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Woman accused of triple murder says foraged mushrooms may have been added to meal

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Erin Patterson, the woman accused of murdering three guests with a meal laced with death cap mushrooms, told her trial on Wednesday she may have inadvertently added foraged mushrooms to the lunch because her duxelles tasted “a little bland.”

On the third day of evidence on Wednesday, Patterson was taken through the events of July, 2023, when she’s accused of deliberately adding lethal death cap mushrooms to a Beef Wellington meal she cooked for four guests, including her parents-in-law, at her house in the small Australian town of Leongatha in rural Victoria.

Patterson has denied three counts of murder over the death of her in-laws, Don Patterson and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson. She also denies attempting to kill a fourth lunch guest, Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, her local pastor.

Taking Patterson back to the days before the lunch, defense lawyer Colin Mandy SC asked where she’d bought the ingredients. Patterson said all ingredients came from Woolworths, a major Australian supermarket.

Patterson said she found the recipe in a cookbook, which she followed with “some deviations.” For example, she said she couldn’t find a beef tenderloin log, so she bought twin packs of individual steaks. The recipe had called for mustard, which she didn’t use, nor did she use prosciutto because Don “doesn’t eat pork,” she said.

On the Saturday morning of the lunch, she said she fried garlic and shallots and chopped up the store-bought mushrooms in a food processor. She cooked the sauteed mixture, known as a duxelles, for perhaps 45 minutes so it was dry and didn’t make the pastry soggy, she said.

Patterson told the court she tasted the mixture, and as it was “a little bland,” she added dried mushrooms that she’d previously stored in a plastic container in the pantry.

Asked by Mandy what she believed to be in the plastic container in the pantry: “I believed it was just the mushrooms that I bought in Melbourne,” Patterson said. “And now, what do you think might have been in that tub?” Mandy asked.

“Now I think that there was a possibility that there were foraged ones in there as well,” she said, her voice breaking.

After the meal

Patterson told the court that Ian and Heather Wilkinson ate all of their meal. Don finished what Gail hadn’t eaten. Patterson only ate about a quarter or third of her Beef Wellington, because she was talking a lot and eating slowly, she said.

After lunch, they cleaned up and sat down to eat an orange cake that Gail had brought.

“I had a piece of cake, and then another piece of cake, and then another,” Patterson said. “How many pieces of cake did you have?” Mandy asked. “All of it,” Patterson replied. She said that amounted to around two-thirds of the original cake.

“I felt over full, so I went to the toilets and brought it back up again,” she said. Patterson has previously told the court that she had battled bulimia for much of her life and was self-conscious about her weight.

Patterson said she felt nauseous after the lunch, and later that evening, took medication for diarrhea. The next day she skipped Sunday mass due to the same symptoms and still had diarrhea later that day.

That night, she said, she removed the pastry and mushrooms from the leftover Beef Wellington and put the meat in the microwave for the children to eat for dinner.

The next day, Monday, she thought she might need fluids so went to the hospital, where a doctor told her that she may have been exposed to death cap mushrooms. Patterson said she was “shocked and confused.” “I didn’t see how death cap mushrooms could be in the meal,” she said.

Earlier Wednesday, Patterson told the court she hadn’t seen websites that purported to show the location of death cap mushrooms near her house.

She said she was aware of death cap mushrooms and had searched online to find out if they grew in the area. She said she found that they didn’t.

Patterson also told her trial on Wednesday that she foraged for mushrooms at the Korumburra Botanical Gardens in May 2023, and may have picked some mushrooms near oak trees. The court has previously heard that death cap mushrooms grow near oak trees.

Patterson said she would dehydrate any mushrooms she didn’t want to use immediately and store them in plastic containers in the pantry. She said that around that time she also bought dried mushrooms from an Asian grocer in Melbourne. Because they had a pungent smell, she said she put them in a plastic container in the pantry.

Mandy asked: “Do you have a memory of putting wild mushrooms that you dehydrated in May or June of 2023 into a container which already contained other dried mushrooms?”

Patterson replied: “Yes, I did do that.”

Later in proceedings, Patterson recalled a conversation she had with her husband, Simon, as his parents were gravely ill in hospital. She said she mentioned she had dried mushrooms in a dehydrator. “He said to me, ‘Is that how you poisoned my parents, using that dehydrator?’” she told her trial.

She said his comment caused her to do “a lot of thinking about a lot of things.”

“It got me thinking about all the times that I’d used (the dehydrator), and how I had dried foraged mushrooms in it weeks earlier, and I was starting to think, what if they’d gone in the container with the Chinese mushrooms? Maybe, maybe that had happened.”

Patterson said she became “really scared,” and by the time she returned home from the health center, she was “frantic.” She felt “responsible” because she’d made the meal, and served it, and “people got sick,” she said.

On August 2, Patterson said she dropped her children at school, then took the dehydrator to the trash dump. She said child protection officers were due to visit her house that afternoon, and she was “scared” about having a conversation about the meal and the dehydrator. “I was scared that they would blame me for it…. for making everyone sick,” she said.

“I was scared they’d remove the children,” she added.

Asked whether she had come to the realization that death cap mushrooms may have been in the meal, Patterson said, “No.”

She said she thought there might be evidence of “any foraged mushrooms” in the dehydrator.

