S&P Global Forecasts Massive Copper Deficit Driven by AI and Military Growth

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

The race for artificial intelligence and rising defense spending will exacerbate a predicted copper shortage as producers struggle to grow, according to a recent study by S&P Global.

In a report supported by the mining sector, S&P Global stated on Thursday that demand growth is quickening at the same time that mine supply is reaching structural limits, increasing the possibility that copper will become a barrier to economic expansion and technological advancement.

Copper has risen to record highs above $13,000 per metric ton in London due to numerous mine outages and traders’ efforts to hoard the metal in the US in anticipation of potential tariffs by the Trump administration

Although prices have surpassed levels suggested by underlying consumption due to the flow of copper into US warehouses, new areas of demand indicate an even tighter market in the long run.
According to S&P Global, the demand for copper will increase by 50% from current levels to 42 million metric tons by 2040.

Most copper demand still comes from traditional sources like construction, appliances, transportation, and power generation, but the largest portion of growth is coming from energy-transition uses like batteries, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and grid expansion.

Copper consumption associated with AI infrastructure and data centers is predicted to soar as the installed capacity of data centers worldwide nearly quadruples by 2040. According to the study, demand from AI, data centers, and international defense spending could almost triple by 2040, adding 4 million tons of consumption.

Humanoid robots are another possible source of demand, according to S&P Global. Even though the technology is still in its infancy, 1 billion humanoid robots operating by 2040 would require roughly 1.6 million metric tons of copper.

Ripple: Regulatory Calm Could Unlock SWIFT-XRP Integration

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Crypto Sensei” pieced together several developments that, when considered collectively, depict a far more permissive environment for XRP, tokenization, and bank-led crypto services than many investors may be aware.

Gottfried Leibbrandt, a former CEO of Swift, made the headline claim when he recently stated that once regulatory volatility and legal uncertainty subside, Swift could integrate “native currencies like XRP.” Without clear regulations, “the benefits do not outweigh the costs” for institutions that might otherwise use volatile cryptocurrency assets for settlement, according to Sensei, who emphasizes that the problem is not technology but rather bank risk appetite.

He saw this as structural pressure rather than a “crypto roadmap,” since ISO-native payment systems like RippleNet will be in a better position once legacy formats and paper checks are phased out.

He reiterates a point that is frequently overlooked in online discussions: payment systems, not tokens themselves, are subject to ISO compliance.
A recent clip of Fed Chair Jerome Powell declaring that US banks are “perfectly able to serve crypto customers” as long as operations are safe, sound, and compliant is heavily referenced in the video.

According to Sensei, the Fed, FDIC, and OCC replaced their earlier, more stringent joint crypto statements with principles-based guidance in 2025. Sensei contends that instead of developing intricate crypto rails internally, banks are more likely to “white-label” infrastructure from companies like Ripple, Circle, Fireblocks, or Coinbase.

He believed that a sizable portion of institutional traffic could be discreetly routed through XRP-enabled systems without ever being advertised by brands.

Chevron Vessels Head to Venezuela After Dark Fleet’s Sudden Retreat

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Chevron became the sole exporter of the nation’s oil after President Nicolas Maduro was overthrown, and a small fleet of ships it had reserved is now sailing to Venezuela.

According to preliminary data compiled by Bloomberg, at least 11 ships are expected to arrive at the Venezuelan-controlled ports of Jose and Bajo Grande, indicating that Chevron will export more Venezuelan oil this month than last.

All eyes are on the Houston- based company to see if it will begin exporting more Venezuelan crude after US President Donald Trump stated that he wanted “total access” to Venezuela’s enormous reserves .

Chevron is the only Western company with a license from the Treasury Department to produce and export crude oil in Venezuela. It manages the transportation of the crude to fuel producers in the US Gulf and East Coast markets, accounting for nearly 25% of the country’s production. “Chevron continues to prioritize the SA.

