What to know:

  • Crypto protocol Uranium.io launched a marketplace on the Tezos network for tokenized uranium backed by physical uranium oxide.
  • The commodity is stored at Cameco, while U.K.-regulated crypto firm Archax and uranium trading company Curzon Uranium supports the tokenization process.

As a seasoned researcher with a keen interest in both blockchain technology and the energy sector, I find the recent launch of Uranium.io’s marketplace on the Tezos network absolutely intriguing. Having spent years studying the complexities of nuclear power and its role in our energy landscape, it’s fascinating to witness the intersection of these two worlds – traditional energy commodities meeting the digital frontier.


Nuclear energy is back in fashion, and a new blockchain-based marketplace aims to hop on the trend bringing investment access in the yellow ore to retail investors in a tokenized form.

On Tuesday, Trilitech, a Tezos-focused development company based in London, unveiled Uranium.io – an innovative platform that issues tokens tied to actual uranium oxide (U3O8), often referred to as “yellowcake.” This platform was developed on Etherlink, a scalable network running on Tezos (XTZ) and compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The project partnered with Archax, a U.K.-regulated digital asset firm, which is responsible for safeguarding the underlying assets and generating the tokens. The physical uranium is kept securely in a regulated depository maintained by Cameco, one of the world’s top uranium producers.

In simple terms, the area where digital versions of real-world assets are traded within the crypto market is expanding swiftly. Crypto companies and global financial institutions are moving traditional investments like commodities onto blockchain networks for lower fees, quicker transactions, and wider access to investors. These digital tokens symbolize ownership of the underlying asset. For instance, HSBC, a global bank, introduced tokenized gold to retail investors in Hong Kong earlier this year.

As an analyst, I’ve found that uranium is a vital metal in the realm of energy production, powering nuclear power plants with a rising demand. However, the market for this metal remains fragmented, with trading predominantly happening on over-the-counter desks and limited investment opportunities for retail traders. In an interview with CoinDesk, Arthur Breitman, director of TriliTech and co-founder of the Tezos blockchain, emphasized that moving ownership representation to blockchain infrastructure could alleviate these frictions, making it more accessible for ordinary investors to engage.

“This is particularly exciting as nuclear power is experiencing a revival,” Breitman said.

Previously, an endeavor was made to integrate trading of yellow ore onto blockchain platforms, but it wasn’t the inaugural attempt. In the past year, a project named Uranium3o8 introduced a uranium-linked token on the decentralized cryptocurrency exchange Uniswap. This token was supported by a forward sales agreement with a mining company. However, the token’s value didn’t mirror the price of physical uranium and dropped significantly to close to zero a few months post-launch, as evidenced by CoinGecko data. This situation highlights the challenges in establishing a tokenization structure that functions effectively.

6 million ounces of uranium oxide have been gathered by Uranium.io and stored at Cameco, as stated by Breitman, ensuring that the token’s worth is directly linked to physical uranium. In addition, commodity trading firm Curzon Uranium offers access to primary markets for this ore.

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2024-12-03 17:26