Patterson also told the court she was responsible for three factory resets of her phone. Her son did the first. She said she knew there were images of mushrooms and the dehydrator in her Google photos. “I just panicked and didn’t want them to see them,” she said. Asked who she was talking about, she said: “The detectives.”

Patterson’s evidence will continue Thursday.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

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‘I think he just wanted snacks’: Thai shopkeeper caught off guard as wild elephant visits store

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An elephant never forgets – where the snacks are stored.

A large wild elephant caught shopkeepers off guard at a convenience store in Thailand on Monday, when it lumbered into the shop in search of food.

The hungry mammal can be seen on CCTV footage entering the store and helping itself to snacks.

“I told it, ‘Go away, go on,’ but it didn’t listen. It was like it came on purpose.”

The store, in Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeast of the capital Bangkok, is near the Khao Yai National Park, so elephants are often nearby.

“We usually see it pass by, and watch from inside the house. But it never came into the shop before or hurt anyone,” she said.

The elephant – a 27-year-old male called Plai Biang Lek – is well known in the area.

Khamploi said it stayed in the store for about 10 minutes, picking and eating. While wild elephants usually prefer bananas, bamboo and grasses, Biang Lek went straight for the sweets.

“It walked up to the counter – the candy counter near the freezer. It used its trunk to gently push the freezer out of the way so it could fit inside,” she said.

“It went straight to the snacks, picked through them with its trunk. It ate about 10 bags of sweets – they’re 35 baht ($1) each. It also ate dried bananas and peanut snacks.”

Another elephant remained outside the store, “probably waiting,” Khamploi said.

Park rangers were called and were eventually able to guide the elephant away, after much coaxing and shooing.

“He’s around here often but never hurts anyone. I think he just wanted snacks,” said Khamploi.

Following the unexpected visit, a wildlife protection group stopped by and offered Khamploi 800 baht for the stolen goods.

“They said they were ‘sponsoring the elephant’s snack bill’ – it was kind of funny,” she said.

Dwindling population

Elephants, Thailand’s national animal, have seen their wild population decline in recent decades due to threats from tourism, logging, poaching and human encroachment on their habitats.

Experts estimate the wild elephant population in Thailand has dwindled to 3,000-4,000, from more than 100,000 at the beginning of the 20th century.

A group of local volunteers in Khao Yai are working to keep the park’s elephants away from residential areas.

The elephant Biang Lek had “raided” several other places before Monday’s incident, Thanongsak said, even injuring the tip of its trunk after breaking a glass cupboard in a local home.

“He is now living in a village, which is unusual for a wild elephant. It is like they don’t want to return to the mountain. It is easier for them to just stay among the houses,” he said.

Human and elephant encounters are common and can turn violent, Thanongsak said. There have been instances of elephants destroying cars.

Khao Yai National Park is home to an estimated 140-200 wild Asian elephants, and Thanongsak said his group is trying to keep the area safe for both elephants and humans.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

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The Best Five Sectors, #21

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Staples and Tech Swap Positions Again

The weekly sector rotation continues to paint a picture of a market in flux, with defensive sectors gaining ground while cyclicals take a step back. This week’s shifts underscore the ongoing volatility and lack of clear directional trade that’s been characteristic of recent market behavior.

The sudden jump in relative strength for defensive sectors last week has pushed Consumer Staples back into the top 5, at the cost of Technology.

  1. (1) Industrials – (XLI)
  2. (3) Utilities – (XLU)*
  3. (6) Consumer Staples – (XLP)*
  4. (2) Communication Services – (XLC)*
  5. (4) Financials – (XLF)*
  6. (5) Technology – (XLK)*
  7. (8) Real-Estate – (XLRE)*
  8. (9) Materials – (XLB)*
  9. (7) Consumer Discretionary – (XLY)*
  10. (11) Healthcare – (XLV)*
  11. (10) Energy – (XLE)*

Weekly RRG

Looking at the weekly Relative Rotation Graph (RRG), we’re seeing some interesting movements. Industrials continues its upward trajectory on the RS-Ratio scale, solidifying its top position. Meanwhile, Utilities and Consumer Staples — our #2 and #3 sectors, respectively — are maintaining high RS-Ratio levels despite a momentum setback.

Communication services and financials, rounding out the top 5, find themselves in the weakening quadrant. However, they’re still comfortably above the 100 level on the RS-Ratio scale. This positioning gives them a good shot at curling back into the leading quadrant before potentially hitting lagging territory.

Daily RRG

Switching to the daily RRG, we can see some significant moves over the past week.

Consumer Staples have made a considerable leap, landing deep in the improving quadrant with the highest RS-Momentum reading. This surge explains its return to the top 5. Utilities isn’t far behind, also making a strong move into the improving quadrant. Financials, while in the lagging quadrant, are showing less dramatic movement compared to staples and utilities. Its shorter tail on the RRG indicates a less powerful move, but its high position on the weekly RRG is keeping it in the top 5 — for now.

Industrials: Strength Confirmed

The #1 sector is pushing against overhead resistance around 143 for the third consecutive week. A break above this level could trigger an acceleration higher. The relative strength chart vs. the S&P 500 has already broken out, continuing to pull the RRG lines upward.

Utilities: Bouncing Back

After a weak showing two weeks ago, utilities closed last week at the top of its range. There’s still resistance lurking just below 85 (around 84), but a break above could spark a rally. The raw RS line is grappling with the upper boundary of its sideways trading range, causing the RRG lines to roll over while remaining in the leading quadrant.

