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Saga Metals Corp. (‘SAGA’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: SAGA,OTC:SAGMF) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H), a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, is pleased to announce the assay results for two (2) additional diamond drill holes (R-0010 and R-0011) from the Company’s Q4 2025 Phase of the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) drill program in Trapper North at the Radar Ti-V-Fe Project, located near the port of Cartwright in Labrador, Canada.

Trapper North Assay Highlights

  • Analytical results have now been obtained for all four (4) diamond drill holes in Trapper North Zone and constitute four (4) of eight (8) drill holes completed during the Q4 2025 Phase of the MRE drill program.
  • Analytical results to-date include numerous oxide-rich intercepts, including:
    • R-0010: 135.50 m grading 50.03% Fe₂O₃, 7.87% TiO₂, and 0.352% V₂O₅.
    • R-0011: 95.15 m grading 39.49% Fe₂O₃, 6.49% TiO₂, and 0.220% V₂O₅.
    • R-0009: 87.20 m grading 50.67% Fe₂O₃, 10.15% TiO₂, 0.339% V₂O₅
    • R-0008: 67.60 m grading 46.15% Fe₂O₃, 9.21% TiO₂, 0.311% V₂O₅
  • TiO₂ strength:
    • 42.6% of samples > 7% TiO₂ (700 samples majority of which are 2 m)
  • V₂O₅ strength:
    • 53.7% of samples > 0.2% V₂O₅ (700 samples majority of which are 2 m)
  • Continued consistency and increase in overall oxide concentration in Trapper Vs Hawkeye.

Assay Results from R-0010 and R-0011

  • Hole R-0010 (collared at the same location as R-0009 but oriented at 0° azimuth for true width assessment): Intercepted 135.5 meters (from 1.5 m to 137 m) grading 50.028% Fe₂O₃, 7.872% TiO₂, and 0.352% V₂O₅.
  • Hole R-0011 (100-meter step-out along strike from R-0009 and R-0010): Intercepted 95.15 meters (from 58.1 m to 153 m) grading 39.49% Fe₂O₃, 6.49% TiO₂, and 0.22% V₂O₅. Additionally, this hole also encountered a 22-meter interval of rhythmically banded oxide, suggesting more persistent layering occurs away from the concentrated mass in the fold nose.

For comparison with the rest of Trapper North, the following table summarizes key intercepts from all four drill holes completed in Q4 2025.

Description DDH FROM TO Length Fe2O3 TiO2 V205
  ID m m m % % %
High V2O5 Layer R-0008 37.76 117.72 79.96 45.63 8.40 0.33
High TiO2 Layer R-0008 170 237.6 68.26 46.15 9.21 0.31
TiO2 Layer R-0008 237.6 266.57 28.98 40.45 7.02 0.29
High TiO2 Layer R-0009 2.53 66 63.47 44.26 9.02 0.25
High V2O5 Layer (A) R-0009 94 181.2 87.20 50.67 10.15 0.34
High V2O5 Layer (B) R-0009 196.11 216.4 20.29 49.12 8.67 0.37
North Fold Section R-0010 1.5 137 135.5 50.03 7.87 0.35
North Fold Section R-0011 58.1 153.3 95.15 39.49 6.49 0.22

Table 1: Assay results and composites of R-0008, -0009, -0010 and -0011 from Trapper North.

Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of Saga Metals, commented: ‘The successful assay results from all four drill holes at Trapper North mark a significant milestone for the Radar Project. These latest intercepts from R-0010 and R-0011 confirm the continuity of high-grade mineralization along the northern limb. This structurally related increase in thickness boosts Trapper as a standout zone with tremendous potential for titanium, vanadium, and iron mineral resources, advancing our goal of establishing a strategic North American supply of critical minerals.’

Figure 1-3 below outline all four drill holes in Trapper North with the corresponding intercepts at different viewing angles for a complete, accurate picture of the subsurface geometry:

Figure 1: Cross-Section BB looking West showing R-0008, -0009, and -0010 highlighting high-grade intercepts with the 3D Magnetic Inversion of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey. For the full set of R-0008 & R-0009 assays see Figure 3 cross-section N-11.

Figure 2: Cross-Section AA looking West showing R-0008, -0009, and -0011 highlighting high-grade intercepts with the 3D Magnetic Inversion of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey. For the full set of R-0008 & R-0009 assays see Figure 3 cross-section N-11.

Figure 3: Cross-Section N-11 looking Northwest showing R-0008, -0009, -0010 and -0011 highlighting high-grade intercepts in holes R-0008 & -0009 with the 3D Magnetic Inversion of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey. For the assays of R-0010 & R-0011 see Figures 1 & 2 Sections BB & AA.

Trapper North Drill Hole Details and Geological Insights

Hole R-0010 was collared at the same location as R-0009 but re-oriented to a 0-degree azimuth (compared to the standard 38 degrees) in order to test the northern limb of the Trapper North Fold. Both holes maintained a -45-degree dip. This allowed the team to drill directly through the anomaly and oxide layering at an optimal angle, enabling precise correlation of structural data between R-0009 and R-0010 while clearly defining the northern contact and limits of the oxide layer.

Hole R-0011, drilled as a 100-meter step-out along strike from R-0009 and R-0010, successfully tracked the continuation of the semi-massive oxide layer that is particularly abundant through the nose of the fold. Notably, it also intercepted a 22-meter interval of rhythmically banded oxide. This zone provides an outstanding window into the deposit, featuring exceptionally high VTM content.

Additionally, deeper oxide layering in R-0011, appeared to shallow toward the northeast—an intriguing observation that could indicate a potential at-depth connection between the Trapper and Hawkeye zones, further supporting the theory that this section of the property is one large lopolith. While this remains theoretical at present, the team intends to test the concept with future drilling once additional data increases confidence in its likelihood.

