Versarien nears administration

UK Investor Magazine
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Versarien nears administration

Engineering materials group Versarien has appointed Leonard Curtis to conduct an accelerated sale of its remaining assets as part of a fire sale that is likely to leave shareholders with little value, if any.

Versarien has died a long, drawn-out death. But the end of the company is nearing, and shareholders could soon be put out of their misery.

After failing to gain any meaningful traction and racking up debts in the process, Versarien is seeking to sell off core assets to pay off liabilities.

The company is seeking offers by early September for Versarien plc and its stakes in Gnanomat SL and Total Carbide Limited.

The move follows cost-cutting measures including placing Versarien Graphene Limited into administration and liquidating two subsidiaries, extending the cash runway until end-August. Whilst dialogue continues with a strategic investor announced in March, the board warns there’s no certainty either this investment or asset sales will complete in time to avoid administration.

If asset sales proceed, proceeds are likely to fall short of group liabilities, potentially forcing the company to cease trading and enter administration. This would suspend AIM trading and leave shareholders with no expected return.

New AIM admission: First Development Resources focuses on Wallal project near Havieron

Andrew Hore
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New AIM admission: First Development Resources focuses on Wallal project near Havieron

First Development Resources is a minerals exploration company spun out from AIM-quoted Power Metals Resources (LON: POW) and it is focused on three prospective projects in Western Australia and one in Northern Territory.  
The core project is at Wallal in Western Australia, and a drilling contractor has been appointed. Infrastructure is being prepared for drilling to commence as soon as possible at the copper gold project.
The cash raised in the flotation will fund the work programme and the overheads of the group. The first phase of Wallal project drilling should cost £315,000, and then ...

AIM weekly movers: Tasty completes fundraising

Andrew Hore
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AIM weekly movers: Tasty completes fundraising

Canaccord Genuity discretionary clients have further reduced their stake in oil and gas company Westmount Energy (LON: WTE) from 6.87% to 0.001%. Management says there are no material changes in trading. The share price soared 129% to 1.95p.

At the end of week, there was significant trading in the shares of Trellus (LON: TRLS), which has developed a digital platform to manage complex chronic conditions. This is already the most shares traded in a single day since February. The share price jumped to 1.65p and ended the week up 69.2% to 1.1p.

SIMEC Atlantis Energy (LON: SAE) has reached financial close on the AW1 BESS project in South Wales. This is a 120MW generation project and construction has begun at Uskmouth. A global renewable energy partner is taking a 24.7% stake in the project. Zeus has increased the 2025 revenues forecast from £7.4m to £11.4m and the 2026 estimate from £7.5m to £12.5m. In each year the expected loss has been more than halved to around £3m. Net debt is expected to be £65.1m at the end of 2025 and rise to £99.9m one year later. The share price increased 63.2% to 3.1p.

Northern Standard has reduced its shareholding in Aptamer (LON: APTA) from 10.9% to 8.14%. Oberon Investments has raised its stake from 6.08% to 6.47%. This includes previous holdings of Crux and Lansdowne. The share price rose 56.9% to 0.565p.

FALLERS

Defence contractor RC Fornax (LON: RCFX) was heavily traded on Friday. There have not been as many trades in a single day since early April, not even when the profit warning was announced. The share price slumped 29.3% to 14.5p.

Restaurants operator Tasty (LON: TAST) raised £9.25m from a placing at 0.5p/share and a retail offer generated a further £870,00o. The Kaye family invested £500,000 in the retail offer. There will be £3m invested in the existing restaurants and a further £1m on operational efficiency. There will be £3.6m set aside to acquire restaurant brands. The share price lost some of last week’s gains and was down 27.3% to 0.6p.

Alex Duggan has been appointed interim chief executive of erectile dysfunction treatments developer Futura Medical (LON: FUM). Angela Hildreth is stepping down as finance director and has a six-month notice period. Eroxon sales remain unpredictable. Sales and marketing strategies are being assessed and there will be news when the interims are published in late September. The share price fell 25.2% to 9.35p.

Drug developer ImmuPharma (LON: IMM) reported a reduction in loss from £2.78m to £1.95m in the six months to June 2025. The underlying improvement is masked by a loss on a derivative asset. Studies have helped to strengthen the commercial viability of the P140 technology platform and discussions continue with potential partners. The share price declined 24% to 1.58p.

