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HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd (NASDAQ:HIVE) is charging ahead with plans to nearly triple its hashrate to 25 EH/s by the fourth quarter of 2025. But while the ambition is clear, the execution risks are anything but negligible — especially in Paraguay, where much of this growth is concentrated.
Read Also: HIVE Digital Energizes Paraguay Site With Major Bitcoin Mining Expansion
"Scaling to 25 EH/s is an ambitious goal. While we're on track, there are always execution risks," says CFO Darcy Daubaras in an exclusive email interview with Benzinga. Among them: hardware shipping delays, global supply chain snags and construction setbacks.
HIVE is betting on Paraguay's abundant hydropower and favorable climate to drive efficient mining. But can the country's infrastructure keep up with HIVE's scale-up?
Daubaras acknowledges the challenges. "Risks do exist. These include regulatory changes, limitations in grid infrastructure, and dynamics of regional trade."
In other words, even the most miner-friendly environment can pose headaches when you’re building out industrial-scale data centers.
To mitigate the risk of the ramp-up, HIVE has boots on the ground. Its president in Paraguay, Gabriel Lamas, is a veteran electrical engineer who previously held key roles at Bitfarms and Paraguay's national utility, ANDE. Under his leadership, HIVE is focusing on grid integration, reliability, and energy optimization.
"His deep technical knowledge and proven track record in energy optimization ensure we maintain HIVE's high standards as we scale in South America," says Daubaras.
Still, the question lingers: Can Paraguay deliver the power, political stability and grid reliability needed to keep the lights on at 25 EH/s?
If the answer is yes, HIVE may emerge as one of the most efficient and greenest miners on the planet. If not, the hashrate dream could hit an electric wall.
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Photo: Shutterstock
HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd (NASDAQ:HIVE) is putting its money, or rather, its Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), where its mouth is.
While most Bitcoin miners scramble for capital or take on high-interest debt, HIVE is doing something different: using the BTC on its balance sheet to fund growth. But as CFO Darcy Daubaras admits in an exclusive email interview with Benzinga, this strategy is a double-edged sword.
"Utilizing Bitcoin from our treasury to fund growth provides us with flexibility without incurring debt," Daubaras says. "However, it demands disciplined timing and robust treasury management."
Translation? It's bold, but not without danger. Bitcoin's notorious price swings could wreak havoc on HIVE's liquidity and net asset position. In plain terms: when BTC dips, so might HIVE's wiggle room.
This isn’t just a paper risk either. Daubaras warns that volatility can "affect borrowing capacity, financial covenants, and risk tolerance among lenders or investors." In a downturn, just when capital is most needed, HIVE could find itself handcuffed.
Read Also: HIVE Digital Energizes Paraguay Site With Major Bitcoin Mining Expansion
And the regulatory fog doesn't help. Shifting accounting standards for crypto assets could complicate how this balance sheet strategy plays out. Yet, despite these risks, Daubaras is clear on one thing: "HIVE does not use our BTC as a pledge or as collateral against debt or other obligations."
In other words, they're not gambling the house. Still, they're definitely playing high-stakes poker.
It's a sharp contrast to competitors who are piling on debt or diluting shareholders. HIVE's play is leaner, greener (they use hydro power), and highly leveraged—but only in terms of Bitcoin conviction.
Investors watching this bet unfold should ask: can HIVE time the market well enough to turn Bitcoin into a sustainable growth engine?
Or will the very asset that makes HIVE unique become its biggest constraint?
It's a bold bet—and a reminder that crypto remains a double-edged tool in capital strategy.
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Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.
Beeline Holdings (NASDAQ:BLNE) announced Wednesday that its subsidiary, Beeline Title Holdings ("Beeline Title"), has closed one of the first-ever residential real estate transactions funded through the sale of a cryptocurrency token backed by real property.
