Why Copper Prices are Increasing in 2025 Explained

Copper Prices Surge in 2025: Key Drivers Explained

As of December 25, 2025, copper prices have surged dramatically throughout the year, marking their biggest annual gain since 2009 (around 35-40%). 

Benchmark prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) topped $12,000 per metric ton for the first time ever, with peaks reaching $12,159.50, while COMEX futures in the US hit around $5.5-5.6 per pound. 

This rally has been driven by a combination of tight supply, robust long-term demand, and trade distortions, creating a perfect storm for higher prices.

Here's a detailed breakdown of the key factors:

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Crypto Revolution: Hong Kong Explores Accepting Cryptocurrency Holdings for Residency Visas

Hong Kong's Progressive Approach to Cryptocurrency and Residency

In a significant move towards embracing digital assets, Hong Kong is positioning itself as a global leader in cryptocurrency adoption and regulation. While there have been discussions about integrating cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) into various financial frameworks, it's essential to understand the current landscape regarding their acceptance in residency applications.

Crypto Assets and Investment Immigration

There has been speculation about Hong Kong accepting cryptocurrency holdings as proof of assets for its investment immigration program, the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES). This program requires applicants to demonstrate a net worth of at least HK$30 million (approximately $3.85 million). However, as of now, cryptocurrencies are not officially recognized as acceptable forms of proof for this requirement.

Current Acceptance of Assets

Accepted Assets: The CIES traditionally permits investments in assets like equities, bonds, funds, and other government-approved financial instruments.

Verification: Applicants must have their assets verified by a qualified chartered public accountant, ensuring authenticity and compliance with regulations.

Exclusions: Despite the growing interest in digital currencies, cryptocurrencies are currently excluded from the list of permissible investment assets for residency applications.

Application Eligibility and Process

Eligibility

Who Can Apply: All nationals, except residents of Mainland China and citizens of Afghanistan, Cuba, and North Korea, are eligible to apply for Hong Kong's investment visa.

Application Steps

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Explained Why SEBI Banned Hemant Ghai, wife and mother for fraudulent trading

Explained Why SEBI Banned Hemant Ghai, wife and mother for fraudulent trading

Friday, January 15, 2021

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Budget 2020 Explained Dividend and Dividend Distribution Tax DDT Abolished

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Saturday, February 1, 2020

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Public Sector Oil companies donate more than Rs. 121 Cr. Towards Statue of Unity

Public Sector Oil companies donate more than Rs. 121 Cr. Towards Statue of Unity

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Know important 31 Facts from Budget 2014 Modi Government Budget

Know important 31 Facts from Budget 2014 Modi Government Budget

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What is difference between Sensex and Nifty Index?

What is difference between Sensex and Nifty Index?

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Understanding Mutual Funds color coding Norms Meaning

Understanding Mutual Funds color coding Norms Meaning

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Understanding Debenture Trustee 13 Facts about Debenture Trustee

Understanding Debenture Trustee 13 Facts about Debenture Trustee

1. What is a Debenture?

A debenture is an instrument of debt executed by the company acknowledging its obligation to repay the sum at a specified rate and also carrying an interest. It is one of the methods of raising the loan capital of the company. A debenture is thus like a certificate of loan or a loan bond evidencing the fact that the company is liable to pay a specified amount with interest and although the money raised by the debentures becomes a part of the company's capital structure, it does not become share capital.

2. Who is a Debenture Trustee?


A debenture trustee means a trustee of a trust deed for securing any issue of debentures of a body corporate

3. Who can be appointed a Debenture Trustee?

To act as debenture trustee, the entity should either be a scheduled bank carrying on commercial activity, a public financial institution, an insurance company, or a body corporate. The entity should be registered with SEBI to act as a debenture trustee.

4. What is the role of Debenture Trustee?

Duties of the Debenture Trustee include:

(a) Call for periodical reports from the body corporate, i.e., issuer of debentures.

(b) Take possession of trust property in accordance with the provisions of the trust deed.

(c) Enforce security in the interest of the debenture holders.

(d) Ensure on a continuous basis that the property charged to the debenture is available and adequate at all times to discharge the interest and principal amount payable in respect of the debentures and that such property is free from any other encumbrances except those which are specifically agreed with the debenture trustee.

(e) Exercise due diligence to ensure compliance by the body corporate with the provisions of the Companies Act, the listing agreement of the stock exchange or the trust deed.

(f) To take appropriate measures for protecting the interest of the debenture holders as soon as any breach of the trust deed or law comes to his notice.