Anexo (LON: ANX) says its tender offer was heavily oversubscribed with 32.17 million shares tendered with excess tenders scaled back so that 20 million shares were purchased. At 60p/share, there was £20m returned to shareholders. There are 97.99 million shares in issue following the tender. Independent directors have recommended a 60p/share bid. The share price slipped 19.8% to 38.5p.

Aquis weekly movers: Smarter Web Company new convertible issue

Andrew Hore
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Aquis weekly movers: Smarter Web Company new convertible issue

Fintech Amazing AI (LON: AAI) chief executive Paul Mathieson bought 1.32 million shares at 0.75p each. He owns 57.4%. The share price rose a further 30% to 0.975p.  

Incanthera (LON: INC) says the Skin + CELL skincare range launches on 11 August. It will be available through www.skinandcell.com. The share price recovered 19% to 6.25p.

Igraine (LON: KING) has entered into a collaboration with Homerun Energy, the European subsidiary of Canada-based renewable energy and critical metals projects developer Homerun Resources Inc. The two companies will work together on UK alternative energy projects focused on electric vehicle charging and integrated battery storage. There is an initial pilot for a UK automotive manufacturer. The share price increased 18.2% 0.325p.

Vault Ventures (LON: VULT) holds 771.37 ETH, 2,200.32 SOL and four Bitcoin. The share price rebounded 3.45% to 0.015p.

EDX Medical (LON: EDX) is developing a pneumonia test for critically ill NHS patients. It is partnering with the Intensive Care Unit at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to develop a test that identifies the DNA or RNA of microbes that cause lung infection. Results should be available in 60 seconds. EDX Medical has licenced the IP for the test from the trust. A kit version will be developed to sell to other hospitals. The share price improved 2.44% to 10.5p.

Daniel Thwaites (LON: THW) director Ann Yerburgh has sold her entire holding of 3.67 million shares. The share price is 2.44% to 10.5p.

FALLERS

TruSpine Technologies (LON: TSP) has published a document to gain shareholder approval for a Bitcoin treasury policy and the new strategy to acquire intellectual property assets. The company also plans to change its name to TSP Advanced Technologies. The share price declined 20.8% to 0.95p.

Coinsilium (LON: COIN) has invested a further £5m andowns 181.9596 Bitcoin and the total value is £15.7m. The share price fell 19% to 5.875p.

Vaultz Capital (LON: V3TC) has taken its Bitcoin holding to 117.853279 and the total cost is £10m. The share price decreased 17.8% to 9.25p.

Yorkshire AI Labs has reduced its stake in IntellAM AI (LON: INT) from 18% to 15.4%. The share price dipped 10.7% to 125p.

Hot Rocks Investments (LON: HRIP) has bought an additional 3.125 million warrants in fully listed Hamak Gold (LON: HAMA) taking its holding to 15.625 million warrants exercisable at 0.8p each. The share price is 4% lower at 1.2p.

The Smarter Web Company (LON: SWC) raised £8.1m from a placing and subscription at 205p/share early in the week. It subsequently launched Smarter Convert, a capital raising structured as a convertible bond denominated in Bitcoin. Asset management firm TOBAM has subscribed $21m through three of its funds. The reference share price is 195p and the conversion price is a 5% premium to that price. After an initial six months, the company can force the conversion if the share price is 50% higher than the conversion price for ten trading days. If the bonds are not converted within 12 months then the holders will receive 98% of the bond value, although that figure depends on the movement in Bitcoin. The share price slipped 1.18% to 210p.

AIM movers: Fiinu publishes reversal document and Pennant International revenues delayed

Andrew Hore
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AIM movers: Fiinu publishes reversal document and Pennant International revenues delayed

There has been significant trading in the shares of Trellus (LON: TRLS), which has developed a digital platform to manage complex chronic conditions. This is already the most shares traded in a single day since February. The share price jumped 130.8% to 1.5p.