Consumer Staples: Testing Resistance

Staples has rebounded to the upper boundary of its trading range, with key resistance between 82 and 83.50. A spike to $83.90 represents the recent high-water mark. Breaking above this barrier could accelerate the move higher.

The raw RS line has peaked against overhead resistance and needs to form a new low to support the RRG lines.

Communication Services: Holding Steady

XLC is trading around $101.40, with overhead resistance a few dollars away, near $ 105. The raw RS line remains within its rising channel, but we’ll need to see improved relative strength soon to maintain this positive trend. The sector sits in the weakening quadrant, but has the potential to push back into leading territory with a strong relative strength (RS) rally.

Financials: At a Crossroads

The financial sector is struggling with old resistance that’s now acting as support. Its RS line is testing the lower boundary of its rising channel. Financials needs a couple of strong weeks in both price and relative strength to maintain its top 5 position.

Portfolio Performance

As of last Friday’s close, our model portfolio is lagging the S&P 500 by just over 5%. This performance gap has widened slightly from last week, but remains in line with the volatile sector rotations we’ve been seeing.

The current market environment presents an apparent dilemma for sector rotation strategies. While defensive sectors are gaining prominence, cyclicals are taking a back seat — at least for now. This flip-flop situation is common in volatile markets seeking direction, but it’s causing more frequent trades in our model than we’d typically expect.

For meaningful trends to emerge, the market needs to stabilize and establish a clear directional bias. Until then, we’re likely to see continued back-and-forth movement as investors grapple with mixed economic signals and shifting sentiment.

#StayAlert and have a great week. –Julius

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What’s Next for Dollar Tree, CrowdStrike, and Broadcom? Watch These Setups

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Earnings season may be winding down, but a few standout names could still make headlines this week. If you’re looking for potential moves, keep an eye on these three stocks — Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR), CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (CRWD), and Broadcom, Inc. (AVGO).

Each of these names is at a pretty interesting inflection point right now. It might be worth waiting to see how things play out before making any big bets.

Dollar Tree (DLTR): Quiet Comeback with Room to Run?

Dollar Tree (DLTR) broke out of a long-term downtrend and, as of the last quarter, is back above key moving averages. Many of the beaten-down discount chains, such as Five Below (FIVE) and Dollar General (DG), have started to reverse major downtrends. This week, we will see if earnings momentum can keep going, as DLTR stock has rallied 21% year-to-date.

Investors will be looking for insight into how DLTR is navigating the transition after the $1 billion Family Dollar sale (yes, they paid $8.5 billion in 2015) and how its core stores are performing in the current economic environment. The last two quarters have been relatively calm, as DLTR stabilized with minor gains of 3.1% and 1.9%. That stability comes after a three-quarter losing streak, with average losses of -13.7%.

From a technical standpoint, DLTR made its big move in mid-April as it broke out of a longer-term neutral range and a long-term downtrend. The stock price has eclipsed the 50- and 200-day moving averages and seems to be back on the right track.

The breakout of the rectangular bottom gives an upside target of roughly $98 a share, so there is room for DLTR to run. That move would fill the gap created last September and bring shares into a stronger resistance area around $100. On the downside, there may be an opportunity to enter DLTR, as we have a potential scenario where old resistance becomes support, giving an entry level around $79.50/$80. That would be a good risk/reward set-up for those who may have missed the initial breakout.

Overall, the stock still has room to run, but most of this upside move may already be in the stock, as the price approached an overbought condition with much overhead resistance ahead.

CrowdStrike (CRWD): Heating Up Before Earnings

CrowdStrike (CRWD) has returned from the ashes after last year’s Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) computer outage that caused over 7000 cancelled flights. As it heads into this week’s earnings, shares are trading just under all-time highs.

The cybersecurity company has seen shares decline over the past two results, but that hasn’t stopped its continued momentum. The stock averages a one-day move of +/- 8.5%, so expect volatility.

Technically, CRWD comes into the week at an intriguing pivot point. After breaking out to new highs, the stock pulled back to its old resistance areas from which it broke above.  Will old resistance become support, or are we looking at a potential bull trap?

The relative strength index (RSI) indicates there may be room to run. We have seen some extreme overbought conditions in the past, and we are not there yet. A solid beat and guide could see additional momentum in what continues to be one of the top stocks within the cybersecurity sector.

Speaking of strength, CRWD is shining on a relative basis. It’s up 36.7% year-to-date, outperforming CIBR, the biggest cybersecurity ETF in CIBR, which is up 12.8%. That said, downside risk could be steep given the recent run. Stepping in front of this stock ahead of results could be costly. On weakness, wait for a better risk/reward entry and look for support just around $405.

Broadcom (AVGO): Ready to Step Out of Nvidia’s Shadow?

Broadcom (AVGO) is Nvidia’s baby brother. It is in the $1 trillion market cap club, a top holding in both the Semiconductor ETF (SMH), the Technology ETF (XLK), and the Nasdaq 100 (QQQ).

AVGO has grown mightily in NVDA’s shadow for years now. Shares have rallied just over 500% from their 2022 lows, which pales to the 1250+% rally in Nvidia. However, over the past 52 weeks, AVGO shares have risen 82% compared to Nvidia’s 23% gain.

Now that we’ve seen how price action settled out with NVDA, what could this mean for AVGO?

