ReElement Technologies and SAGINT Mint World's First Utility Token for Critical Minerals, Enabling DFARS-Ready Supply Chain Traceability

Rhea-AI Summary

American Resources (NASDAQ:AREC), via its minority holding in ReElement Technologies, and SAGINT announced on January 21, 2026 the minting of the world’s first utility token for critical minerals to represent refined neodymium oxide from ReElement’s Noblesville, Indiana refinery.

The token, created on a privately operated Sui Layer‑1 blockchain, records material origin, processing integrity, and mass balance to provide immutable, end‑to‑end provenance and DFARS‑relevant compliance controls for defense and industrial supply chains.

Positive

• Minted first utility token for refined neodymium oxide on Jan 21, 2026
• Immutable chain of custody captures material origin and mass balance

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

+24.29% 3.9x vol

94 alerts

+24.29% News Effect

+24.8% Peak in 24 hr 3 min

+$91M Valuation Impact

$463M Market Cap

3.9x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, AREC gained 24.29%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +24.8% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 94 alerts that day, indicating high trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $91M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $463M at that time. Trading volume was very high at 3.9x the daily average, suggesting strong buying interest.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Reality Check

Price: $3.16 Vol: Volume 4,282,728 is at 1....

normal vol

$3.16 Last Close

Volume Volume 4,282,728 is at 1.07x the 20-day average of 4,010,390, indicating only modestly elevated trading before this tokenization update. normal

Technical Shares at $3.50 were trading above the 200-day MA of $2.06, but still about 50.77% below the 52-week high of $7.11.

Peers on Argus

AREC was down 1.96% while peers showed mixed moves: METC +1.87%, METCB +2.47%, S...

AREC was down 1.96% while peers showed mixed moves: METC +1.87%, METCB +2.47%, SXC -0.13%, AMR -2.81%, HCC -2.06%. The combination of gains and losses among close peers, plus no names in the momentum scanner, points to stock-specific dynamics rather than a coordinated sector move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 06 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 06	Investor outreach	Positive	-0.6%	Outlined January 2026 conference and event schedule across key industry forums.
Jan 05	Financing partnership	Positive	+19.5%	$200 million equity facility to scale ReElement’s Marion refining platform capacity.
Dec 10	IP expansion	Positive	-8.2%	Filed five new patents for ultra‑high‑purity refining of multiple rare earths.
Dec 08	SAGINT partnership	Positive	-6.3%	Announced blockchain-based tokenization partnership to enhance mineral traceability.
Dec 03	Credit facility	Positive	+2.5%	$5 million inventory line to procure rare earth and critical mineral feedstocks.

Pattern Detected

Recent ReElement-focused announcements are generally positive but have produced mixed reactions, with three instances of shares slipping on constructive strategic or technology news and two positive price alignments on funding and feedstock financing.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, American Resources and ReElement have emphasized critical-mineral growth: a $5 million credit facility for feedstocks on Dec 3, 2025, five new high-purity refining patent applications on Dec 10, 2025, and a strategic SAGINT traceability partnership on Dec 8, 2025. In early Jan 2026, they secured a $200 million equity facility to expand Marion refining capacity and outlined a busy conference schedule. Today’s utility-token milestone extends that same traceability and supply-chain strategy.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock surged +24.3% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with t...

Analysis

The stock surged +24.3% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the company’s ongoing pivot toward ReElement-driven critical-mineral and traceability initiatives. Prior ReElement news produced mixed follow-through, with 3 divergences and 2 alignments, so sustainability has varied. Investors have also navigated going-concern language and insider selling at prices above $4. Any strong move could therefore face reassessment as balance-sheet and execution risks remain in focus.

Key Terms

utility token, dfars, defense federal acquisition regulation supplement, sui layer-1 blockchain, +3 more

7 terms

utility token technical

"successful minting of the world's first utility token for critical minerals"

A utility token is a digital token issued for use within a specific online platform or service, functioning like a membership card or arcade token that grants access, discounts, or other features rather than representing ownership. Investors care because the token’s value is tied to how useful and popular the underlying platform becomes—higher usage can raise demand and price, while limited adoption or regulatory limits can reduce value and liquidity.

dfars regulatory

"support compliance with the U.S. Department of War's Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements"

DFARS is the set of procurement rules the U.S. Department of Defense uses on top of the general federal purchasing regulations, spelling out contract requirements companies must follow when doing business with the military. It matters to investors because DFARS sets practical obligations—like cybersecurity, data handling, reporting, and pricing rules—that can affect a contractor’s ability to win and keep defense work; think of it as the house rules a supplier must follow to keep a valuable customer, with noncompliance risking lost revenue or fines.

