Selectivity Replaces Speculation as CEM Heads Back to Whistler
January delivered a sharp reminder of how fast sentiment can turn. Speculative money rushed back into pockets of the market, driving outsized moves in small caps and crypto, while broader equities lagged. That surge did not last. Higher margin requirements, a stronger U.S. dollar, and rising policy uncertainty triggered a rapid shakeout that cleared excess leverage and reset expectations.
“With 2025 showing healthy, consistent charts for both gold and silver, we entered 2026 with historic moves and volatility,” said Ryan Iverson, Portfolio Manager at CEM Partner's Fund.
“However, a potential hawkish shift in monetary policy, Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair, a stronger U.S. dollar, and structural changes around margin requirements combined to trigger a sharp selloff. That said, the themes that carried gold and silver through 2025 remain intact. Frothy speculative money is simply being shaken out.”
"As commodity prices normalize and confidence begins to rebuild, selectivity has replaced speculation," said Iverson. That shift sits at the core of the 16th Annual Whistler Capital Event this weekend, which has attracted 60 companies and scores of investors.
Companies attending represent a broad cross-section of sectors including precious and base metals, uranium and lithium exploration, oil and gas, energy technology, agriculture, biotechnology, medical technology, ad tech, and blockchain infrastructure.
The average market capitalization of the attending companies is $126 million, with a combined total market value of roughly $12 billion.
This Saturday, following a full day of curated one-on-one meetings, investors will select their Top Picks and Outstanding Performers at the summit’s signature Investor Breakout Exchange from the companies listed below.
Atlas Salt
Nuvau Minerals
Atomic Minerals
Ocumetics Technology
Baylin Technologies
Onyx Gold
BluEnergies
Pacific Ridge Exploration
Camino
Rackla Metals
Canadian Metals
Reconnaissance Energy Africa
Cassiar Gold
Red Canyon Resources
Corcel Exploration
Revival Gold
Daura Gold
Roxmore Resources
Dryden Gold
RZOLV Technologies
Eastport Critical Metals
Sabio Holdings
Endurance Gold
Sankamap Exploration
Enduro Metals
Scottie Resources
FireFly Metals
Secur3D
Fortune Bay
Silver One Resources
Full Circle Lithium
Silver Viper Minerals
Geiger Energy
Skeena Gold + Silver
Gold Terra Resource
Skyharbour Resources
Gunnison Copper
Spartan Metals
IDEX Metals
Stardust Metal
iMetal Resources
STLLR Gold
Intellistake Technologies
Summit Royalties
Intrepid Metals
Syntholene Energy
K2 Gold
Talisker Resources
Kane Biotech
Telo Genomics
Kootenay Silver
TenX Protocols
Latin Metals
Thiogenesis Therapeutics
Lithium Africa Resources
Tinka Resources
Mayfair Gold
ValOre Metals
MustGrow Biologics
Visionary Metals
Performance Check
Here’s how five companies that attended Whistler 2025 have advanced in the market over the past year. (Prices from Feb. 21, 2025, to Jan, 29, 2026)
Amarc Resources (TSXV: AHR)$0.67 → $1.40 +109%
Tudor Gold (TSXV: TUD)$0.67 → $1.33 +99%
Oroco Resource (TSXV: OCO)$0.27 → $0.81 +200%
Silver47 Exploration (TSXV: AGA)$0.56 → $0.95 +70%
Aztec Minerals (TSXV: AZT)$0.22 → $0.41 +86%
We’ll be sharing the Top Picks and Outstanding Performers from the Whistler Event exclusively with IB Newsletter readers on Feb. 12, 2026.
Warm Regards and Happy Investing,Fabian Dawson

Weekly Insight
Each week, CEM Partner and Portfolio Manager Ryan Iverson spotlights the ideas and companies sparking investor interest from emerging growth stories to the Top Picks featured across CEM’s Capital Events. This series brings real insights from the innovators shaping tomorrow’s markets and reveals where investors are finding the next breakout opportunities.
