Panther Metals Plc, a UK-listed mineral exploration firm, saw its shares jump 21% after announcing a Bitcoin-backed capital strategy to support traditional mining acquisitions. The company disclosed plans to purchase £4 million ($5.4 million) worth of Bitcoin as part of its treasury reserve, leveraging the digital asset as collateral in future mineral deals.
Panther revealed it would use £1.3 million ($1.75 million) in Bitcoin to secure the acquisition of the Pick Lake deposit in Ontario, Canada. The move represents a notable shift in how mining companies manage treasury assets, positioning Bitcoin not just as a store of value, but as an active financial instrument.
This allows the company to complete the Pick Lake acquisition whilst retaining its total exposure to Bitcoin, the statement read. Panther emphasized the productive use of Bitcoin capital an approach diverging from more passive Bitcoin treasury models often seen in corporate settings.
Bitcoin as strategic capital
The hybrid strategy combining traditional mining assets with digital currency aims to reduce capital dilution and attract more favorable deal terms. By leveraging Bitcoin to fund high-quality mineral projects, we’re able to be less dilutive to our shareholder base.
Panther’s treasury strategy will not end with this acquisition. The firm confirmed plans to grow both its physical inventory of critical minerals and its Bitcoin reserves, creating a dual-asset model to fund long-term resource development.
Pick lake deal anchors a bigger play
The Bitcoin-backed acquisition centers on the Pick Lake deposit, part of the broader Winston Project in Ontario. The asset hosts approximately 85% of the mineral resources in the region and is classified as an advanced-stage polymetallic property rich in zinc, copper, and precious metals.
Zinc, in particular, is recognized as a critical mineral, vital for galvanizing steel and increasingly important in battery manufacturing. Panther’s acquisition strategy suggests a broader ambition to secure future-facing commodities in tandem with digital capital mechanisms.
Company’s hybrid approach was designed to weather changing market cycles. By blending the stability of physical resources with the flexibility of digital capital, Panther is building a business that can thrive through market cycles and remain ahead of the curve.