Asset Compass Now
Archive

August 20, 2025

Browsing
Investing

Allied Critical Metals Appoints Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen as a Director of Allied Critical Metals USA

Investing 6 Mins Read

Highlights:

  • Secretary Nielsen joins the board of directors of Allied USA.
  • Secretary Nielsen is a leading expert on United States national security matters and has advised government agencies, private sector companies, international organizations, and NGOs on assessing their risk posture and increasing their resiliency.
  • Allied USA is focused on importation, marketing and sales of tungsten into the United States.

Allied Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: ACM,OTC:ACMIF) (OTCQB: ACMIF) (FSE: 0VJ0) (‘Allied’ or the ‘Company’), which is focused on its 100% owned past producing Borralha and Vila Verde tungsten projects in northern Portugal, is pleased to announce the appointment of former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen as a Director of Allied’s wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Allied Critical Metals (USA) Inc. (‘Allied USA’).

As a Director of Allied USA, Secretary Nielsen will provide strategic counsel to Allied USA, which is focused on the importation, marketing, and distribution of tungsten across key U.S. sectors. Her appointment comes as the Company deepens its engagement with U.S. government agencies and defense partners to ensure a secure, domestic supply of critical materials vital to national security.

‘Secretary Nielsen brings deep expertise in homeland security, public policy, and critical infrastructure,’ commented Roy Bonnell, CEO of the Company. ‘Her insights into federal operations, supply chain resilience, and defense readiness will be invaluable as we position ACM as a trusted partner in strengthening America’s access to strategic minerals like tungsten.’

Secretary Nielsen served as the sixth Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from 2017 to 2019, where she led efforts to protect the homeland from evolving threats, including cyberattacks, terrorism, and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. She previously served as Principal Deputy Chief of Staff to the President and Chief of Staff at DHS, and was a senior advisor under the George W. Bush administration, where she helped shape national preparedness policy following the 9/11 attacks.

In addition to her government service, Secretary Nielsen has held leadership roles in the private sector, including as president of a consulting firm focused on risk management and resilience. She has advised Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, and global organizations on security, strategic response, and continuity of operations.

‘I am honored to join Allied Critical Metals at such a pivotal time,’ commented Secretary Nielsen. ‘Securing the domestic supply of critical materials like tungsten is essential to national security, economic resilience, and global competitiveness. I look forward to supporting Allied USA’s efforts to strengthen the U.S. supply chain and advance its mission.’

Tungsten is a critical mineral used in aerospace, defense, electronics, and energy applications. ACM is committed to becoming a reliable Western supplier of tungsten, reducing dependence on non-aligned sources and supporting U.S. and allied interests in the critical minerals sector.

About Allied Critical Metals Inc.

Allied Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: ACM,OTC:ACMIF) (OTCQB: ACMIF) (FSE: 0VJ0) is a Canadian-based mining company focused on the expansion and revitalization of its 100% owned past producing Borralha Tungsten Project and the Vila Verde Tungsten Project in northern Portugal. Tungsten has been designated a critical metal by the United States and other western countries, as they are aggressively seeking friendly sources of this unique metal. Currently, China, Russia and North Korea represent approximately 86% of the total global supply and reserves. The tungsten market is estimated to be valued at approximately USD $5 to $6 billion and it is used in a variety of industries such as defense, automotive, manufacturing, electronics, and energy.

Please visit our website at www.alliedcritical.com.

Also visit us at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allied-critical-metals-inc
X: https://x.com/@alliedcritical/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliedcriticalmetals/

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Per: ‘Roy Bonnell’

Roy Bonnell
Chief Executive Officer and Director

Contact Information

For further information or investor relations inquiries, please contact:
Dave Burwell, Vice President, Corporate Development
Tel: 403 410 7907 | Toll Free: 1-888-221-0915
Email: daveb@alliedcritical.com

The Canadian Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities of the Company have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains ‘forward-looking statements’, including with respect to the use of proceeds. Wherever possible, words such as ‘may’, ‘would’, ‘could’, ‘should’, ‘will’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘plan’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘estimate’, ‘potential for’ and similar expressions have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of the Company’s management for future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, those listed in the Company’s Listing Statement and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca). Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed timeline and use of proceeds for exploration and development of the Company’s mineral projects as described in the Company’s Listing Statement, news releases, and corporate presentations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These factors should be considered carefully, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company’s Listing Statement dated April 23, 2025 and news release dated May 16, 2025, and the documents incorporated by reference therein, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/263183

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
Investing

Crypto Market Update: Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Record US$1.3 Billion in Outflows

Investing 4 Mins Read

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (August 20) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.

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

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$113,687, a 1.6 percent decline in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$112,647, while its highest was US$115,789.