Technically, if AVGO wanted to step out of NVDA’s shadows, this would be the chance to do so and lead the semiconductors higher. However, momentum is waning, and we continue to see large caps struggle to make new highs.

The table is set for a potentially large breakout. AVGO is at a key resistance area just under $250. It couldn’t break through it last week, but could earnings be the catalyst for getting it over the top? Given the overbought conditions and tough market environment, it should be a challenge. You may be able to buy this stock on a dip and wait for the rest of the market to catch up as we look for more clarity on tariff policy. Look for a pullback to the $220 area to add to or enter the name.

Long-term investors should ignore the noise to come. AVGO has suffered through the worst and should break out in due time. It just may not be this time.

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Hedge Market Volatility with These Dividend Aristocrats & Sector Leaders

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In this video, Mary Ellen highlights key areas of the stock market that gained strength last week, including Staples and Aerospace stocks. She also shares several Dividend Aristocrat stocks that can help stabilize your portfolio in times of market volatility. Whether you’re seeking defensive plays or looking to align with sector rotation trends, this video provides practical insights to strengthen your trading strategy.

This video originally premiered May 30, 2025. You can watch it on our dedicated page for Mary Ellen’s videos.

New videos from Mary Ellen premiere weekly on Fridays. You can view all previously recorded episodes at this link.

If you’re looking for stocks to invest in, be sure to check out the MEM Edge Report! This report gives you detailed information on the top sectors, industries and stocks so you can make informed investment decisions.

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Canadian Wildfires Force Mining Sector to Retreat as Thousands Evacuate in Manitoba

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Canadian wildfires are hitting Manitoba hard, triggering the evacuation of over 17,000 people in province.

“This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people’s living memory,” Premier Wab Kinew said in a May 28 statement. He declared a province-wide state of emergency and confirmed that Canadian military aircraft would be deployed ‘imminently’ to assist with evacuations and firefighting efforts.

“For the first time, it’s not a fire in one region. We have fires in every region. That is a sign of a changing climate that we are going to have to adapt to,’ Kinew also noted in a press conference.

As of Monday (June 2), 188 active wildfires were burning across Canada, with more than half categorized as ‘out of control,’ according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center.

Manitoba, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario are all experiencing severe fire conditions, and the country has raised its National Preparedness Level to five — the highest — weeks earlier than in previous years.

Mining operations halted, evacuations underway

The escalating fire threat has forced mining companies to shut down or scale back operations.

Alamos Gold (TSX:AGI,NYSE:AGI) has temporarily paused activity at its Lynn Lake gold project, located near the Northwestern Manitoba town of the same name; it was ordered to evacuate on May 27.

In Southeastern Manitoba, fires have threatened Grid Metals’ (TSXV:GRDM,OTCQB:MSMGF) lithium and nickel projects, as well as Sinomine Resource Group’s (SZSE:002738) Tanco lithium mine. Grid suspended its activities in mid-May as wildfires approached, and Tanco mine personnel have reportedly evacuated the area.

Tanco is one of only two producing lithium mines in Canada.

In Northern Manitoba, the town of Flin Flon — home to around 5,000 residents — is on high alert as wildfires encroach. Only essential personnel, authorized by emergency services, remain to aid with emergency operations.

Though Hudbay Minerals (TSX:HBM,NYSE:HBM) ceased production there following the 2022 closure of its 777 mine, the company maintains support facilities, concentrate handling operations and fabrication shops in the area.

Hudbay has also paused exploration in the Flin Flon and Snow Lake regions while focusing on employee safety and support for local evacuation efforts. “The safety of our employees, their families and the communities we serve is our top priority,” said Rob Carter, vice president of Hudbay’s Manitoba business unit.

The company is securing alternative accommodations in Snow Lake — 200 kilometers east — for evacuated staff and deploying trained emergency responders to assist with firefighting.

In Saskatchewan, Foran Mining (TSX:FOM,OTCQX:FMCXF) has managed to keep its McIlvenna Bay project intact after aggressive firefighting measures and improving weather conditions. The firm evacuated about 540 non-essential personnel on May 22, retaining a core team of 44 employees and wildfire contractors to safeguard the site.

The company said in a Monday statement that reinforced firebreaks and natural barriers helped stop the fire within 1 kilometer of the tailings storage facility and 3 kilometers of main infrastructure.

The surge in wildfires is part of a worrying trend. The 2023 fire season was the worst in Canadian history, and experts warn that such seasons may become the norm due to climate change.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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West High YieldResources Ltd. Announces Proceeds from Exercise of Warrants

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West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. (TSXV: WHY) (FSE: W0H) (the ‘Company’ or ‘West High Yield’) announces announces the receipt of proceeds from the exercise of certain warrants (the ‘Warrants’) of the Company.

One holder of Warrants (the ‘Warrantholder‘) exercised 50,000 Warrants resulting in the issuance of 50,000 common shares of the Company (each, a ‘Warrant Share‘). The specific Warrants held and exercised by the Warrantholder were exercisable at a price of CAD$0.30 per Warrant Share, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company in the amount of CAD$15,000 upon such exercise. The Warrants exercised by the Warrantholder were issued to the Warrantholder, among others, as part of a private placement offering of the Company that closed on November 9, 2024.

About West High Yield

West High Yield is a publicly traded junior mining exploration and development company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral resource properties in Canada. Its primary objective is to develop its world-class Record Ridge critical mineral (magnesium, silica, and nickel) deposit using green processing techniques to minimize waste and CO2 emissions.