Nick Liuzza, CEO of Beeline Holdings, said several mortgage lenders are already developing funding models that involve converting cryptocurrencies to U.S. dollars at closing.
But for these models to function at scale, they need a title company that not only understands blockchain transactions but also has the infrastructure to disburse and reconcile them in compliance with federal and state regulations, Liuzza added.
Also Read: Beeline Breaks $1 Billion Barrier, Bets Big On AI And Short-Term Rental Surge
Beeline's first cryptocurrency-enabled transaction is the beginning of a broader rollout. Beeline Loans, another subsidiary, is set to launch its full cryptocurrency token funding platform nationally in early August 2025. Beeline Title will provide the title and closing services for each transaction unless borrowers elect to use an outside title company.
Importantly, Beeline Title will open this platform to all mortgage lenders, giving them access to a cryptocurrency token transaction reconciliation, compliance, and disbursement solution.
Liuzza said its team built Linear Title, a privately held title agency in the U.S., before merging with Real Matters and going public on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).
Through 2019, they closed over one million title transactions across all 50 states, and this new platform is an extension of that expertise tailored to the next generation of mortgage transactions.
In the first week of June, Beeline announced it was launching a debt-free home equity access product using stablecoins. This product offers cash without monthly payments or interest.
The product, set for full launch in July, aims to boost Beeline's revenue growth and profitability starting in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Price Action: BLNE stock closed higher by 29.1% at $1.42 on Tuesday.
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Photo by SWK Stock via Shutterstock
In September 2024, Aurora Cannabis Inc (NASDAQ:ACB) launched a CBD lozenge in collaboration with Vectura Fertin Pharma (now Aspeya, Inc.), a pharmaceutical firm owned by Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM). The dissolvable product, branded Luo, debuted on Aurora’s medical platform in Canada.
To some observers, it looked like a stealth alignment between cannabis and Big Tobacco. But according to Aurora CEO Miguel Martin, the story is more nuanced.
"Our relationship really is with Vectura Fertin," said Martin, noting the company now goes by the name Aspeya. "It's a broader health and wellness company, and it's really not so much with PMI, even though they have their own connection."
Aurora's strategy, he says, is grounded in medical science, not brand crossovers.
"We have always had a very conservative, pharmaceutically minded approach," Martin told Benzinga. "To be able to partner with someone with [Vectura's] history, and particularly the technology they were bringing to ingestible cannabinoids, was exciting for us."
The companies launched the Luo lozenge in Canada as a physician-authorized product for patients seeking controlled CBD delivery. Aurora handles distribution through its direct-to-patient ecommerce platform. Martin said the partnership has been well-received and could expand in the future.
"This is really about learning and understanding… how that kind of science-based, medical approach is received. And it's been very well received," he said. "Our patients have enjoyed them. Hopefully, there's opportunity for other brand extensions."
Also read: World’s Largest Tobacco Company Is Investing In Medical Cannabis: Here’s What To Know
When asked whether this represented a deeper alignment with legacy industries, Martin was clear:
"Right now, it's about partnering and working with thoughtful, science-based, medically oriented companies," he said.
Aurora has similar relationships with prescribers, wholesalers and pharmaceutical partners across markets like Germany, Australia and the UK.
The Luo lozenge deal, combined with Aurora's global medical push and Canada-first manufacturing strategy, fits into a broader vision Martin has reinforced consistently: that cannabis should follow pharmaceutical norms—from delivery methods to regulatory rigor.
Also read: Zyn Changed Nicotine Forever – Are Cannabis Pouches The Next Big Thing?
"We're experts in medical cannabis," he said. "That's where all of our profitability comes from. If a partnership helps us improve patient outcomes and deliver consistency, we're open to it."
For now, that means dissolvable CBD lozenges backed by pharma-grade R&D. Whether future deals bring Aurora closer to companies like PMI remains to be seen. But Martin insists the priority is patients, not optics.
