Category: Market News

The following article summarizes the key insights from a recent webinar hosted by sundae_bar (LSE:SBAR), exploring how their collaboration with the decentralized network Bittensor is revolutionizing how businesses hire and deploy AI.

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2026: The Year of the AI Agent

For several years, AI was largely viewed as a tool for “chatting.” However, as Gartner recently predicted, 2026 is the year that AI agents become an enterprise staple. Research shows that 40% of enterprises are expected to integrate agents into their workflows this year, a staggering leap from just 5% in 2025.

sundae_bar, is positioned at the centre of this shift. As a premier marketplace for AI agents, it is where businesses come to hire digital workers capable of performing end-to-end, real-world tasks. Central to this strategy is the development of a single generalist AI agent, designed to operate like a dependable digital employee, able to summarise information, identify priorities, make recommendations, and take action across business systems such as CRMs, documents, and internal tools.

The Problem with “Closed” AI

A major theme of the webinar was the danger of centralized AI. When innovation stays behind the closed doors of “gatekeeper” corporations like Google or Meta, progress is limited by the speed and interests of those few companies.

sundae_bar’s solution? Decentralization.

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Powered by Bittensor: A Global Dev Team

To build a superior product at record speed, sundae_bar utilizes Bittensor, a decentralized network for digital intelligence. Specifically, sundae_bar operates Subnet 121 (SN121), which serves as the “engine” behind their marketplace.

This partnership provides three distinct advantages:

1. Incentivized Competition: Developers worldwide compete to build and improve sundae_bar’s generalist AI agent. The best-performing version wins, and its developers are rewarded in TAO, Bittensor’s native token.
2. Compounded Progression: Because the system is open and competitive, and all contributors build on the same agent, the agent doesn’t just improve – it improves daily.
3. A Global Workforce: Through Subnet 121, sundae_bar essentially has a global team of developers building and refining their product simultaneously.
   
   “Down the road, when people ask how sundae_bar built such a strong product so quickly, the answer will be Bittensor. Our agent improves continuously because an entire open network is competing to build, test, benchmark, and push it forward. Ultimately, we are here to build the best agent for businesses.”

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From “Subnet” to “Storefront”

While the technical magic happens on Bittensor, business owners don’t need to be blockchain experts to benefit. sundae_bar, bridges the gap between complex tech and commercial utility:

• The Backend (Subnet 121): This is the training ground where the Generalist AI Agent is built, tested, and optimized.
• The Frontend (sundae_bar Marketplace): This is where businesses discover and “hire” the best version of that agent, tailored to their specific needs.

The goal is to provide a Generalist Agent that can handle end-to-end workflows – from HR and marketing to complex data management – without the business owner needing to understand the underlying code.

The Bottom Line

The opportunity for businesses in 2026 is clear. The demand for digital workers is high, and the technology to provide them is finally scalable. By combining the open, incentivized innovation of Bittensor with a user-friendly marketplace, sundae_bar is turning the “Year of the AI Agent” into a reality for enterprises of all sizes.

Crude prices edged up on Tuesday after economic data showed China’s growth was slightly stronger than expected, offering some support to demand expectations. However, gains were capped as investors remained wary of renewed trade tensions following the Trump administration’s threat to impose tariffs on several European countries over the Greenland issue.

By 08:05 ET (13:05 GMT), Brent crude futures for March delivery were up 0.8% at $64.41 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.8% to $59.83 a barrel, after markets were closed on Monday.

China data boosts demand outlook

Figures released on Monday showed China’s economy expanded 1.2% quarter-on-quarter in the final three months of 2025, beating expectations of 1.1%, as government stimulus and firmer consumer spending helped activity meet Beijing’s annual growth target.

As a result, China’s full-year GDP growth for 2025 reached 5%, in line with official goals set for a third straight year, despite a subdued post-pandemic recovery and ongoing trade frictions with the United States.

Separate official data also showed China’s refinery throughput rose 4.1% year on year in 2025, while crude oil production increased 1.5%, with both hitting record levels. Given China’s status as the world’s largest crude importer, signs of economic stabilization are seen as supportive for oil markets that are struggling with oversupply concerns.

Tariff threats tied to Greenland unsettle sentiment

Oil markets were volatile on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump warned he could impose tariffs on several major European economies until an agreement is reached to transfer Greenland to U.S. control.

Trump floated the possibility of duties of up to 25% on countries including France, Denmark and the U.K., and did not rule out the use of military force in connection with Greenland. He has repeatedly argued that U.S. ownership of the territory is critical for national security, while recent U.S. actions in Venezuela have added to investor caution around potential military escalation.

