 As Geopolitical Tensions Flare, SMX Becomes the Frontline Defender of Critical Rare Earth Supply Chains! In an era where global security is tested by rising conflict, particularly the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the need for reliable, traceable, and verifiable rare earth minerals has never been greater. Australia’s rare earth reserves play a pivotal role in supplying critical minerals essential for defense, advanced technology, and clean energy in the United States. Yet the complex, multi-stage supply chains of these materials remain vulnerable to disruption, mislabeling, and counterfeiting—risks that are amplified when national security is on the line. SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited (NASDAQ: SMX) has developed a molecular identity platform that embeds a permanent, verifiable signature directly into each material. This breakthrough ensures that rare earth minerals can be authenticated from extraction to manufacturing, providing governments, manufacturers, and defense contractors with an unprecedented level of transparency and protection. With its operational base in Singapore and a growing presence across Southeast Asia, SMX leverages a politically stable environment to serve as a reliable partner in global supply-chain integrity. The platform transforms conventional, paper-based verification systems into intelligent, self-reporting networks, capable of safeguarding critical materials even during conflict or geopolitical disruption. As the U.S.-Iran tensions threaten supply-chain certainty, SMX ensures that Australian rare earths continue to flow securely, reducing exposure to counterfeit components, sabotage, and industrial espionage. By embedding verification directly into materials, SMX strengthens both economic resilience and national security, delivering a future-proof solution for defense, energy, and technology sectors. Discover why SMX is securing the rare earth supply chain in an uncertain world while building shareholder value
Exclusive Content Why Upstart's Bank Charter Bet Could Change EverythingReported by Jeffrey Neal Johnson. Date Posted: 3/13/2026. 
Key Points- Upstart's pursuit of a national bank charter aims to unlock access to a stable and consistently low-cost source of capital through deposits.
- A lower cost of capital directly translates into the potential for significant and sustainable profit margin expansion for the lending platform.
- This strategic evolution creates an all-weather business model, enabling market share gains when competitors may be forced to pull back.
- Special Report: You've Got to See This Pattern Before 2025 Picks Up… (From Stock Wire News)
Upstart Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPST), a company that built its name as a nimble, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered lending platform, recently announced a landmark strategic decision that could redefine its future. On March 10, 2026, Upstart Holdings revealed plans to apply for a national bank charter, a move that would transform it into a federally regulated depository institution. For investors, this signals a meaningful shift in strategy: is Upstart simply reacting to market pressures, or is it proactively building a more dominant, long-term business model? The charter bid looks like a deliberate step toward a more durable enterprise by gaining direct control over funding — a move that could unlock significant shareholder value over time. De-Risking the Business for All SeasonsIntroducing "Elon Musk's Day-One Retirement Plan"
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But Elon Musk is about to make it a reality with something I'm calling… "Day-One Retirement Plan." Click here to see the details. Upstart's core business has been highly successful: it uses a powerful AI platform to originate loans for a network of partner banks and institutional investors. That asset-light model let the company scale quickly without holding large loan balances on its books. But it also created a dependency on third-party capital. The markets that supply that funding can be volatile — during economic slowdowns or rising-rate environments, capital can become more expensive or harder to secure, which hampers growth and profitability. Management has been addressing this funding challenge well before the charter announcement. This is not an ad hoc response but the culmination of a deliberate plan to diversify and stabilize the company's capital base. Upstart has issued asset-backed securities, including the $292 million Upstart Securitization Trust 2026-1, and struck forward-flow agreements such as a $200 million deal with Wafra to buy auto loans originated on the platform. Those moves have strengthened funding options — pursuing a bank charter is the most powerful step toward funding independence and insulation from market volatility. Unlocking Profitability With a Bank CharterThe primary reason investors should view the bank charter as a potential bullish catalyst is the financial leverage it provides. A charter directly addresses the cost side of the business, creating a clearer, more sustainable path to higher and more consistent profitability. - Access to Low-Cost Capital: FDIC-insured consumer deposits are among the most stable and cheapest funding sources available. By attracting deposits, Upstart could materially lower its cost of capital, improving its core cost structure and making lending operations more profitable.
- Massive Margin Expansion Potential: Lower funding costs translate into wider margins. Net Interest Margin (NIM) is the spread between loan yields and funding costs. For example, if a loan earns 11% and market-based funding costs 6%, the margin is 5%. If that same loan is funded with deposits costing 2%, the margin jumps to 9% — an 80% increase on that loan. Applied across billions of dollars in originations, this NIM expansion could be a major earnings catalyst.
- An All-Weather Business Model: A stable deposit base makes the business more resilient. Competitors that rely only on capital markets may need to slow or stop lending during downturns. A deposit-funded Upstart could continue lending, generating steady revenue and potentially capturing market share while others retrench — a durable competitive advantage over the long term.
This Is an Evolution, Not a GambleTurning into a regulated bank is a significant undertaking that brings greater oversight and ongoing compliance costs from regulators such as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the FDIC. But these costs should be seen as investments in long-term stability, credibility and consumer trust. Upstart is not charting an entirely new course. Other fintechs have followed this path, most notably SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI), which used a banking charter to access low-cost deposits and lower its overall cost of capital — a key step toward sustained profitability. That precedent provides a practical playbook and shows the transition can be value-enhancing. Upstart's technological strengths — years of refining AI models and automation — give it an edge in handling regulatory reporting and risk-management requirements efficiently, helping to offset increased compliance burdens. A New Era of Value Creation BeginsUpstart's pursuit of a national bank charter is a strategic, transformational move aimed at creating a more profitable, defensible long-term business. The company is attempting to combine its AI-driven loan origination capabilities with the stable, low-cost funding of a traditional depository institution. If regulators approve the charter, it would be a major de-risking event and could unlock the next phase of value creation for the stock. Investors should closely monitor the regulatory process and how Upstart executes on integrating deposits into its funding mix — successful execution could markedly change the company's earnings trajectory and competitive position.
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