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Quantum Blockchain Technologies (LSE:QBT) has revealed a new mathematical enhancement to its Method B Bitcoin mining technology, introducing an approach that aims to increase the generation of winning hashes without requiring a machine learning phase inside ASIC mining hardware. The technique applies principles of chaos mathematics to SHA-256 outputs, enabling the identification of input blocks that contain a higher concentration of potential winning hashes by uncovering hidden mathematical patterns.

Following six months of modelling and extensive offline testing, the company said the new approach has consistently improved SHA-256 computational performance. Live testing is now underway using a Bitaxe Gamma miner equipped with a Bitmain BM1370 ASIC, while further evaluation is planned on an ASIC manufacturer’s mining development kit. Management believes the technology could evolve into a commercially viable Bitcoin mining solution, potentially strengthening Quantum Blockchain Technologies’ position in the competitive cryptocurrency mining sector as development of its Method C AI Oracle continues.

Despite the latest technological progress, the company’s outlook remains constrained by weak financial fundamentals, including minimal revenue, ongoing losses, negative free cash flow and negative shareholders’ equity alongside meaningful debt. Technical indicators also remain subdued, with the shares trading below key moving averages and negative MACD signals suggesting weak momentum. Valuation support is limited by the company’s negative earnings and the absence of a dividend.

More about Quantum Blockchain Technologies PLC

Quantum Blockchain Technologies PLC is an AIM-listed research, development and investment company focused on advancing blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency mining innovation. Its core objective is to develop proprietary Bitcoin mining methods that improve efficiency and performance beyond conventional mining techniques through the application of advanced mathematics, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

ECR Minerals (LSE:ECR) has announced the identification of a new drill-ready gold target at the Butterfly Creek prospect within its wholly owned Lolworth Project in North Queensland. Laboratory assay results have outlined a 200-metre north-northeast trending gold corridor containing sixteen soil samples exceeding 100 parts per billion (ppb) gold, including a highest result of 3,510 ppb. The company said the mineralised trend appears to be structurally controlled and may continue beneath shallow surface cover.

The newly identified target was not recognised during earlier portable XRF pathfinder surveys, highlighting the importance of laboratory fire assay analysis in detecting gold mineralisation that may be overlooked by conventional field techniques. ECR plans to carry out further geological mapping before commencing an initial drilling programme. Management believes the latest results further support the potential for Lolworth to develop into a district-scale gold system while enhancing the overall quality and scale of the company’s Australian exploration portfolio.

ECR Minerals’ investment outlook continues to be constrained by the absence of revenue, ongoing operating losses and continued cash outflows. However, these challenges are partly offset by the company’s debt-free balance sheet and signs of gradual improvement in losses and cash flow. Technical indicators remain broadly neutral to weak, with negative MACD signals and the share price trading below shorter-term moving averages. Valuation also remains limited by negative earnings and the absence of a dividend.

More about ECR Minerals

ECR Minerals plc is a gold exploration and development company focused on building a portfolio of projects across Australia. Its flagship exploration asset is the Lolworth Project in the Hodgkinson Gold Province of North Queensland, where the company is targeting large-scale gold discoveries. Alongside Lolworth, ECR is advancing production-focused opportunities at Maddens, Raglan and Blue Mountain as part of its broader strategy to create a diversified Australian gold business.

capAI (LSE:CPAI) has extended its licence and option agreements with R42 Group covering its capMedia platforms Author42, Movie42 and Gamers42, with all arrangements now running until 7 July 2027. The revised agreements extend the exclusive licence periods for Author42 and Movie42, move back the longstop date for Gamers42 and preserve capAI’s option to acquire the intellectual property for each platform at a price of £2 million.

According to the board, the extensions provide additional time to develop, evaluate and commercialise the three artificial intelligence platforms before deciding whether to exercise the acquisition options. The company said the revised timetable supports its disciplined approach to capital allocation by allowing further validation of each platform’s commercial potential before committing to a purchase.

As R42 Group is led by capAI’s executive chairman, the revised agreements were treated as related-party transactions. The amendments were reviewed and approved exclusively by the company’s independent directors, who concluded that the revised terms are fair and reasonable for shareholders who are not connected to the transaction. The decision reflects capAI’s continued focus on maintaining strong corporate governance and protecting shareholder interests.

