The MiningNewsWire Podcast

Blockchain will be one of the defining technologies over the next 10 years. As the depth of its uses become more apparent, an increasing number of companies are claiming intellectual property rights for applications of the technology in numerous industries. Petroteq Energy Inc.’s (TSX.V: PQE) (OTCQX: PQEFF) blockchain-powered supply chain management platform will be utilized for its patented oil extraction process, while Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) looks to leverage blockchain to provide faster, securer financial services. Consulting giant Accenture (NYSE: ACN) is also in on the act, as is Mastercard, Inc. (NYSE: MA), which aims to improve payment procedures through recently patented technology. International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) is looking across the blockchain possibilities, applying it to both payment systems and supply chains, with a focus on petroleum and chemicals.

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is an increasingly important part of the financial technology sector, specifically in analyzing stocks and providing insights into the markets that human analysts alone can’t make. As such, AI-driven funds hold an increasingly large portion of the market, moving this technology into the mainstream. The result is a large opportunity for investors using this technology or investing in the companies producing it. Significant steps are being taken by companies such as AnalytixInsight (TSX.V: ALY) (OTCQB: ATIXF), whose flagship CapitalCube cloud-based analytics empowers investors to evaluate the potential of companies and portfolios. Other companies are also taking note of AI’s increasing value. TD Bank (NYSE: TD) has snapped up a young but highly valued AI company as part of a broader AI strategy, while Helios and Matheson Analytics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HMNY) has seen its share price rise as it expands its AI-driven big data strategy. Even Thomson Reuters (NYSE: TRI), owner of the original human-driven reporting and analysis company Reuters, has taken an interest in AI analysis, as has Euronext NV (NASDAQ: EUXTF), a European stock exchange.

Pain is a wide-ranging complex medical condition that can be both physically debilitating and mentally destabilizing. Whether acute or chronic, caused by disease, trauma or neural damage, current pain therapeutics primarily rely on a variety of opioid-based pharmacological therapies that have ignited a severe public health crisis. The rampant dependency and abuse of opioid-based drugs has triggered a global quest for effective opioid free medications. Societal demands and sheer market size have bio-pharmaceutical companies searching for solutions to address the critical need for new ways to successfully treat pain. Establishing a new paradigm in pain management solutions, PreveCeutical Medical, Inc. (CSE: PREV) (OTCQB: PRVCF) (FSE: 18H) has undertaken a novel approach in the development of non-addictive analgesics by engineering peptides into efficient pain blockers, eliminating highly addictive opioids. Other companies in the hunt for pain management solutions include AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACRX), Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR), Flexion Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLXN) and Cara Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CARA).

Blockchain and cannabis stocks enjoyed an impressive market run in 2017 and industry analysts expect the trend to continue in 2018. As these industries continue to grow, innovators are finding ways to integrate this growth and address areas of need in different verticals. Case in point, India Globalization Capital, Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), the developer of a patent-pending cannabis-based combination therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, recognizes the need for accurate labeling of cannabidiol products online. In response, the company is developing blockchain technology-based solutions for the cannabis industry. With this endeavor, the company is participating in the rampant growth and application of blockchain benefits, alongside Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: KODK), BTL Group Ltd (OTC: BTLLF), Riot Blockchain, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIOT) and China Information Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNIT).

Less than a decade ago, blockchain sounded like the fodder of science fiction; today, the technology is demonstrating its ability to revolutionize the finance industry. By stepping outside the existing payment structures, blockchain provides a new and secure way to execute financial transactions. The use of the technology is rapidly expanding, and because of the innovative nature of the technology, its wide-ranging possibilities are being explored and developed by a range of companies with unique objectives. Some, such as SinglePoint, Inc. (SING), are looking at how to integrate these technologies to provide a better service for select markets. While alarming articles predict the bursting of the “blockchain bubble,” established companies such as Bank of America Corp. (BAC) and Mastercard, Inc. (MA) have moved to adopt blockchain technology, signalling its acceptance by mainstream banking. Meanwhile, companies such as Bitcoin Services, Inc. (BTSC) and Discover Financial Services (DFS) continue looking for new ways to exploit the technology’s potential.

The widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies is all but inevitable. The technologies demonstrate numerous consumer and commercial advantages, particularly in logistics, international trade, and even food-safety and product anti-counterfeiting drives. As global and online commerce expands, so does the need for streamlined verification of product quality, delivery and payments, a few of the many capabilities offered by blockchain technology. An emerging leader in this space is ChineseInvestors.com (CIIX), which, among other cryptocurrency-related endeavors, recently opened a bitcoin ATM at its U.S. headquarters in California. Other companies operating in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space include MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (MGTI), Bitcoin Investment Trust (GBTC), LongFin Corp. (LFIN) and Overstock.com, Inc. (OSTK).

The parabolic rise in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has spawned a frenetic mania seldom seen in the markets. While debate of bitcoin’s legitimacy as a long-standing form of currency continues, general consensus asserts that the underlying blockchain technology has applications that extend far beyond its connections to cryptocurrency. As such, innovative companies around the globe are beginning to employ blockchain technology to streamline business and secure transactions. Telemedicine pioneer Medical Innovation Holdings, Inc. (MIHI) is establishing a new paradigm in secure and efficient handling of patient medical and financial data. The company’s new MIHI Blockchain Platform is designed to vastly improve the safe and effective movement of patient data and result in much lower transaction costs. A first-mover in coupling blockchain and telemedicine, MIHI joins other companies in the broad business quest to streamline and secure transactions with blockchain. Financial services leader MetLife, Inc. (MET) has announced it will join banking consortium R3CEV, a distributed ledger platform designed specifically for financial services. Others embracing blockchain NXT- ID, Inc. (NXTD), Marathon Patent Group, Inc. (MARA) and Riot Blockchain, Inc. (RIOT).

The rapidly growing cannabis industry has spawned a range of diverse companies focusing on innovative technologies for cannabis cultivation, as well as the development of cannabis-based medical therapies for an array of diseases and ailments. The market has given rise to biotech companies with exciting advances in product formulation and delivery. At the cutting-edge of innovation, PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (OTCQB: PRVCF) (CSE: PREV) (FSE: 18H) has developed an innovative cannabidiol (CBD)-based nose-to-brain delivery system for the relief of a number of medical conditions. Another company, Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (OTC: LXRP) (LXRP Profile) has developed its own proprietary system for CBD-based therapy delivery. And with a market cap of over $3.6 billion, GW Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) is an established giant in the cannabis biotech space developing plant-derived cannabinoid therapeutics. Canadian cultivator Canopy Growth Corp. (TSE: WEED) is an example of yet another company that could benefit from its therapeutic advances as the anticipated commercial availablity of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products is met by greater demand.

Investors looking to diversify their portfolios and gain access to the multi-billion-dollar global blockchain industry should have some exciting options as 2018 progresses, particularly when it comes to the $13 billion global supply chain management (SCM) market. The immutable, distributed ledger technology known as blockchain can deliver numerous SCM efficiencies that could revolutionize logistics for a variety of sectors, including oil and gas. Petroteq Energy, Inc. (TSX.V: PQE) (OTCQX: PQEFF) has already envisioned this future of networked intelligent devices, and has initiated the development of the oil and gas industry’s first dedicated blockchain-based based SCM platform, PetroBloq (http://nnw.fm/b0thV). Investors can also look to diversification into this burgeoning new space via first-movers like oil and gas giant BP (NYSE: BP), and tech companies like IBM (NYSE: IBM), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) and Eastman Kodak (NYSE: KODK).

Within the international trade and finance sector, logistic companies need to better streamline their payments and documentation flow. A methodology to solve this issue in the FINTECH marketplace is blockchain technology applied to Supply Chain Finance. This allows encrypted data on all facets of international transactions, from payments to bills-of-lading to delivery data, and for the accumulating record to be privately shared among banks, shippers and traders. With the formation of its new SecurCapital Corp. subsidiary, Global Payout, Inc. (GOHE) is addressing the supply-chain finance needs of mid-tier logistics companies while joining a growing number of other innovators utilizing the benefits of blockchain. Among them are Hive Blockchain Technologies Ltd. (HIVE.V), Cboe Global Markets (CBOE), Long Blockchain Corp. (LBCC) and BTL Group (BTLLF).

