights from 2025 Finn Zone Drilling include:

  • Drill holes FZ-25-001 and FZ-25-002 successfully confirmed the near-surface bulk-tonnage and the high-grade gold-silver potential of the Finn Zone. Drill hole FZ-25-002 intersected a broad zone of near-surface gold-silver mineralization punctuated with high-grade gold and silver veins and hydrothermal breccias (e.g., 46.0 meters of 1.03 g/t gold with 44.9 g/t silver from 38.0 meters downhole, including, 17.0 meters of 2.31 g/t gold with 113.1 g/t silver, Figure 2 and Table 1). The main interval consists of numerous, local high-grade veins and breccias (e.g., 447 g/t silver with 0.93 g/t gold over 1.0 meter, 19.75 g/t gold with 80.90 g/t silver over 1.0 meter and 784 g/t silver with 6.79 g/t gold over 1.0 meter). Based on gold-silver ratios it appears the high-silver domains represent a different pulse of mineralization. Further modelling and follow-up drilling is required to define the extents of this high-silver domain.
  • Drill holes FZ-25-003 and FZ-25-004 were step-out holes designed to test the dip-extent of mineralization along the gently north-dipping zone of volcanic breccias (Figure 3). Drill hole FZ-25-004 intersected multiple zones of gold-silver mineralization (e.g., 15.8 meters of 1.17 g/t gold with 9.12 g/t silver, including 7.0 meters of 1.72 g/t gold with 15.30 g/t silver, Figure 3, Table 1) typical of the core of the Finn Zone. This zone of strong mineralization in FZ-25-004 is approximately 160 meters downdip from FZ-25-002 (Figure 3). Mineralization intersected in FZ-25-004 confirms the expansion potential of the Finn Zone down-dip.

Finn Zone Geology

Most of the historical drilling (over 300 drill holes) at the JD Project was focused on the Finn zone where a broad zone of near-surface, epithermal-related gold-silver mineralization was defined (Figure 1). Mineralization is primarily hosted in the hanging wall of a gently north-dipping, northeast-striking, locally faulted volcaniclastic unit. The volcaniclastic unit, traced for over 1.5 kilometres along strike to the west from the Finn zone, separates two andesite-dominant lithological units of the Toodoggone Formation (Metsantan and McClair members). Faulting and subsequent mineralization likely exploited a volcaniclastic unit, at the base of the Metsantan member, where epithermal-related fluids were focused along permeable volcanic breccias.

The core of the Finn zone consists of strongly silica+clay+sericite altered polymictic breccias, locally cemented with quartz and mineralized with pyrite with lesser sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite. Peripheral to the high-grade core, epithermal-related alteration grades into sericite+chlorite+pyrite and more distal epidote+chlorite+/-hematite assemblages with elevated base-metal mineralization.

Next Steps: Creek to Finn Corridor

Assay and geological data from the 2025 Finn Zone drill program are currently being integrated into an updated 3D structural and mineralization model for the target area. The results from the modelling will inform the next phase of drilling set to commence this summer.

The focus of the significant drill program at the 4.5 km Creek to Finn Corridor will be on targeting the extents of mineralization at the Creek and Finn zones. Drill results will contribute to an inaugural mineral resource estimate. Details of the summer 2026 JD drill program will be announced once plans and budgets are set.

Figure 1. Plan map highlighting the 4.5 km Creek to Finn Corridor showing drill collar locations of all 2025 Creek and Finn zone drill holes and historical drill collars as well as results from recent and historical rock and soil geochemical surveys (see October 29th, 2025 news release). The area between the Finn and Creek zones will be a focus for 2026 exploration programs. See references 1 and 2 for sources of historical drill data.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/281199_a90dc3c604b29a4c_002full.jpg

Figure 2. Plan map of the Finn Zone showing 2025 collars and all historical drill collars with selected highlights. See references below for sources of historical data.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/281199_a90dc3c604b29a4c_003full.jpg

Figure 3. Cross section through drill holes FZ-25-001, 002, 003 and 004 showing down hole assay data. Selected highlights from historical drill programs are also shown. See references below for sources of historical drill data.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/281199_a90dc3c604b29a4c_004full.jpg

Figure 4. Core photos of FZ-25-002. Box photos showing core from 45.65 meters to 73.29 meters downhole which includes a broad interval of 17.0 meters of 2.31 g/t gold with 113.1 g/t silver. Individual down hole gold and silver assay results are annotated at the sample depths. The interval consists of strongly silicified andesite transitioning to quartz-cemented hydrothermal breccias. Abbreviations, qtz = quartz

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/281199_a90dc3c604b29a4c_005full.jpg

Belle South Porphyry Target

Two drill holes for 811 meters in 2025 evaluated the recently defined and previously untested Belle South Porphyry target (see September 18th, 2025 news release, Figure 5). The two drill holes focused on coincident magnetic-high and high-chargeability anomalies near the southern extent of the McClair Creek alteration zone (Figure 5). The purpose of the two short holes was to test for porphyry-related alteration and mineralization in an area largely covered by till.

