BP Silver Corp. (TSXV: BPAG) (‘BP Silver‘ or the ‘Company‘) announces assay results (‘Assays‘) from the first two drill holes of its eleven-hole Phase I drill program (the ‘Program‘) at the Cosuño Silver Project (‘Cosuño‘) in Bolivia. The Company expects to release assays from the remaining nine drill holes over the coming weeks. The Company also announces that Dr. Mark Cruise, has been appointed as the Company’s Executive Chair.

Dr. Stewart D. Redwood, Director and Qualifying Person stated, ‘Cosuño is a 10.5 square kilometer zone of alteration. The Program tested only four targets in the southern portion of Cosuño, selected as initial targets because they were outcropping. We expect there to be many more hidden targets as most of the area is covered by surficial overburden. We are literally scraping the surface with two short holes into this extensive system, and it is very significant that Cosuño’s lithocap is mineralized as lithocaps are usually barren.’

Dr. Redwood continued, ‘We expect Cosuño’s grades to increase when we drill deeper into and below the lithocap. Lithocaps are extensive zones of clay and silica alteration that form in the top part of Bolivian polymetallic vein systems and tin porphyries, similar to those which overlie porphyry copper deposits. The nearest neighbour to Cosuño, in a similar geological setting, the Pulacayo deposit, has a large lithocap that is barren and conceals a major vein that produced 640 million ounces of silver and 200,000 tons each of lead and zinc.’

Key Highlights from Cosuño’s Initial Results

Assays released are from the first two drill holes, Hole CO-0001 and CO-0002, which tested one of four initial surface targets identified within the large ~10.5km2 Cosuño hydrothermal system (Table 1 & Figure 1). The assays demonstrate that silver and gold mineralization identified at surface continues at depth within the lithocap. The results are significant because mineralized Lithocap’s are usually barren in similar Bolivian systems, indicating Cosuño’s potential for further discoveries at depth and in covered areas.

Table 1: Significant drill intersections in DDH CO-0001 and CO-0002.

Notes to the table:

1. Silver equivalent (AgEq) = Ag + (Au * Au price/ Ag price). Assumes a recovery of 100% Ag and 100% Au given the project is early stage and there is no metallurgical test work to date.
2. Prices used Au $3431.54/oz, Ag $40.03/oz (London Bullion Market Association 2025 Average)
3. Above are core lengths as true widths are not known at this time.

Dr. Redwood commented, ‘The gold grades are higher than expected and over significant widths in the Jalsuri target. These results have achieved one of the objectives of the Phase I drill program which was to confirm that the silver anomalies defined by surface rock sampling continue at depth.’

Cosuño Drill Program Overview

The Program tested four high priority targets defined by structurally controlled, outcropping geochemically anomalous to highly anomalous silver-rich polymetallic zones characterized by silicification, intermediate to advanced argillic alteration, sulfides and brecciation: features typical of many significant Bolivian silver deposits. The targets occur within a large ~10.5 km² hydrothermal alteration system as defined by detailed mapping, geochemical sampling and remote sensing alteration studies.

Figures and additional geological background from the initial program can be found in the Company’s October 21, 2025, and November 14, 2025, news releases. Additional results from remaining nine holes will be released once received by assay labs over the coming weeks.

Detail

This marks the first drill program completed within the Cosuño Lithocap: Holes CO-0001 and CO-0002 were drilled in the Jalsuri target, a northwest-southeast trending ridge formed by a prominent mineralised structure (Figure 1 and 2).

CO-0001 (Easting 747065 Northing 7762846) was drilled at an inclination of -45° and direction of 235° to a depth of 101.0 m. CO-0002 (Easting 747063 Northing 7762848) was drilled from the same platform at an inclination of -45° to an azimuth of 175° to a depth of 107.0 m (Table 1, Figure 1 & 2). Both holes cut tuffs with hydrothermal breccias, advanced argillic and argillic alteration, strong silicification, and semi-massive pyrite, all cut by late drusy veinlets of quartz, pyrite, tetrahedrite and silver sulphosalts (Figures 3 to 4).