Cannabis stocks just got whipsawed. The sector soared after the New Year when California legalized recreational marijuana. The following day the sector sank when the U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the federal policy of non-interference with qualifying state marijuana laws, known as the Cole Memorandum. Mr. Sessions’ action sent shivers of uncertainty and confusion throughout the cannabis industry. At the heart of the conundrum is what to do about the millions of people who rely on non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) as part of their personal care and wellness regimen. The hemp-based CBD sector looks to be the possible beneficiary of the current cannabis quandary. The Control Substances Act excludes certain parts of the cannabis plant, typically characterized as hemp, from the definition of marijuana. Companies that produce and/or market hemp-derived CBD products, like Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTCQB: MCOA) are well-positioned to possibly garner increased traction in product sales. Other hemp-focused companies, including United Cannabis (CNAB), AmeriCann (ACAN), General Cannabis (CANN), and PotNetwork Holding, Inc. (POTN), may also weather potential legal issues caused by uncertainty.

Shortly after cannabis enthusiasts and investors celebrated California’s January 1, 2018, rollout of legal recreational marijuana sales to adults, the federal government reversed its course on marijuana policy, calling for tighter enforcement of marijuana laws. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the Cole Memorandum, a 2013 policy that offered some protections from federal prosecution for the cultivation, distribution and possession of cannabis in states where the highly regulated plant is legal. Sessions’ decision ushered in a deeper freeze to the banking dilemma facing cannabis retailers, who have found themselves relying primarily on cash transactions since cannabis remains illegal under federal law. Although the rollback of the Cole memo created serious questions and sent marijuana-related stocks lower, there continues to be positive movement in the cannabis industry as companies such as ChineseInvestors.com, Inc. (CIIX), Overstock.com, Inc. (OSTK), MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (MGTI), Riot Blockchain, Inc. (RIOT), and Xunlei Limited (XNET) invest their attention and resources on alternative financing options and the technology behind them.

The excitement generated by the potential use of blockchain technology in many industries has been slow to reach the energy sector. However, indications are that 2018 could see several companies in the field adopting the revolutionary technology, which could substantially transform the energy industry’s markets and processes. Several companies in the oil and gas industry are already looking to incorporate blockchain technology in their business processes, including Petroteq Energy Inc. (TSX.V: PQE) (OTCQX: PQEFF), British Petroleum p.l.c. (NYSE: BP) and Royal Dutch Shell plc (OTC: RYDAF). Information technology companies servicing the energy industry, including IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT), are developing blockchain solutions for enterprises.

Without a commodities market for lithium, investors wanting to get a share of this rapidly growing segment of the energy industry are wise to keep an eye on lithium producers. For lithium mining companies like Standard Lithium Ltd. (TSX.V: SLL) (FRA: S5L) (OTCQX: STLHF), the increased interest in metal supply from the U.S. place it on watchlists occupied by larger peers like Liberty One Lithium Corp. (TSX.V: LBY) (OTCQB: LRTTF) (FRA: L1T), Nemaska Lithium Inc. (TSX: NMX) (OTCQX: NMKEF) (FRA: N0T), eCobalt Solutions (TSX: ECS) (OTCQX: ECSIF) and Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (NYSE:SQM).

Canada’s impending legalization of recreational marijuana has triggered a surge in investment activity as investors lean toward Canadian companies as a less-risky entry point into the broader cannabis industry. With unprecedented product demand on the horizon, consumers trends are shifting toward the pursuit of the “cannabis lifestyle,” rich in a wide range of high-quality retail products, accessories and experiences. This emerging marijuana-centered subculture has the potential to drive incredible opportunity for companies like premium cannabis lifestyle brand DOJA Cannabis Ltd. (CSE: DOJA) (OTC: DJACF), as well as cannabis producers and service providers such as Nutritional High International Inc. (CSE: EAT) (OTCQB: SPLIF) (FRANKFURT: 2NU), Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. (CSE: GLH) (OTCQB: GLDFF), New Age Farm Inc. (CSE: NF) (OTC: NWGFF) (FSE: ONF) and MedReleaf Corp. (TSX: LEAF).