Bitcoin price performance, August 20, 2025.

Chart via TradingView

Bitcoin continued its consolidation as investors awaited signals from the Federal Reserve ahead of Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech. The decline mirrored a wider crypto pullback, fueled by liquidations and bearish sentiment. Despite short-term pressure, data shows long-term holders remain confident in Bitcoin’s outlook.

Ethereum (ETH) was priced at US$4,216.39, down by 2.3 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$4,074.50, and its highest valuation was US$4,311.87.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$181.14, down by 0.3 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$1176.13, while its highest level was US$182.90.
  • XRP was trading for US$2.89, down 4.1 percent in the past 24 hours, and its highest valuation of the day. Its lowest was US$2.86.
  • Sui (SUI) was trading at US$3.48, down by 2.5 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3.42, while its highest was US$3.64.
  • Cardano (ADA) was trading at US$0.8572, down 7.9 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$0.8449, while its highest was US$0.9454.

Today’s crypto news to know

Bitcoin and Ether ETFs shed nearly US$1 billion, Fear & Greed index slips to “Fear”

Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw a wave of investor withdrawals this week, totaling nearly US$1 billion in just three days.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded US$533 million in outflows on Tuesday (August 19), more than quadruple Monday’s figure. Ether ETFs also faced steep losses, with outflows jumping from US$200 million on Monday to US$422 million the next day.

Together, the two assets have seen US$1.3 billion in withdrawals since last Wednesday, coinciding with price declines of 8.3 percent for Bitcoin and 10.8 percent for Ether.

Investor sentiment in the crypto market has turned sharply negative following three straight days of heavy ETF outflows.

The widely followed Crypto Fear & Greed Index dropped to 44 on Wednesday, slipping into the “Fear” category for the first time in weeks. The index tracks volatility, market momentum, and trading activity to gauge overall mood, and its decline reflects mounting concerns over recent price drops.

Fed supervision chief pushes for Crypto integration

Michelle Bowman, the US Federal Reserve’s new vice chair for supervision, signaled strong support for crypto adoption in her first major policy speech on the subject.

Speaking at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, Bowman argued that banks risk becoming irrelevant if they fail to embrace digital assets, calling for a “clear, strategic regulatory framework” tailored to crypto rather than relying on outdated banking standards.

Bowman, who was nominated by President Donald Trump and sworn in two months ago, will play a central role in shaping US rules for stablecoins under the GENIUS Act.

In her remarks, she highlighted tokenization’s potential to reduce costs and improve financial efficiency, while stressing that regulators must distinguish digital assets from traditional instruments. She even suggested Fed staff should be allowed to hold small amounts of crypto to gain hands-on experience, likening it to learning how to ski by actually putting on skis.

‘We stand at a crossroads: we can either seize the opportunity to shape the future or risk being left behind,’ Bowman said.

South Korea halts new crypto lending amid investor losses, regulatory scrutiny

South Korea’s financial watchdog has ordered domestic crypto exchanges to stop offering new lending products, citing rising risks and investor losses.

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) confirmed that exchanges must suspend fresh lending operations until official guidelines are finalized.

Existing contracts, including repayments and maturity rollovers, will be allowed to continue in the meantime.

The decision follows reports of forced liquidations, with one exchange seeing over 3,600 users lose funds out of 27,600 participants in just a month, representing roughly US$1.1 billion in trading volume. Regulators also flagged cases of Tether-based lending that triggered unusual selling pressure on the stablecoin.

The FSC said it will carry out inspections and take enforcement action against platforms that fail to comply.

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

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
Business

Best Buy launches third-party marketplace as it looks for sales drivers

Business 4 Mins Read

Best Buy is launching a third-party marketplace, as it tries to bulk up the variety of merchandise it offers and reverse slower sales.

Starting on Tuesday, shoppers who go to Best Buy’s website and app will see products and brands that weren’t available there before, including more tech-related accessories like custom video game controllers and some nontech items including seasonal decor and sports collectibles.

The company’s online marketplace riffs off those of other retailers, such as Amazon and Walmart, by relying on third-party sellers to stock, sell and ship inventory and taking a cut of their sales in the form of a commission.

“Everything we do is really centered around the customer and their technology needs, and we do see customers actually doing a lot of consumer electronics transactions through marketplaces,” Chief Customer, Product and Fulfillment Officer Jason Bonfig said. “And as a result of that, we need to make adjustments to be where the customer’s at.”

He said Best Buy noticed gaps in its assortment that the new platform will help it fill. For instance, Bonfig said the company didn’t carry batteries for some older cameras or cases for older smartphones. And it didn’t offer some items that complement Best Buy purchases, such as furniture that goes around a big-screen TV or cookware to use with a new kitchen appliance.