"If it wasn't additive or accretive to our financials, we wouldn't do it," he said. "We don't chase headlines—we build around what works."
Photo: Shutterstock
Tensions in the Middle East have caused the price of Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) to go down by under $100,000 in the last several days. A Benzinga reader poll may have predicted that move and could show what happens next.
What Happened: The leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, continues to see increased interest and adoption from investors thanks to its maximum supply, institutional buying, and other elements.
Bitcoin hit new all-time highs in November around the 2024 presidential election and jumped to new highs several times in 2025.
A Benzinga poll recently asked if a new all-time high was likely in the short term.
"Bitcoin trades near $107,500 today. Which of the following do you think happens next?" Benzinga asked.
The results were:
Readers were split in the poll on which level would be hit first. Since the poll was conducted, Bitcoin briefly dipped under the $100,000 level. Over the last 24 hours, it has traded between $98,286.21 and $102,136.32.
The drop under $100,000 could prove to be short-lived, and Bitcoin could hit new all-time highs, as predicted by the other 50% of readers in the poll.
Bitcoin hit a high of $111,970.17 in May 2025, which was also the last month that Bitcoin traded under $100,000.
While Bitcoin could remain volatile and stuck in the range under all-time highs, easing of Middle East tensions with no retaliations by Iran could see markets climb higher, including cryptocurrency prices.
Read Also: EXCLUSIVE: No HODLing For Congress, 48% Say Elected Members Shouldn’t Be Able To Buy Cryptocurrency
What's Next: Bitcoin leads the cryptocurrency market by price and volume and continues to experience strong demand from both retail and institutional investors.
Another recent Benzinga poll asked readers to predict the highest price Bitcoin will hit before the end of the year.
"Bitcoin hit new all-time highs of nearly $112,000 in May 2025. Do you believe this will be the top price for BTC in 2025 or will the leading cryptocurrency hit new highs later this year?” Benzinga asked.
The results were:
The poll found that readers are optimistic about Bitcoin’s future, with 86% predicting it will reach new all-time highs later this year.
In the poll, the most popular options were the $112,000 to $130,000 range and the $130,000 to $150,000 range at 32% and 24% respectively.
Over half of the respondents see Bitcoin reaching $112,000 to $150,000 before the end of the year.
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The study was conducted by Benzinga from June 16, 2025, through June 21, 2025. It included the responses of a diverse population of adults 18 or older. Opting into the survey was completely voluntary, with no incentives offered to potential respondents. The study reflects results from 137 adults.
Photo: Shutterstock
Worksport (NASDAQ:WKSP) announced on Monday that its May 2025 sales reached $1.28 million, marking its second consecutive month of record-breaking revenue (non-audited).
Gross margins improved as Worksport’s Made-in-USA cover line gained significant traction, the company said.
Worksport’s April and May 2025 revenues have surpassed total first-quarter 2025 revenue, signaling strong momentum entering the year’s second half, the company said.
Also Read: Worksport’s March B2B Sales Soar Nearly 70%
May gross margins improved from the first-quarter 2025 levels to roughly 23%, driven by the company’s focus on higher-value branded products and operational efficiency at its New York manufacturing facility.
Management projects gross margins to trend toward 30% by year-end, reflecting expected scale benefits and continued cost optimizations. The company also expects to have a positive cash flow by year-end.
Worksport’s active dealer network has expanded from 94 in the fourth quarter of 2024 to over 550, including two major national distributors added this spring, the company said.
Management expects June 2025 to deliver another strong month as two recently onboarded national distributors ramp up ordering.
Steven Rossi, CEO of Worksport, said that with its SOLIS and COR clean-tech products launching this fall, Worksport is targeting the multi-billion-dollar clean energy and portable power markets.
The company said it believes these high-margin, IP-protected products will accelerate significant, consistent growth for the years ahead.
Worksport projects approximately $20 million in revenue by year-end 2025. The company noted that its current market capitalization remains below this year’s projected revenue.
