Global mining giant Rio Tinto is reportedly exploring an asset-for-equity swap with Aluminium Corp. of China, Chinalco. News sources reported, citing sources close to the matter, that this move aims to reduce Chinalco’s current 11 per cent stake by up to 2 percentage points, potentially down to around 9 per cent.
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This strategy would provide Rio Tinto with more flexibility. As sources highlighted, it allows the company to end governance constraints and allocate capital to mergers, acquisitions, and share buybacks. Rio Tinto Group did not provide a comment when contacted by a national media organisation. Meanwhile, Aluminium Corp. of China did not immediately respond to the inquiry.
Implications for market and investors
The potential deal arrives amid volatile commodity prices and rising geopolitical tensions. Traders are closely watching related markets. Rio Tinto’s London-listed shares recently hovered around 4,500 pence ( USD 59.88) , reflecting a 2 per cent uptick over the past week as of October 22, 2025. Analysts suggest that positive sentiment could drive resistance to 4,700 pence, making short-term volatility likely. Volume spikes could signal upcoming breakouts in mining stocks.
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Linkages between the cryptocurrency market and metals
The move also has indirect implications for the cryptocurrency sector. Copper and aluminium are crucial for crypto mining hardware. Recent copper spot prices climbed 1.5 per cent to USD 9,500 per ton, influenced by EV and data centre demand. If Rio Tinto’s asset management stabilises supply chains, crypto miners could see lower input costs, boosting profitability and potentially affecting Bitcoin prices.
Institutional flows into commodity ETFs surged over USD 2 billion in Q3 2025. This trend may spill over into crypto, where tokens like FIL reflect commodity infrastructure reliance. Traders could explore ETH pairs against commodity indices, especially if metals demand rises. Options activity on Rio Tinto indicates bullish bets, which could translate into crypto plays like Ravencoin (RVN), tied to asset tokenisation.
The Rio-Chinalco asset swap is more than a shareholder reshuffle. It highlights interconnections between mining, commodities, and crypto markets. Traders and investors should monitor key levels in metals and digital assets to capitalise on sentiment-driven opportunities.
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