The first hole, JD-25-013, collared in rubbly and pervasively QSP (quartz-sericite-pyrite, phyllic assemblage) altered andesite which transitioned to a broad zone of intermediate volcaniclastic rocks (crystal to lapilli tuffs) to bottom of hole. The breccias are locally potassic (potassium feldspar-magnetite) altered and cut by zones of intense phyllic alteration (Figure 6). The breccias locally contain altered intrusive clasts and intervals with hydrothermal magnetite cement (Figure 6). Phyllic alteration with strong disseminated pyrite (up to 20%) persisted throughout the hole with an increase in argillic assemblages with possible gusano textures near the bottom of the hole.

Drill hole JD-25-014 tested the core of the magnetic-high and collared in porphyritic quartz monzodiorite with increasing propylitic (epidote-chlorite) alteration with local pervasive potassium feldspar alteration to bottom of hole. The monzodiorite is weakly to moderately magnetic.

The lithologies and alteration assemblages intersected in both holes suggest proximity to a porphyry-related copper system. The holes returned weakly anomalous zones of copper mineralization with geochemical data suggesting the holes intersected distal alteration assemblages (e.g., elevated zinc). The two holes tested only a small portion of the 8.5 km by 2 km long JD Porphyry trend. Only five drill holes have previously investigated the porphyry-copper potential of the trend, all focused 5 km north at the McClair target near the epithermal-related Finn Zone (see February 5th, 2025 news releases). Similar to the McClair target, the Belle South target warrants significantly more drilling to fully evaluate the porphyry potential of the compelling target area.

Details of the 2026 porphyry-focused exploration program at JD will be announced once all surface data (e.g., rock and soil geochemistry and hyperspectral) have been interpreted together with all geophysical data-sets (e.g., IP, magnetics). A program of continued geophysical surveys, geological mapping and drilling is anticipated.

Figure 5. JD Porphyry Trend, A. Map of the JD Project showing the recently compiled IP data (400m depth slice through the chargeability model, see September 18th, 2025 news release). Key targets are highlighted including the Belle South target. Collar locations for the two 2025 reconnaissance drill holes are shown. Inset photo looking south down McClair Creek showing parts of the 10 km long McClair Creek gossan. The Belle South porphyry target is situated above the gossan on a till covered plateau, where the coincident high-chargeability and high-magnetic intensity is located. B. Map of the JD Project showing total magnetic intensity data acquired in 2021 overlain with IP lines and key target areas. Collar locations for the two 2025 reconnaissance drill holes are shown.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/281199_a90dc3c604b29a4c_006full.jpg

Figure 6. Representative core photos of JD-25-013, the first drillhole to test the Belle South porphyry target. A. Potassium feldspar altered polymictic breccia cut by quartz-pyrite vein. The reddening is caused by weak to moderate potassium feldspar alteration and hematite dusting of feldspars, B. representative core photo of pervasive phyllic alteration (QSP), C. magnetite cemented breccia, B. texture destructive alteration showing possible gusano texture near the bottom of the hole. Abbreviations, kspar = potassium feldspar, QSP = quartz-sericite-pyrite, mgt = magnetite, qtz = quartz, py = pyrite

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/281199_a90dc3c604b29a4c_007full.jpg

Figure 7. Map of the Toodoggone District showing the location of the JD Project in relation to other development and exploration projects. Data sourced from Thesis Gold Inc., TDG Gold Corp. and Centerra Gold Inc.’s respective corporate websites. The QP has been unable to verify the information and that the information is not necessarily indicative to the mineralization on the property that is the subject of the disclosure.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/281199_a90dc3c604b29a4c_008full.jpg

Table 2. Drill Collar Information

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Depth (m)
FZ-25-001 611231 6367672 1792 160 -60 215
FZ-25-002 611231 6367672 1793 200 -48 215
FZ-25-003 611248 6367800 1782 188 -50 269
FZ-25-004 611248 6367800 1782 188 -80 251
JD-25-013 614642 6363128 1295 225 -65 485
JD-25-014 614550 6363450 1307 45 -80 326
Coordinates are in UTM NAD83 Zone 9N

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

All drill core sample assay and analytical results have been monitored through the Company’s quality assurance and quality control program (QA/QC). Drill core was sawn in half at Sun Summit’s dedicated and secure core logging and processing facility at the JD exploration camp.

Half of the drill core was sampled and shipped by a bonded courier in sealed and secured woven polyester bags to the ALS Global preparation facilities in Kamloops, BC. Core samples were prepared using ALS standard preparation procedure PREP-31A which involves crushing the sample to 70% less than 2mm, followed by a riffle split of 250g, and then a pulverised split to better than 85% passing 75 microns.

Following sample preparation, the pulps were sent to the ALS Global analytical laboratory in North Vancouver, B.C. for analysis. ALS Global is registered to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditations for laboratory procedures.

Drill core samples were analyzed for 48 elements by ICP-MS on a 0.25-gram aliquot using a four-acid digestion (method ME-MS61). This method is considered a ‘ultra trace element’ analytical method with low detection limits on key pathfinder elements such as Ag, As, Sb, Se and Tl.