” Chevron is still loading oil despite at least 12 ships headed for Venezuela being turned away due to a strong US military presence in the Caribbean to impose an oil blockade. The US naval blockade captured two tankers transporting sanctioned crude. According to CBS News, the US is currently pursuing a third tanker, Marinera, also known as Bella 1.

The 11 chartered ships expected to arrive in January would be the most since 12 tankers loaded in October. Data shows nine tankers loaded with oil in December, including shipments from Chevron and oil that the US government had seized. The combined capacity of the 11 tankers is 152, 152,000 barrels of oil per day, more than the 123, 123,000 barrels per day loaded for the US in December. Vessel movements monitored by Bloomberg show that two of the eleven ships are currently docked, and one has already loaded.

All of the oil is sent to US refineries such as Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66, and Valero Energy Corp. To ease a domestic glut caused by export backlogs during the naval blockade, the oil major is removing oil. Petroleos de Venezuela SA, the nation’s state oil company, may have to start plugging wells unless Chevron exports oil.

U.S Government Eyes $1.5 Trillion Military Budget, Vows Crackdown on Defense Firm Payouts

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

President Donald Trump called for a $500 billion annual increase in defense spending in a bewildering series of social media posts on Wednesday.

Major defense contractor shares plummeted as traders tried to decipher the White House’s intentions and whether they would ever materialize in light of the seemingly contradictory series of announcements.

It all started with a demand that addressed a long-standing issue for Trump: major government-affiliated defense contractors must cease stock buybacks, cease paying dividends, and cap executive compensation at $5 million annually until they increase their investments in factories and research to accelerate development. Trump codified the decision in an executive order a few hours later.

Additionally, he specifically mentioned RTX Corp. in another post. manufacturer of the well-known Patriot missile system
Whether a president can order how private businesses allocate their capital is still up for debate. However, while denouncing RTX, Trump also promised to increase defense spending by more than 50% to $1.5 trillion for 2027, a move that would generate significant profits for the company and its competitors. He made this demand via social media once more. Trump posted on social media, saying, “This will enable us to build the ‘Dream Military’ that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, that will keep us safe and secure, regardless of foe.”

The rush of actions was both unexpected and consistent with earlier statements made by Trump and Defense Secretary Mark Esper, not Pete Hegseth. In a speech in November, Hegseth called defense contractors accountable and threatened to “fade away” if they didn’t increase their spending on accelerating the production of weapons.

In addition, the administration’s military operations in Iran, Syria, Somalia, Nigeria, Venezuela, and other places during Trump’s first year have only increased its reliance on defense firms. According to the Military Times, the administration has already supervised at least 626 airstrikes, and that was before the attempt to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

President Trump Declares Venezuela Will Turn Over Oil Valued at Up to $3 Billion

Posted on January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Venezuela would give up to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, according to President Donald Trump, which would be worth about $2.8 billion at current market prices. He also announced that the cargoes would be sold. The announcement, made late Tuesday and with few details, marked a significant step forward for the US government in its efforts to boost its economic influence in Venezuela and beyond following the weekend overthrow of leader Nicolás Maduro.

It’s also a setback for China, a close ally and previously the country’s largest oil buyer.

Trump posted on social media, saying, “I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil to the United States of America.

“This oil will be sold at its market value, and as President of the United States of America, I will be in charge of that money to make sure it is used to help the Venezuelan people.”

The amounts mentioned by Trump would total roughly 30 to 50 days of Venezuelan oil production before the US’s partial blockade, significantly lower than previous levels. Following Trump’s remarks, the US oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, dropped as much as 2.4 percent and is currently trading near $56 per barrel.

Requests for additional information were not answered by the White House or the US Energy Department.

Venezuela’s production has sharply declined due to decades of neglect and the departure of many foreign oil companies despite having the largest proven crude reserves in the world. Today, less than 1% of the world’s supply comes from Venezuela. According to analysts, a major recovery in output will take years and require billions of dollars in investment.