Figure 1: Summary geological map showing surface geochemistry, initial priority targets and drillhole collar locations – Cosuño Silver Project, Bolivia.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11890/282337_1e8279b0d4637b0c_003full.jpg

Figure 2: Jalsuri Target Cross Section illustrating surface geochemistry, hole CO-0001 trace, mineralization, alteration and geology.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11890/282337_1e8279b0d4637b0c_004full.jpg

Figure 3: Hole CO-0001: Hydrothermal / crackle breccia, intense advanced argillic alteration with pyrite, sulfosalts and sulfides, quartz-alunite-dickite Veinlets, open space with druzy quartz.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11890/282337_1e8279b0d4637b0c_005full.jpg

Figure 4A (Left photo): Hole CO-0001: 49.70m, Polymictic breccia matrix supported pervasive silicification with disseminated sulfosalts, local vuggy silica and quartz-alunite-dickite. Figure 4B (Right Photo): Hole CO-0002: At 60m.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11890/282337_figure4.jpg

Executive Chair Appointment

The Company also announces that Dr. Mark Cruise, previously an independent director of BP Silver, has been appointed as the Company’s Executive Chair, effective February 2, 2026.

Dr. Cruise brings over 30 years of global mining experience from early-stage exploration to production in the base, precious metal and critical mineral industries. His expertise encompasses technical strategy, capital markets (raising over $1B), merger & acquisitions and advanced stakeholder negotiations. He has co-founded and led several billion-dollar exploration and mining companies, and most recently served as COO and CEO of New Pacific Metals, who are developing two silver deposits exceeding 200 million ounces each in Bolivia.

Investor Relations Partnership

BP Silver also announces effective February 1, 2026, it has engaged Adelaide Capital (‘Adelaide‘), a leading investor relations and capital markets advisory firm, to provide investor relations and consulting services to the Company.

Adelaide is a full-service investor relations firm that brings a unique and powerful perspective and a re-engineered investor relations business model. Adelaide will work closely with BP Silver to develop and deploy a comprehensive capital markets program, which includes assisting with non-deal road shows, virtual campaigns, social media, conferences and assisting with investor communication. In exchange for Adelaide’s services, and pursuant to an investor relations consulting agreement (the ‘IRA‘), the Company has agreed to pay a monthly fee of C$10,000 for a three-month term. Adelaide is an arm’s length company based in Toronto, Ontario. As of the date hereof, Adelaide does not have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities except for being previously granted 50,000 options of the Company. The IRA is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Stewart D. Redwood, PhD, FIMMM, a Director of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. As Dr. Redwood is a director of the Company, he is not independent under National Instrument 43-101.

Mineralization at the Pulacayo deposit is not necessarily indicative of mineralization at the Cosuño Project. Information on production from the Pulacayo deposit was obtained SERGEOMIN, Bulletin of the National Service of Geology and Mining, No. 30, pp. 119-120.

QA/QC

The work program was designed and supervised by Gonzalo Lemuz, P.Geo, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, who was responsible for all aspects of the work, including the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) program. On-site personnel at the Project rigorously collect and track samples which are then security sealed and shipped to ALS laboratory in Oruro for sample preparation. The core samples were prepared by ALS at their laboratory in Oruro, Bolivia and the sample pulps were shipped to their laboratory in El Callao, Peru for analysis. ALS is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO9001:2015. ALS is independent of BP Silver. Silver and multi-elements were analysed by aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS finish. Gold was analysed by fire assay and AA finish. BPAG inserted certified standard reference materials (CSRM), blanks and duplicates to monitor QAQC. All diamond drill holes were drilled in HQ diameter. The average core recovery was 97.5% for CO-0001 and 95% for CO-0002.

About BP Silver Corp.

BP Silver Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing high-grade silver projects in Bolivia. The Company’s flagship asset, the Cosuño Project, is strategically located in the prolific Bolivian silver belt, a region with a rich mining history and significant untapped discovery potential. With a strong technical team and a disciplined exploration strategy, BP Silver is positioned to unlock value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of major silver deposits.