Mineral Resource Estimate Focus

The drilling in Q4 2025 at Trapper North forms part of the Company’s broader strategy to advance toward a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Radar Project. The economic target is the large, continuous sections of oxide mineralization (semi-massive to massive VTM and ilmenite layers) that demonstrate consistent and exceptional grades in titanium, vanadium, and iron—critical minerals for North American supply security needed in defense, aerospace, renewable energy, and steel production.

Drilling these extensive oxide zones provides essential data on grade, thickness, continuity, and geometry, enabling the definition of a robust resource. The exceptional results from Trapper North validate the priority of targeting these enriched structural features. The rhythmic banding seen in drill hole R-0011 and in Trapper South to-date adds to the overall consistency and exceptional mineralization across the entire Trapper Zone. These elements inform the ongoing 2026 drill campaign, designed to systematically grid and delineate these zones across the Trapper Zone for increased resource confidence.

Next Steps at the Radar Ti-V-Fe Project

Personnel are expected to arrive in Cartwright, Labrador, today, and drilling will commence shortly thereafter.

The initial focus for the 2026 Radar Project drill program will be in the southern section of the Trapper Zone, also known as ‘Trapper South.’ SAGA’s geological team and Gladiator’s drill crews will take advantage of the extensive trail network created in the summer of 2025, allowing for an easy traverse for snowmobiles and the excavator used to move the drill. Drilling will begin at the southeastern extent of Trapper South, targeting approximately 30 holes (7,500 m). The program will then advance hole by hole back toward Trapper North, positioning the team to complete the remainder of the MRE drill campaign by spring.

Figure 4: Trapper Zone map outlining location of the initial 2026 focus for remainder of the MRE drill program to be completed in 2026  showing the TMI of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey Drilling will commence in Trapper Zone and move to Trapper North.

About Radar Property

The Radar Property spans 24,175 hectares and hosts the entire Dykes River intrusive complex (~160 km²), a unique position among Western explorers. Geological mapping, geophysics, and trenching have already confirmed oxide layering across more than 20 km of strike length, with mineralization open for expansion.

Figure 5: Radar Property map, depicting magnetic anomalies, oxide layering and the site of the 2025 drill programs. The Property is well serviced by road access and is conveniently located near the town of Cartwright, Labrador. A compilation of historical aeromagnetic anomalies is overlaid by ground-based geophysics, as shown.

Vanadiferous titanomagnetite (‘VTM’) mineralization at Radar is comparable to global Fe–Ti–V systems such as Panzhihua (China), Bushveld (South Africa), and Tellnes (Norway), positioning the Project as a potential strategic future supplier of titanium, vanadium, and iron to North American markets.

Figure 6: Radar Project’s prospective oxide layering zone validated over ~16 km strike length through Fall 2025 drilling, as shown on a compilation of historical airborne geophysics as well as ground-based geophysics in the Hawkeye and Trapper zones completed by SAGA in the 2024/2025 field programs. SAGA has demonstrated the reliability of the regional airborne magnetic surveys after ground-truthing and drilling in the 2024 and 2025 field programs.

Qualified Person

Paul J. McGuigan, P. Geo., is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this news release.

Technical Information

Samples were cut by Company personnel at SAGA’s core facility in Cartwright, Labrador. Diamond drill core was sawed and then sampled intervals. The drill hole core diameter utilized was NQ.

Core samples have been prepared and analyzed at the Impact Global Solutions (IGS) laboratory facility in Montreal, Quebec. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects, and pulps are kept and stored in a secure storage facility for future assay verification. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program.

About Saga Metals Corp.

Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of a diversified suite of critical minerals that support the North American transition to supply security. The Radar Ti-V-Fe Project comprises 24,175 hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River intrusive complex, mapped at 160 km² on the surface near Cartwright, Labrador. Exploration to date, including 4,250 m of drilling, has confirmed a large, mineralized layered mafic intrusion hosting vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) and ilmenite mineralization with strong grades of titanium and vanadium.

The Double Mer Uranium Project, also in Labrador, covers 25,600 hectares and features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U3O8. Uranium uranophane was identified in several areas of highest radiometric response (2024 Double Mer Technical Report).

Additionally, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec’s Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Metals.

With a portfolio spanning key commodities critical to the clean energy future, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in critical mineral security.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mike Stier, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, contact:

Rob Guzman, Investor Relations
Saga Metals Corp.
Tel: +1 (844) 724-2638
Email: rob@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com

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

Cautionary Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘should’, ‘anticipates’, ‘expects’, ‘believes’, and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company’s Radar Project. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, inherent risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, particularly given the early-stage nature of the Company’s assets, and the risks detailed in the Company’s continuous disclosure filings with securities regulations from time to time, available under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9fbcc9ec-44a3-43f1-a7d7-7dbec24f1040
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(TheNewswire)

 

Prismo’s Interest Currently Stands at 95% With Option for Full Control

Vancouver, British Columbia, January 16th, 2025 TheNewswire – Prismo Metals Inc. (‘Prismo’ or the ‘Company’) (CSE: PRIZ,OTC:PMOMF) (OTCQB: PMOMF) is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced transaction with Infinitum Copper Corp. (TSXV: INFI) (‘Infinitum’) whereby Prismo has increased its interest in the Hot Breccia copper project, located in the heart of Arizona’s prolific copper belt, from 75% to 95%. In addition, Prismo has obtained an irrevocable option to acquire Infinitum’s remaining 5% interest, providing a clear path to 100% interest in the project.

Alain Lambert, CEO of Prismo commented: ‘This transaction marks a significant milestone for Prismo and provides a clear mechanism to securing full ownership of Hot Breccia. It materially improves the strategic flexibility of the project.’