The Company’s Record Ridge critical mineral deposit located 10 kilometers southwest of Rossland, British Columbia has approximately 10.6 million tonnes of contained magnesium based on an independently produced National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (‘NI 43-101‘) Preliminary Economic Assessment technical report (titled ‘Revised NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment Record Ridge Project, British Columbia, Canada’) prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. on April 18, 2013 in accordance with NI 43-101 and which can be found on the Company’s profile at https://www.sedarplus.ca.

Qualified Person

Rick Walker, B.Sc., M.Sc., P.Geo., the Company Geologist is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release.

Contact Information:

West High Yield (W.H.Y.) RESOURCES LTD.

Frank Marasco Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: (403) 660-3488
Email: frank@whyresources.com

Barry Baim, Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (403) 829-2246
Email: barry@whyresources.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including governmental regulation; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; and other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date hereof, and to not use such forward-looking information for anything other than its intended purpose. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities of the Company will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act‘) and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254269

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Crypto Market Recap: Circle Targets US$7.2 Billion IPO, BitoPro Silent on Hack

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Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (June 2) as of 9:00 p.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$104,369 as markets wrapped, down 0.7 percent in 24 hours. The day’s range for the cryptocurrency brought a low of US$103,984 and a high of US$104,589.

Bitcoin performance, June 2, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

After hitting nearly US$103,100 on May 31, Bitcoin held above US$104,500 to close its weekly candle.

The cryptocurrency traded around US$104,000 on Monday as uncertainty continued to plague centralized and decentralized markets in the final month of the second quarter.

Crypto analyst Daan Crypto Trades identified the mid-range level around US$99,600 and a resistance area near US$108,000 as key zones to watch for potential reversal signals during the first week of June. He emphasized that early June moves may be ‘fakeouts,’ with the real trend emerging afterward.

Ethereum (ETH) finished the trading day at US$2,533.47, a 0.4 percent increase over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$2,494.99 and saw a daily high of US$2,555.62.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) closed at US$152.44, down 2.1 percent over 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$152.34 in the final minutes of trading and reached a high of US$154.27.
  • XRP is trading at US$2.16, reflecting a 0.1 percent decrease over 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached a daily low of US$2.14 and a high of US$2.17.
  • Sui (SUI) peaked at US$3.28, showing a decreaseof 0.2 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Monday was US$3.25, and its highest was US$3.32.
  • Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.6724, down 0.8 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price of the day was US$0.6708, and it reached a high of US$0.6776.

Today’s crypto news to know

Circle aims for US$7.2 billion valuation in expanded US IPO

Stablecoin issuer Circle is aiming for a US$7.2 billion valuation in its upsized initial public offering (IPO), signaling strong investor interest amid a friendlier US regulatory environment under President Donald Trump.

The company and its backers now hope to raise up to US$896 million by offering 32 million shares.

Circle’s USDC, the world’s second largest stablecoin, is expected to benefit from pending legislation that could drive more institutional adoption. The firm reported a 55 percent jump in reserve income for Q1, reaching nearly US$558 million, though this was offset by a 68 percent surge in distribution and transaction costs.

Circle’s primary distribution partner is Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN), with others contributing to global reach. The IPO is being led by JP Morgan Chase (NYSE:JPM), Citigroup (NYSE:C) and Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS).

Circle will trade under the ticker symbol ‘CRCL’ on the NYSE later this week.

BitoPro possibly hacked for US$11 million, exchange silent

Taiwan’s BitoPro exchange may have suffered a major breach on May 8, according to blockchain investigator ZachXBT, with over US$11.5 million in crypto drained from its hot wallets.

The attackers allegedly compromised wallets across Ethereum, Solana, Tron and Polygon, then funneled the assets through mixers like Tornado Cash and Wasabi Wallet to cover their tracks.

BitoPro has yet to publicly acknowledge the breach, instead citing routine “system maintenance” as the reason for service disruptions last month. The exchange remains quiet on its official channels despite mounting evidence of a hack.

BitoPro, operated by BitoGroup, has served Taiwan’s crypto market since 2018, and continues to process over US$20 million in daily volume.

Lubin credits Saylor for inspiring Ethereum treasury push

Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin says a conversation with Bitcoin bull Michael Saylor prompted him to explore the creation of a treasury firm focused on Ether, according to Bloomberg.

Inspired by Saylor’s success turning Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) into a leveraged Bitcoin proxy, Lubin launched a new initiative through SharpLink Gaming (NASDAQ:SBET), raising US$425 million to buy Ether.

Lubin, who is now chair of SharpLink, expects to raise even more capital through share offerings and bonds — mirroring Saylor’s approach, but with a focus on Ethereum.

Following the announcement, SharpLink’s share price soared over 1,000 percent in just a few days. Lubin believes this will spark a wave of similar Ether-focused strategies and drive institutional demand.

While Bitcoin has enjoyed a clearer investment narrative as “digital gold,” Lubin argues Ether’s broader utility is underappreciated and ripe for a narrative shift.

Saylor’s Strategy boosts Bitcoin holdings by 705 BTC

Strategy acquired another 705 BTC for US$75.1 million between May 26 and May 30.

The latest purchases were made at an average price of US$106,495 per coin, and followed the sale of 3,750 Class A shares between May 22 and 29 by Strategy director Jarrod Patten, worth nearly US$1.4 million.