IEA report and U.S. stockpiles in focus

Beyond geopolitical developments, attention this week is firmly on the International Energy Agency’s monthly report due on Wednesday. The update is expected to provide further guidance on supply conditions, after the IEA has repeatedly warned of a possible surplus emerging in 2026, and is also likely to include projections for 2027.

The IEA’s outlook follows a recent report from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which struck a more optimistic tone on oil demand growth in 2026 and 2027.

Investors are also awaiting upcoming U.S. oil inventory data, which could offer additional insight into supply and demand trends in the world’s largest crude producer.

U.S. stock futures are signalling a sharply lower start to Tuesday’s session, pointing to renewed selling pressure as markets reopen after the long holiday weekend.

Investor nerves have been rattled by fresh concerns over a potential escalation in trade tensions between the United States and Europe, stemming from President Donald Trump’s renewed push to take control of Greenland. Trump has warned that countries opposing the move could face new tariffs, arguing that ownership of the Danish territory is essential to U.S. national security.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump outlined plans to impose a 10% tariff on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and Finland starting February 1. He added that the duties would increase to 25% from June 1 and remain in force until an agreement is reached allowing the U.S. to purchase Greenland.

“Investors will be hoping for some sort of de-escalation deal on Greenland which removes the risk of a break-up or at least serious rupture in the Nato alliance,” said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould. “If the crisis deepens it is unlikely to spell good news for global equities.”

He added, “Nasdaq looks set to chalk up the biggest declines amid concern about possible retaliatory action from Europe against America’s big tech contingent.”

U.S. equities ended last week on a soft note. Stocks initially moved higher early on Friday but quickly lost momentum, with trading remaining choppy and directionless for most of the session. The major indices hovered around flat levels before closing modestly lower.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 83.11 points, or 0.2%, to 49,359.33. The Nasdaq Composite fell 14.63 points, or 0.1%, to 23,515.39, while the S&P 500 edged down 4.46 points, or 0.1%, to 6,940.01.

For the week as a whole, the Nasdaq declined 0.7%, while the S&P 500 and the Dow posted losses of 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively.

Market volatility was also influenced by comments from Trump that cast doubt on whether National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett remains his preferred candidate to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair.

“I see Kevin’s in the audience, and I just want to thank you. You were fantastic on television today,” Trump said during at appearance at the White House. “I actually want to keep you where you are, if you want to know the truth.”

Hassett had been widely viewed as the frontrunner to replace Powell, whose term ends in May, but prediction markets now suggest former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh has moved into the lead following Trump’s remarks.

The uncertainty around the Fed leadership transition has added another layer of caution for investors already grappling with rising geopolitical risks. Traders remain wary as tensions surrounding Greenland persist, alongside ongoing concerns tied to Venezuela, political unrest in Iran and the war between Russia and Ukraine.

On the economic front, data from the Federal Reserve showed U.S. industrial production rose more than expected in December. Output increased 0.4%, matching an upwardly revised gain in November, while economists had forecast a modest 0.1% rise.

Most sectors ended Friday with only small moves, contributing to the muted market close. Commercial real estate stocks were a notable exception, with the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index rising 1.2%.

Semiconductor stocks also extended their rally from Thursday, lifting the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index by 1.2% to a new record closing high. In contrast, steel stocks retreated, with the NYSE Arca Steel Index falling 1.2% after posting its strongest close in more than 17 years the previous session.

Marks & Spencer (LSE:MKS) said on Tuesday that its Chief Technology Officer, Josie Smith, has stepped down from the business.

Her departure comes less than a year after a major cyberattack in April that caused significant disruption to the British clothing and food group’s online operations. The incident had a material financial impact, with the company estimating lost profits of around £300 million ($404 million).

“Josie Smith, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), has decided to leave M&S. We thank Josie for her significant contributions, and wish her well for the future,” an M&S spokesperson said, confirming an earlier report by Sky News.

In a period of rapid operational expansion, Ajax Resources (AQSE:AJAX) is making significant strides across its South American portfolio. Following a landmark year of acquisitions, the company has officially commenced its maiden drilling program at the historic Eureka Gold and Copper Project in Argentina, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a “quantum leap” in Brazil.

In a recent sit-down on The Watchlist, Ajax CEO Ippolito Ingo Cattaneo outlined a roadmap that transitions the company from an explorer into a developer with near-term production potential.

Unlocking 400 Years of History at Eureka

The spotlight is currently on the Eureka Project in the Jujuy Province of Argentina. Despite a 400-year history of production, the site has remarkably never been subjected to modern drilling.