Shares in Fiinu (LON: BANK) have returned from suspension after the publication of the document for the reverse takeover of Poland-based foreign exchange brokerage Everfex. The initial payment of £8m will be satisfied by the issue of 80 million shares at 10p each and the rest will depend on performance and be payable via up to 20 million shares at 20p each. Everfex made a pre-tax profit of more than £600,000 for the four months to April 2025. The acquisition will broaden the range of activities of the company and provide opportunities for the Plugin Overdraft product. A subscription has generated £801,000 at 10p/share. The share price increased 14.3% to 11p.

Blue Star Capital (LON: BLU) investee company SatoshiPay, where it holds a 50% shareholding, has fully invested the £1m loan it provided. It paid for 72.03338 Ether and 9.26732 Coinbase Wrapped BTC digital assets. The later is backed 1:1 by native Bitcoin held by Coinbase. They are redeemable for the underlying asset. The share price is 8.06% higher at 16.75p.

Keras Resources (LON: KRS) says Utah-based Falcon Isle is planning a mining campaign for an additional 5,000 tons of rock phosphate to bolster inventories and satisfy forward orders. The Nayega manganese mine in northern Togo is starting to ramp up to full capacity. First shipments are anticipated in September. The share price rose 3.85% to 1.35p.

FALLERS

Premier African Minerals (LON: PREM) is implementing the changes identified for the plant test at the Zulu lithium and tantalum project. In the next week a decision will be made on whether to purchase the secondary spodumene float section. The original sorters still have to be replaced and the tantalum recovery circuit needs to be completed. The share price dipped 17.2% to 0.024p.

Software supplier Pennant International (LON: PEN) says that first half revenues are broadly in line from expectations, but revenues from the GenFly contract with the MoD have been delayed until next year because of new approval processes. Zeus has cut its 2025 forecast revenues by 14% to £10.7m and expects a loss of £1.7m. The 2026 pre-tax profit is maintained at £1.27m. The share price declined 10.7% to 25p.

Alex Duggan has been appointed interim chief executive of erectile dysfunction treatments developer Futura Medical (LON: FUM). Angela Hildreth is stepping down as finance director and has a six-month notice period. Eroxon sales remain unpredictable. Sales and marketing strategies are being assessed and there will be news when the interims are published in late September. The share price slipped 12.1% to 10.135p.

Metals explorer Rockfire Resources (LON: ROCK) says drilling will commence at the Molaoi zinc deposit in Greece will commence before the 15 September. There will be a 30-hole programme, and it should result in a maiden inferred germanium resource. A feasibility study will be started. The share price fell 4% to 0.12p.

FTSE 100 steady as miners gain

UK Investor Magazine
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FTSE 100 steady as miners gain

The FTSE 100 was holding firm on Friday in slow trade typical of an August Friday as investors digest a UK interest rate cut and ongoing trade disruptions that could still upset global growth.

The index has hugged 9,100 since the BoE’s decision to cut rates by 0.25% yesterday, and faded back towards this level after a strong start on Friday.

Investors are pondering yesterday’s Bank of England instalment and whether there is scope for further interest rate cuts this year.

The FTSE 100’s performance since the rate decision at 12pm on Thursday suggests the market is unsure about the bank’s latest messaging, as it continues its fight against inflation with the added pressure of a slowing economy.

“Death, taxes, and the BoE tying themselves in knots at every opportunity. Life’s three certainties,” said Michael Brown, Senior Research Strategist at Pepperstone.

“I jest, slightly, but yesterday’s MPC decision saw policymakers very nearly end up holding Bank Rate steady, despite five policymakers voting in favour of a rate reduction.”

Brown continued to explain that while the voting split was undoubtedly hawkish, the doves and equity bulls would have been marginally reassured by comments around gradual interest rate cuts in the future.

“While the 5-4 vote was much more hawkish than had been expected, the statement read a little more dovish,” Brown said.

The pound was flat against the dollar on Friday after surging higher in the wake of the rate cut.

FTSE 100 movers

Fresnillo was the top riser as gold prices rose amid tariff and geopolitical concerns. Adding 3% on Friday, Fresnillo shares extended their gains to 179% so far in 2025 and is by far the best performing FTSE 100 stock on the year.

“US gold futures hit a fresh record high on reporting that the Trump administration has imposed tariffs on imports of one-kilo bars. Sustained by factors like its safe haven credentials and a weakening dollar in 2025 – this latest development will have gold bugs eyeing the $4,000 level.