Copper Defies Gravity: Starts 2026 Higher After Monumental Gains Not Seen Since Post-Crisis 2009

Posted on January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Copper continued a strong rally after breaking through $13,000 per ton for the first time as investors wagered on a tighter market. after capping the biggest annual gain since 2009 on prospects for a tighter market.

Three-month futures reached a record $13,387 per ton on Tuesday, up 3.1 percent from Monday’s peak. Holdings have moved to the US due to worries that the Trump administration might impose a tariff on refined metal, which could leave the rest of the world short. In the past, inventories served as a buffer, but they are currently locked in the United States.

Base metals have had a very successful start to 2026 with the LMEX Index, which tracks the six major metals, including copper, rising to its highest level since the sector’s peak in March 2022.

This year, supply chain issues have dominated the metals industry, with accidents occurring in copper mines across Chile, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Zinc mines have also been disrupted, and increased energy costs and supply constraints in China pose a threat to aluminum production. The threat of US import tariffs remains the primary motivator for copper. The Mercuria Energy Group, Ltd. predicted in November that the rest of the world would experience a severe metal shortage in 2026.

According to Natalie Scott-Gray, senior metals analyst at StoneX Financial Ltd., copper is expected “to be led by sentiment from investors over US copper-specific tariffs, with focus on regional levels of global stocks and material entering the US, rather than underlying global fundamentals” in the upcoming months.

China’s Silver Squeeze Ignites Chaos: $80 Breach Signals Explosive Bubble

Posted on January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Silver sank after breaking above $80 per ounce for the first time amid a historic rally driven by speculative trading and a persistent mismatch between supply and demand.

Increased central bank purchases, inflows into exchange-traded funds, and three consecutive rate cuts by the Federal Reserve have made precious metals hot in recent months.

The value of China’s only pure-play silver fund dropped by its daily maximum of 10%, ending a wild bull run that led the fund’s manager to issue rare warnings. The sudden decline in the UBS SDIC Silver Futures Fund LOF follows weeks of gains driven by increasing global interest in precious metals, which the manager called “unsustainable.” Spot silver is on track for its best annual performance since 1979 after reaching a record high of $72.70 per ounce on Wednesday.

UBS SDIC Fund Management Co. announced new restrictions after three consecutive days this week of exceeding the 10% upward limit. Starting in December, there will be a cap on new Class C share subscriptions, typically the best option for short-term investors, decreasing from 500 yuan to 26-100 yuan ($14.25), according to a statement on the fund manager’s website. Strong investor interest in precious metals has focused on silver, with a historic short squeeze in October fueling the notable global spot price rally.

Palladium, gold, and platinum have all surged, and other Chinese funds linked to these metals have also seen significant gains, as investors caution. This year, the silver fund has surged by nearly 220%, while Shanghai-traded silver futures have risen about 128%. The premium over the underlying asset jumped from 7% at the start of the month to nearly 62% by Wednesday. As the fund’s value declined and futures rose, this premium is expected to decrease on Thursday.

Commodities that do not pay interest benefit significantly from lower borrowing costs, with traders betting on additional rate reductions in 2026. Physical premiums have hit extreme levels due to relentless industrial demand from solar panels, EVs, AI data centers, and electronics, pushing against dwindling inventories. Elon Musk’s weekend remarks highlighting the growing investor frenzy around precious metals triggered Monday’s early momentum.

“This is not good,” Musk said on X in response to a tweet about Chinese export restrictions.

Many industrial processes rely on silver. The US’s blockade of oil tankers in Venezuela and Washington’s actions against the Islamic State in Nigeria over the past week have increased the appeal of these metals as safe havens. Silver inventories are at their lowest point ever, raising the risk of supply shortages that could impact several industries.