According to Strategy’s data, the latest purchase brought its year-to-date BTC yield to 16.9 percent. The company’s quarter-to-date BTC yield is now 5.4 percent. Strategy is looking to reach a BTC yield target of 25 percent year-to-date by the end of 2025. The company previously targeted a 15 percent yield, but increased it on May 1.

Strategy now holds 581,000 BTC, or 2.9 percent of all Bitcoin that have been mined to date.

Metaplanet buys more Bitcoin, holdings top US$930 million

Japan’s Metaplanet (TSE:3350,OTCQX:MTPLF) has acquired another 1,088 BTC, pushing its total Bitcoin stash past 8,888 coins — now worth over US$930 million. The latest purchase cost the firm US$117.5 million, bringing its average BTC acquisition price to just over US$108,000 per coin. Since adopting its Bitcoin treasury policy in April 2024, Metaplanet has rapidly climbed the ranks of corporate BTC holders and is now the largest in Asia.

The company recently raised US$50 million through zero-interest bonds to finance its latest round of acquisitions without issuing new stock. Year-to-date, Metaplanet reports a 66 percent return on its BTC holdings, and it has added over 7,000 coins in 2025 alone. The firm is targeting a total of 10,000 BTC by year end.

Tether enhances gold-backed token

Tether’s gold-backed token, Tether Gold (XAU₮), has been enhanced with an omnichain version, XAU₮0.

It is now available on the Open Network (TON) blockchain. This move enables the trading of digital gold and deepens the collaboration between Tether and TON. XAU₮, Tether’s original gold token, is available as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum and a TRC-20 token on TRON. The new version leverages LayerZero’s OFT standard to facilitate native movement across multiple blockchains without wrapping or redeploying new tokens on each chain.

According to Tether’s Q1 attestation report, it has over 7.7 metric tons of physical gold backing the XAUT stablecoin.

MAS orders crypto firms to halt overseas services

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the country’s central bank, has ordered local crypto service providers to stop offering digital token services to overseas markets by June 30.

The directive came in response to industry feedback on a proposed regulatory framework for Digital Token Service Providers (DTSPs) under the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSM Act), passed in April 2022.

The act requires DTSPs with overseas operations to comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards, even if they do not offer services within Singapore.

“DTSPs which are subject to a licensing requirement under section 137 of the FSM Act must suspend or cease carrying on a business of providing DT services outside Singapore by 30 June 2025,” MAS wrote.

MAS states that any Singapore-incorporated company, individual or partnership that provides DT services outside Singapore must either cease operations or obtain a license when the DTSP provisions come into force.

Companies found violating the laws will be subject to hefty fines of up to 250,000 Singaporean dollars (US$200,000) and imprisonment of up to three years. Firms licensed or exempted under the Securities and Futures Act, Financial Advisors Act or Payment Services Act may continue to operate without conflicting with the new rules.

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.

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Top 10 Uranium-producing Countries

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Global uranium production has experienced significant fluctuations over the past decade.

After peaking at 63,207 metric tons in 2016, global uranium output declined over the subsequent years as many uranium mines were rendered uneconomic by persistent low spot prices due to factors such as oversupply and lower demand following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. In 2022, world uranium production totaled just 49,355 metric tons.

However, the uranium market started turning around in 2021, leading uranium miners to begin restarting production at their mines in recent years. In early 2024, prices surged to a 17 year high of US$106 per pound, driven by a growing global commitment to nuclear energy as a low-carbon power source and supply concerns from major producers like Kazakhstan’s Kazatomprom (LSE:KAP,OTC Pink:NATKY).

Currently, 10 percent of the world’s electricity is generated by nuclear energy, and that number is expected to grow. Looking forward, analysts are calling for a sustained bull market in uranium.

Prices have since stabilized around US$70 per pound as of mid-2025, and the market remains bullish due to a persistent supply-demand imbalance.

Because of uranium’s significance in nuclear fuel production and energy generation, it’s important to know where uranium is mined and which nations are the largest uranium-producing countries. Kazakhstan is the leader by a long shot, and has been since 2009. In 2022, the most recent year for which data is available, Canada and Namibia took second and third place, respectively, for uranium production.

For investors interested in following the uranium space, having familiarity with uranium production by country is essential. Read on to get a closer look at the largest uranium-producing countries. Data and mine information on the top 10 uranium producing countries are from the World Nuclear Association’s most recent report on uranium mine production and mining database MDO.

1. Kazakhstan

Mine production: 21,227 metric tons

Kazakhstan is the largest uranium producing country in the world, and its total output of 21,227 metric tons in 2022 accounted for an impressive 43 percent of global uranium supply.

When last recorded in 2021, Kazakhstan had 815,200 MT of known recoverable uranium resources, second only to Australia. Most of the uranium in the country is mined via an in-situ leaching process.

Kazataprom, the country’s national uranium miner, is the world’s largest producer, with projects and partnerships in various jurisdictions. News that the top uranium producer may miss its production targets for 2024 and 2025 was a large contributor to uranium prices breaking through the US$100 level last year.

One of the company’s most significant uranium operations is the Inkai in-situ recovery (ISR) mine, a 60/40 joint venture with Cameco (TSX:CCO,NYSE:CCJ). According to the mining database MDO, Inkai produced 8.3 million pounds of U3O8 in 2023.