defense federal acquisition regulation supplement regulatory

"support compliance with the U.S. Department of War's Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements"

A Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement is the set of extra rules the U.S. Department of Defense adds on top of the government’s main purchasing rulebook to govern how it buys goods and services. For investors, these extra rules matter because they shape how defense contractors win and perform contracts, influence compliance costs, schedule risk, and can affect revenue predictability—like league-specific rules that change how teams must operate to compete.

sui layer-1 blockchain technical

"minted within a privately operated Sui Layer-1 blockchain environment"

Sui is a layer-1 blockchain — an independent, base-level network that records transactions, runs smart contracts, and hosts decentralized applications. Think of it as the foundation and roads of a digital city where developers build apps and users move value; its speed, cost, and security affect how many apps and users join. Investors watch Sui for network growth, transaction activity, and developer adoption because those factors tend to influence the value and utility of its native tokens and ecosystem.

real-world assets (rwas) technical

"advancement in the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) within the critical minerals sector"

Real-world assets (RWAs) are tangible items or properties, such as real estate, commodities, or equipment, that have intrinsic value and exist outside the digital or financial world. For investors, RWAs offer a way to diversify holdings beyond traditional financial assets like stocks and bonds, providing potential stability and income through ownership of physical or tangible resources.

digital warehouse receipts financial

"Digital Warehouse Receipts issued on the Sui blockchain represent physical inventory"

An electronic record that proves a specific quantity and quality of goods are stored in a certified warehouse and who owns them, replacing a paper receipt with a secure digital version. For investors, these receipts turn physical inventory into tradeable, pledgeable assets—like a digital title for stored goods—making it easier to buy, sell, or use inventory as collateral, which can improve liquidity, lower financing costs, and affect commodity supply signals.

chain of custody technical

"establishes a verifiable chain of custody across sourcing, processing, and refining"

"Chain of custody" is the process of keeping a clear and documented record of how physical or digital evidence is handled, from collection to final use. It ensures that the evidence remains unaltered and trustworthy, much like tracking a package from sender to recipient to confirm it hasn't been tampered with. This is important for investors because it helps verify the integrity and accuracy of information or assets being evaluated.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Blockchain-based utility token demonstrates end-to-end provenance, compliance readiness, and auditability for refined rare earth oxides

FISHERS, IN / ACCESS Newswire / January 21, 2026 / American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) ("American Resources"), through its minority holding in ReElement Technologies Corporation ("ReElement"), and SAGINT Inc., a leading provider of blockchain-based digital asset infrastructure, today announced the successful minting of the world's first utility token for critical minerals, demonstrating technical readiness to support compliance with the U.S. Department of War's Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements.

The utility token, minted within a privately operated Sui Layer-1 blockchain environment, delivers immutable, end-to-end traceability for refined neodymium oxide produced at ReElement's Noblesville, Indiana refining facility. The token establishes a verifiable chain of custody across sourcing, processing, and refining, and is designed to function as an internal compliance and audit instrument for ReElement's refining platform and its customers by incorporating DFARS-relevant data and controls.

This milestone represents a significant advancement in the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) within the critical minerals sector. By integrating SAGINT's institutional-grade blockchain platform with ReElement's advanced refining operations, the utility token captures and cryptographically records key data points-including material origin, processing integrity, and mass balance-creating a tamper-resistant provenance record. The system is designed to streamline compliance workflows, enhance supply-chain transparency, and support secure trade finance for U.S. manufacturers and defense contractors.

"This milestone represents an advancement in securing America's critical mineral supply chains," said Jacob Clayton, CEO of SAGINT. "By minting this utility token, we're not only demonstrating readiness for DFARS compliance but also establishing a framework for traceability that supports U.S. manufacturers. Our collaboration with ReElement demonstrates how blockchain can bridge physical commodities with digital solutions for national security and economic resilience."

SAGINT's platform provides end-to-end digital infrastructure for tokenizing critical minerals and rare earth elements, enabling materials to be tracked from mine to market. Each processing stage is cryptographically recorded to create an immutable chain of custody. Digital Warehouse Receipts issued on the Sui blockchain represent physical inventory and enable secure transfer and trading while maintaining full traceability to source.

The platform also incorporates automated compliance features relevant to defense and regulated markets, including validation of material origins against restricted jurisdictions, sanctions screening, investor verification, and secured-party interest tracking under UCC Article 12-providing a unified system to support regulatory and commercial requirements across jurisdictions.

Mark Jensen, CEO of ReElement Technologies, added, "ReElement's innovative and scalable refining platform, combined with SAGINT's blockchain infrastructure, positions us to meet DFARS compliance requirements while advancing transparency and trust across the critical mineral supply chain. This utility token for neodymium oxide-an essential material for electronics, electric vehicles, and defense applications-demonstrates our commitment to U.S. mineral independence and supply-chain resilience, while reducing geopolitical risk and creating long-term value."