Glencore was among the top risers as the miner bounced back from a disappointing set of half-year results. Traders will be eyeing the 275p mark as a point of previous support that has once again held.

IHG took up the rear on Friday with a loss of 3% as traders booked short-term profits after the hotel group spiked yesterday.

Best Prop Firms to Start Your Trading Career

UK Investor Magazine
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Best Prop Firms to Start Your Trading Career

For aspiring traders, one of the biggest hurdles isn’t developing a strategy; it’s access to capital. Traditional paths into the markets often require deep pockets, high risk tolerance, or industry connections. That’s where proprietary trading firms (prop firms) come in. 

Prop firms provide traders with the opportunity to trade company capital and share in the profits, removing the need to risk personal funds. Over the past few years, the prop trading model has evolved rapidly, becoming more accessible to individuals around the world, including right here in the UK. 

If you’re looking to start your trading career in 2025, here’s what to know about the best prop firms and how to choose one that fits your goals. 

What Is a Prop Firm? 

A proprietary trading firm allows you to trade with its capital instead of your own. In most modern setups, traders go through an evaluation phase (often a simulated or demo account) to prove their strategy and risk control. If successful, they’re offered a funded account and can begin trading real capital, earning a share of the profits. 

This model lowers the barrier to entry for new traders and rewards discipline and performance over account size. 

Why Start With a Prop Firm? 

Starting your trading career through a prop firm has several clear benefits: 

  • No need to risk personal savings 
  • Access to larger capital than you’d self-fund 
  • Performance-based rewards 
  • Built-in risk management guidelines 
  • Professional environment with accountability 
     

In short, you get to focus on developing your edge, not worrying about losses wiping out your capital. 

Best Prop Firms to Consider in 2025 

Here are four standout proprietary trading firms for new and aspiring traders in 2025: 

1) Hola Prime 

Launched in 2024, Hola Prime has quickly positioned itself as one of the most transparent and trader-focused prop firms in the industry. It offers funded trading accounts for both Forex and Futures, with a strong emphasis on fairness, support, and speed. 

Why Hola Prime stands out: 

  • No hidden rules; what you see is what you trade 
  • 1-hour payouts, among the fastest in the industry 
  • Daily Price Transparency Reports for unmatched visibility into execution 
  • Multiple platforms supported: MT4, MT5, cTrader, MatchTrader, DXTrade 
  • One-on-one coaching and educational support 
  • Low entry cost, with challenge fees starting around $48 
  • Award-winning, named “Most Trusted Prop Firm” and “Most Competitive” in early 2025 
     

Hola Prime is ideal for traders who want clear rules, fast payouts, and real support, not just capital. With 86% 5-star reviews and growing industry recognition, it’s a top choice for serious retail traders. 

2) FTMO 

One of the most established names in the industry, FTMO remains a go-to for aspiring prop traders worldwide. It offers: 

  • A transparent two-step evaluation process 
  • Up to 90% profit split 
  • Account scaling opportunities 
  • Strong reputation and community support 
     

FTMO is a solid choice for disciplined traders who want a trusted, stable prop firm with a global footprint. 

3) Funded Trading Plus 

This UK-based prop firm has made a name for itself by combining affordability, transparency, and fast scaling. It offers instant funding options and payout requests that are typically processed within days. 

With a flexible challenge model and clear rules, Funded Trading Plus is especially appealing to traders who want low stress and high growth potential. 

4) PipFarm 

PipFarm is a newer entrant, but it’s already making noise for its high payout ratios, freedom in trading styles, and simple onboarding process. It offers instant funding models and frequent payouts, making it a solid option for traders who want fast results with fewer restrictions. 

The firm also has a reputation for listening to its community, regularly updating rules and features based on trader feedback. 

What to Look For in a Prop Firm 

Not all prop firms are created equal. Here are some key things to check before committing: 

  • Transparent evaluation rules – Look for clear targets and limits 
  • Profit split and payout frequency – Understand how and when you’ll get paid 
  • Allowed strategies – Some firms restrict scalping, news trading, or EAs 
  • Support and education – Especially valuable for new traders 
  • Platform and asset access – Ensure they support the markets you want to trade 
     

A strong prop firm should act as a partner, not just a provider. That’s why firms like Hola Prime, with multi-asset flexibility and modern trading infrastructure, are gaining attention. 