He added: ‘Prismo remains firmly committed to advancing Hot Breccia. The recent extension of certain milestone obligations under the option agreement with Walnut Mines LLC, the owner of the Hot Breccia claims, together with the completion of the transaction with Infinitum, provides the Company with additional flexibility as we evaluate a range of strategic alternatives. Each of these pathways’ goal is to drill what we consider to be one of the most compelling copper exploration opportunities in Arizona and the broader United States.

Dr. Linus Keating, manager of Walnut Mines LLC, enthusiastically commented: ‘Walnut Mines is solidly in favor of any action that moves Hot Breccia closer to a serious drill program. We are hopeful that this transaction will accomplish that goal in 2026. In our opinion, this property remains one of the best copper exploration opportunities in North America.’

Under the terms of the transaction, Prismo paid Infinitum CA $185,000 to acquire a 20% additional interest in the Hot Breccia project and assumed all of Infinitum’s remaining obligations under the existing option agreement with Walnut to issue shares to Walnut, which has been satisfied by the issuance to Walnut of 450,630 common shares at a deemed issue price of $0.11 per share. Prismo has also agreed to pay Infinitum 5% of any consideration received in connection with a transaction in which Prismo assigns its interest in Hot Breccia to a third party to acquire the 5% interest held by Infinitum.

Prismos Hot Breccia project lies at the heart of the Arizona Copper Belt, which hosts several globally significant porphyry copper deposits.  Examples of these significant deposits are Freeport McMoRan’s Miami-Inspiration mining complex, BHP’s San Manuel mine, Rio Tinto and BHP’s Resolution deposit and others (see Figure 1).  

 

Figure 1. Location of the Hot Breccia Project in the Arizona Copper Belt.

The Company wishes to update its January 12th, 2026 news release to confirm that the Company issued 2,250,000 units for gross proceeds of $225,000 and issued 140,000 Finder’s Warrants and paid finder’s commissions of $14,000 to a certain qualified finder. Each Unit consisted of one common share in the capital of the Company (a ‘Share‘) and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a ‘Warrant‘). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Share for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of issue at an exercise price of $0.175. Prismo intends to proceed next week a final closing of 1,500,000 Units for gross proceeds of $150,000.

About Prismo Metals Inc.

Prismo (CSE: PRIZ,OTC:PMOMF) is a mining exploration company focused on advancing its Hot Breccia copper project in Arizona and its Palos Verdes silver project in Mexico.

Please follow @PrismoMetals on , , , Instagram, and

Prismo Metals Inc.

1100 – 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6  Phone: (416) 361-0737

Contact:

Alain Lambert, Chief Executive Officer alain.lambert@prismometals.com

Gordon Aldcorn, President gordon.aldcorn@prismometals.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as intends‘ or anticipates, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may’, could‘, should‘, would‘ or occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as ‘forwardlooking statements’, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management’s expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the timing, costs and anticipated results of drilling at Hot Breccia; the ability of Prismo to fund drilling and pursue potential third-party partnerships; the Company’s strategic flexibility with respect to the Hot Breccia project going forward; the number of shares issuable by Prismo to Walnut pursuant to the transaction described in this news release; and the Company’s expectations regarding mineralization and other qualities of the Hot Breccia project.

These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: delays in obtaining or failure to obtain appropriate funding to finance the exploration program at Hot Breccia; the risk that the Company will not enter into a third-party partnership with respect to the Hot Breccia project; the risk that mineralization will not be as anticipated at the project; the risk that the Company will not be able to take advantage of geological information to refine drill targeting; metal prices; market uncertainty; and other risks and uncertainties application to exploration activities and the Company’s business as set forth in the Company’s disclosure documents available for viewing under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the ability to raise capital to fund the drilling campaign at Hot Breccia and the timing of such drilling campaign; the ability of the Company to enter into a third-party partnership on the project; that the project will have the anticipated mineralization and other qualities; and the  Company will be able to take advantage of geological information to refine drill targeting.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

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Will Rhind, CEO of GraniteShares, outlines his thoughts on gold and silver heading into 2026, noting that historical precedents point to higher prices.

‘Clearly when you look back on some of those other periods for gold — and silver particularly — where they went to all-time highs, then we could be talking about a lot higher prices,’ he said.

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

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The solar industry is turning to base metals and innovation to bypass the soaring silver price.

Silver’s exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity make it a critical material in the production of photovoltaics (PV). However, record-high prices are forcing key solar industry players to find more cost-effective alternatives.

In a September 2025 report, BNEF analysts note that silver represents about 14 percent of the total cost of production for solar panels, up from 5 percent in 2023. At the time, silver was trading in the US$42 to US$46 per ounce range.

Since then, the white metal’s price has exploded, hitting an all-time high of US$93.77 on Wednesday (January 14). That’s double the level it was in September, and a nearly 200 percent increase from the year before.

In an industry already fraught with intense competition, such a large leap in the price for a major component is unsustainable. In response, top manufacturers in China such as LONGi Green Energy Technology (SHA:601012) are turning to base metals and technological innovations to help manage solar panel input costs.

Solar panel makers bypassing silver

China dominates the global solar PV industry, representing more than 80 percent of worldwide manufacturing capacity across the supply chain, including polysilicon, wafers, cells and modules.

In early January, Bloomberg reported that starting in Q2, LONGi Green Energy is planning to start mass producing solar cells using base metals instead of silver in an effort to reduce costs.

Di Giacomo believes that because LONGi Green Energy is one of the solar industry’s technological leaders, its move away from silver marks a significant turning point for the sector.

Bloomberg notes that the company has joined the ranks of other Chinese solar manufacturers looking to sidestep silver’s price volatility. In December, JinkoSolar Holding (NYSE:JKS), which is headquartered in China, but listed in the US, said it was looking to roll out large-scale production of solar panels using base metals. Additionally, smaller firm Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy (SHA:600732) is producing 6.5 gigawatt solar cells without silver.