Gold was analyzed by fire assay on a 30-gram aliquot with an AES finish (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy – method Au-ICP21). Samples that returned >10 parts per million (ppm) gold were re-analyzed by fire assay using a gravimetric finish on a 30-gram aliquot (method Au-GRA21).

Overlimit samples (e.g. Ag, Cu, Pb & Zn) were re-analyzed using an ore-grade, four-acid digestion and ICP-AES finish. Over limits for key elements: samples with >100 ppm silver, >10,000 ppm Cu, >10,000 ppm Pb and >10,000 ppm Zn.

In addition to ALS Global laboratory QA/QC protocols, Sun Summit implements a rigorous internal QA/QC program that includes the insertion of duplicates, certified reference materials (standards prepared by an independent lab) and blanks into the sample stream.

A total of 69 QA/QC samples, including 48 standards, were inserted in the field for all Finn Zone drill holes, representing 12.7% of the overall sample stream. There were no significant issues identified in either the internal or external QA/QC samples.

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Sun Summit’s Vice President Exploration, Ken MacDonald, P. Geo., a ‘Qualified Person’ as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators. Mr. MacDonald has verified the data disclosed in this press release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying this information that has been collected by Sun Summit. Verification procedures include industry standard quality control practices. Some technical information contained in this release is historical in nature and has been compiled from public sources believed to be accurate. The historical technical information has not been verified by Sun Summit and may in some instances be unverifiable dependent on the existence of historical drill core and grab samples. Management cautions that past results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the property.

Community Engagement

Sun Summit is engaging with First Nations on whose territory our projects are located and is discussing their interests and identifying contract and work opportunities, as well as opportunities to support community initiatives. The Company looks forward to continuing to work with local and regional First Nations with ongoing exploration.

About the JD Project

The JD Project is located in the Toodoggone mining district in north-central British Columbia, a highly prospective deposit-rich mineral trend. The project covers an area of over 15,000 hectares and is in close proximity to active exploration and development projects, such as Thesis Gold’s Lawyers and Ranch projects, TDG Gold’s Baker-Shasta projects, Amarc Resource’s AuRORA project, Centerra’s Gold’s Kemess East and Underground projects, as well as the past-producing Kemess open pit copper-gold mine (Figure 5).

The project is 450 kilometres northwest of the city of Prince George, and 25 kilometres north of the Sturdee airstrip. It is proximal to existing infrastructure in place to support the past-producing Kemess mine, including roads and a hydroelectric power line.

The JD Project is in a favourable geological environment characterized by both high-grade epithermal gold and silver mineralization, as well as porphyry-related copper and gold mineralization. Some historical exploration, including drilling, geochemistry and geophysics, has been carried out on the property, however the project area is largely underexplored.

About Sun Summit

Sun Summit Minerals (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery, expansion and advancement of district scale gold and copper assets in British Columbia. The Company’s diverse portfolio includes the JD and Theory projects in the Toodoggone region of north-central B.C., and the Buck Project in central B.C.

Further details are available at www.sunsummitminerals.com.

References

  1. Hawkins, P.A. (1998), 1997 Exploration Report on the Creek Zone for Antares Mining and Exploration Corporation and AGC Americas Gold Corporation, JD Property, Toodoggone River Area, Omineca Mining Division, Internal Report #98-065-1.

Link to Figures

Figure 1: https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2026/01/20260122_Figure1_SMN_JD_Finn_All-scaled.jpg

Figure 2: https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2026/01/20260122_Figure2_SMN_JD_Finn_All-scaled.jpg

Figure 3: https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2026/01/20260122_Figure3_SMN_JD_Finn_CrossSection-scaled.jpg

Figure 4: https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2026/01/20260122_Figure4_SMN_JD_CZ-002_CorePhotos-scaled.jpg

Figure 5: https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2026/01/20260122_Figure5_SMN_JD_BS_Holes-scaled.jpg

Figure 6: https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2026/01/20260122_Figure6_SMN_JD-25-013_CorePhotos-scaled.jpg

Figure 7: https://wp-sunsummitminerals-2024.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/media/2026/01/20260121_Figure1-Toodoggone-map.jpg

On behalf of the board of directors

Niel Marotta
Chief Executive Officer & Director
info@sunsummitminerals.com

For further information, contact:

Matthew Benedetto, Simone Capital
mbenedetto@simonecapital.ca
Tel. 416-817-1226

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using phrases such as ‘expects’, or ‘does not expect’, ‘is expected’, ‘interpreted’, ‘management’s view’, ‘anticipates’ or ‘does not anticipate’, ‘plans’, ‘budget’, ‘scheduled’, ‘forecasts’, ‘estimates’, ‘potential’, ‘feasibility’, ‘believes’ or ‘intends’ or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This news release contains the forward-looking information pertaining to, among other things: the significance of the assay results reported at Finn Zone, JD Project; the size and timing of the 2026 drill program at the JD project, and the focus areas thereof; the contribution of results, if any, from the 2026 drill program to an inaugural mineral resource estimate and timing thereof; the Finn Zone constituting or remaining a priority target for the 2026 drill program, if at all; the availability and sufficiency of funding to complete the 2026 drill program as planned; future use of assay and geological data from the 2025 Finn Zone drill program, if any for purposes of the next phase of drilling, and timing thereof; the future focus of the drill program at the Finn to Creek Corridor; timing of announcement of details of the summer 2026 JD drill program, if any; the prospects, if any, of the JD Project; the size and timing of future exploration activities, including drilling, at the JD Project; the significance and reliability of historic exploration activities and results; the ability of exploration activities to predict mineralization; the ability of mineralization to be extracted on favourable economic terms; the reliability of a 3D geological and structural model; the results of the selection of samples from 2024 and 2025 drilling sent to the ALS Global analytical facility; the results of any community engagement activities; the JD Project being on a deposit-rich mineral trend; property, royalty, option and other similar property interests.

Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, Sun Summit cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither Sun Summit nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the ability of exploration activities (including drill results) to accurately predict mineralization; errors in management’s geological modelling; the ability of Sun Summit to complete further exploration activities, including drilling; property, option and royalty interests in the JD Gold Project; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to mining activities; the global economic climate; metal prices; dilution; environmental risks; and community and non-governmental actions. Sun Summit does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

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

Click here to connect with Sun Summit Minerals (TSXV:SMN,OTCQB:SMREF) to receive an Investor Presentation

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U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said he and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday to discuss a potential peace deal that would end the country’s nearly four-year war with Ukraine.

″[There’s been] lots of progress in the last six to eight weeks,’ Witkoff told CNBC, referring to a possible peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

When asked about whether he believed Putin would come to a deal to end the war, Witkoff told CNBC that he is optimistic and has a ‘sense that everybody wants a peace there, that it’s time.’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy will reportedly meet with President Donald Trump on Thursday in Davos, according to Axios.

‘I think Russia wants to make a deal, I think Ukraine wants to make a deal. I think I can say we are relatively close,’ Trump told the crowd at Davos.

This will not be Witkoff and Kushner’s first meeting with Putin in Moscow. The two held a five-hour meeting with Putin in December, though they were not able to yield any major breakthroughs.

Representatives of the U.S. and Russia held talks in Davos, Switzerland, where world leaders are gathered for the World Economic Forum, according to Reuters, which added that Washington’s envoys also met with Ukrainian and European leaders. Envoys for Putin and Trump said the talks were ‘very positive’ and ‘constructive.’

‘Dialogue is constructive and more and more people understand the fairness of Russian position,’ Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said after the talks in Davos, Reuters reported.

Last month, Witkoff and Kushner spoke with Zelenskyy, who expressed optimism after the talks.

‘Today we had a very good conversation with President Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and [Jared Kushner]. I thank them for the constructive approach, the intensive work, and the kind words and Christmas greetings to the Ukrainian people,’ Zelenskyy wrote on X. ‘We are truly working 24/7 to bring closer the end of this brutal Russian war against Ukraine and to ensure that all documents and steps are realistic, effective, and reliable.’

Feb. 24 will mark four years since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine sparked a war that has drawn international attention. Trump has blamed both Putin and Zelenskyy for prolonging the war, saying at various times that one of the two leaders was seemingly not ready to reach a deal.

While the issue of territory has long been a major sticking point, with Zelenskyy repeatedly opposing any land concessions, Witkoff told CNBC that ‘land deals’ remain on the table.

The Trump administration has worked to broker a deal between Russia and Ukraine for over a year. Trump has met with both Zelenskyy and Putin, though those meetings did not appear to make major shifts to the peace process.

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Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he would back a push to impeach judges blocking President Donald Trump’s agenda on Wednesday.

While it’s never something Johnson explicitly ruled out, his support comes after House GOP leaders signaled opposition to such a move last year. At the time, leaders argued impeachment was not a practical punishment for what Republicans widely saw as activist judges trying to influence the administration’s policy.

But he told reporters at his weekly press conference that while he believed impeachment is still an ‘extreme measure,’ that ‘extreme times call for extreme measures.’

‘I think some of these judges have gotten so far outside the bounds of where they’re supposed to operate. It would not be, in my view, a bad thing for Congress to lay down the law,’ Johnson said.

It comes as some Republicans in the Senate and House push for impeachments against U.S. district judges James Boasberg and Deborah Boardman. 

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called them both ‘rogue judges’ earlier this month and said they ‘meet the constitutional standard for impeachment’ during a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing.

‘I’m for it,’ Johnson said when asked about the push. ‘Boasberg is one who’s been mentioned, and these are some egregious abuses.’

Boasberg has been targeted by Republicans after rulings on several key immigration cases involving Trump’s policies, including flying migrants to El Salvador and other countries instead of detaining them in the U.S.

He more recently raised GOP ire when it was revealed that Boasberg signed off on warrants that allowed for the seizure of some Republican lawmakers’ phone records in former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost probe.

Cruz called for Boardman’s impeachment over her sentencing decision for a man found guilty of charges related to trying to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

The man’s sentence of 97 months and a lifetime of supervised release fell far short of sentencing guidelines, according to Cruz.

While Johnson never explicitly ruled out impeachment, he told reporters last year that he believed it was an impractical course of action. 

At the time, House Republicans passed a bill by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., aimed at limiting judges’ ability to issue nationwide injunctions — the path favored by a majority of House GOP lawmakers.