Start your Trading Career in 2025 

If you’re serious about starting a trading career, joining a prop firm could be your smartest move. It gives you the capital, structure, and professional environment you need, without the personal financial risk that usually comes with trading. 

From long-established names to emerging platforms like Hola Prime, today’s best prop firms offer a more accessible path into serious market participation. When choosing a platform, don’t just go off what others are doing, as it may not be the best option for you. Instead, think about which is the best fit for your style of investing, your investment goals and your risk tolerance. 

Gold inches back towards record highs

UK Investor Magazine
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Gold inches back towards record highs

Gold is moving back up towards record highs after another week of turbulence on the macro front, which is driving traders back into the safe haven.

Trade tariffs continue to influence the gold price, with Trump slapping a 50% tariff on India despite making deals with most other major economies.

The gold price was trading a whisker below $3,400 at the time of writing on Friday, having rebounded from lows around $3,280 at the start of the week.

“Gold posted an impressive rebound during the first week of August, approaching the key $3,400/oz level. This rally was not merely driven by technical factors, but rather supported by a confluence of macroeconomic risks, escalating geopolitical tensions, intensifying trade pressures, and growing expectations that global monetary policy may begin to ease,” said Linh Tran, Market Analyst at XS.com in a note.

“On the trade front, the current environment reflects a stark dichotomy. On one hand, the U.S. has made meaningful progress in bilateral negotiations with major economies such as Japan, the EU, and the UK—somewhat calming investor sentiment. On the other hand, unresolved risks remain.

“Most notably, President Trump unexpectedly imposed a tariff of up to 50% on Indian garment imports—25% effective immediately and another 25% to take effect on August 28—as a punitive measure for India’s continued oil purchases from Russia despite international sanctions.”

The Smarter Web Company expands Bitcoin holdings with £4.3m purchase

UK Investor Magazine
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The Smarter Web Company expands Bitcoin holdings with £4.3m purchase

The Smarter Web Company PLC has announced another significant Bitcoin purchase as part of its ambitious “10 Year Plan” treasury strategy.

The London-listed technology firm acquired 50 Bitcoin at an average price of £86,650 per coin, representing a total investment of £4,332,507.

This latest purchase brings the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to an impressive 2,100 coins. The total investment now stands at £171,091,407 with an average purchase price of £81,472 per Bitcoin.

The company maintains approximately £19.5 million in net cash reserves available for future Bitcoin acquisitions. This substantial war chest positions them to continue their aggressive cryptocurrency accumulation strategy – the main factor in the explosion in the firm’s share price since IPO.

While Bitcoin captures headlines, The Smarter Web Company’s foundation remains its web services business. The company provides web design, development, and online marketing solutions to clients.

Their revenue model combines initial setup fees with recurring annual hosting charges and optional monthly marketing services.

The Smarter Web Company shares trade at roughly 2.5x the value of their cash and Bitcoin holdings.

Premier African Minerals advances Zulu lithium plant testing

UK Investor Magazine
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Premier African Minerals advances Zulu lithium plant testing

Premier African Minerals Limited has provided an encouraging update on its Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project, revealing steady progress in the second phase of plant testing.

The company launched the second testing phase on schedule with the aim of implementing changes that will allow operations to run 22 days a month to meet production targets.

“We are generally pleased with progress and remain as confident as ever in the final successful conclusion of this phase,” said George Roach, CEO.

Despite encountering typical commissioning challenges, Premier said it continues to see ‘promising results’ at each phase.

Long-suffering investors have heard this before. The plant was supposed to be up and running over a year ago.

A critical decision looms within the next seven days regarding the purchase of a secondary spodumene float section. This decision will determine the timeline for expanding processing capabilities.

Premier is simultaneously addressing two significant plant issues requiring extended timelines. The company plans to replace original OEM-supplied sorters that have proven inadequate for their intended purpose and is targeting the completion of the tantalum recovery circuit.

The firm said several parties have expressed interest in purchasing tantalum, with some potentially willing to assist with circuit completion costs.

Premier African Minerals shares have lost more than 97% of their value since touching highs of 1p in 2023.

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