Price Action: WKSP stock is up 0.10% at $2.80 premarket at last check Monday.
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Guardforce AI Co (NASDAQ:GFAI) on Monday announced that its subsidiary, Guardforce Cash Solutions Security (Thailand) Company Limited (GFCS), has won a three-year renewal with Government Savings Bank (GSB).
GSB one of Thailand’s state-owned banks adn the renewal deal is effective from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2028.
This fourth consecutive renewal represents a decade-long partnership between the company and GSB.
Also Read: Guardforce AI Taps Librum Technologies To Boost AI Agent Capabilities
Under the renewed agreement, GFCS will continue to provide secure and efficient cash-in-transit and maintenance services for GSB’s ATM network across Thailand’s upcountry regions, which covers most of the company’s ATM services currently handled.
With this renewal, Guardforce AI will secure stable and predictable revenue streams over the next three years, providing the company with a solid financial foundation to invest in innovation and expand its AI-driven solutions, the company said.
In January, GFCS renewed key contracts with its long-time customer GSB in Thailand. Under two three-year multi-million-dollar contracts, GFCS continued to deliver cash center operations and secure logistics services for coins.
Price Action: GFAI stock closed lower by 3.33% at $1.16 Friday.
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Photo via Company
President Donald Trump has proposed giving parents $1,000 to invest for their children at birth. A Benzinga reader poll asks which of the Magnificent 7 stocks parents should consider buying and holding for 18 years under the new plan.
What Happened: Trump's plan for $1,000 investment accounts for parents of newborns could give them a head start on investing in mutual funds, ETFs, and individual stocks, including fast-growing names like the Magnificent Seven stocks.
Benzinga recently asked readers which Mag 7 stock they would invest the $1,000 in.
"Under Trump's $1,000 baby investment plan, which Mag 7 stock would you invest the money in for the best 18-year return?" Benzing asked.
The results were:
The winner of the poll was Nvidia with 21% of readers picking this stock as the one they would invest in and hold for the next 18 years to add wealth to their children's investment account. Apple was a close second at 17%, with Alphabet and Meta tied for third at 14%.
Tesla ranked last in the poll of the Mag 7 stocks with 10% of the vote, while Microsoft and Amazon tied for fifth with 12%.
Did You Know?
Why It's Important: Trump's plan for $1,000 investment accounts could have a bullish impact on the stock markets as it would create consistent new investment sources for top stocks and ETFs with every child born between Jan. 1, 2025 (retroactively) and Jan. 1, 2029
Parents could be faced with the tough choice of investing in a broad market fund like the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:SPY) that produces annual returns of 10% to 12% or to be more aggressive and pick some growth stocks.
Choosing just one Magnificent 7 stock is probablyn't the best recommendation as it would provide less diversification and be high-risk, high-reward.
A look at past returns shows the Mag 7 stocks have been high performers and outperformed the market. Here are the five-year returns:
All of these stocks, except for Amazon, outperformed the five-year gain of 95.1% for the SPY.
For those looking for diversification between the Mag 7 stocks, the Roundill Magnificent Seven ETF (BATS:MAGS) offers exposure to all seven stocks.
If the investing accounts idea goes through, it would be interesting to see if any parents publicly track the holdings and their performance over an 18-year time frame.
Read Next:
The study was conducted by Benzinga from June 13, 2025, through June 16, 2025. It included the responses of a diverse population of adults 18 or older. Opting into the survey was completely voluntary, with no incentives offered to potential respondents. The study reflects results from 170 adults.
Photo: Shutterstock
Each week, Benzinga's Stock Whisper Index uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the surface and deserve attention.
Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.