‘Look, impeachments are never off the table if it’s merited. But in our system — we’ve had 15 federal judges impeached in the entire history of the country — I mean, there may be some that I feel merit that, but you’ve got to get the votes for it. And it’s a very high burden,’ Johnson said in May 2025.

‘Frankly, the bar is high crimes and misdemeanors. I mean, the last federal judge impeached, I think was caught…taking cash in an envelope. You know, it’s got to be a pretty brazen offense or a real open crime that everybody could agree to.’

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent lashed out at California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, calling him ‘economically illiterate’ and accusing him of prioritizing elite global gatherings over the state’s mounting fiscal, housing, and homelessness crises.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Bessent used the high-profile meeting to deliver a blistering critique of Newsom’s economic record and leadership.

‘I was told he was asked to give a speech on his signature policies, but he’s not speaking because what have his economic policies brought? Outward migration from California, a gigantic budget deficit, the largest homeless population in America, and the poor folks in the Palisades who had their homes burned down,’ the Treasury secretary said.

‘He is here hobnobbing with the global elite while his California citizens are still homeless. Shame on him. He’s too smug, too self-absorbed, and too economically illiterate to know anything.’

Bessent also responded to Newsom’s characterization of him as a ‘smug man,’ saying the governor ‘strikes me as Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken,’ referring to the fictional serial killer from ‘American Psycho’ and the flamboyant doll character from ‘Barbie.’

‘[He] may be the only Californian who knows less about economics than Kamala Harris. He’s here this week with his billionaire sugar daddy, Alex Soros, and Davos is the perfect place for a man who, when everyone else was on lockdown, when he was having people arrested for going to church, he was having $1,000 a night meals at the French Laundry,’ he added. ‘And I’m sure the California people won’t forget that.’

The Cabinet official said the administration would also move to address what he called ‘waste, fraud and abuse’ in the state.

Newsom, who is in Switzerland attending the Davos summit, struck back at the White House on Tuesday by directing his criticism at President Donald Trump and his remarks about acquiring Greenland.

‘America’s allies and business leaders need to understand this: There’s no diplomacy with Donald Trump. Get off your knees and grow a spine,’ he wrote on X.

He told reporters on the sidelines of the annual meeting later that Trump is a ‘T. rex.’ ‘You mate with him or he devours you. One or the other,’ Newsom said.

‘It’s time to stand tall and firm. Have a backbone. I can’t take this complicity — people rolling over,’ he added. ‘From an American perspective, it’s embarrassing.’

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Europe should be happy President Donald Trump was elected — despite his threats to take Greenland — because without him, it would never have stepped up for its own defense, according to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. 

‘I’m not popular with you now because I’m defending Donald Trump, but I really believe you can be happy that he is there because he has forced us in Europe to step up, to face the consequences that we have to take care of more of our own defense,’ Rutte said Wednesday in remarks at Davos, Switzerland.

‘No way, without Donald Trump, this would never have happened. They’re all on 2% now,’ he went on during a panel at the World Economic Forum. 

In 2014, NATO allies agreed to spend 2% of GDP on defense, but many fell short until recent years. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Trump’s threats not to defend NATO countries, most allies are meeting or exceeding the benchmark. 

They’ve now agreed to spend 5% GDP on defense and national security infrastructure.

‘I’m absolutely convinced without Donald Trump you would not have taken those decisions, and they are crucial, particularly for the European and the Canadian side of NATO to really grow up in the post-Cold War world.’

U.S. lawmakers previously criticized Rutte for his own country’s underspending on defense. Rutte was prime minister of the Netherlands from 2010 to 2024. 

Rutte argued the U.S. is still committed to Europe’s defense, and the nuclear umbrella is the ultimate defense guarantee.

‘The Americans still have over 80,000 soldiers in Europe … including in Poland and Germany, and so they are still heavily invested in European defense. And yes, they have to pivot more towards Asia. So it is only logical for them to expect us, Europe, to step up over time,’ he said.

He also added Greenland is not the ‘main issue’ and Europe should not let it distract from Ukraine’s defense. 

‘The risk here is that we focus, of course, on Greenland, because we have to make sure that issue gets solved in an amicable way,’ he said. ‘But the main issue is not Greenland. Now, the main issue is Ukraine. I’m also a little bit worried that we might drop the ball focusing so much on these other issues.’

‘This focus on Ukraine should be our top priority,’ he said. ‘Ukraine has to come first because it is crucial to our European and American security.’

Rutte repeatedly has praised Trump, in June calling him ‘daddy’ of the NATO alliance. 

‘Daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get them to stop,’ he said in reference to fighting between Israel and Iran.

Other European leaders have expressed more concern about Trump’s Greenland ambitions. On Wednesday Trump, for the first time, ruled out taking Greenland by force. 

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said a U.S. takeover of Greenland would mean the ‘end of NATO,’ the nearly 80-year-old defense alliance. 

Trump spoke at the Davos, Switzerland, conference Wednesday after threatening Europe with tariffs over the Greenland dispute.

This week the president told Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in a text message he ‘no longer thinks purely of peace’ in his desire to own Greenland.

