by | Jun 17, 2025 | Business
The space economy presents new investment opportunities as commercial space resource ventures grow, but investors must assess risks and regulatory challenges.
Most investors build their portfolios through traditional assets such as shares, property and bonds. However, a new investment horizon has emerged that extends beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The space economy represents a potential opportunity for forward-thinking investors willing to explore unconventional markets, but questions remain about how best to participate in this sector.
The space industry continues its rapid expansion, with estimates suggesting it could grow from approximately $US500 billion in 2022 to a multi-trillion dollar industry by 2040. While current growth focuses on communications, Earth observation and navigation, experts forecast significant expansion into cislunar (between the Earth and the moon) space.
“The long-term outlook for commercial space resources is promising, with space resource activity being essential for the commercial development of cislunar space, due to the ‘tyranny of the rocket equation’, where there is an exponential increase in cost as a function of distance from the Earth,” said UNSW Engineering PhD student Ben McKeown, who has led a number of co-authored research papers on the topic.
An increasing number of private sector companies targeting space resources, including Astroforge (a US-based aerospace firm that plans to mine asteroids to extract valuable minerals), Interlune (which has developed novel machinery and processes to detect and extract natural resources from space) and ispace (a Japanese firm that develops robotic spacecraft and technologies to discover, map and use natural lunar resources).
However, Mr McKeown said, the reality was that sustainable commercial space resource activity was still some way off.
“Important considerations for investors in space resource activities include current regulatory uncertainty, the lack of defined markets and the lack of geological resource definition. Over and above these factors, potential investors should consider the credibility and feasibility of a company’s technological capabilities and mission plans,” he said.
Mr McKeown, who is a research student at UNSW’s Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research and also serves as Chairman at Tinka Resources, a Canadian-based exploration and development company, highlighted the importance of evaluating tangible milestones, validating partnerships with entities such as NASA, and successful navigation of regulatory frameworks in helping investors identify opportunities with a higher likelihood of success and mitigate speculative risks.
Potential returns from investing in space resources
Mr McKeown’s most recent research paper, The space resources fund: A solution to the space resources benefit sharing dilemma?, examines various types of funding for commercialising space resources.
Co-authored by UNSW Business School Associate Professor Jeff Coulton and UNSW Engineering academics Professor Andrew Dempster and Professor Serkan Saydam, the paper analysed sovereign wealth funds, development funds, and private equity ventures to determine which characteristics might best serve the dual aims of industry development and benefit sharing.
Published in Space Policy, the research paper explained how a proposed Space Resources Fund would operate with a double bottom line mandate: generating monetary benefits from fund activities for global benefit sharing, while providing investment capital to facilitate the development of industry that supports the fund.
Financial modelling conducted by the researchers showed that if the fund achieved a 10% annual return over 50 years, it could grow to $186 billion from an initial $2 billion investment. At a 12% return, this figure increases to $439 billion over the same period.
This contrasted favourably with the potential income from royalties, which the authors found would generate significantly less value. Even with an 8% royalty rate on a hypothetical lunar ice mining industry growing at 6% annually over 50 years, the total value generated would be a fraction of the investment value created by the space resources fund approach.
Investment timeframes and considerations
A/Prof. Coulton said it was probable that progress in commercial space mining activities would take much longer than in many traditional resource sectors.
“Space mining ventures will operate on decade-long horizons before they would be likely to see significant returns, so investors should research whether a company has a robust plan as well as the organisational capabilities to last,” he said.
“The markets for in-space resource trade aren’t currently developed (we need both the demand for and supply of materials in space), and the technical feasibility tests are in their very early days.”
As such, A/Prof. Coulton said, investors should try to understand the technology, partnerships, and regulatory preparations.
“They’ll also need to investigate how businesses plan to deal with legal uncertainties: regulations around resource ownership and the right to mine celestial bodies are still evolving, so it will be crucial to invest in projects with a clear approach to navigating any shifts in that landscape,” he said.