Here’s a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending June 20:
SS&C Technologies (NASDAQ:SSNC): The software and solutions for hedge fund and private equity companies saw increased interest from investors with minimal news on the week. The company recently announced it partnered with Wesleyan Assurance Society for the mutual fund company's digital-first wealth management platform. SS&C Technologies has beaten analyst estimate for both revenue and earnings per share in six straight quarters and could be one of the stocks most investors haven't heard of. Shares are up 5.3% year-to-date in 2025 with a slight drop during the last trading week.
Roblox (NYSE:RBLX): Don't look now, but shares of gaming company Roblox are trading where they were back in late 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is likely being helped by surprise hit minigame "Grow a Garden," which Roblox users can play. The game is seeing high concurrent user figures for people playing Roblox and also helping increase monetization on the platform. Hit games on Roblox have a tendency to help boost quarterly results with higher in-game spending coming from new and old users. Roblox has also seen a handful of analyst ratings with higher price targets including Oppenheimer taking the price target from $80 to $125 and Wedbush taking the price target from $91 to $110. The gaming company also announced new Chief Financial Officer Naveen Chopra, who comes with years of experience at Paramount Global. Chopra also previously oversaw Amazon.com's Devices and Services division, helping power growth of items like the Kindle, Alexa and Fire TV. Roblox was also recently announced as a partner for the new Microsoft handheld video game console, which will mark the first time the game can be played natively and be optimized for handhelds. Roblox stock is up 74% year-to-date in 2025 with shares up 9% for the week.
Millicom International Cellular (NASDAQ:TIGO): The Latin American telecommunications company saw increased interest from readers during the week, which could be related to the closing of an acquisition. Millicom recently closed the acquisition of Telefónica's telecommunications operations in Ecuador. The deal valued at $380 million will help strengthen Millicom's presence in the company and continued expansion in South America. The company highlighted favorable demographics for Ecuador that could see increased consumer spending and mobile growth. Millicom servs over 46 million customers in its regions. Shares of the company were down on a Scotiabank analyst downgrade during the week, but the stock remains up 43% year-to-date in 2025.
Carlisle Companies (NYSE:CSL): The building materials company saw strong interest from readers on no new news. The company is a leading manufacturer and supplier of roofing products for the commercial building sector. Products include roofing products, insulation and weatherproofing with the company completing many acquisitions in recent years. Carlisle has paid out consecutive and increasing dividends since 1976 and the company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in eight of the last 10 years. The stock is down 15% year-to-date in 2025 and could be one to watch with the consistent earnings per share beats, dividend increases and interest from readers.
Vistra (NYSE:VST): The power producer continues to see shares trade higher hitting new all-time highs during the week with shares up 24% year-to-date in 2025 with an already impressive gain during the 2024 year. Readers continued to show strong interest in the stock, which could be related to President Donald Trump's comments on nuclear energy and the increased demand likely needed for AI companies. Morgan Stanley maintained an Overweight rating on the stock and increased the price target from $176 to $186, while UBS maintained a Buy rating on the stock and increased the price target from $160 to $207.
Stay tuned for next week's report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and top market-moving stories here.
Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:
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In 2025, cannabis isn't a gold rush. It's a grind.
Most stocks are down more than 90% from their highs. Capital is tight. Retail shelves are crowded with low-margin products. At this year's Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago, the optimism of earlier cycles gave way to something more sober: survival talk.
Two industry veterans, Rachel Wright, CPA and founder of Verdant Strategies and 420 CPA, and Seth Yakatan, founder of Katan Associates International, offered candid, unfiltered perspectives on what's really happening behind the scenes. Wright, one of the earliest CPAs to specialize in cannabis, works closely with operators navigating complex tax rules, compliance and expansion. Yakatan, a fixture in capital markets and early-stage investing, has guided dozens of companies through growth, collapse and realignment.
They're still standing. And they're not sugarcoating anything.
When Wright first started working in cannabis more than a decade ago, most businesses didn't have books — or if they did, they were a mess.
"We would have to essentially create books for people based on information that we had — POS systems, if they had a cash ledger, things like that," she said. "Fast forward a few years, now we actually do have banking… we also have real legit payroll companies that are supporting the industry."