“Other major manufacturers, such as JinkoSolar and AIKO Solar, are also exploring silver-free technologies or solutions that minimize the use of this metal,” said Di Giacomo. “The convergence of efforts among leading players suggests this is not an isolated trend, but rather a structural shift in how solar panels are designed and manufactured.”

Is copper a viable alternative to silver?

Copper is the prized favorite among the base metals for swapping out silver.

While both metals have seen unprecedented price rallies on the back rising industrial demand from clean technologies and artificial intelligence, silver maintains an enormous premium over copper. Currency, the price of a troy ounce of silver is trading at about 22,000 percent higher than a troy ounce of copper.

“Although its conductivity is slightly lower, copper is far more abundant, cheaper and supported by a more diversified supply chain,” stated Di Giacomo. “These characteristics make it an attractive option for an industry seeking to scale production without exposure to bottlenecks in critical raw materials.”

The red metal may be a great electrical conductor, but it doesn’t match silver’s capabilities. There’s also the tendency for copper to oxidize and degrade, testing the long-term viability and reliability of copper-based solar components. For those reasons, subbing in copper presents technical challenges for PV makers.

One area of concern for replacing silver with copper is the high temperatures needed in the fabricating process for tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) cells, the technology currently dominating the solar panel industry.

This might not be as big an issue for LONGi Green Energy, which manufactures back-contact (BC) cells. The technical processes for adapting copper to this new type of solar cell architecture is much simpler compared to TOPCon cells.

“New generations of copper-metallized cells are achieving efficiency levels increasingly close to those of traditional silver-based models,” said Di Giacomo. “In some cases, improvements are even being observed in mechanical strength and module durability, key factors for long-term solar installations and operation under demanding environmental conditions.”

BC cells have also been shown to generate more power from the same amount of sunlight compared to TOPCon cells. A white paper from renewable energy advisory company Rinnovabili states that field data indicates that BC modules are capable of producing up to 11 percent more energy over their lifetime compared to TOPCon technology.

How will substitution impact silver?

In a November 2025 report, the Silver Institute reported that industrial silver demand is projected to drop by 2 percent in 2025 to 665 million ounces. One of the contributing factors in the decline is an approximate 5 percent decrease in silver demand from the solar industry, even though the number of global PV installations set a new record high for the year. This is “due to a sharp drop in the amount of silver used in each module,” according to the firm.

“A sustained reduction in solar sector silver demand could alter market dynamics,” warned Di Giacomo.

However, at this point it’s too early to tell. For one, TOPCon technology is expected to account for 70 percent of the market in 2026. The cost of manufacturing BC cells is not expected to reach parity with TOPCon cells until the end of the decade, said Molly Morgan, senior research analyst at CRU Group, as reported by pv magazine.

“That’s why we believe we might see a coexistence of the two technologies in the 2028 to 2030 timeframe,” she said.

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

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BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) has raised US$12.5 billion for its artificial intelligence–focused infrastructure venture backed by Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), as the world’s largest asset manager deepens its push to support surging AI demand.

The capital raise advances a long-term fundraising target of US$30 billion set when the partnership was unveiled in 2024. This positions the venture as one of the largest private efforts aimed at financing AI-related infrastructure globally.

With the use of leverage, BlackRock has said the platform could ultimately support as much as US$100 billion in total investment.

The partnership also brings together BlackRock and its infrastructure unit Global Infrastructure Partners alongside Microsoft, Abu Dhabi–based investment vehicle MGX, NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), and xAI.

The group is focused on funding new and expanded data centers as well as the energy infrastructure required to power them, with the bulk of initial investments expected to be made in the US.

BlackRock’s recent assessment finds that energy and power infrastructure will become a primary beneficiary of AI-driven growth over the coming years.

In its latest Investment Directions report, which surveyed 732 Europe, Middle East, and Africa–based clients, BlackRock found that while AI remains central to investment thinking, enthusiasm for large US technology firms has cooled.

Only about one-fifth of respondents identified big tech as a compelling opportunity for 2026, signaling a shift after the strong rally in AI-related equities in 2025.

Instead, investors increasingly see power generation, grid upgrades, and related infrastructure as offering more durable returns as data center demand accelerates.

The AI infrastructure partnership was launched last year amid growing concern that constraints in electricity supply and grid capacity could slow the rollout of next-generation computing facilities.

By combining private equity capital with debt financing, the venture aims to scale investment quickly while spreading risk across a broad group of institutional backers.

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

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Company Strengthens Event Tech Infrastructure with Milestone AWS Migration and Enhanced Blockchain Credentialing

  • AWS Cloud Infrastructure Optimization

  • Smart Contract Uniformity

  • Flexible Asset Standards ERC721/ ERC1155

TORONTO, ON AND NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 16, 2026 / Nextech3D.ai (CSE:NTAR,OTC:NEXCF)(OTCQB:NEXCF)(FSE:1SS), an AI-first technology provider specializing in live event solutions, is pleased to announce it has finalized its integration with BitPay, a global leader in blockchain payment services. This integration, paired with significant backend infrastructure upgrades, strengthens the Company’s Phase 2 Blockchain Suite across its flagship platforms: KraftyLab, Map D, and Eventdex.

Strategic Technical Milestones Achieved

Over the past week, the Company successfully completed a series of critical technical migrations and deployments designed to enhance platform stability and scalability:

  • Smart Contract Uniformity: Integrated smart contract deployment across both backend and frontend systems to ensure a singular, verified contract version for all users.

  • Flexible Asset Standards: Enabled support for both ERC721 (for unique collectibles) and ERC1155 (for multi-tier ticket types) standards. This flexibility allows organizers to manage diverse assets-such as VIP and General Admission-within a single, cost-efficient contract.