Production at Inkai was temporarily suspended in early 2025 due to a regulatory delay that has since been rectified.

In May, Kazatomprom announced that its subsidiary’s 40 percent owned joint venture, Taiqonyr Qyshqyl Zauyty, secured US$189 million in financing from the Development Bank of Kazakhstan to build an 800,000 MT per year sulfuric acid plant in the Turkestan region. The plant is expected to be operational by Q1 2027.

2. Canada

Mine production: 7,351 metric tons

Canada’s uranium output in 2022 was 7,351 metric tons. The country’s production fell dramatically since hitting a peak of 14,039 MT in 2016 as the country’s mines closed due to low uranium prices in the late 2010s. However, uranium production in the country began to rebound in 2022.

Saskatchewan’s Cigar Lake and McArthur River are considered the world’s two top uranium mines. Both properties are operated by sector major Cameco. MDO highlights Cigar Lake and McArthur River as having uranium grades that are 100 times the world average. The company made the decision to shutter operations at the McArthur River mine in 2018, but returned to normal operations in November 2022.

In 2023, Cameco produced 17.6 million pounds of uranium — equivalent to 7,983 metric tons — which was still below its originally planned production of 20.3 million pounds for the year. However, the company’s 2024 uranium output climbed to 23.1 million pounds, beating its guidance for the year.

For 2025, the uranium major plans to produce 18 million pounds of uranium at McArthur River/Key Lake and 18 million pounds at Cigar Lake.

Uranium exploration is also prevalent in Canada, with the majority occurring in the uranium-rich Athabasca Basin in the province of Saskatchewan. The Athabasca Basin is world renowned for its high-quality uranium deposits and friendly mining attitude, and Saskatchewan’s long history with the uranium industry has helped to assert it as an international leader in the sector.

3. Namibia

Mine production: 5,613 metric tons

Namibia’s uranium production totaled 5,613 metric tons in 2022. The country’s uranium output has been steadily increasing after falling to 2,993 MT in 2015.

In fact, the African nation overtook longtime frontrunner Canada to become the third largest uranium-producing country in 2020, and went on to surpass Australia for the second top spot in 2021. Although Namibia slipped back below Canada in 2022, its output for the year was only down by 140 MT from 2021.

The country is home to three key uranium mines: Langer Heinrich, Rössing and Husab. Paladin Energy (ASX:PDN,OTCQX:PALAF) owns the Langer Heinrich mine. In 2017, Paladin took Langer Heinrich offline due to weak uranium prices. However, improved uranium prices over the past few years prompted the uranium miner to ramp up restart efforts, and Langer Heinrich achieved commercial production once again in Q1 2024.

Paladin initially forecast fiscal 2025 output of 4 million to 4.5 million pounds of U3O8, but revised it in November 2024 to 3 million to 3.6 million pounds due to inconsistent ore stockpiles and water supply issues. In March 2025, after heavy rains further disrupted operations, Paladin removed its guidance altogether. The company is now facing two class action lawsuits regarding the guidance revisions.

Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO,ASX:RIO,LSE:RIO) sold its majority share of the Rössing mine to China National Uranium in 2019. Rössing is the world’s longest-running open-pit uranium mine, and recent expansion efforts have extended its mine life to 2036, according to MDO.

The Husab mine, majority owned by China General Nuclear, is one of the world’s largest uranium mines by output. As part of its effort to increase output, MDO reports that a pilot heap leach project is underway to assess the economic feasibility of processing lower-grade ore. The results of the pilot project are expected in 2025.

4. Australia

Mine production: 4,087 metric tons

Australia’s uranium production totaled 4,087 metric tons in 2022, down significantly from the 6,203 MT produced two years prior. The island nation holds 28 percent of the world’s known recoverable uranium resources.

Uranium mining is a contentious and often political issue in Australia. While the country permits some uranium-mining activity, it is opposed to using nuclear energy — at least for now.

‘Australia uses no nuclear power, but with high reliance on coal any likely carbon constraints on electricity generation will make it a strong possibility,” according to the World Nuclear Association. “Australia has a significant infrastructure to support any future nuclear power program.”

Australia is home to three operating uranium mines, including the largest-known deposit of uranium in the world, BHP’s (NYSE:BHP,ASX:BHP,LSE:BHP) Olympic Dam. Although uranium is only produced as a by-product at Olympic Dam, its high output of the metal makes it the fourth largest uranium-producing mine in the world. The mining database MDO reports that In BHP’s 2024 fiscal year, uranium output from the Olympic Dam operation totaled 3,603 metric tons of uranium oxide concentrate.

5. Uzbekistan

Mine production: 3,300 metric tons

In 2022, Uzbekistan was the fifth largest uranium producing country, with output of 3,300 metric tons. It entered the top five in 2020, with an estimated 3,500 MT of output. Domestic uranium production had been gradually increasing in the Central Asian nation since 2016 via Japanese and Chinese joint ventures.

Navoiyuran, which was spun out of state-owned Navoi Mining & Metallurgy Combinat in 2022 as part of a restructuring, handles all the mining and processing of domestic uranium supply. The nation’s uranium largess continues to attract foreign investment; strategic partnerships with French uranium miner Orano and state-run China Nuclear Uranium were announced in November 2023 and March 2024, respectively.