The maturation of professional services, from accounting to legal support, is helping operators run cleaner, more efficient businesses. But Wright says success still hinges on who's in charge.
"Sometimes the founders need to step aside and hire the professionals," she said. "And let the professionals do what the professionals do."
Operational discipline isn't optional anymore. She cited price compression across all markets as one of the biggest threats, especially in newer states like New York, where companies don't get a long runway before margin pressure kicks in. "You have to learn how to operate a real business. Data is key. Cash is king. Managing that is really, really key."
Over the last 12 months, Wright says her firm helped save cannabis clients more than $50 million through tax amendments and audit work. And despite years of industry lobbying to eliminate Section 280E of the federal tax code, she doesn't see it as a death sentence.
"I think 280E is navigable," she said. "I don't see it as much of a problem — and not as much of a motivation to reschedule."
That last point surprised many attendees. While most operators have called for federal rescheduling to fix 280E burdens, Wright takes a contrarian stance.
"I want to preserve the small and medium-sized businesses. We don't want 7-Elevens carrying cannabis," she said. "I like to preserve the culture — the people who've been in this industry for a long time."
For Wright, rescheduling isn't a guaranteed win. It's a trade-off.
"If the government gives, it's going to take away," she warned. "It's not going to give a free carrot to us at all. It's going to come with a price."
That price, in her view, could be new excise taxes that ultimately harm small businesses more than 280E ever did.
Seth Yakatan didn't mince words either.
"You're at a really tough spot in the industry," he said. "The models that were underwritten… haven't largely worked. Or some of them haven't worked."
For existing operators, his advice is simple: "Go in and dominate the markets you're in and hold serve."
For new investors? Proceed with caution.
"I'm telling them to analyze each macro state-level economy that they're looking at," he said. "Base your future investment judgment on historical survival performance."
When asked about hemp-derived THCA products, a booming but controversial segment, Yakatan was blunt:
"Don't believe the hype. Cannabis and hemp are not markets for tourists. Stay out if you're not in. And if you're in, you know what you know."
Yakatan says there's still opportunity, especially in private lower-middle market companies with functioning models, but it's no longer a race for scale.
"It's a game of pennies now," he said. "Pennies add up."
On the product side, he flagged one trend that's both overhyped and legitimate: infused pre-rolls. Brands like Jeter, Stiiizy and Aura are dominating SKU velocity, and two-gram disposable vapes are next.
"In markets where they're not [common], they're going to come," he said.
Wright echoed the importance of staying agile across geographies, product verticals and structure. Whether asset-light or asset-heavy, she said, the best strategy depends on the market.
"We need to evolve geographically, product, service offering, verticals," she said. "In some states, you might want to go asset-heavy. In others, you might want to go asset-light and just get your brand out."
Both Wright and Yakatan acknowledged the pull of international markets, especially Europe. Yakatan called Germany's rollout "part of the ‘soup du jour’ in news cycles," and cautioned that many U.S. companies are using European hype to distract from domestic struggles.
"Seven of the 30 largest U.S. cannabis companies have a European operation story that's masking other issues inside the business," he said.
Wright, on the other hand, is already active in Europe and says her international tax background made it a natural next step.
"I was ecstatic," she said of cannabis expanding in Europe. "I started planting seeds, getting to know people — movers and shakers — that are already there."
Wright and Yakatan may operate in different parts of the cannabis economy, but their core message is the same: survive by getting serious.
No shortcuts. No saviors. Just smart, lean, experienced leadership.
"Where I see people failing," said Wright, "is in efficiencies, staffing, leadership team, a full business plan… It's really just like running a business. It's the fundamentals at the end of the day."
Photo: Shutterstock
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect the accurate percentage of the German population participating in the medical cannabis market.
