Power Metal Resources, a London-listed exploration and project incubator, has agreed to acquire up to 49 per cent of a Dubai-based start-up that aims to transform the way early-stage mining ventures raise capital. The deal marks a strategic step into the growing market of blockchain-enabled tokenization, which is reshaping how investors access traditionally illiquid assets.
The company will commit up to £3 million in Kingia FZCO, a start-up that will soon be rebranded as Minestarters. The new entity is building a decentralized finance platform designed to offer investors liquid and diversified access to mining projects through tokenization. According to the agreement, Power Metal has already taken a 35 per cent stake for £1 million and retains the option to increase its holding to 49 per cent by investing another £2 million once specific milestones are achieved. These milestones include bringing on board mining partners and securing a listing for Minestarters tokens on an exchange.
Riding the wave of real-world asset tokenization
The partnership comes at a time when the tokenization of real-world assets is expanding at a rapid pace. Industry data indicates that the value of tokenized assets has grown from $8.6 billion at the start of 2025 to more than $25 billion by mid-year. The early leaders in this market have been private credit instruments and tokenized US Treasuries, but forecasts suggest an exponential trajectory. Analysts at Standard Chartered have projected that tokenized assets could reach $30 trillion by 2034, underscoring the scale of the opportunity.
Minestarters intends to secure a first-mover advantage in mining finance, where traditional bottlenecks persist. Although the mining sector attracts more than $200 billion annually, less than 2 per cent is typically allocated to early-stage exploration. This stage is often the riskiest but also carries the potential for outsized returns. The platform is targeting a capture of at least 1 per cent of the sector’s overall capital flow, equivalent to more than $2 billion annually, by linking global investors with carefully selected exploration ventures.
A hybrid of blockchain liquidity and commodity exposure
The planned platform is positioned as a blend of digital finance and tangible resource investment. Token holders will gain fractional exposure to a basket of mining projects, while blockchain-based smart contracts will handle compliance, fund allocation and profit sharing. The structure is designed to deliver around-the-clock liquidity, transparent reporting and automated ESG tracking, in sharp contrast to the opacity that has long defined traditional mining finance.
The leadership team behind Minestarters combines technical expertise in both mining and technology. The company is chaired by Marcel Nally, a geologist and co-founder of Zambia-focused copper producer Moxico Resources, while its chief executive, Ian Freeman, brings experience in building ventures within highly regulated technology markets. Their strategy involves scaling the platform to host dozens of projects each year across multiple geographies.
Positioning Power Metal at the commodities–fintech intersection
For Power Metal, the investment is aligned with its incubation strategy of building value across exploration projects. The company views its exposure to Minestarters as a way to place itself at the intersection of commodities and digital finance, opening up new revenue streams while supporting its existing asset portfolio.
Power Metal bets on blockchain tokenisation to transform mining finance https://t.co/3xyLeudrb7
— Power Metal Resources (@PowerMetRes) September 5, 2025
Governance mechanisms are expected to be integral to the platform’s design. Each financed project will have obligations embedded in smart contracts, while blockchain infrastructure will create tamper-proof audit trails and automated ESG compliance tools. Supporters believe this structure could attract institutions that prioritize transparency and verifiable sustainability credentials.
Looking ahead, Minestarters plans to expand beyond funding exploration into tokenized royalties, streaming agreements and convertible equity products, which are usually accessible only to specialized private capital providers. The broader goal is to establish a comprehensive marketplace that finances projects throughout the mining development cycle, from exploration through to production.
With demand for minerals tied to the energy transition rising sharply, the model aims to address the financing constraints that continue to challenge the mining industry. While it remains uncertain whether institutional and retail investors will embrace tokenized mining finance on a large scale, the sharp growth of the tokenization market has led Minestarters’ backers to argue that the timing is favorable for a blockchain-powered alternative to conventional funding routes.