For further information please contact:

Tim Shearcroft, Chief Executive Officer
604-307-7032
Info@BPSilverCorp.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such factors include, among other things: future prices and the supply of silver and other precious and other metals; future demand for silver and other valuable metals; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; risks of the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; and failure to obtain necessary regulatory or shareholder approvals. 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. 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 as required by law.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Source

Tungsten West (LON:TUN), the mining company focused on restarting production at the Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine (‘Hemerdon’ or the ‘Project’) in Devon, UK, is pleased to provide an update on its Project Financing initiatives and operational activities, against the backdrop of favourable market conditions for the Company’s primary commodities.

Highlights

• Debt funding progressing well, with a number of potential lenders advanced into term sheet stage
• Long-lead orders for key equipment and detailed engineering work advanced
• Onboarding of key Project resources to commence the refurbishment and start-up process
• Multiple offtake term sheets and letters of intent being progressed
• Uplift in Project economics calculated using recent tungsten and tin market pricing:
  • The Project’s forecast Net Present Value 7.5% (‘NPV’) increases from US$190 million to US$1.7 billion
  • The Project’s Internal Rate of Return (‘IRR’) increases from 29% to 197%
  • Near term EBITDA estimates increase over fourfold
• Publication of updated Corporate Presentation

Jeff Court, CEO of Tungsten West, commented:

‘The structural shift in the tungsten market that we have seen since the end of 2024 reflects the ever growing need to provide critical mineral diversification and supply chain resilience to Western economies. The Project Updated Feasibility Study released in August 2025 demonstrated solid financial returns from the Company’s approach to restarting activities at Hemerdon with a greatly improved and robust mineral process flow sheet, plant modifications and access to high quality ore in the pre-existing open pit mine. In the relatively short time since releasing the Updated Feasibility Study, tungsten prices have increased over 200% and tin prices over 70%. As the Company is fully leveraged to market prices, the Project’s economics have vastly improved, underlining the importance of advancing the Project rapidly.

‘To this end, in addition to the well-advanced Project Financing, we have accelerated Project re-commissioning work, including ordering long-lead items and engaging key project resources for the refurbishment works. This work programme will have the Company producing tungsten concentrate within 12 months of funding. I look forward to further updating shareholders on our progress across these areas in due course.’

Project Financing update

Debt funding is progressing well, with a number of potential lenders advanced into term sheet stage. These are in addition to the Expression of Interest from the US EXIM bank previously announced on 28 August 2025. Timelines for these work streams are aligned with the Project Financing requirements. The Company will update the market on developments before the end of Q1 2026.

Operational activities

In parallel with ongoing Project Financing, Tungsten West is continuing momentum on workstreams required for project recommissioning. The Company has progressed long-lead orders for key equipment, detailed engineering work, and has begun on-boarding key Project resources to commence the refurbishment and start-up process whilst simultaneously advancing the operational pre-conditions required to recommence operations.

The Company’s efforts have been bolstered by buoyant tungsten and tin markets, which have further brought into focus Tungsten West’s ability to bring online a globally significant, fully permitted, shovel ready tungsten and tin resource, with high production levels forecasted for both critical minerals. Tungsten West is well positioned to capitalise on a relatively low capital cost and a short lead time to commercial production of less than 12 months from the commencement of construction. Commissioning activities and preliminary concentrate generation are targeted to begin within nine months of concluding Project Financing.

Further to this, the Company has progressed multiple offtake term sheets and letters of intent, in addition to holding advanced stage negotiations in relation to offtake agreements, accounting for over 300% of the Company’s peak production levels for tungsten concentrate.

Project economics update

Current market conditions have had a very favourable impact on the Project’s economics. The Company’s Feasibility Study released on 5 August 2025 was based on the market pricing of tungsten (APT) of US$400/mtu and tin at US$32,500/t. The prevailing market prices as of 28 January 2026 were US$1,313/mtu for APT and US$55,953/t for tin. The impact of this on the Project economics are summarised below:

• The Project’s forecast NPV7.5% increases from US$190 million to US$1.7 billion;
• The Project’s IRR increases from 29% to 197%; and
• Near term EBITDA estimates increase over fourfold

Corporate Presentation

The Company has updated its Corporate Presentation, including the updated Project economics for both the long-range commodity price forecasts and current spot levels, which is significant for Hemerdon given the rapid restart timeline that can be achieved post concluding the Project Financing process. The updated Corporate Presentation can be viewed here: https://www.tungstenwest.com/

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation 596/2014 as amended by the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Enquiries

Follow us on X @TungstenWest

Source

Gold streaming took center stage at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference last week as Randy Smallwood, president and CEO of Wheaton Precious Metals (TSX:WPM,NYSE:WPM), laid out why the model is drawing renewed investor attention amid today’s high gold and silver prices.

