Crypto ETFs Just Hit a Brick Wall -- But Trump Might Blow It Wide Open
ETF issuers REX Financial and Osprey Funds are trying to push the crypto envelope and the SEC isn't thrilled. Both firms recently proposed funds that would let investors earn yield by staking Ether and Solana tokens. Think of it like earning dividends, except from validating blockchain transactions. The SEC initially let the proposals through a key filing stage, but within hours, staff flagged a major problem: these funds might not legally qualify as investment companies. That's because staking rewards fall into a regulatory gray zone and the SEC isn't ready to redraw the lines just yet.
At the core is the 1946 Howey test, which says something is a security if investors expect profits from others' efforts. Staking arguably fits that mold. But here's the catch: the SEC has given mixed signals on what staking really is. Just last week, staff said federal securities laws generally don't apply to staking. Now they're saying the opposite. Commissioner Hester Peirce who leads the SEC's crypto task force publicly echoed the confusion, saying she's wrestling with the same questions. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is steering in a different direction entirely. President Trump has embraced crypto, stacked up a Bitcoin (BTC-USD) reserve, and welcomed memecoin fans into the fold. His message? The U.S. should be the crypto capital of the world.
Despite the tension, crypto insiders think the path forward is still open. Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan sees this as part of a deliberate evolution futures ETFs first, then spot, and now staking. And recent precedent suggests the SEC can be flexible. Earlier this year, staff initially blocked a private credit ETF by State Street and Apollo Global, but the firms adjusted and got it back on track. Whether the same happens here remains to be seen. But one thing's certain: yield-hungry investors and crypto-native funds are pushing hard, and regulators will need to make up their minds soon.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
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Chirano Mine – Outlook For the year ending January 31, 2026, the Company plans to execute on its growth strategy which includes: Execution of process plant projects as planned to improve performance and increase the annual mine production rate to 4Mt/annum. This includes vibrating screen for primary jaw crusher installation, run-of-mine bin refurbishment, apron feeder upgrade, cyclone feed hopper upgrade, carbon regeneration kilns upgrade, mill 2 feed end and half shell replacement, installation of 12-ton acid wash and elution columns, installation of thermic oil heaters, water storage facility construction, TSF1 SE stage 2 raise and TSF3 construction. Underground development of the Akwaaba, Tano and Akoti far south mines to ensure robust underground ore delivery. 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Non-IFRS Measures This news release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'), including 'all-in sustaining costs' (or 'AISC'), 'earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization' (or 'EBITDA'), and free cash flow. Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The data presented is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS and should be read in conjunction with Asante's consolidated financial statements. Readers should refer to Asante's Management Discussion and Analysis under the heading "Non-IFRS Measures" for a more detailed discussion of how Asante calculates certain of such measures and a reconciliation of certain measures to IFRS terms. About Asante Gold Corporation Asante is a gold exploration, development and operating company with a high-quality portfolio of projects and mines in Ghana. Asante is currently operating the Bibiani and Chirano Gold Mines and continues with detailed technical studies at its Kubi Gold Project. All mines and exploration projects are located on the prolific Bibiani and Ashanti Gold Belts. Asante has an experienced and skilled team of mine finders, builders and operators, with extensive experience in Ghana. The Company is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Ghana Stock Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Asante is also exploring its Keyhole, Fahiakoba and Betenase projects for new discoveries, all adjoining or along strike of major gold mines near the centre of Ghana's Golden Triangle. Additional information is available on the Company's website at About the Bibiani Gold Mine Bibiani is an operating open pit gold mine situated in the Western North Region of Ghana, with previous gold production of more than 4.5 million ounces. It is fully permitted with available mining and processing infrastructure on-site consisting of a newly refurbished 3 million tonne per annum process plant and existing mining infrastructure. Asante commenced mining at Bibiani in late February 2022 with the first gold pour announced on July 7, 2022. Commercial production was announced November 10, 2022. For additional information relating to the mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates for the Bibiani Gold Mine, please refer to the 2024 Bibiani Technical Report filed on the Company's SEDAR profile ( on April 30, 2024. About the Chirano Gold Mine Chirano is an operating open pit and underground mine located in the Western Region of Ghana, immediately south of the Company's Bibiani Gold Mine. Chirano was first explored and developed in 1996 and began production in October 2005. The mine comprises the Akwaaba, Suraw, Akoti South, Akoti North, Akoti Extended, Paboase, Tano, Obra South, Obra, Sariehu and Mamnao open pits and the Akwaaba and Paboase underground mines. For additional information relating to the mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates for the Chirano Gold Mine, please refer to the 2024 Chirano Technical Report filed on the Company's SEDAR profile ( on April 30, 2024. For further information please contact: Dave Anthony, President and CEOFrederick Attakumah, Executive Vice President and Country Director info@ 604 661 9400 or +233 303 972 147 Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: production, free cash flow and all-in sustaining costs forecasts for the Bibiani and Chirano Gold Mines, estimated mineral resources, reserves, exploration results and potential, development programs, expansion and mine life extension opportunities, completion and timing of plant upgrades, commencement of underground mining, and completion and timing of external financing by the Company. These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include: the impact of inflation and disruptions to the global, regional and local supply chains; tonnage of mineralized material to be mined and processed; future anticipated prices for gold and assumed foreign exchange rates; the timing and impact of planned capital expenditure projects, including anticipated sustaining, project, and exploration expenditures; risks related to increased barriers to trade, including tariffs and duties; ore grades and recoveries; capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates; our mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour-related disruptions at any of our operations; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for our operations are received in a timely manner; our ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to mineral properties and the surface rights necessary for our operations, including contractual rights from third parties and adjacent property owners; whether the Company is able to maintain a strong financial condition and have sufficient capital, or have access to capital, to sustain our business and operations; and our ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the duration and effect of local and world-wide inflationary pressures and the potential for economic recessions; fluctuations in the price of gold; fluctuations in currency markets; operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; employee relations; relationships and claims by local communities; changes in laws, regulations and government practices in the jurisdictions where we operate, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and political, legal or economic developments in countries where the Company may carry on business, including legal restrictions relating to mining, risks relating to expropriation; variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its planned activities, the Company's inability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business and growth strategies, and those risk factors identified in the Company's management's discussions and analysis and the most recent annual information form. The reader is referred to the Company's public disclosure record which is available on SEDAR ( Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except as required by securities laws and the policies of the securities exchanges on which the Company is listed, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. LEI Number: 529900F9PV1G9S5YD446. 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