Another key consideration in any early-stage investing would be the leadership and extent of proven expertise of the team. A/Prof. Coulton said a promising space resource startup should ideally have access to sufficient funding, strong engineering teams, and a track record of successfully managing large-scale, capital-intensive projects.
“The emerging investment opportunities will be very exciting, but investors will need patience and a willingness to embrace the uncertain nature of the projects and their outcomes,” he said.
The risks of space resources investing
While certain risks, such as subsurface or geological risk in the context of space resources may be comparable to those on Earth, Mr McKeown said, investing in space resources would carry unique risks when compared to terrestrial resource investments.
“Technology risks are substantial, given the complexity of operating safely and effectively in space. Regulatory uncertainty also poses challenges, as international space law and property rights on celestial bodies remain in early development,” he said.
Additionally, market risks such as unpredictable demand and pricing structure were significant at this point. Factoring all these risks into account, Mr McKeown asserted that investors should be prepared for the volatility and longer-term horizons associated with these innovative ventures.
A/Prof. Coulton echoed Mr McKeown’s observations and said investing in space resources would be considered riskier than that of many established Earth-based ventures. “This is due largely to the experimental nature of extraction and processing methods and the harsh conditions of outer space,” he said.
With Earth-based mining, A/Prof. Coulton said, there was long-standing proven technology as well as existing legal frameworks that helped mitigate some of the uncertainty. In space, even well-funded and organised missions would face surprises – from launch failures to hardware malfunctions to shifting international regulations – that might rapidly reshape the ownership of off-Earth resources.
Extended operational timelines can also mean waiting years or even decades to realise a commercial return, he added.
A long-term investment outlook
For those considering investment opportunities in the space resources sector, the research suggests a measured approach. Early stages of industry development will likely require significant capital with high-risk profiles, but offer potential for substantial returns.
The fund structure proposed by the UNSW research team could provide a middle path that satisfies both commercial interests and international obligations regarding benefit sharing. Rather than imposing potentially burdensome royalties on nascent space resources fund projects, the fund approach could generate greater long-term value while supporting industry development.
“I think that the long-term outlook for space resource investments is generally very positive, provided you recognise it IS a long-term consideration,” said A/Prof. Coulton. “As reusable rocket technology advances and launch costs fall (which we are currently seeing especially with SpaceX), we’re steadily approaching a point where space-based projects become more economically viable.”
This shift could prompt even more investment and innovation, with early successes boosting both investor confidence and therefore the capital available for further ventures. Government support was also likely to grow, said A/Prof. Coulton, who predicted nations would become more focused on securing strategic resources and maintaining a presence beyond Earth.
Mr McKeown also said the long-term investment outlook for space resources was promising, particularly as humanity expanded its footprint beyond Earth and an economy in cislunar space evolved.
“The space economy is projected to significantly expand in the coming decades, which could drive demand for water and construction materials in space, in addition to helium-3, demand for which could develop on Earth in markets such as quantum computing and fusion energy,” he said.
“Investors who enter this sector early, with a well-informed and patient strategy, may ultimately position themselves to benefit from what could become one of the defining industries of the next century.”
by | Jun 17, 2025 | Business
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Understand the Benefits of Nose Thread Lifts
<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://slvrdlphn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/public-155" alt="MOLD Manila's HIKO Nose Thread Lift – Non-surgical nose thread life” />
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Chin contouring offers harmony to the lower face. We use dermal filler to improve projection and balance. Think: V-line profile, improved side profile, and photo-ready confidence.
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If your jawline feels too wide or boxy—or if you suffer from teeth grinding—masseter Botox is a dual-purpose solution. It gently weakens the bulky chewing muscle to create a softer, more feminine or contoured lower face.
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Age and stress can cause the mid-face to hollow or sag. Our cheek contouring treatments restore volume, lift the face, and bring back definition to the cheekbones. Options include fillers or thread lifts, depending on your goals.
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These treatments pair well with any facial procedure and are often included in bundled sessions.
Why MOLD Clients Choose Minimally Invasive Procedures
We don’t do beauty by accident—we lead a movement in intentional transformation.