Speaking during a fireside chat, Smallwood positioned streaming as a lower-risk way for investors to gain exposure to precious metals at a time when rising commodities prices are amplifying cost pressures across the mining sector.

“From the investor’s perspective, streaming is a much lower-risk way of investing into the precious metal space,” he said.

Under a streaming agreement, companies like Wheaton provide upfront capital to mining operators in exchange for a percentage of future metal production, typically at a fixed cost per ounce. That structure, he said, shields streamers from many of the operational risks that weigh on traditional miners.

“One of the biggest failures in the mining industry is cost delivery — capital cost and operating cost,” Smallwood said. “When you’re investing into a streaming company, you take that risk out. Our costs are all defined in the contract.”

At current prices, that distinction has become more pronounced. Gold has been trading above US$5,000 per ounce, while silver recently pushed past US$100, levels that have reignited investor interest but also raised concerns about inflation in mining costs.

Smallwood said Wheaton’s model allows it to maintain high margins even in a higher-price environment, noting that the company’s average production payment last year was “probably $500 per gold equivalent ounce.”

“It’s a very good time to be in a streaming business,” he said.

Wheaton in particular is coming off a strong 2025. Smallwood said the company expects 2025 production to come in near the top of its previously guided range of 600,000 to 670,000 gold equivalent ounces, with cash costs slightly below US$500 per ounce. Updated guidance is expected mid-February.

The company has also been active on the deal front. In 2025, Wheaton committed roughly US$1 billion across several transactions, including investments in the Spring Valley project in Nevada and the Hemlo gold mine in Ontario.

The Hemlo transaction, finalized in November, illustrates how streaming fits into broader mine recapitalizations. As Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B) exited the asset, Wheaton closed a previously announced gold stream with the mine’s new owner, providing US$300 million in upfront funding as part of a larger financing package.

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

News Provided by TMX Newsfile via QuoteMedia

(TheNewswire)

 

February2, 2026 TheNewswire – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – JZR Gold Inc. (the ‘Company’ or ‘JZR’) (TSX-V: JZR) today provides a review of key operational and corporate progress achieved during 2025, while outlining expectations for 2026 as the Company works with its partners toward revenue generation and cash flow from its interest in the Vila Nova Gold Project (the ‘Project’ or ‘Vila Nova Project’) in Brazil.

 

2025 Highlights

• Advanced the Vila Nova Gold Project to production, successful installment of a gravimetric which led the production of gold concentrate. 

 

2025 Vila Nova Activity Update

 

Over the past year, JZR focused on disciplined execution and working diligently with ECO Mining Oil & Gaz Drilling Exploration (EIRELI) (‘ECO‘), the operator of the Vila Nova Gold Project located in the State of Amapa, Brazil.  The Company’s and ECO’s combined efforts resulted in the Vila Nova Gold Project receiving all required approvals to bring the Project closer to production.  The Company possesses a 50% Net Profit Interest (as defined in a Joint Venture Royalty Agreement (‘JVRA‘) with ECO) from all Net Profit (as defined in the JVRA) generated from the Vila Nova Gold Project.  In October 2025, the Company was advised that ECO completed commissioning and testing of the 800 tonnes-per-day gravimetric mill and produced the project’s first gold concentrate.

 

Throughout 2025, ECO advanced the facility toward steady-state operations by hiring and training personnel, replacing and upgrading several components, and optimizing plant performance. Following initial concentrate production, material has been stockpiled on site while the operation focused on processing higher-grade material once operational consistency has been achieved. The Company has been advised that two potential buyers of gold concentrate have since visited the site to review the facility and operations, and concentrate samples have been submitted for independent analysis, with results expected in the near term.