Trump wrote: ‘Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.’

‘I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States,’ Trump wrote. ‘The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.’

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Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., has time and again pushed to rein in President Donald Trump’s war authorities, but he has rarely gone to the same lengths for his own party’s presidents.

Kaine’s argument has stayed fairly consistent over the years that Congress should reassert its constitutional authority and decision-making in the run-up to a military conflict. And he has either led or joined several pushes over Trump’s non-consecutive terms in office to corral his war powers.

But he never pulled the same kind of move under former Presidents Barack Obama or Joe Biden, causing Republicans to question whether his desires are politically motivated or genuine.

There was not a single war powers resolution filed in the Senate during Obama’s time in office, but Kaine did push back on his expansive use of drones in the Middle East.

‘I have been as consistent as I can be, because I really got in the way of President Obama when he wanted to use military action in Syria without congressional authorization,’ Kaine said. ‘And I told him, you know, ‘You’re like my friend. But this is, you know, a basic principle for me.’’

His latest push to curb future military action in Venezuela without congressional approval nearly succeeded in the Senate but ultimately was killed through a rare procedural move coupled with an intense pressure campaign from Trump, his administration and Senate Republican leaders.

Before the first vote, which saw five Republicans peel from their colleagues to advance the resolution, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., contended that Kaine’s latest push ‘does not reassert Congress’ powers.’

‘There are Democrats in this chamber who are using the arrest of Nicolás Maduro not to advance American interests, but to attack President Trump,’ Barrasso said.

And building off Barrasso’s sentiment was a broader argument from several Republicans, and top officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who charged that Kaine’s push was moot given that there were no boots on the ground in Venezuela and that the administration has no future plans for military action.

Republicans who may have been on the verge of supporting Kaine’s push argued that without a plan to beat an almost guaranteed veto from Trump, it was nothing more than a messaging tactic.

‘It’s a messaging exercise, and I think that you’d have more credibility if, at least, you had some elements, like boots on the ground to justify it,’ Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital.

‘I mean, if somebody’s serious about getting something done, if you sit down with me and say, ‘I can get the 67 votes, so I have a veto-proof majority, and this is how I’m going to do it,’ that impresses me,’ he continued.

Dating back to Trump’s first term in office, Kaine has either introduced or supported seven war powers resolutions. Each of those pushes — four of which he led — were all directed toward reining in Trump’s military authority and reasserting Congress’ oversight role.

However, he rejected two of three Republican-led war powers pushes during Biden’s presidency, and notably, voted for the same procedural move used to kill his own Venezuela resolution to nix another from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 2024.

Cruz’s war powers resolution sought to curb Biden’s war authority as he pushed for the creation of a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza to deliver aid to the country.

Kaine argued there was a stark difference between humanitarian missions and military action in explaining his vote against Cruz’s resolution.

‘That was because building a humanitarian pier is not hostilities, right? If that’s hostilities, the U.S. going to do tsunami relief is hostilities,’ Kaine said.

‘But you know what we’re doing in Venezuela is hostilities,’ he continued. ‘It’s not building a pier for humanitarian aid. So, that was why I said the definition of hostility should not apply to humanitarian acts, OK? And I firmly believe that, and I’d vote for that under presidents of either party.’

Still, Republicans countered that Kaine’s own war powers resolution was similarly void because there were no active or planned hostilities in the region.

‘It’s pretty clear, war powers only applies if you’ve got boots on the ground,’ Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., told Fox News Digital. ‘We don’t have boots on the ground in those locations that he’s talking about. And so I’m not sure what the reasoning is, but it appears to me to be unnecessary, and it certainly does not deserve to be privileged.’

Kaine has no intention of relenting on his war powers pursuit while Trump is in office and noted last week that he would file resolution after resolution to take a hammer to the cracks forming in the GOP’s mostly unified resistance against questioning the president’s war authorities.

That decision has not surprised many Republicans.

‘I mean, he’s a Democrat, so he’s going to try and do messaging,’ Tillis said. ‘I understand that — we do the same stuff.’

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Commodities giant BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP) has published an operational review for the half year of 2025, highlighting celebratory results at its copper and iron ore operations, including Australia.

BHP Chief Executive Officer Mike Henry attributed the positive price environment while recognising the company’s achievements, citing that copper was up 32 percent while iron ore was 4 percent higher.

Escondida, BHP’s flagship copper operation located in the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile, was said to have achieved record concentrator throughput.

The Chilean project is regarded as the world’s largest copper concentrate and cathodes producer, displaying a production record of 644,000 kilotonnes.

“Antamina has also lifted its production guidance, and Spence and Copper South Australia are tracking to plan, with Copper South Australia achieving record refined gold output,” Henry added.

The company’s South Australian copper assets include the Olympic Dam, Carrapateena, and Prominent Hill projects, which were recently highlighted in a copper outlook and review by the South Australian Government.

“BHP is the largest producer of copper in the world, and we expect to grow our copper base from 1.7 million tonnes to around 2.5 million tonnes per annum,” said BHP COO Edgar Basto in an October 2025 statement.

For iron ore, BHP reported that it achieved record first half production and shipments at its Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) operation.