BitPay Integration & Value Proposition

The BitPay integration enables Nextech3D.ai’s clients to settle transactions in over 100 digital assets. Industry data highlights the material benefits for merchants adopting blockchain payments:

The Road Ahead: Roadmap Highlights

With the foundational AWS migration complete, the Company is focusing on the final elements of its Q1 blockchain roadmap: Configurable Royalty Splitting: Finalizing logic to redirect 7-10% of resale value back to creators and organizers. Custodial Resale: Enabling ticket resale directly from custodial wallets to remove the technical friction for non-crypto-native corporate users.

CEO Commentary

‘Integrating BitPay is a logical step in our mission to modernize the experience economy,’ said Evan Gappelberg, CEO of Nextech3D.ai. ‘By providing our enterprise clients with versatile, secure payment options and blockchain-backed credentials, we are removing technical barriers to entry. We believe these updates contribute to our competitive position as we look to scale our offerings in 2026.’

He continues ‘Moving our backend to AWS containers while simultaneously launching BitPay provides the ‘Easy Button’ our enterprise clients demand. We are building a robust, high-margin foundation that positions Nextech3D.ai as a leader in the large and growing global ticketing and experience market.’

About Nextech3D.ai

Nextech3D.ai is an AI-first technology company specializing in live event solutions, 3D modeling, and spatial computing. Through its flagship Map D, Eventdex, and KraftyLab platforms, the company provides interactive floor plans, registration, ticketing, and blockchain-enabled credentialing for large Fortune 500 organizations worldwide including Google, Oracle, Microsoft, Netflix and others.

Website: www.Nextech3D.ai
Investor Relations: investors@nextechar.com

For further information, please visit: www.Nextech3D.ai.

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Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking Statements The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute ‘forward-looking information’ under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, ‘will be’ or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results ‘will’ occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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The company that owns the iconic luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue filed for bankruptcy late Tuesday.

The move comes after Saks Global struggled with debt it took on to buy rival Neiman Marcus, lagging department store sales and a rising online market.

It’s one of the largest retail collapses since the Covid pandemic, and casts further doubt over the future of luxury fashion.

The retailer, which also owns Bergdorf Goodman, said early Wednesday its stores would remain open for now after it finalized a $1.75 billion financing package and appointed a new CEO.

The court process is meant to give the luxury retailer room to negotiate a debt restructuring with creditors or sell itself to a new owner to stave off liquidation. Failing that, the company may be forced to shutter.

Former Neiman Marcus CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck will replace Richard Baker, who was the architect of the acquisition strategy that left Saks Global saddled with debt.

The company also appointed former Neiman Marcus executives Darcy Penick and Lana Todorovich as chief commercial officer and chief of global brand partnerships at Saks Global, respectively.

Saks Fifth Avenue, the retail arm of Saks Global, listed $1 billion to $10 billion in assets and liabilities, according to court documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston.

A retailer long loved by the rich and famous, from Gary Cooper to Grace Kelly, Saks fell on hard times after the pandemic, as competition from online outlets rose, and brands started more frequently selling items through their own stores.

The original Saks Fifth Avenue store, known for displaying the likes of Chanel, Cucinelli and Burberry, was opened by retail pioneer Andrew Saks in 1867.

The new financing deal would provide an immediate cash infusion of $1 billion through ‌a loan from an investor group, Saks Global said.

A host of luxury brands were among the unsecured creditors, led by Chanel and Gucci owner Kering at about $136 million and $60 million respectively, the court filing said. The world’s biggest luxury conglomerate, LVMH, was listed as an unsecured creditor at $26 million. In total, Saks Global estimated there were between 10,001 and 25,000 creditors.

In 2024, Baker had masterminded the takeover of Neiman Marcus by Canada’s Hudson’s Bay Co, which had owned Saks since 2013, and later spun off the U.S. luxury assets to create Saks Global, bringing together three names that have defined American high fashion for more than a century.

The deal was designed to create a luxury powerhouse, but it saddled Saks Global with debt at a time when global luxury sales were slowing, complicating an already difficult turnaround for CEO and veteran executive Marc Metrick.

Saks Global struggled last year to pay vendors, who began withholding inventory, disrupting the company’s supply chain and leaving it with insufficient stock.

The thinly stocked shelves may have driven shoppers away to rivals like Bloomingdale’s, which posted strong sales in 2025, compounding pressure on Saks Global.

“Rich people are still buying,” Morningstar analyst David Swartz said last month, “just not so much at Saks.”

Running out of cash, Saks Global last month sold the real estate of the Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills flagship store for an undisclosed amount. It had also been looking to sell a minority stake in exclusive department store Bergdorf Goodman to help cut debt.

On Dec. 30, it failed to make an interest payment of more than $100 million to bondholders.

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 1911 Gold Corporation (‘1911 Gold’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: AUMB,OTC:AUMBF) (OTCQX: AUMBF) (FRA: 2KY) is pleased to provide a summary of key milestones achieved in 2025 and outlines the plan for 2026 as 1911 Gold advances towards a mine restart at its 100% owned True North Gold Project (which includes the mine and mill complex, ‘True North’) located in southeastern Manitoba, Canada.

During 2025, the Company successfully transitioned into an advanced-stage developer with near-term production potential. This transformation was driven by exploration success within the mine lease footprint as well as the re-entry into the underground mine, followed by the commencement of underground development and 1911 Gold’s first underground drill program. To support this growth, the Company strengthened its leadership team and site personnel and intensified its capital market presence to expand visibility and reach new investors. These steps allowed the Company to secure the capital required to undertake an aggressive 2026 exploration and development plan and realized an annual share price increase of 468%.

‘Over the last year we have continued to intensify our focus on our goal of returning to production in 2027. 2025 was a pivotal year on this path as we returned to the underground mine, confident with the team we had built and the results our exploration team achieved on surface,’ stated Shaun Heinrichs, President and CEO. ‘Our biggest challenge to date has been to prioritize our efforts given the multiple opportunities we see ahead of us. The PEA we plan to release for True North in the coming weeks, which provides detailed information on our mine plan, the project economics, and future opportunities, will also be instrumental in prioritizing our drill program over the coming year.