 

‘These steps were not isolated milestones,’ said Robert Klenk, Chief Executive Officer of JZR Gold. ‘They reflect a methodical progression toward sustainable operations by ECO. The focus throughout 2025 was ensuring that ECO was able to secure the necessary permits, and to ensure that the plant, people, and processes were in place to support anticipated long-term production by ECO.’

 

In parallel with operational advancement, JZR strengthened its financial position. In October 2025, the Company received $1.6 million in proceeds from the full exercise of outstanding warrants, providing additional working capital flexibility while limiting shareholder dilution.

 

Looking ahead, management expects 2026 to represent a transformational year. ECO is working toward fully ramping the Vila Nova facility to its designed capacity of 800 tonnes per day, positioning the Project to generate gold concentrate sales, revenue, and cash flow. Under the JVRA, JZR earned a 50% interest in 2023 in the Project by making certain payments to ECO totaling US$6,000,000, which funded 100% of the purchase and installation of the processing plant and mill. Once revenue is generated by ECO, as anticipated, JZR is to be repaid for those capital contributions while retaining its 50% Net Profit Interest.

 

Importantly, the Vila Nova Project stands apart in an increasingly scrutinized regulatory environment, underscoring the value of JZR and ECO’s long-standing commitment to operating a fully licensed and permitted project at both the state and federal levels. ‘As governments increase oversight, compliant projects with established permits and infrastructure become increasingly valuable,’ Klenk added. ‘We believe Vila Nova is well-positioned in that regard, and we are proud of the responsible framework under which the project has been developed.’

 

With operational readiness largely established, financing risk reduced, and regulatory clarity in place, JZR enters 2026 with a clear objective: to transition from an issuer with an interest in non-revenue exploration assets to a revenue-generating royalty holder with cash flow. Management believes the groundwork laid over the past year has positioned the Company to pursue that goal with discipline and confidence.

 

Marketing Agreement with AllPennyStocks.com Media Inc.

The Company is pleased to announce it has entered into a marketing agreement with AllPennyStocks.com Media Inc. (‘APS‘), subject to TSXV approval.

 

Pursuant to its agreement with APS (the ‘APS Agreement‘), APS will provide investor relations and marketing services to the Company over an initial term of eight (8) months, commencing February 3, 2026, in consideration of an aggregate of US$67,500.00. APS will work with the Company to develop and release a series of media syndication articles through an expanded distribution circuit designed to increase investor awareness of the Company. APS is based in Mississauga; Ontario based and operates the website https://www.allpennystocks.com/. Neither APS, nor any of its respective directors or officers own any securities of the Company or any right to acquire securities of the Company. APS is an arm’s length party to the Company.

 

APS, founded in 1999, is a leading authority in the micro-cap space, with its content prominently featured across numerous top-tier financial platforms, reaching a broad audience of investors and industry professionals.

 

Results of 2025 Annual General and Special Shareholder’s Meeting

 

The Company is also pleased to announce the results of its 2025 Annual General and Special Meeting (‘AGM‘) of shareholders held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Shareholders approved all the resolutions detailed in the management information circular of the Company (the ‘Circular‘), including:

 

• Electing all of management’s nominees to the Board of Directors of the Company. 

• Approving and reconfirming the Equity Incentive Plan for the Company. 

 

A total of 29,848,272 common shares of the Company were voted at the AGM, representing approximately 38.32% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company.

 

About JZR Gold Inc.

 

JZR Gold Inc is a junior mining resource company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. It is engaged in the business of the exploration and development of mineral properties. The Company holds interests in the Province of British Columbia, Canada and the State of Amapá, Brazil. The Spider mine in B.C. are gold and silver exploration targets. The Company’s flagship exploration interest is the Vila Nova Gold Project, which is currently in the development stage.

 

For more information, please visit our website at www.jzrgold.com.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Robert Klenk

Chief Executive Officer

E: rob@jazzresources.ca
T: 604.329.9092

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which includes any information about activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future.  Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements with respect to the expected processing of high-grade material from the Project and subsequent sales of product derived therefrom, statements regarding the Company’s transition to a revenue-generating issuer with cash flow, statements regarding the services to be provided by APS and statements with respect to the anticipated use of proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants.  Forward-looking information reflects the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it.  Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.  These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mineral exploration industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks related to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions; risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with the specifications or expectations, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks related to adverse weather conditions; geopolitical risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company’s continuous disclosure documents filed with the Canadian securities regulators.  The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.  The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws.