WAIO’s production rose 1 percent compared to its previous record of the same period, having a total of 146.6 million tonnes of iron ore in the half-year to December 31.

Volumes from BHP’s 50-50 Brazilian joint venture Samarco were also highlighted, rising as a result of strong operational performance at the second concentrator following its restart at the end of H1 FY25.

Main dam commissioning at Samarco is advanced and scheduled for completion by 2029.

In a separate announcement, BHP updated its cost estimate for Stage 1 of its Jansen potash project, which is said to be on track for production in mid-2027.

From the previously estimated range of US$7.0 billion, the cost now stands at US$7.4 billion (including contingencies). The initial estimate of the investment cost in August 2021 was US$5.7 billion.

“As announced in July 2025, these cost increases have been driven by inflationary and real cost escalation pressures, design development and scope changes and lower productivity outcomes,” BHP said.

The mining giant said that it is entering the second half of financial year 2026 “with strong operating momentum.”

Half-year financial results of BHP are scheduled to come out on February 17.

“We’re investing for the decade ahead, with a significant copper growth pipeline and a pathway to approximately 2 million tonnes of attributable copper production in the 2030s.”

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

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(TheNewswire)

Toronto, Ontario TheNewswire – January 21, 2026 Homeland Nickel Inc. (‘Homeland’ or the ‘Company’) (TSX-V: SHL, OTC: SRCGF), at the request of Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), wishes to confirm that the Company’s management is unaware of any material change in the Company’s operations that would account for the recent increase in market activity.

Homeland Nickel is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company focused on critical metal resources with nine nickel projects in Oregon, United States and copper and gold projects in Newfoundland, Canada. The Company holds a significant portfolio of mining securities including 442 thousand shares of Canada Nickel Company Inc. (TSX-V: CNC), 9.960 million shares of Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: NOB), 11.447 million shares of Benton Resources Inc. (TSX-V: BEX), 81,150 shares of Vinland Lithium Inc. (TSX-V: VLD) and 2.761 million shares of Magna Terra Minerals Inc. (TSX-V: MTT). Homeland Nickel’s common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ‘SHL’ and on the OTCQB under the symbol ‘SRCGF’. More detailed information can be found on the Company’s website at:

http://www.homelandnickel.com 

This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Stephen Balch, President & CEO

Phone:        905-407-9586

Email:        steve@beci.ca

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

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Valereum Plc (the ‘Company’ or ‘Valereum’) is delighted to announce that, further to the announcements on 25 November 2025 and 2 December 2025, it has signed a Share Subscription Agreement (the ‘Agreement’) with Quorium Global Photonics SPC (‘QGP’) acting on behalf of and for Valereum Quorium Global Photonics SPC (‘V-QGP’), a segregated portfolio company of QGP. The transaction materially strengthens the Company’s balance sheet, delivers immediate recurring income, and positions Valereum as a cash-flow positive, asset-backed financial technology platform.

The key terms of the Agreement are:

  • Long Term Strategic Partner – QGP has committed to being a long-term partner and strategic investor and will subscribe for 243,478,438 ordinary shares of £0.001 in the Company (the ‘Subscription Shares’). As per the announcement on 2 December 2025, application has been made for 12,595,437 ordinary shares (‘Initial Subscription Shares’). A further application will be made for 230,883,001 ordinary shares (‘Further Subscription Shares’). QGP will be subject to a ‘no sale’ lock-in agreement until the Company is listed on Nasdaq Stock Exchange or New York Stock Exchange, except that each month up to 1.44% of such shares held by QGP may be sold, transferred, or disposed of or pledged.
  • Valereum receives $200,000,000 of medium term notes – In consideration for the Subscription Shares, QGP will transfer $200,000,000 of QMTN2601001 medium term notes (‘QMTN’) from V-QGP to the Company. These will generate an annual coupon of 7.95% on the outstanding principal, which shall be paid in USD or USDC quarterly from 29 March 2026 until its maturity on 31 December 2030. Valereum will therefore receive contracted income equivalent to USD 15.9 million per annum for the next 5 years.
  • Agreement in principle for a further USD 1 billion – The Agreement includes a provision for QGP to provide the Company with up to a USD $1 billion facility to support future growth initiatives and operational expansion.

Further Terms of the Agreement

  • Board Representation: Subject to satisfactory due diligence, QGP will appoint two executive directors to the Board, a further announcement will follow.
  • Fees: the Company agree to pay USD 100,000 to the subscriber on signing and a further USD 100,000 to be offset against first payment receivable by the Company from the QMTN.
  • Performance Warrants: QGP will participate in Company’s existing Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’), which permits the granting up to 30% of warrants over outstanding shares immediately vesting in equal instalments at 20p, 40p, 60p, 80p and £1.00, with the pool equally split between existing performance warrant holders, Company senior executives, and QGP together with its senior executives.
  • Issue of Warrants: In addition to the Performance Warrants, the Company will issue warrants over 10 million ordinary shares each to Pieter Scholtz, Managing Director of QGP, and Illiquid Assets Solutions Limited with an exercise price of £0.001 and an expiry period of 5 years.