As we move into 2026, we aim to build on this framework by advancing toward a Pre-Feasibility Study and an updated global resource estimate incorporating our 2024 – 2026 drill results. On behalf of the board of directors, I wish to thank all of our stakeholders, including employees, suppliers and contractors, our local communities and the Province of Manitoba, as well as our supportive shareholders and strategic partners. The 1911 Gold story is only just beginning, and supported by buoyant gold prices, 2026 is poised to deliver continued value growth.’

2025 Key Milestones:

Corporate Highlights

  • Realized a share price increase of 468%, ending the year with a market capitalization of C$270 million (‘M’)

Team

    Exploration

    • Completed 20,342 metres (‘m’) of surface exploration drilling in 71 holes targeting three (3) newly identified and prospective areas where mineralized shear zones intersect with favourable host rocks:

    San Antonio West (‘SAM W‘) covers the western extension of the historically mined San Antonio zone of the True North mine mineralized vein system, located at the intersection of the Cartwright South shear zone and the San Antonio mafic (‘SAM‘) gabbro unit. Drilling to date has confirmed quartz vein-hosted gold mineralization to a depth of 630 m. Highlighted drill intercepts include:

      San Antonio SE (‘SAM SE‘) is the southeastern extension of the known gold mineralization within the San Antonio vein system, located at the intersection of the L10 shear zone and the SAM gabbro unit. Drilling to date confirmed the down-dip extensions of quartz vein-hosted gold mineralization by 745 m. Highlighted drill intercepts include:

        Shore Target is a newly identified target and is hosted with the SAM gabbro unit at the intersection of the 007 shear zone, approximately 500 m southeast of the L10 shear (where SAM SE is situated). Drilling highlights include:

          Operations

            Media Highlights from 2025:

              2026 Outlook:

              2026 is poised to be another transformative year as 1911 Gold accelerates underground activities in anticipation of a 2027 production restart. Following the release of the PEA, the Company will launch an extensive infill and delineation drill program specifically targeting near-term mining blocks. To support this, the drill rig count will be increased, with a continued balance between resource expansion and critical path delineation.

              Critical operational steps to be taken in 2026 include:

              • Infrastructure and Mill Optimization: Completion of a new 1,500 tonne-per-day crushing circuit and optimizing mill operations to rectify historical bottlenecks and enhance recovery performance over previous operations.
              • Mine Readiness: Completing dewatering of the loading pocket area at the bottom of the A Shaft, to allow for development on Level 26 (1,145-m depth), including rehabilitating the ore pass from Level 16 (695-m depth), completion of drill bay areas to increase access to deeper zones, and to commence development of the 710 zone as well as inspect D Shaft and begin preparations for accessing the lower levels.
              • Strategic Workforce Expansion: Leveraging a highly experienced site leadership team that continues to attract top-tier technical talent to grow our workforce, while fostering a culture rooted in safety, responsibility, and operational excellence.
              • District-Scale Exploration: Maintaining a robust surface exploration program to test high-priority near mine and regional targets, ensuring a continuous pipeline of growth beyond the immediate restart areas.

              2026 Milestones & Catalysts:

              The Company is pleased to provide a summary of milestones and catalysts for 2026. As the operational developments progress and 1911 Gold continues to de-risk the potential mining operation and restart strategy, the valuation should start to reflect that of a near-term, fully permitted production story.

              Note: Timeline is for guidance purposes only and is subject to change

              Grant of Deferred Share Units

              The Company has issued 125,000 deferred share units (‘DSUs’) to four directors under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan in respect of director fees incurred in the fourth quarter of 2025. Each DSU entitles the holder to receive one share of the Company, or in certain circumstances a cash payment equal to the value of one share of the Company, at the time the holder ceases to be a director of the Company.

              Qualified Person Statement

              The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Michele Della Libera, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration of 1911 Gold, who is a ‘Qualified Person’ as defined under NI 43-101.

              About 1911 Gold Corporation

              1911 Gold is an advanced gold explorer and developer focused on its 100%-owned True North Gold Project in the Archean Rice Lake Greenstone Belt in Manitoba, Canada. The Company controls a large, highly prospective ~62,000-hectare land package with numerous past-producing gold operations within trucking distance of the fully built and permitted True North mine and mill complex. 1911 Gold is positioning itself to restart operations in 2027 and offers a unique, near-term production story with significant exploration upside. The strategy is to build a district-scale gold mining operation around a centralized, and readily expandable infrastructure to support a socially and environmentally responsible, long-term mining operation with little development risk and a growing mineral resource base.

              1911 Gold’s True North complex and the exploration land package are located within and among the First Nation communities of the Hollow Water First Nation and the Black River First Nation. 1911 Gold looks forward to maintaining open, cooperative, and respectful communications with all of our local communities and stakeholders to foster mutually beneficial working relationships.

              ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

              Shaun Heinrichs
              President and CEO

              www.1911gold.com

              CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

              This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as ‘plans’, ‘expects’ or ‘does not expect’, ‘is expected’, ‘budget’, ‘scheduled’, ‘estimates’, ‘forecasts’, ‘intends’, ‘anticipates’ or ‘does not anticipate’, or ‘believes’, or describes a ‘goal’, or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken, occur or be achieved.

              All forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made. Actual results or events may differ from those predicted in these forward-looking statements. All of the Company’s forward-looking statements are qualified by the assumptions that are stated or inherent in such forward-looking statements, including the assumptions listed below. Although the Company believes that these assumptions are reasonable, this list is not exhaustive of factors that may affect any of the forward-looking statements.

              Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, predictions, projections, forecasts, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including, but not limited to, statements about exploration plans, including the size of the program, completion of an updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate for Ogama-Rockland and a global mineral resource update, and the timing and results thereof, underground activities, commissioning of the mill and processing test mining material, generation of cash flows from gold sales and the timing around each of these items, and an updated PFS and the timing and results thereof, are forward-looking statements. Although 1911 Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

              All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are given as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

              Neither 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.

              SOURCE 1911 Gold Corporation

              View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2026/15/c4140.html

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              Golconda Gold Ltd. (‘Golconda Gold’ or the ‘Company’) (TSX-V: GG; OTCQB: GGGOF) is pleased to announce production of 3,455 ounces of gold for the fourth quarter of 2025 (‘Q4 2025’) and 13,020 ounces of gold for the year ended December 31, 2025 (‘FY 2025’) at its Galaxy Gold Mine (‘Galaxy’), a 69% increase in gold production compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 (‘FY 2024’).

              The production numbers for FY 2025 are as follows:

              Mining     Q1
              2025
              Q2
              2025
              Q3
              2025
              Q4
              2025
              FY
              2025
              FY
              2024
              Princeton Ore Mined (t) 8,472 12,346 22,303 16,307 59,428 25,212
              Ore Grade (g/t) 3.50 4.63 3.39 4.18 3.88 3.73
              Waste (t) 4,906 11,317 11,037 12,367 39,627 24,236
              Galaxy Ore Mined (t) 18,899 19,135 18,200 19,766 76,000 62,483
              Ore Grade (g/t) 3.46 3.06 3.22 2.81 3.13 2.95
              Waste (t) 8,905 10,410 7,253 5,318 31,886 42,541
              Total Ore Mined (t) 27,371 31,481 40,503 36,073 135,428 87,695
              Ore Grade (g/t) 3.47 3.67 3.31 3.43 3.46 3.18
              Waste (t) 13,811 21,727 18,290 17,685 71,513 66,777
              Processing     Q1
              2025
              Q2
              2025
              Q3
              2025
              Q4
              2025
              FY
              2025
              FY
              2024
              Concentrate produced   (t) 2,281 2,480 3,229 3,299 11,289 6,661
              Concentrate grade   (g/t) 40.2 38.0 34.6 32.6 35.9 36.0
              Gold produced   (oz) 2,947 3,030 3,588 3,455 13,020 7,712
                               

              Year ended December 31, 2025 Highlights

              Mining

              • mined 135,428 tonnes of ore from its Galaxy and Princeton ore bodies, with an average grade of 3.46 g/t in FY 2025 compared to 87,695 tonnes at 3.18 g/t in FY 2024, an increase of 54% in ore tonnes mined year on year at a 9% higher grade;
              • established stoping at a new mining area, Princeton Top, in Q2 2025, contributing 16,477 tonnes of ore at a grade of 3.03 g/t during FY 2025;
              • completed the refurbishment of the sub-vertical shaft and associated infrastructure on Galaxy 26 and 27 levels, with the first ore development blast occurring in December 2025;
              • increased the size of the mining fleet, with the addition of one new drill rig, three LHD’s and two dump trucks during FY 2025; and
              • ended Q4 2025 with 6,410 tonnes of stockpiled ore on surface and underground at an average grade of 3.21 g/t, representing approximately 660 ounces of contained gold that is expected to be processed in the first quarter of 2026(1).

              Processing

              • produced 11,289 tonnes of concentrate at an average grade of 35.9 g/t containing 13,020 ounces of gold in FY 2025 compared to 6,661 tonnes at 36.0 g/t containing 7,712 ounces of gold in FY 2024, an increase of 69% in gold production year on year; and

              Golconda Gold CEO, Ravi Sood, commented: ‘2025 was a transformational year for Galaxy and Golconda Gold. In line with the Company’s development plan, two historic mining areas were re-established during the year, Princeton Top and Galaxy 26/27 levels, which along with significant investment in mining equipment from both a capital and preventative maintenance perspective enabled gold production to increase 69% compared to 2024. This significant increase in production, combined with the material increase in realised gold price during 2025 has enabled the Company to invest further in the Galaxy development plan and sustainable future production growth while also significantly improving the Company’s balance sheet and working capital position. We are confident that our investments will continue to result in increasing production at Galaxy.’(1)

              About Golconda Gold

              Golconda Gold is an un-hedged gold producer and explorer with mining operations and exploration tenements in South Africa and New Mexico. Golconda Gold is a public company and its shares are quoted on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ‘GG’ and the OTCQB under the symbol ‘GGGOF’. Golconda Gold’s management team is comprised of senior mining professionals with extensive experience in managing mining and processing operations and large-scale exploration programmes. Golconda Gold is committed to operating at the highest standards, focused on the safety of its employees, respecting the environment, and contributing to the communities in which it operates.

              Note:

                   (1)     This is forward-looking information and is based on a number of assumptions. See ‘Cautionary Notes’.

              Cautionary Notes

              Certain statements contained in this press release constitute ‘forward-looking statements’. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those statements regarding the Company’s intention to process the stockpiled ore in the first quarter of 2026, the Company’s expectation that its investments will result in increasing production at Galaxy, and the Company’s future financial position and results of operations, strategy, proposed acquisitions, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words ‘believe’, ‘expect’, ‘aim’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘continue’, ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘would’, ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, ‘forecast’, ‘predict’, ‘project’, ‘seek’, ‘should’ or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.

              Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to the risk factors discussed in the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

              Information of a technical and scientific nature that forms the basis of the disclosure in the press release has been approved by Kevin Crossling Pr. Sci. Nat., MAusIMM. Geological Consultant for Golconda Gold, and a ‘qualified person’ as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Crossling has verified the technical and scientific data disclosed herein and has conducted appropriate verification on the underlying data.