Ajax is currently executing an initial 1,500-meter program, the first phase of a planned 5,500-meter campaign. The ultimate goal is to validate historical, non-compliant studies that suggested significant copper mineralization.

• Target: Publishing a JORC-compliant Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) by the first half of 2026.
• Potential: Historical data has assessed up to 62 million tonnes of copper at 1% (roughly 600,000 tonnes of copper).

“It’s one of the best times to be drilling a gold and copper project,” Ingo-Cattaneo noted, highlighting the company’s strong funding position and the favourable mining climate in the Jujuy province.

A “Quantum Leap” in Brazil: The Pereira Velho Project

While work intensifies in Argentina, Ajax has shifted its growth trajectory through the acquisition of the Pereira Velho Gold Project in Alagoas State, Brazil.

This deal is more than just an asset acquisition; it is a strategic partnership with Appian Capital Advisory, one of the world’s premier private equity groups in the mining sector. By taking their consideration in equity, Appian will become one of Ajax’s largest shareholders, a major vote of confidence in the junior miner’s management.

“Pereira represents a quantum leap in our company’s development,” said Ingo-Cattaneo. “We are looking to replicate the success of the nearby Serrote mine, which Appian developed and sold for $420 million in 2025.”

The immediate objective at Pereira Velho is to upgrade the current in-house estimate of 110,000 ounces to a JORC-compliant 350,000 ounces, targeting a fast-track to open-pit production.

Expanding the Pipeline: Leon and Beyond

Ajax is also maintaining momentum at the Leon Project in Salta, Argentina. This copper-silver asset comes with over $20 million in historical expenditure and 10,000 meters of previous drilling.

The company has secured an option on highly favorable terms ($100,000 in shares for the option, with a $3 million final payment in four years). Ingo-Cattaneo views Leon as another near-term production story, with a goal to expand the current 6.6 million-tonne resource to a 10 million-tonne milestone.

The Road Ahead

With gold reaching new historical peaks and copper demand surging for the global energy transition, Ajax Resources finds itself at a critical value inflection point.

By targeting under-explored assets with rich historical data and partnering with industry giants like Appian, Ajax is moving quickly to prove up its resources. For shareholders, the next 12 months will be defined by a steady flow of drill results and the transition toward formal resource estimates across two of South America’s most mining-friendly jurisdictions.

For more information on the current drill programs and project updates, visit ajaxresources.com.

Gold prices surged to fresh record highs during Asian trading on Tuesday, pushing beyond a key psychological level as ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S. demands over Greenland kept investors firmly in risk-off mode and boosted demand for safe-haven assets.

Both gold and silver had already climbed to unprecedented levels earlier in the week after U.S. President Donald Trump said European countries could face tariffs unless they relinquish Greenland. While silver saw some profit-taking in the latest session, gold continued to attract strong buying interest.

Spot gold rose 0.4% to $4,696.07 an ounce, while February gold futures gained 0.5% to $4,701.96 an ounce by 00:04 ET (05:04 GMT). Intraday, spot prices briefly touched a new record of $4,701.78 an ounce.

Bullion rallies as Trump–Greenland dispute rattles markets

Gold remained well supported as uncertainty over Trump’s intentions regarding Greenland reinforced demand for defensive assets.

The geopolitical unease also weighed on the U.S. dollar, providing additional support for precious metals. On Monday, Trump reiterated his claims over Greenland and, in an interview with NBC News, stopped short of ruling out the use of military force to secure the island.

Market anxiety intensified earlier this year after the United States launched an incursion into Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro. Trump is now set to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he is expected to meet with several European leaders.

“When US foreign policy tilts toward a transactional, unpredictable approach that bypasses multilateral frameworks, it risks undermining policy credibility and encourages diversification away from the USD,” analysts at OCBC wrote.
“In such an environment, precious metals like gold are supported not by extended conflict itself, but by a sustained backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and policy unpredictability.”

Silver retreats from highs; platinum also softens

Heightened global uncertainty has prompted investors to trim exposure to speculative assets and rotate further into physical stores of value such as gold — a shift that helped drive a broad rally across metals toward the end of 2025.

Silver and platinum had also benefited from that move, but both saw some profit-taking on Tuesday. Spot silver slipped 0.1% to $94.2890 an ounce after hitting a record in the previous session, while spot platinum declined 0.6% to $2,361.47 an ounce.

Industrial metals were likewise influenced by the demand for tangible assets. Benchmark copper futures on the London Metal Exchange eased 0.4% to $12,927.58 a tonne, though prices remained close to recent all-time highs.