Along with adding those items, the marketplace makes it possible for smaller vendors with innovative products to sell on Best Buy’s website when they’re not yet big enough to make or distribute the volume needed for its stores, he added.

Best Buy’s marketplace launches at a time when its business could use a boost. Its annual sales have declined over the past three years as the company contends with a sluggish housing market, selective consumer spending and a decline in device replacements after a spike in tech purchases during the Covid pandemic.

The company cut its sales outlook in May and said it expects full-year revenue to range from $41.1 billion to $41.9 billion. That would be similar to Best Buy’s annual revenue of $41.5 billion in the most recent fiscal year, but below the numbers it posted in the years leading up to and during the pandemic.

Best Buy will share its most recent earnings results and sales forecast on Aug. 28.

Tariffs have complicated the backdrop for Best Buy, too, since the higher duties have added costs for consumer electronics vendors and distracted them from other priorities like research and development that leads to new and innovative products, said Jonathan Matuszewski, a retail analyst at Jefferies. He said Best Buy tends to win sales instead of big-box or online competitors when there’s a leap forward in technology.

With the platform’s launch, Best Buy joins other retailers that have jumped on the trend of introducing or expanding third-party marketplaces. Lowe’s and Nordstrom started marketplaces last year. Ulta Beauty plans to launch its own later this year. And Target said it will expand its existing marketplace, Target Plus.

On Best Buy’s earnings call in May, CEO Corie Barry described the third-party marketplace as one of the company’s strategic priorities for the year. She said that new profit stream “is even more important in this environment” and will provide greater flexibility with the range of items and price points.

Plus, she said the marketplace supports the company’s growing advertising business. Sellers can buy ads for their products, including by paying for better placement in search results.

Marketplaces and the advertising opportunities that come with them tend drive higher profits for retailers, said Justin MacFarlane, a managing director for the global retail group of AlixPartners. Sellers buy, stock and ship products instead of the retailer, and take on both the expense of buying inventory and the risk that they may have to mark down unwanted items, he said.

Yet the business model comes with risks, too, he said. For instance, sellers may not have the same standards as a retailer and it could anger a retailer’s customers if they send products in torn boxes, with missing pieces or days later than expected. And he said retailers can flood their websites with so many different categories, brands and products that they overwhelm customers with choices that seem irrelevant to their company’s identity.

“You get addicted to the growth and more is more until it’s not,” he said.

At launch, Best Buy’s marketplace will have about 500 sellers, Bonfig said. He said the company vetted applicants and whittled them down to the ones who can provide a high-quality customer experience. The sellers must match Best Buy’s return policy, he added.

Customers can return purchases either directly to the seller or to Best Buy stores, he said.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Keep Reading
Business

Apple just landed a key win for the global encryption fight

Business 2 Mins Read

Apple clinched a major win Monday after the U.S. government announced that the U.K. had agreed to drop its demand for the company to provide a “back door” granting officials access to users’ encrypted data.

The iPhone maker won’t be alone to rejoice in the outcome.

The development came after extensive talks between Britain and the U.S., which had raised national security concerns over the request.

At the root of the row was end-to-end encryption, a technology which secures communications between two devices in a way that means not even the company providing a chat service can view any messages.

The story of Apple’s U.K. privacy battle started earlier this year, when it was reported that the British government had demanded access to the company’s encrypted cloud service via a technical “back door.”

Such a back door has long been contested by Apple. In 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation tried to get Apple to create software that would enable it to unlock an iPhone it recovered from one of the shooters involved in the 2015 terror attack in San Bernardino, California.

Other companies have also had to fend off government attempts to undermine end-to-end encryption. For example, when Meta announced plans to encrypt all messages on its Facebook Messenger app, the move drew condemnation from the U.K. Home Office. Meta had already offered encryption on WhatsApp.

The Monday news could have broader implications for the debate around end-to-end encryption globally.

Governments and law enforcement agencies have long pushed for methods to break such encryption systems to assist with criminal investigations into terrorism and child sexual abuse.

However, tech companies have said that building an encryption back door would not only undermine user privacy, but also expose them to possible cyberattacks. Cybersecurity experts say that any back door built for a government would eventually be found and exploited by hackers.

U.S. national intelligence officials were also worried by the ramifications of Apple offering such a back door.

For Apple, the U.K.‘s concession over encryption could mean that the company can bring back its most secure service for users’ cloud data, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), which the company stopped offering to Brits in February.

It is not yet clear if Apple will reintroduce its ADP service to the U.K. market.

CNBC has reached out to Apple and the U.K. government for comment.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Keep Reading