Orano also partnered with the state uranium company in 2019, forming a 51/49 joint venture, Nurlikum Mining, to develop the South Djengeldi uranium project. In early 2025, the pair was joined by Japan’s ITOCHU (TSE:8001), who acquired an undisclosed minority stake. The mine, located in the Kyzylkum Desert, is projected to produce up to 700 metric tons of uranium annually over a lifespan exceeding a decade. An exploration program aims to at least double the project’s mineral resources.

6. Russia

Mine production: 2,508 metric tons

Russia was in sixth place in terms of uranium production in 2022 with production of 2,508 metric tons. Output has been relatively steady in the country since 2011, usually coming in around the 2,800 to 3,000 MT range.

Experts had been expecting the country to increase its production in the coming years to meet its energy needs, as well as growing uranium demand around the world. But in 2021, uranium production in the country dropped by 211 MT year-over-year to 2,635 MT, and it fell by another 127 MT in 2022.

In terms of domestic production, Rosatom, a subsidiary of ARMZ Uranium Holding, owns the country’s Priargunsky mine and is working on developing the Vershinnoye deposit in Southern Siberia through a subsidiary.

In 2023, Russia surpassed its uranium production target, producing 90 MT more than expected. Rosatom is developing new mines, including Mine No. 6, which is slated to begin uranium production in 2028.

Russian uranium has been an area of controversy in recent years, with the US initiating a Section 232 investigation around the security of uranium imports from the country in 2018. More recently, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine has prompted countries around the world to look more closely at their nuclear supply chains.

7. Niger

Mine production: 2,020 metric tons

Niger’s uranium production totaled 2,020 metric tons in 2022, having declined year-on-year over the past decade. The African nation is home to the producing SOMAIR uranium mine and the past producing COMINAK mine, which account for 5 percent of the world’s uranium production. Both are run by subsidiaries of Orano, a private uranium miner, through majority owned joint ventures.

Global Atomic (TSX:GLO,OTCQX:GLATF) is developing its Dasa project in the country, and expects to commission its processing plant by early 2026. Niger is also home to the Madaouela uranium asset, which was the flagship project of explorer GoviEx Uranium (TSXV:GXU,OTCQB:GVXXF).

A recent military coup in the African nation has sparked uranium supply concerns, as Niger accounts for 15 percent of France’s uranium needs and one-fifth of EU imports. In January 2024, the government of Niger, now under a military junta, announced it intends to overhaul the nation’s mining industry. It has temporarily halted the granting of new mining licenses and is working to make changes to existing mining licenses in order to increase state profits.

In mid-2024, Niger’s government revoked GoviEx Uranium’s Madaouela mining license along with Orano’s operating permit for its Imouraren uranium project.

Niger granted a small-scale mining permit for the Moradi uranium project to state-owned COMIREX. The approval, issued February 22, 2025, upgrades a previous semi-mechanized license and strengthens national control over uranium resources in the Agadez Region.

8. China

Mine production: 1,700 metric tons

China’s uranium production grew to hit 1,700 metric tons in 2022, up by 100 MT over 2021. The country’s uranium production climbed during the 2010s from 885 MT in 2011 to 1,885 MT in 2018, and held steady at that level until falling to 1,600 MT in 2021.

China General Nuclear Power, the country’s sole domestic uranium supplier, is looking to expand nuclear fuel supply deals with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and additional foreign uranium companies.

China’s goal is to supply one-third of its nuclear fuel cycle with uranium from domestic producers, obtain one-third through foreign equity in mines and joint ventures overseas and purchase one-third on the open uranium market. China is also a leader in nuclear energy; the Chinese mainland has 56 nuclear reactors with 31 in construction.

In May 2025 Chinese scientists announced successful results from their newly developed method of extracting uranium from seawater, which uses hydrogel beads made with candle wax and a uranium-binding compound. The team aims to build a demonstration plant by 2035.

While the nation’s uranium reserves are less expansive than other countries, the technique could support China’s growing nuclear power needs by tapping into the ocean’s vast uranium reserves.

9. India

Mine production: 600 metric tons

India produced 600 metric tons of uranium in 2022, on par with output in 2021.

India currently has 25 operating nuclear reactors with another eight under construction, according to the Indian government. In 2025, the country’s Minister for Power released a list of steps to take to increase the country’s nuclear energy capacity to its goal of 100 gigawatts of power by 2047.

“The Indian government is committed to growing its nuclear power capacity as part of its massive infrastructure development programme,” as per the World Nuclear Association. “The government has set ambitious targets to grow nuclear capacity.”

10. South Africa

Mine production: 200 metric tons

South Africa produced 200 metric tons of uranium in 2022. It is another uranium-producing country that has seen its output decline over the past decade — the nation’s uranium output peaked at 573 MT in 2014. Nonetheless, in 2022 South Africa surpassed Ukraine’s production, which was curbed by Russia’s invasion, to become the 10th top uranium producer globally.

South Africa holds 5 percent of the world’s known uranium resources, taking the sixth spot on that list.

Recently, Sibanye-Stillwater (NYSE:SBSW) and C5 Capital, a global investment firm specializing in advanced nuclear energy, formed a strategic partnership to explore and develop advanced nuclear energy opportunities in South Africa and globally.

The collaboration aims to identify, acquire, finance, develop and manage uranium projects and production facilities capable of supplying fuel for small modular reactors. Sibanye-Stillwater’s portfolio includes significant uranium resources in tailings at its Cooke and Beatrix gold operations.

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

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

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