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People Also Ask
Q: Magkano ang nose thread lift sa MOLD Manila?
A: Nose thread lift starts at PHP 10,000. Packages vary based on thread type and desired outcome.
Q: Gaano katagal ang downtime?
A: Most clients experience light swelling or bruising for 1–3 days, but you can go back to work same day.
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Q: May maintenance ba?
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Q: Pwede ba i-combine ang multiple procedures in one visit?
A: Yes! It’s common to pair nose threads with jaw slimming or skin treatments in one appointment.
Real Client Results
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Explore Our Price Guide
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Final Thoughts
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Read full article at: https://moldmanila.com/post/discover-non-surgical-face-enhancements-at-mold-manila
by | Jun 17, 2025 | Business
Therium Capital Management quietly ceded control of its litigation portfolio to Fortress Investment Group on 11 June 2025, following layoffs and the formation of Therium Capital Advisors.
Fortress—now overseeing more than US $6.8 billion in legal assets—has introduced granular spend audits, weekly reporting and strict risk-return hurdles shaped by the UK Supreme Court’s PACCAR ruling.
Claimants, including those in the annulled US $14.92 billion Sulu arbitration, could face delays, early settlements or funding withdrawal, while investors brace for lengthened timelines and volatile secondary-market pricing.
Full article: https://knowsulu.ph/the-untold-sulu-story/inside-the-fortress-capital-control-and-the-quiet-collapse-of-therium
London, June 17 2025— Fortress Investment Group has quietly assumed operational control of Therium Capital Management’s global litigation-funding portfolio, completing a discreet transfer executed on 11 June 2025 after months of deep restructuring at Therium.
The hand-off, which covers more than forty active disputes spanning Europe, Asia and North America, is the largest realignment the asset class has seen since the United Kingdom’s PACCAR decision tightened recoverability rules for funders last year. Fortress, an alternative-assets manager overseeing roughly US $70 billion and already exposed to some US $6.8 billion in legal assets, will now set budgets, determine strategy and authorise capital calls for every matter previously under Therium’s watch.
Practitioners predict an immediate cultural shift. Therium historically offered flexible, claimant-friendly drawdowns and tolerated longer timelines; Fortress operates on quarterly performance metrics, demands weekly reporting and applies strict risk-adjusted return hurdles. Claimants whose cases have drifted, or whose damages models have weakened, may be pressed to accept earlier settlements, post additional security or face funding withdrawal if revised forecasts fail to satisfy those hurdles.
Insiders also anticipate tougher document scrutiny. Fortress is expected to require comprehensive counsel memoranda, granular budgets broken into six-month tranches and rolling scenario analyses before it releases each slice of capital. Lawyers who miss new benchmarks risk payment delays, while co-funders may be asked to surrender a larger share of upside to compensate for heightened volatility.
The controversial US $14.92 billion claim brought by the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu against Malaysia remains funded but “under review.” Observers believe Fortress will keep the asset on the books until a Spanish court rules on pending annulment proceedings, yet several sources caution that further adverse findings could trigger an exit clause embedded in the transfer agreement.
Stakeholders therefore have a narrow window to renegotiate terms before Fortress completes its baseline portfolio review in early July. Delays will likely prove costly for all parties.
Analysts view the takeover as part of a broader consolidation trend in which large credit houses seek to ring-fence litigation risk during an era of rising capital costs. Should Fortress succeed in streamlining the inherited book, peers such as Burford Capital and Omni Bridgeway may pursue similar bolt-on acquisitions to defend margins and reassure investors.
For claimants and law firms the message is clear: documentation must be airtight, timelines realistic and economic models defensible, because the era of lightly monitored, open-ended funding has ended.
Image Source: Fortress Investment Group
by | Jun 17, 2025 | Business
At
Happycash, we recognize that data privacy is not only a legal obligation—it is
a core pillar of customer trust and long-term success. In line with this
belief, we have fully aligned our operations with the Data Privacy Act of
2012 and all regulations issued by the National Privacy Commission (NPC)
of the Philippines.