Copper Surges Past $13,000 on US Inventory Hoarding and Global Tightness

Posted on January 6, 2026January 7, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Copper continued a strong rally after breaking through $13,000 per ton for the first time as investors wagered on a tighter market.

Base metals have had a very successful start to 2026 with the LMEX Index, which tracks the six major metals, including copper, rising to its highest level since the sector’s peak in March 2022.

Aluminum has surged to its highest level in over three years, while the red metal, which is used in wires and cables, has now gained more than 20% since late November. In the first half of last year, President Donald Trump encouraged a rush to ship copper to the US.

However, after deciding to exempt refined metal from tariffs, there was a pause. In recent months, the trade has resurfaced as local prices have once again traded at a premium due to a plan to revisit the issue of levies. December saw the largest increase in US copper imports since July.

Bitcoin Hits $93K Milestone as Markets Cheer Potential Lock-Up of Venezuela’s Massive BTC Holdings

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Bitcoin surged above $93,000 as investor sentiment improved in response to reports of U.S strikes in Venezuela. Venezuela possesses $60 billion worth of Bitcoin, which could have an impact on Bitcoin prices and the larger cryptocurrency market in 2026. Bitcoin was trading close to $93,700, up 2.53 percent on Monday.

US forces apprehended Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in Caracas, Venezuela, and transported them to New York on suspicion of drug trafficking. President Trump emphasized Venezuela’s enormous oil reserves when he declared that the US would oversee the country until a safe transition.

However, given US oil interests, some question whether the drug charges are the true cause.
Bitcoin’s market capitalization has increased by roughly 7%, to $1.86 trillion. $33.9 billion was traded in 24 hours. The recent surge, according to analysts, demonstrates how susceptible Bitcoin is to world events and how it is increasingly viewed as a hedge during times of geopolitical unpredictability.

Overall, the news from Venezuela caused some brief fluctuations in the market, but it didn’t change the fundamental principles of Bitcoin.

According to reports, Venezuela may conceal up to 600,000 Bitcoin, comparable to Strategy and BlackRock’s holdings. According to reports, Bitcoin was acquired through oil sales and gold transactions settled in cryptocurrency to avoid the U.S sanctions.

Recovering these assets has become a priority since Maduro was taken to the United States. The Bitcoin could be frozen or added to a US reserve if it is seized, which could restrict supply and encourage higher Bitcoin prices in 2026.

XRP Boost: Institutional Boost: PwC Endorses Endorses Ripple as Core Financial Services Player

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

The PwC report highlights Ripple’s compatibility with conventional financial systems, which makes it a desirable option for banks considering blockchain adoption. Ripple is positioned as a link between traditional finance and the developing decentralized economy, thanks to its scalable and compliance-driven infrastructure.

PwC is expanding its crypto services in response to clearer US regulations, indicating a new framework for advising clients on digital assets. According to SMQKE, PwC’s support could boost institutional trust in Ripple, hastening adoption among big banks and payment networks, particularly as operational dependability and regulatory clarity propel crypto integration.

According to the report, major financial institutions are beginning to see blockchain as a necessary infrastructure rather than merely a speculative asset. This change is highlighted by Ripple’s inclusion, which presents cryptocurrencies as strategic instruments that increase efficiency.

Thus, XRP and the larger cryptocurrency industry have reached a significant milestone with PwC’s acknowledgement of Ripple as a financial services infrastructure. This confirms Ripple’s technological significance and indicates widespread adoption of blockchain, turning XRP from a cryptocurrency into a crucial force behind international payments in the future.’

XRP has evolved from a digital token to a pillar of contemporary finance with PwC’s acknowledgement of Ripple as a crucial financial services infrastructure. Additionally, this validation shows how Ripple can be used in the real world to speed up international payments and reduce transaction costs while also indicating growing institutional trust in blockchain technology. Ripple is positioned as a crucial instrument for a quicker, more transparent, and interconnected financial system, reflecting a wider trend toward mainstream adoption for the cryptocurrency industry.