(g) To ascertain that the debentures have been converted or redeemed in accordance with the provisions and conditions under which they are offered to the debenture holders.

(h) Inform the Board immediately of any breach of trust deed or provision of any law.

(i) Appoint a nominee director on the board of the body corporate when required.

5. When can a nominee director be appointed?

A nominee director can be appointed in the event of : -

(i) two consecutive defaults in payment of interest to the debenture holders; or

(ii) default in creation of security for debentures, or

(iii) default in redemption of debentures.

6. Can a debenture issue be transferred? If so, when can a debenture trustee relinquish his assignments?

Yes, a debenture issue can be transferred.

A debenture trustee can relinquish its assignments in respect of the debenture issue of any body corporate only when another debenture trustee is appointed in its place by the body corporate.

7. What are the contents of the debenture trustee agreement?

Debenture Trustee Agreement should include the following:

(a) Preamble,

(b) Description of the Instrument,

(c) Details of charged securities

(i) Nature of charge,

(ii) Examination of title,

(iii) Rank of the charge, i.e., whether first, second, or pari passu charge, etc.

(iv) Charging of future assets,

(v) Time limit for creation of charge,

(vi) Minimum security cover required,

(vii) Valuation of security,

(viii) Circumstances in which security becomes enforceable,

(ix) Method and preservation of secured property etc.

(d) Events of default.

(e) Rights of Debenture Trustee.

(f) Obligations of the body corporate (i.e., Issuer of debentures).

Apart from the above, the Agreement will have to include the following provisions:

(i) Definition and Interpretation,

(ii) Appointment of Debenture trustee and its powers

(iii) Remuneration of Debenture Trustee,

(iv) Appointment of debenture Trustee as Attorney,

(v) Negative pledge i.e. not to create additional encumbrances on the secured asset,

(vi) Description of Events of Default, which may arise due to Non-payment to debenture holders, breach of any undertaking, avoidance or repudiation, etc.

(vii) Notice of exercise of trustee powers,

(viii) Indemnity of trustee,

(x) Retirement of trustee & appointment of new trustee,

(xi) Reimbursement of expenses incurred by the trustee,

(xii) General covenants etc.

8. What is the role of debenture trustee with respect to creation or enforcing the security in a debenture issue?

Creation of security means mortgaging the property in favor of Debenture Trustee for the benefit of debenture holders. This is an incidence of ownership of property and creation of security has to be done by the owner of the property. However, the debenture holders are beneficiaries and they have no access to mortgaged property. The Debenture Trustee holds the secured property on behalf of issuer of security and for benefit of debenture holders. In the event of default by the issuer of security, the Debenture Trustee will have the power and authority to bring the secured property to sale following the procedure in the Transfer of Property Act and the proceeds of sale will have to be applied to redeem the debentures.

9. Is appointment of Debenture Trustee compulsory?

As per the provisions of companies act, appointment of debenture trustee is mandatory. However, issue of debentures / bonds with maturity of 18 months or less are exempt from the requirement of appointment of Trustee.

(a) In case of debenture / bonds with maturity beyond 18 months, a trustee or an agent, by whatever name called shall be appointed to take care of the interest of debenture / bond holders irrespective of whether or not the debentures / bonds are secured.

(b) Where the debentures / bonds are unsecured, these are treated as fixed deposits, if received from individual investors

10. Who pays to the Debenture Trustee?

In India, the issuer pays to the Debenture Trustee.

11. Who regulates Debenture Trustee?

In India, Debenture Trustees are regulated by SEBI. The SEBI (Debenture Trustees) Regulations, 1993 govern the Debenture Trustees and provide for eligibility criteria for registration of Debenture Trustees, monitoring and review, registration, Code of Conduct, procedure of action in case of defaults, avoidance of conflict of interest and inspection of Debenture Trustees by SEBI, amongst other things.

Public issues and issues proposed to be listed are covered under the said regulations.

12. Can a Debenture Trustee act for issue of debentures of an associate?

A debenture trustee cannot act for any issue of debentures of its associate or if it has lent and the loan is not yet fully repaid or is proposing to lend money to the body corporate:

13. Who is responsible for creation of Debenture Redemption Reserve?

It is the obligation of body corporate to create Debenture Redemption Reserve as per SEBI DIP guidelines and SEBI (Debenture Trustees) Regulations, 1993. DT has to ensure that the issuer furnishes an auditor’s certificate to it for the same.

Reality views by sm –
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

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