New York, Jan 25, 2026, 06:43 EST — Market closed
- CRML shares ended Friday at $20.62, jumping 11.7% on the day and rallying 16.8% across the past five sessions
- European Lithium announced a Rule 144 sale of 5 million shares, generating roughly $85.5 million in gross proceeds
- Investors are focused on Monday’s follow-on filings and updates related to Greenland project activities
Shares of Critical Metals Corp surged 11.7% on Friday despite a filing revealing a key investor’s plan to offload 5 million shares.
U.S. markets are closed for the weekend, but CRML’s late-week surge puts it firmly on the radar for Monday. The stock acts as a stand-in for the rush to establish rare earth supply chains beyond China, and even minor news can trigger notable moves.
This matters now since a block sale can shift the balance between buyers and sellers in a small, fast-moving stock. It also puts to the test how much of the rally stems from conviction versus mere momentum.
CRML finished Friday at $20.62, marking a 16.8% jump over the last five sessions and pushing its year-to-date rise to roughly 197%, per MarketScreener data. CEO Tony Sage informed Bloomberg Open Interest that construction has been approved for a storage and pilot plant facility in Greenland, linked to the company’s rare earth and critical minerals project. MarketScreener
Australia’s European Lithium updated its Schedule 13D filing to reveal it sold 5 million shares of Critical Metals on Jan. 21 under Rule 144, a U.S. securities regulation permitting public resale of restricted stock in specific cases. The company reported gross proceeds of roughly $85.5 million from the sale and said it still holds about 48 million shares, representing 39.5% of Critical Metals. Schedule 13D disclosures apply to investors owning more than 5% of a public company. SEC
The filing, signed by Sage as European Lithium’s executive chairman, comes at a tricky time for a stock that’s been making big moves. Investors will be watching closely to see if this sale is a one-time event or the beginning of a steady flow of shares hitting the market.
Earlier this month, Critical Metals revealed it had inked a non-binding term sheet with Saudi conglomerate Tariq Abdel Hadi Abdullah Al-Qahtani & Brothers. The deal aims to set up a joint venture to refine 25% of the expected output from Tanbreez within Saudi Arabia. “We see a strong opportunity to work closely with partners in the United States,” said Abdulmalik Tariq Al‑Qahtani, CEO of Tariq, in a statement. Reuters
In late December, Sage told Reuters it expects to finalize the last 25% of its offtake agreements—contracts securing future buyers for planned output—by early 2026. The company also said it would be open to U.S. government investment. “Would welcome it, even though we didn’t ask for it,” Sage added. Mining is slated to start in 2027, with first production aimed for mid-2028. Reuters
Beyond China, scaled rare earth producers are few, focusing attention on developers tied to Greenland amid rising political and supply security concerns. This dynamic supports buying interest but also fuels volatility in the market.
The rally remains fragile. Additional sales by early investors, construction and logistics setbacks in Greenland, or delays in financing and securing binding customer contracts could weigh on a share price that’s already seen significant adjustments this year.
Nasdaq’s reopening on Monday, Jan. 26, will be the next checkpoint, with traders keen to see if Friday’s jump holds up. They’ll also be on the lookout for new ownership changes or company updates that shed light on the share sale and progress on the Greenland project.