Shares of Aurora Cannabis Inc (NASDAQ:ACB) fell roughly 20% on Wednesday following the company's fiscal Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings report, even after reporting record-high medical cannabis revenue, adjusted EBITDA and positive free cash flow.
But CEO Miguel Martin isn't sweating the reaction.
"It was record earnings, record EBITDA, record free cash flow for the year," Martin told Benzinga. "Given the totality of the year and the quarter we put forth, I think it's a bit of an overreaction, but I understand it. I know people are sensitive."
The company forecasted a short-term dip in international cannabis sales for the current quarter. Some investors seized on that detail, sending the stock lower.
"All [the guidance] said was that Q1 was going to be a little bit less in revenue and EBITDA connected to international cannabis than Q4," Martin explained. "We expect it to come back in Q2. We expect to be free cash flow positive for Q1 and for the year."
That Q1 softness, he added, is tied to short-term challenges in two of Aurora's core international markets.
"In Poland, it's about the regulatory process for patients to get prescriptions. In the UK, we had a little bit of timing as we brought on some new distributors," Martin said. “We think both will normalize, and neither should have an impact outside of Q1.”
Medical cannabis accounted for 75% of Aurora's Q4 revenue and nearly 90% of its gross profit.
"All of the profitability comes from medical cannabis and our investment in Bevo," Martin said, referring to the company's non-cannabis plant propagation business. "Our expertise and history is in medical cannabis."
Aurora still operates in Canada's adult-use market, but Martin made it clear that the segment is a small piece of the puzzle.
"Its purpose is to learn and innovate and get insights. We've right-sized it for us as we focus on profitability and growth. Right now, there are no plans to phase it out."
Aurora also exited its Uruguay operations last year. Martin said the decision came down to commercial reality, not regulatory disappointment.
Also read: Legal Cannabis, 10 Years Later: Real Data From The First Country To Do It
"We thought there'd be opportunities to produce in Uruguay and then sell in Brazil. Unfortunately, with THC, it became challenging to certify and sell those products. It just didn't work out for us."
More than 60% of Aurora's medical cannabis revenue now comes from outside Canada. Martin said that global growth will continue in familiar markets.
"Germany has roughly 0.4% of the adult population in the medical cannabis system. Canada's got 1%. So there's plenty of upside there," he told Benzinga. "In the next 12 months, it's going to be focused on increasing our market share in those locations."
While Aurora does operate a GMP-certified facility in Germany, Martin said most production remains centered in Canada.
"Because these are pharmaceutical products, we believe that the vast majority of our products sold globally will be produced in Canada."
Aurora's Bevo Farms unit posted 32% year-over-year growth, and Martin highlighted a new revenue stream: orchids.
"We think Bevo will continue to be profitable and support what we're trying to do. It's a wonderful adjacency for us, even if it's not in the cannabis business," he said.
Martin emphasized that profitability—not brand synergy—is what drives investment decisions.
"If it wasn't profitable or accretive to our financials, we wouldn't have done it."
"The biggest risk is perception," Martin said. "Five years ago, people had big expectations for cannabis and they didn't materialize. Now it's hard for people to differentiate companies. Today, there are only a handful of companies that are free cash flow positive, have no debt and have a real strong growth trajectory, and we're one of them."
He also pointed to timing and policy volatility as ongoing challenges.
"We’re not seeing markets close or places legalize and then undo that. We’re talking about big economies here. Medical cannabis is profitable and it’s growing. And if you believe in it, Aurora should be a pick," Martin concluded.
Photo: Shutterstock
Telomir Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:TELO) on Wednesday announced new preclinical data showing that its lead candidate, Telomir-1, prevented cellular aging in human progeria cell lines obtained from the Progeria Research Foundation.
In this study, conducted by Smart Assays, Telomir-1 was tested in cells taken directly from a child with HGPS.
The study evaluated cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and intracellular calcium signaling—a marker of mitochondrial dysfunction—under normal and stress-induced conditions.
