(Alliance News) – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday announced plans to introduce free digital ID for both nationals and those residing in the country in a bid to curb illegal migration.
The government said the drive will also make it simpler to apply for services such as driving licences, childcare, and welfare, while streamlining access to tax records. The new digital ID will be held on people’s phones, and there will be no requirement for individuals to carry their ID or be asked to produce it, said the government.
Comment: This nothing to do with illegal immigration, it is about a decent contract to an outsourcer, and an attempt to claw back all the tax revenue lost to the black economy which could otherwise be wasted on people who do not want to work.
B HODL (AQUIS: HODL), the first British company founded for Bitcoin accumulation and revenue generation from the Bitcoin in its treasury, is pleased to announce the purchase of Bitcoin as part of its ongoing treasury strategy. The Company remains focused on the disciplined acquisition of Bitcoin to build a long-term strategic reserve that also powers B HODL’s Lightning Network operations. Number of Bitcoin acquired: 12 BTC
Comment: The latest addition to the BTC Treasury brigade has got off to a good start, something which will continue as long as the company adopts a softly softly approach to raising cash for BTC, and shows the market it can generate sustainable revenues through Lightning Network infrastructure. If it can we could be looking at something approaching a perpetual money making machine…
Ondine Biomedical Inc. (OBI), a leader in light-activated antimicrobial therapies to prevent and treat hospital infections, announced continued commercial expansion and clinical progress in the first half of 2025. The Company invested significant time and resources into strategic initiatives designed to drive long-term growth and value, including advancing key clinical programmes, strengthening commercial channels, and upgrading its product platform. Commercial growth: Adoption of the Company’s novel light-activated antimicrobial, Steriwave®, increased by 41% to 41 hospitals by the end of H1 2025 (H1 2024: 29 Hospitals).
Comment: With its breakthrough technology, in a key area of medical care, it is not a matter of if OBI takes off, but when. We should be entering the hockey stick of adoption in coming months.
European Green Transition: From Exploration to Execution at The Investor Summit
Gem Resources (GEMR) presented unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Gem Resources plc for the six months ended 30 June 2025. GEMR said “While the gemstone market remains subdued, GEMR now has the operational progress, strengthened financial position, and new strategic initiatives required to advance Gravelotte and Curlew, while also establishing innovative financing and marketing channels. These developments provide a solid foundation for long-term growth.”
Comment: Given the new souped up, “skin in the game” directors, GEMR should be on its way, with or without a “subdued” gemstone market, and even without the company reminding the stock market that the gemstone market is subdued.
Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group (PR1), the AI, data and marketing services group, announced the launch of Fan Sonar, the next generation of the Company’s core product portfolio, which delivers customers an AI social listening tool across all major social media channels to monitor brand impact across over 100 million online sources. Fan Sonar is an enhanced tool which enriches the results of social listening with AI to improve automated analytics and efficiency of platform management for businesses.
Comment: PR1 has launched a plethora of zeitgeist friendly products and services to the market, and it would be interesting to know how many CEOs actually understand the products, appreciate them, or would pay for them. The average age of a CEO is apparently 54-55, so many of them will not even know one end of a tweet from another. Lots of old dogs need to be taught new tricks.
Gulf Keystone (GKP) announced that the Company, along with several other International Oil Companies operating in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (“Kurdistan”), has signed agreements with the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq to enable the restart of international crude exports from Kurdistan. Pipeline exports from the Shaikan Field are expected to restart in the coming days.
Comment: After drill, baby, drill, it would appear that companies like GKP are Shaiken All Over, in the wake of the oil flowing again. The shares are already at 2 year highs / 220p, and perhaps should be at 3 year highs of 300p plus by the end of the year?
EnergyPathways (EPP), an integrated energy transition company, announced its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2025. EPP said “We have made strong operational progress on MESH in the year to date, having signed strategic agreements with a number of world class contractors to support EnergyPathways through the FEED phase and move the project towards FID status. We continue to maintain good dialogue with the various silos that comprise the relevant authorities overlooking our planning and licensing and we remain optimistic that we will obtain the requisite approvals to move MESH to the next phase in due course. Our optimism is underpinned by an unwavering belief that the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of MESH are too valuable for the UK to be overlooked.”
Comment: Someone on X has asked where the Green Loan £5m is, which frankly is verging on being rude. Instead, one should look on the bright side and assume that as another X cognoscenti has said “The long arduous wait for holders of #EPP is coming to an end in the next week or so as we anticipate the outcome of the Section 35 directive.” This is really shaping up to be a Man From Del Monte moment.
Buccaneer Energy (BUCE), an international oil & gas exploration and production company with development and production assets in Texas, US, announce its unaudited results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2025. $888,956 Revenue for the period (30 June 2024: $938,000). $276,000 profit before Capex and non-cash items (depletion, depreciation, amortisation and interest) (30 June 2024: $230,000). $944,232 loss for the period (30 June 2024: $792,000 loss).
Comment: As another cynic on X has commented today, and paraphrasing: “same old money losing, and running out of cash”. This appears to be someone harsh. The company has a brand new strategy in using gas production from development wells to power a Bitcoin mining operation. What is not to like? Plus, there is the “Pirates of the Caribbean” friendly name change.
Jangada Mines (JAN), a Brazil focussed natural resource development company, announced that it has sold its entire investment holding in Blencowe Resources PLC to focus its cash resources on the implementation of its new gold strategy, in particular, the development of the high grade Paranaíta Gold Project in Brazil. Following the sale of its Blencowe holding of 21,050,000 Ordinary Shares and the Company’s £800,000 capital raise in August 2025, Jangada is now well-capitalised to implement its new strategy and accelerate activities at Paranaíta, where it holds management control.
Comment: All good here apart from the selling shares in Blencowe part, just before the company takes off. Nevertheless, shares of JAN look to have enough of a spring in their step to return to last year’s highs through 1.5p off the back of Paranaíta.
Smarttech247 (S247), a multi-award-winning provider of AI-enhanced cybersecurity services providing automated managed detection and response for a portfolio of international clients, announced a trading update for the year to 31 July 2025. The Board is also announcing a proposed cancellation of the Company’s admission to trading on AIM.
Comment: Who is more likely to want to de-list from the AIM market? A successful company, or an unsuccessful one? The answer is both.
Ceres Power Holdings (CWR), a leading developer of clean energy technology, announced its results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2025. Strong balance sheet with cash and short-term investments of £104.1 million (December 2024: £102.5 million), following positive cash inflow of £1.6 million (H1 2024: outflow of £13.9 million) received in the period as a result of disciplined working capital management.
Comment: With over £100m in the kitty, at the current rate of progress CWR can keep on losing cash for the next 10 years, which should see many of us out.
Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest:
The information, investment views, and recommendations in this Zaks Traders Cafe interview are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this interview should be construed as a promotion or solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or referred to or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engage in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the commentator but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. The commentators may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.