Related Party Transaction – Rule 4.6 Statement

The issue of warrants to Illiquid Assets Solutions Limited (‘IASL’) is a related party transaction as Gary Cottle and Grant Gischen, Directors of the Company, have an option to acquire 36% of the issued share capital of IASL (Guernsey). The Directors (excluding Gary Cottle and Grant Gischen) confirm that, having exercised reasonable care, skill and diligence, the related party transaction is fair and reasonable as far as the shareholders of the issuer are concerned.

Application for admission of the Further Subscription Shares to trading on Aquis

Application will be made for the 230,883,001 Further Subscription Shares, which will rank pari passu with the existing ordinary shares in issue, to be admitted to trading on the Aquis Growth Market (‘Admission’). Dealings are expected to commence on or around 23 January 2026.

Conditional on Admission of the 230,883,001 Further Subscription Shares, the Company’s issued ordinary share capital will be 487,932,742 ordinary shares of £0.001 each, all carrying voting rights. This figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for determining whether they are required to notify the Company of an interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company’s securities pursuant to the Company’s Articles.

Appointment of Aquis Corporate Adviser

The Company also announces the appointment of Guild Financial Advisory Limited as the Company’s Aquis Corporate Adviser with immediate effect and that the Ordinary Shares in the Company will be restored to trading on the Apex Segment of the AQSE Growth Market with effect from 08:00 a.m. on 21st January 2026.

Gary Cottle, Group CEO of Valereum Plc, commented:

‘Today marks a fundamental turning point for Valereum. With this transaction, we’re not just announcing a deal; we are activating an engine for growth. We have strategically swapped 49.9% of our company for $200m of fully verified asset backed notes, as well as $79.5m of cash ($15.9m for 5yrs). This transforms our financial foundation overnight. Valereum is now a cash-flow positive company with a robust balance sheet. This complete recapitalisation removes funding risk and provides the stable, recurring capital we need to relentlessly execute our vision for AI-driven Tokenisation, and the digital asset ecosystem, where we will accelerate our partnerships, and build substantial, lasting value.’

James Bannon, Chair of Valereum Plc, adds:

‘I’d like to personally thank my team, in particular Gary and Pieter, for their tireless work on this transformative deal. We’ve arrived at a position where we are de-risked and have removed the burden of ongoing fundraising. My main focus is now towards the US-listing and supporting the team as we continue to change the face of fintech.’

Pieter Scholz, Managing Director of QGP, comments:

‘Our extensive due diligence confirmed our conviction in Valereum’s vision and team. We’re committing as a long-term partner because we see a clear path to market leadership. We are not just investors in this transaction; we are providing the financial architecture to power what will be a momentous journey ahead, fully aligned with every shareholder.’

For further information, please contact:

Valereum Plc

Karl Moss

Tel: +44 7938 767319

Investor Hub

Fortified Securities

Guy Wheatley

Tel: +44 203 4117773

Aquis Corporate Adviser

Guild Financial Advisory Limited

Ross Andrews

E: ross.andrews@guildfin.co.uk

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

Please visit the Company’s website at www.vlrm.com

For more information, and the chance to have your questions directly answered by the management team, please head to our interactive investor hub via: Investor Hub.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

The Company holds cryptocurrencies or crypto assets in its treasury. Whilst the Board of Directors of the Company considers holding cryptocurrencies to be in the best interests of the Company, the Board remains aware that the financial regulator in the UK (the Financial Conduct Authority or FCA) considers investment in cryptocurrencies to be high risk. At the outset, it is important to note that an investment in the Company is not an investment in cryptocurrencies, either directly or by proxy and shareholders will have no direct access to the Company’s holdings. However, the Board of Directors consider cryptocurrencies to be an appropriate store of value and potential growth and therefore appropriate for the Company. Accordingly, the Company is and intends to continue to be materially exposed to cryptocurrencies.

The Company is neither authorised nor regulated by the FCA, and the purchase of certain cryptocurrencies are generally unregulated in the UK. As with most other investments, the value of cryptocurrencies can go down as well as up, and therefore the value of the Company’s cryptocurrencies holdings can fluctuate. The Company may not be able to realise its cryptocurrencies holdings for the same as it paid to acquire them or even for the value the Company currently ascribes to its cryptocurrencies positions due to market movements. Neither the Company nor investors in the Company’s shares are protected by the UK’s Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Cryptocurrencies may present special risks to the Company’s financial position. These risks include (but are not limited to): (i) the value of cryptocurrencies can be highly volatile, with value dropping as quickly as it can rise. Investors in cryptocurrencies must be prepared to lose all money invested in cryptocurrencies; (ii) the cryptocurrencies market is largely unregulated. There is a risk of losing money due to risks such as cyber-attacks, financial crime and counterparty failure; (iii) the Company may not be able to sell its cryptocurrencies at will. The ability to sell cryptocurrencies depends on various factors, including the supply and demand in the market at the relevant time. Operational failings such as technology outages, cyber-attacks and commingling of funds could cause unwanted delay; and (iv) crypto assets are characterised in some quarters by high degrees of fraud, money laundering and financial crime. Prospective investors in the Company are encouraged to do their own research before investing.

Source

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