As a
registered Personal Information Controller (PIC) with the NPC, Happycash
adheres to the highest standards in the collection, processing, storage, and
protection of customer data. We treat our users’ personal information with the
utmost care—because safeguarding their privacy is central to how we do
business.
Fully
Committed to NPC Compliance
Happycash’s
data governance framework is designed to meet and exceed the requirements set
by the NPC. Our approach includes:
Data Minimization:
We collect only the data necessary to provide our services, avoiding
excessive or irrelevant information requests.User Consent and
Transparency: Our privacy policies clearly explain how data is used.
We ensure users are fully informed and give explicit consent before any
data processing.Security Measures:
We employ robust security measures, such as strong encryption, access
controls, and continuous monitoring to protect user information from
unauthorized access and breaches.Data Subject Rights:
We respect and uphold the rights of data subjects, including access,
correction, and erasure of personal data.Ongoing Staff Training:
All employees receive regular training on data privacy and NPC
regulations, embedding a privacy-first mindset across our organization.
Proactive
Engagement with the NPC
Happycash
not only complies with the law—we actively collaborate with the NPC to
strengthen our policies and ensure we’re ahead of evolving data protection
standards. We conduct regular privacy impact assessments, participate in NPC
consultations, and promptly address any inquiries from the Commission.
Putting
Privacy into Practice
Our
compliance efforts are not just policies on paper. We’ve built privacy into our
product design and business workflows. From app permissions to cloud
infrastructure, every layer of Happycash is structured to minimize data risks
and maximize user trust.
Looking
Ahead
As
digital finance grows in the Philippines, so does the responsibility to protect
user data. Happycash is proud to be a responsible steward of personal
information, and we will continue to invest in systems, people, and practices
that uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and user
empowerment.
by | Jun 16, 2025 | Business
In
today’s fast-evolving digital lending landscape, transparency and
accountability are more critical than ever. At Happycash, we believe that
sustainable financial inclusion must be built on a foundation of trust and
regulatory compliance. That’s why we are proud to highlight our ongoing and
active collaboration with the Credit Information Corporation (CIC)—the
Philippines’ central credit registry. As both a submitting entity and an
accessing entity with the CIC, Happycash play a dual role in strengthening the
credit information ecosystem.
Since
our inception, Happycash has consistently reported loan data to CIC in
accordance with established guidelines. This partnership reflects our
commitment to building a responsible lending ecosystem that protects both
borrowers and lenders. By sharing accurate and timely credit data, we help
create a more robust financial infrastructure that empowers users while
reducing systemic risks. As an accessing entity, we also leverage the CIC
database to gain deeper insights into borrower creditworthiness, promoting
responsible lending decisions and risk mitigation.
Why
CIC Reporting Matters
As a
government-mandated credit registry, CIC plays a vital role in enabling fair
access to credit. When lenders like Happycash report to CIC:
Borrowers benefit from
having a verifiable credit history, helping them unlock better financial
opportunities in the future.Lenders gain deeper
insights into borrowers’ creditworthiness, promoting responsible
decision-making and risk mitigation.The entire ecosystem
benefits from reduced fraud, lower default rates, and enhanced financial
stability.
Our
Compliance Journey
Happycash
has taken proactive steps to integrate CIC reporting into our operations:
Regular and timely
submission of borrower credit data.Internal policies and staff
training aligned with CIC standards.Continuous engagement with
CIC for updates, clarifications, and audits to ensure full compliance.
We
view credit reporting not just as a regulatory requirement, but as a
responsibility to the people we serve. Our commitment extends beyond
compliance—we aim to be a model for ethical, data-driven lending in the fintech
sector.
Looking
Ahead
As
the Philippines continues to strengthen its credit information ecosystem,
Happycash remains committed to supporting CIC’s mission and aligning our
practices with the highest regulatory standards. We believe that transparency
is key to building long-term relationships with our users and earning the trust
of regulators, partners, and stakeholders.
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