More about capAI plc

capAI plc is an applied artificial intelligence venture company listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the OTCQB market. Through its capMedia and capMedical businesses, the company develops and commercialises AI-powered products across media, healthcare and digital content markets. Its portfolio includes platforms such as Author42, Movie42 and Gamers42, which are designed to build scalable user bases while following a capital-efficient growth strategy.

Foresight Environmental Infrastructure Limited (LSE:FGEN) has announced a change to its investment management team, with Chris Tanner stepping down from his position as Co-Lead Manager to take on a new role within Foresight Group. Day-to-day responsibility for managing the company’s portfolio will continue to be led by directors Ed Mountney and Charlie Wright, ensuring continuity across the investment strategy and operational management.

The board said Mountney and Wright have served together as Co-Lead Managers for the past six years, giving them extensive experience of the portfolio and a proven record of execution. It believes the leadership transition will allow the company to maintain its strategic direction while continuing to pursue long-term growth opportunities across its environmental infrastructure assets.

Foresight Environmental Infrastructure invests in projects that support decarbonisation and sustainable development, with a diversified portfolio spanning renewable energy, energy infrastructure and sustainable resource management. As an Article 9 fund under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), the company aims to generate stable, inflation-linked income alongside long-term dividend growth for shareholders.

While the company’s outlook continues to be affected by weak operating and free cash flow generation, together with volatile revenue that raises questions over earnings quality and dividend sustainability, these concerns are partly offset by a strong, low-leverage balance sheet. Technical indicators also remain supportive, while valuation appears reasonable given the combination of a modest price-to-earnings ratio and an attractive dividend yield.

More about Foresight Environmental Infrastructure Limited

Foresight Environmental Infrastructure Limited (FGEN) is a specialist investment company focused on private environmental infrastructure assets across the UK and mainland Europe. Its portfolio includes renewable energy projects, wider energy infrastructure and sustainable resource management investments designed to generate long-term, inflation-linked cash flows from essential infrastructure assets. The company seeks to provide investors with progressive dividends and potential capital growth through exposure to the transition towards a more sustainable economy.

Playtech (LSE:PTEC) has upgraded its earnings guidance for 2026 after reporting first-half trading that significantly exceeded market expectations. The online gambling technology group now expects first-half Adjusted EBITDA to surpass €155 million, supported by exceptional growth in the United States and strong performances across Mexico, Colombia and selected European markets. A key contributor was the company’s partnership with Hard Rock Digital, which benefited from being first to market with a betting product based on Past Motor Racing results.

Despite the stronger first-half performance, Playtech expects earnings to moderate during the second half of the year. The company said this reflects the anticipated normalisation of revenue from Hard Rock Digital, continued investment in a major partnership in Brazil and the full-year effect of higher UK Remote Gaming Duty. Nevertheless, Playtech now forecasts full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA of at least €270 million, comfortably ahead of current analyst expectations and highlighting the strength of its business across regulated gaming markets. The company is due to publish its interim results on 10 September 2026.

While Playtech continues to generate healthy cash flow, its overall outlook remains affected by uneven financial performance and concerns over the consistency and quality of earnings. Against this, technical indicators remain positive, with the shares trading above key moving averages and maintaining favourable momentum. Valuation also appears attractive, supported by a relatively low price-to-earnings ratio.

More about Playtech

Playtech plc is a leading global business-to-business technology provider for the online betting and gaming industry. Founded in 1999 and listed on the London Stock Exchange, the company develops end-to-end software solutions, including its PAM+ platform, gaming content and services spanning online casino, live casino, sports betting, bingo and poker. Playtech operates across more than 50 regulated and regulating markets worldwide.

The group employs more than 7,400 people across 20 countries and focuses on delivering secure, responsible and engaging player experiences through advanced technology and player protection tools. Its comprehensive platform and turnkey solutions make Playtech a key technology partner for regulated gambling operators around the world.

Kendrick Resources (LSE:KEN) has announced the discovery of high-grade rare earth element breccia at the Teufelskuppe carbonatite complex in Namibia, further strengthening the project’s development potential. The newly identified breccia zone is estimated to contain around 40% high-grade, light rare earth element-dominant carbonatite and averages approximately 3.75 wt% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) across an interval of 14.42 metres. Located close to the surface, the discovery has the potential to significantly increase the project’s overall resource base.

The company has begun an accelerated programme of resource development and metallurgical testing aimed at separating the higher-grade carbonatite from surrounding waste rock. By improving feed grades and reducing the amount of material requiring processing, Kendrick hopes to enhance the project’s future economics. Work is also progressing on an initial mineral resource estimate for the newly discovered breccia, alongside the preparation of a JORC-compliant resource for the wider Teufelskuppe project. The company believes the project could become an important future source of rare earth materials as global demand rises and supply chains continue to diversify.

