DeFi platform Salus introduces critical minerals into the IOTA chain

According to Coinjie.com, Salus will tokenize key mineral exports from Rwanda to the United States on the IOTA network. From microchips to electric vehicle batteries, rare earth minerals are becoming increasingly a strategic resource. On Wednesday, September 10, DeFi platform Salus was launched on the IOTA chain to help bridge the gap between the DeFi sector and trade in key minerals. The platform will first tokenize the export of rare metal tantalum from Rwanda to the United States. According to Salus, the current global trade in key minerals is about $500 billion, with a financing gap of about $2.5 trillion. The DeFi platform hopes that introducing these assets into the DeFi field will help fill this funding gap. In addition to SALUS, IOTA also supports projects such as @tlip_io in East Africa, enabling real-time cross-border trade and supporting @realizefinance, which opens a channel to tokenized U.S. Treasury bonds. Together, they show how digital infrastructure can expand global market access. “We are working with miners, funders and buyers to redesign trade financing from scratch,” said Trevor Skidmore, co-founder of Salus. “Through smart contracts and stablecoin, we can fund minerals at the source under verifiable terms and have real delivery and traceability built in.” In addition to our ongoing operations in Rwanda, Salus has expanded in other countries in Africa and Latin America. Through this move, the platform plans to exceed $100 million in gross commodity value by the end of 2025. The launch of Salus comes at a time when demand for critical minerals continues to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said the key mineral demand for energy transition to get rid of fossil fuels will double by 2040. Meanwhile, the industry is facing increasing volatility due to interference caused by tariffs. In this environment, the platform hopes to expose U.S. investors to the industry without having to own a mine, which will help introduce capital that has been lacking so far.