In a global marketplace where Internet-based technologies increasingly allow businesses the means and confidence to work with each other beyond political borders and with a minimum of governmental interference, cryptocurrencies have the potential to create a B2B interdependent financing system — perhaps even a single, common digital currency someday — because of the blockchain technology that underpins cryptocurrency trade. With the beginning of market movement for the new year, cryptocurrency started just shy of $613 billion in total capitalization and climbed steadily toward $750 billion on Jan. 4, showing an exponential rise just since April 2017 when it passed the $25 billion mark. ChineseInvestors.com, Inc. (CIIX) is one of the businesses committed to the development of blockchain-based cryptocurrencies, recently announcing plans to spin-off two of its corporate divisions tied to hemp marketing and the burgeoning legal cannabis industry in order to focus on its cryptocurrency division. Other companies preparing to capitalize on opportunities in the blockchain sector include MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (MGTI), LongFin Corp. (LFIN), Bitcoin Services, Inc. (BTSC) and Overstock.com, Inc., (OSTK).

Canada leads the global trend to legalize and regulate medical and recreational cannabis, and some of the biggest players in the space are listed on Canadian stock exchanges. One of the public companies attracting attention in the sector is DOJA Cannabis Company Ltd. (CSE: DOJA) (OTC: DJACF), which grows high-quality, hand-crafted cannabis, operates one retail store in Kelowna, British Columbia and is focused building the premier cannabis lifestyle brand in the industry.

Bitcoin was a major topic of conversation among investors in 2017, but it wasn’t the only cryptocurrency related investment that garnered investors’ attention in the blockchain space. In 2017 alone, there were 235 Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) completed, which raised a total of $3.7 billion dollars, and 2018 is shaping up to be the year of ICOs. ICOs are a way for blockchain start-up companies to gain funding for projects. Instead of offering shares of a company to its investors, they offer a certain amount of cryptocurrency. Some companies that stand to benefit from the influx of funding to ICOs include Victory Square Technologies, Inc. (CSE:VST) (OTC:VSQTF) (FWB:6F6), Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: KODK), Helios, Matheson Analytics (NASDAQ: HMNY), Glance Technologies (CSE: GET:CC), and Social Reality, Inc. (NASDAQ: SRAX).

The lithium industry could be in for a big M&A consolidation in 2018. Lithium X Energy Corp. (TSX.V: LIX) (OTC: LIXXF) ended 2018 with an announcement of a definitive agreement with Nextview New Energy Lion acquiring all of the issued and outstanding shares and warrants of Lithium X. Other junior and major lithium miners to potentially keep a close eye on are Standard Lithium Ltd. (TSX.V: SLL) (FRA: S5L) (OTCQX: STLHF), Nemaska Lithium, Inc. (TSX: NMX) (OTCQX: NMKEF), NRG Metals, Inc. (TSX.V: NGZ), and Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (OTC: LACDF).

NeutriSci International (TSX-V: NU) (OTCQB: NRXCF) (FRA: 1N9) this morning announced that it has entered into a major research and development (R&D) Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Scientus Pharma Inc. In accordance of the terms set forth in the MOU, the two companies have agreed to share their technologies to develop, test, produce, and distribute a medical cannabinoid product for current retail distribution networks throughout Canada. “This Scientus Pharma partnership helps position us at the forefront of developing new and innovative cannabinoid based medical products in Canada. Scientus Pharma, along with its existing partnerships, is sure to be a dominant player in the cannabis space in Canada. Through a collaborative effort, we will incorporate NeutriSci’s IP, technology and ingredients with Scientus’ expertise, proprietary technical know-how, and resources. By leveraging both parties existing partnerships, we will be positioned to offer the national retail consumer a safe, effective, dose controlled product that completes our ‘plant to blood stream’ strategy,” NeutriSci president Glen Rehman stated in the news release.