              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:
              Ravi Sood
              CEO, Golconda Gold Ltd.
              +1 (647) 987-7663
              ravi@golcondagold.com
              www.golcondagold.com

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              As global regulatory scrutiny intensifies and blockchain surveillance expands, privacy coins are gaining traction for their ability to enhance user anonymity and transaction confidentiality.

              While traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin operate on transparent, public ledgers where users’ transaction history is traceable, privacy coins, a specialized segment of the crypto market, use advanced cryptographic techniques to obscure key details such as sender and recipient addresses, transaction amounts and wallet balances.

              In the first weeks of 2026, this sector has made a mainstream shift, with the total market capitalization for privacy-focused assets surpassing US$24 billion, according to a widely circulated report by crypto researcher Stacy Muur.

              This rapid appreciation highlights a growing tension between the fundamental right to financial privacy and the burgeoning regulatory mandates represented by the US Senate’s upcoming market structure markups.

              What are the core technologies of anonymity?

              Privacy coins employ various cryptographic obfuscation layers to achieve their goals:

              • Ring signatures mix a user’s transaction with multiple decoys, making it statistically difficult to determine which participant actually initiated the transfer.
              • Stealth addresses are randomized, one-time destination addresses generated for every transaction, preventing public wallet addresses from appearing on the blockchain and linking back to the recipient.
              • Zero-knowledge proofs allow one party to prove a statement is true without revealing any information beyond the validity of the statement itself, effectively proving a transaction is valid without showing who sent it or how much was transferred.
              • Ring Confidential Transactions (RingCTs) obscure the transaction amount by using a mathematical scheme called Pedersen Commitments to prove that the sum of the inputs in a transaction equals the sum of the outputs without revealing the specific numerical values of the transaction.
              • Dandelion++ (network-level obfuscation) protects metadata, preventing an observer from linking a transaction to a specific IP address. It uses a two phase broadcast method, passing transactions privately between a small number of nodes before broadcasting them to the wider network.

              Key privacy coin players: Monero and Zcash

              The privacy coin market is largely bifurcated into mandatory and optional privacy models.

              Monero (XMR), launched in April 2014, is widely considered the gold standard for privacy because it enforces anonymity by default. Every transaction automatically obscures the sender, recipient and amount using ring signatures, stealth addresses and RingCTs. This uniform approach minimizes metadata leakage, but has made Monero a target for regulators, leading to its delisting from many major Western-regulated exchanges.

              Monero reached a new all-time high in early 2026, surging 81 percent in the past week to trade at US$790.91. Its market capitalization currently stands at over US$14 billion.

              Zcash (ZEC) offers a more flexible, opt-in privacy model, allowing users to choose between transparent transactions that are publicly viewable and shielded transactions, which are completely private.

              Going live in October 2016, Zcash is built on the Bitcoin algorithm, but utilizes zk-SNARKs for its shielded pools, creating a type of zero-knowledge proof that functions as a cryptographic shield, allowing one party to prove they possess certain information without actually revealing that information.

              This flexibility has made it more institutionally palatable as regulatory heat intensifies on Monero, since it allows for selective disclosure to auditors while still offering high-level privacy for those who need it. In a January 14 notice, the Zcash Foundation said the US Securities and Exchange Commission had concluded a review that began in 2023 over a “matter of certain crypto asset offerings” and would not recommend enforcement actions or changes.

              Zcash experienced a supply shock following the removal of the Founder’s Tax in late 2025. The tax was a funding mechanism built into the Zcash protocol at its launch that sent 20 percent of all newly mined Zcash to the project’s founders, investors and the Electric Coin Company instead of the miners.

              Zcash hit a multi-year high in the US$600+ range in November 2025, a gain of over 1,000 percent from its cycle lows; however, since that peak, Zcash has cooled off, consolidating in a range between US$400 and US$450.

              Crypto regulatory and tax realities in 2026

              As of early 2026, the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had modernized its oversight of the crypto sector through Form 1099-DA, which requires custodial brokers to report digital asset proceeds.

              While these rules apply broadly to property like cryptocurrencies, privacy coins present a unique challenge for compliance. The IRS continues to treat all cryptocurrencies as property, meaning that even if a transaction is obscured, the underlying capital gain or ordinary income remains taxable. While the IRS focuses on tax transparency, a new legislative push is seeking to grant the government proactive control over the network itself.

              Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), chair of the Senate Banking Committee, announced a markup of the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, the Senate version of crypto market structure legislation, on Monday (January 12).

              Formally called the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act, the bill was developed from the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, and is scheduled for a markup on January 15.

              Meanwhile, Senator John Boozman (R-AR) is planning a similar markup in the Senate Agriculture Committee. While often a routine step, this session is a high-stakes attempt to resolve jurisdictional disputes between the SEC and CFTC and secure a bipartisan consensus between the two parties.

              On January 12, Boozman officially postponed his committee’s markup to January 27 in order to finalize bipartisan negotiations with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). Text is due to be released on January 21.

              Boozman said the compressed schedule is designed to balance transparency with momentum as Congress looks to reduce regulatory uncertainty that has long plagued the sector.

              In a recent report, Alex Thorn, head of firm-wide research at crypto and digital assets firm Galaxy Digital (NASDAQ:GLXY), warns that the draft of Scott’s bill contains language that would expand US financial surveillance powers by granting the US Department of the Treasury an expansion of “special measure” authority over digital assets and a statutory framework, allowing transaction holds without a court order.

              If the measures were to become law, it would “represent the single largest expansion to financial surveillance authorities since the 2021 PATRIOT Act,” he argued. This could boost the appeal of privacy-preserving tokens.

              Investor takeaway

              Ultimately, the future of privacy coins will be determined by the ongoing legislative battle between fundamental financial anonymity and the accelerating global mandate for digital asset transparency and surveillance.

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

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