Looking ahead, ReElement and SAGINT plan to expand the platform throughout 2026 to additional high-purity rare earth oxides, battery materials, and defense-critical minerals, as part of a broader strategy to modernize and secure U.S. and allied-nation supply chains. ReElement will deploy SAGINT's blockchain infrastructure across its Marion, Indiana Supersite and other current and future refining facilities to deliver the traceability, compliance, and transparency required by defense, industrial, and government customers. Combined with ReElement's modular, solvent-free refining platform-designed for rapid deployment, co-location with feedstock sources, and lower capital and operating costs-this integrated approach positions the Company to strengthen supply-chain resilience while supporting long-term industrial competitiveness, national security, and sustainable growth.

About SAGINT Inc.

SAGINT Inc. is a U.S.-based technology company specializing in compliant blockchain solutions for real-world asset tokenization, supply chain traceability, and digital asset exchanges. SAGINT bridges physical commodities with blockchain to enhance transparency, compliance, and market efficiency in critical sectors. For more information, visit www.sagint.com.

About ReElement Technologies Corporation

ReElement Technologies Corporation, a portfolio company of American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC), is a leading provider of high-performance refining capacity for rare earth and critical battery elements. Its multi-mineral, multi-feedstock platform technology focuses on the refining of recycled material from rare earth permanent magnets and lithium-ion batteries, concentrated ores and brines, as well as coal-based waste streams and byproducts to create a cost effective and environmentally-safe, circular supply chain. ReElement has developed its innovative and scalable "Powered by ReElement" process which collaboratively utilizes its exclusively licensed intellectual property within its partners' material processing flow sheets to more efficiently support the global supply chain's growing demand for magnet and battery-grade products. For more information visit reelementtech.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ: AREC)

American Resources Corporation is a leader in the critical mineral supply chain, developing innovative solutions both upstream and downstream of the refining process. The company and its affiliates focus on the extraction and processing of metallurgical carbon and iron ore, essential ingredients in steelmaking, as well as critical and rare earth minerals for the electrification market and recycled metals.

Leveraging its affiliation and former parent status of ReElement Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of high-performance refining capacity for rare earth and critical battery elements, American Resources is investing in and developing efficient upstream and downstream critical mineral operations. These operations include mining interests in conventional and unconventional sources, recycling, and manufacturing.

American Resources has established a nimble, low-cost business model centered on growth, which provides a significant opportunity to scale its portfolio of assets to meet the growing global infrastructure and electrification markets while also continuing to acquire operations and significantly reduce their legacy industry risks. Its streamlined and efficient operations are able to maximize margins while reducing costs. For more information visit americanresourcescorp.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements or industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond American Resources Corporation's control. The words "believes", "may", "will", "should", "would", "could", "continue", "seeks", "anticipates", "plans", "expects", "intends", "estimates", or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Any forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The Company cannot assure you that the projected results or events will be achieved.

Investor Contact:

JTC Team, LLC
Jenene Thomas
(908) 824 - 0775
arec@jtcir.com

Media Inquiries:

Marjorie Weisskohl
703-587-1532
mweisskohl@allseasonspr.com

Company Contact:

Mark LaVerghetta
317-855-9926 ext. 0
investor@americanresourcescorp.com

SAGINT Inc.:

Jacob Clayton, CEO
jacob.clayton@sagint.com

SOURCE: American Resources Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What did AREC announce about blockchain traceability on January 21, 2026?

AREC, via ReElement and SAGINT, announced the minting of a utility token for refined neodymium oxide to enable end‑to‑end provenance and DFARS‑ready compliance.

How does the AREC/ReElement token support DFARS compliance for defense contractors?

The token embeds DFARS‑relevant data and controls—material origin, sanctions screening, and audit trails—to support compliance and verifiable chain of custody.

Which facility produced the neodymium oxide tokenized by AREC and partners?

The utility token represents refined neodymium oxide produced at ReElement's Noblesville, Indiana refining facility.

What blockchain platform did AREC partners use to mint the critical minerals token?

The token was minted within a privately operated Sui Layer‑1 blockchain environment on SAGINT's institutional-grade platform.

Will AREC expand tokenization beyond neodymium oxide in 2026?

ReElement and SAGINT plan to expand the platform throughout 2026 to additional rare earth oxides, battery materials, and defense‑critical minerals.

How can the AREC/ReElement token affect supply‑chain finance and trading?

Digital Warehouse Receipts on the platform represent physical inventory and enable secure transfer and trading while preserving full provenance.