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Telomir Pharma To Raise $3 Million Via Equity Financing To Fund Its Rare Disease IND
Telomir-1 increased survival in a dose-dependent manner, both under basal conditions and even under stress conditions induced by copper and iron—two metal ions known to accelerate aging by generating oxidative damage and destabilizing DNA and telomeres.
Progeria cells exhibited abnormally high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a hallmark of cellular aging. Telomir-1 normalized these levels under basal conditions and even when ROS was further elevated by toxic metal exposure.
Iron-induced calcium overload—a signal of mitochondrial damage and a known feature of HGPS—was significantly reduced with Telomir-1, indicating restored mitochondrial regulation and improved cellular energy balance.
Progeria, or Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), is an ultra-rare pediatric disorder caused by a mutation in the LMNA gene. This mutation produces an abnormal progerin protein, which drives rapid biological aging in children.
The only FDA-approved therapy for progeria, Zokinvy (lonafarnib), is a farnesyltransferase inhibitor that has been shown to extend lifespan by an average of 4.3 years.
The company says that Zokinvy does not reverse the underlying disease pathology or halt cardiovascular deterioration, which remains the leading cause of death.
Telomir-1 is designed to regulate intracellular metal ions, reduce oxidative stress, restore mitochondrial function, extend telomere length, reverse muscle loss, and reset age-associated DNA methylation patterns—critical biological pathways implicated in progeria and broader age-related diseases.
The new data also build on previously reported studies in zebrafish and C. elegans nematodes harboring the wrn gene mutation (a model of adult progeria, or Werner syndrome), where Telomir-1 significantly extended lifespan, restored telomere length, reversed muscle degeneration, and normalized molecular age markers.
Telomir is currently finalizing IND-enabling studies for Telomir-1 and plans to engage with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to explore regulatory pathways, including the potential for orphan drug designation. The company is evaluating multiple rare disease indications for initial clinical development.
Price Action: TELO stock traded higher by 2.69% to $1.91 premarket at the last check on Wednesday.
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Photo by Gorodenkoff via Shutterstock
Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:INBS) on Wednesday announced that Managed Waste Service plans to implement INBS' Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System across its New South Wales operations, including its land clearing and green waste processing sites.
Managed Waste Service is an Australia-based waste management provider.
The decision marks Managed Waste Service's first move into in-house drug testing across multiple locations. More than 20 sites are engaged in remote testing operations.
Managed Waste Service plans to conduct pre-employment, random, and for-cause testing on-site, giving operational teams complete control over safety processes without the disruption associated with traditional outsourced models.
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Intelligent Bio Solutions Q3 Gross Profit Jumps By 91%
The Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System offers a quick, noninvasive method of screening for recent drug use through fingerprint sweat analysis, delivering results in under ten minutes.
Intelligent Bio Solutions' technology enables Managed Waste Service to implement a scalable, portable solution that aligns with the nature of their fieldwork, whether testing at a remote clearing site or managing compliance across several waste facilities simultaneously.
This implementation reflects Intelligent Bio Solutions' continued expansion into safety-critical industries, with environmental services now joining a growing portfolio of sectors adopting sweat-based drug testing.
Intelligent Bio Solutions provides drug testing.
Over 450 organizations in 24 countries use its technology to streamline and simplify workplace testing.
In June, SMARTOX, a U.S.-based provider of drug and alcohol testing products and services, said it deployed over 50 Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening Readers and facilitated over 7,000 screening tests, including over 1,500 tests in 2024 alone.
As adoption grows in the U.S. Forensic Use Only market, Intelligent Bio continues to actively pursue FDA clearance for its opiate test system for codeine.
This effort aims to enable expansion into broader U.S. markets this year, including workplace drug testing, using its innovative fingerprint sweat-based testing technology.
Price Action: INBS stock is up 1.55% at $1.96 during the premarket session at the last check on Wednesday.
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