 

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 press release.

 

None of the securities of JZR have been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act’), or any state securities law, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or ‘U.S. persons’ (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy in the United States nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (February 2) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.

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

Bitcoin price performance, February 2, 2025.

Chart via TradingView

Bitcoin slid to its lowest level since April last year over the weekend, briefly touching the US$74,000 mark. The drop capped Bitcoin’s fourth consecutive monthly decline and its longest losing streak in seven years.

“The crypto market is currently suffering from panic among speculative participants,” said Samer Hasn, senior market analyst at XS.com, pointing to a steep contraction in derivatives activity and persistent outflows from spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.

According to CoinGlass data, total crypto futures open interest has fallen to US$109 billion, down 53 percent from its all-time high, while Bitcoin futures open interest alone has declined 44 percent from peak levels.

Geopolitical uncertainty has added another layer of strain. “Concerns surrounding the situation with Iran were the main news factor weighing on the market,” said Vasily Shilov, chief business development officer at SwapSpace. Shilov noted that heightened geopolitical rhetoric, combined with trade threats and the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep rates unchanged, has pushed investors toward liquid assets and away from higher-risk exposure.

Some analysts caution that bearish sentiment may persist into the first half of the year. Ray Youssef, chief executive officer of NoOnes, said capital outflows into precious metals and uncertainty around US fiscal policy have tilted market dynamics firmly in favor of sellers.

While Bitcoin found temporary support near US$75,000, Youssef said the US$73,000 level is now critical, with a sustained break potentially accelerating losses. Investors now look towards upcoming developments on US economic data and the Congress’ direction on crypto policy as signals on whether the current drawdown marks another stress test or the start of a deeper bear phase.

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$2,248.63, down by 3.3 percent over the last 24 hours.

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.

Gold streaming took center stage at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) last week as Randy Smallwood, president and chief executive officer of Wheaton Precious Metals (TSX:WPM,NYSE:WPM)s, laid out why the model is drawing renewed investor attention amid record gold and silver prices.

Speaking during a fireside chat at the conference, Smallwood positioned streaming as a lower-risk way for investors to gain exposure to precious metals at a time when rising commodity prices are amplifying cost pressures across the mining sector.

“From the investor’s perspective, streaming is a much lower risk way of investing into the precious metal space,” Smallwood said.

Under a streaming agreement, companies like Wheaton provide upfront capital to mining operators in exchange for a percentage of future metal production, typically at a fixed cost per ounce. That structure, he said, shields streamers from many of the operational risks that weigh on traditional miners.

“One of the biggest failures in the mining industry is cost delivery—capital cost and operating cost,” Smallwood said. “When you’re investing into a streaming company, you take that risk out. Our costs are all defined in the contract.”

At current prices, that distinction has become more pronounced. Gold has been trading above US$5,000 per ounce, while silver recently pushed past US$100, levels that have reignited investor interest but also raised concerns about inflation in mining costs.

Smallwood said Wheaton’s model allows it to maintain high margins even in a higher-price environment, noting that the company’s average production payment last year was “probably $500 per gold equivalent ounce.”

“It’s a very good time to be in a streaming business,” he said.

Wheaton in particular is coming off a strong 2025. Smallwood said the company expects 2025 production to come in near the top of its previously guided range of 600,000 to 670,000 gold equivalent ounces, with cash costs slightly below US$500 per ounce. Updated guidance is expected mid-February.

The company has also been active on the deal front. In 2025, Wheaton committed roughly US$1 billion across several transactions, including investments in the Spring Valley project in Nevada and the Hemlo gold mine in Ontario.

The Hemlo transaction, finalized in November, illustrates how streaming fits into broader mine recapitalizations. As Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B) exited the asset, Wheaton closed a previously announced gold stream with the mine’s new owner, providing US$300 million in upfront funding as part of a larger financing package.

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