Kendrick’s investment outlook remains constrained by weak financial fundamentals, including the absence of revenue, ongoing losses, negative cash flow and a significantly weakened balance sheet with negative shareholders’ equity. However, technical indicators remain supportive following recent share price strength. Valuation is difficult to assess due to the company’s negative earnings and the absence of a dividend.

More about Kendrick Resources PLC

Kendrick Resources Plc is a mineral exploration and development company focused on identifying, acquiring and advancing projects containing critical minerals. The company is progressing the Teufelskuppe and Bonya rare earth projects in Namibia, alongside the Blue Fox licence in northwest Zambia, with the aim of developing strategically important mineral resources that support growing demand from global clean energy and advanced manufacturing industries.

Alien Metals (LSE:UFO) has announced that its joint venture partner, West Coast Silver, has delivered encouraging high-grade silver and base metal drilling results from the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project near Karratha in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The latest diamond and reverse circulation drilling has identified a new zone of silver mineralisation beneath the historic mine workings, with several near-surface intersections extending beyond the boundaries of the current mineral resource estimate. Additional assay results are expected over the coming months.

The latest drilling has also identified high-grade silver mineralisation alongside nickel, copper and palladium sulphides, further enhancing the project’s exploration potential. Alien Metals owns a 30% interest in the Elizabeth Hill project as well as an equity stake in West Coast Silver, meaning continued exploration success could strengthen the company’s exposure to both precious and base metals alongside its core iron ore portfolio. The results also improve the project’s long-term development potential and reinforce Alien’s strategic position within the Pilbara mining region.

Despite the positive exploration update, Alien Metals continues to face financial challenges, with no current revenue generation, ongoing losses and consistently negative free cash flow weighing on its overall outlook. Technical indicators also continue to reflect generally weak market momentum. Valuation support remains limited, as the company reports negative earnings and does not currently offer a dividend.

More about Alien Metals Ltd

Alien Metals Ltd is an AIM-listed mining exploration and development company focused on advancing a diversified portfolio of mineral assets through exploration, technical studies, project development and strategic partnerships. Its flagship asset is the 90%-owned Hancock Iron Ore Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The company also holds interests in a range of iron ore, silver and base metal projects, including a 30% stake in the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project and equity investments in several joint venture partners.

Spire Healthcare (LSE:SPI) has confirmed that funds managed by Toscafund Asset Management, the company’s second-largest shareholder, remain in discussions regarding a possible cash offer of 250 pence per share for the group’s entire issued and to be issued share capital. The proposal also includes an option allowing existing shareholders to receive unlisted rollover equity as an alternative. Any formal offer remains subject to customary conditions, including the completion of due diligence and the agreement of final transaction documentation.

At Toscafund’s request, Spire’s board has agreed to a further extension of the Takeover Code “put up or shut up” deadline, moving it from 9 July to 6 August 2026. The company said Toscafund’s due diligence process and financing arrangements are now well advanced. However, there remains no certainty that a firm offer will be made. Toscafund also retains the right to amend the terms or value of any future proposal under certain circumstances. The latest extension signals that takeover discussions remain active and could have important implications for both shareholders and the wider UK private healthcare sector.

Spire Healthcare’s investment outlook continues to benefit from stable operational performance and dependable cash generation. However, relatively high leverage and narrow net profit margins continue to weigh on the company’s financial profile. Technical indicators remain supportive following a sustained share price rally, although a very high Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests the shares may be approaching overbought territory. Valuation appears broadly balanced, supported by a modest dividend yield.

More about Spire Healthcare

Spire Healthcare Group plc is one of the UK’s largest independent healthcare providers, operating 38 hospitals and more than 60 clinics across England, Wales and Scotland. Listed on the FTSE 250, the company works with more than 8,800 consultants and provides private healthcare, NHS-funded services and employer-sponsored medical care. It is also the UK’s largest private provider of knee and hip replacement procedures by volume.

In addition to its hospital network, Spire operates private GP practices and workplace health services for more than 1,400 employers. The group is also the largest independent provider of NHS talking therapies in England. Almost all of its clinical facilities have been rated Good or Outstanding by healthcare regulators, serving self-pay patients, NHS commissioners, employers and private medical insurers through a nationwide network of nearly 100 locations.