Weekly Newsletter

Introduction

Situated in the North Atlantic between North America and Europe, Greenland has rapidly moved into the global spotlight. Historically seen as a remote Arctic region with limited economic activity, the country is now drawing heightened geopolitical attention, growing investor interest, and increased strategic debate. Despite this heightened interest, investment access remains limited. Greenland does not have a public stock exchange or a dedicated investment vehicle, leaving investors to gain exposure indirectly through companies operating in the region. Currently, the only way to invest in Greenland is through the GlacierShares Iceland ETF, which provides exposure to companies with direct ties to Greenland’s economy. As global interest continues to build, Greenland is increasingly being viewed as a strategically significant frontier for long-term investment despite current investment limitations.

 

How to Invest in Greenland

Currently, there is no direct way to invest in Greenland. Direct exposure through a public stock exchange or dedicated investment vehicle is unavailable for investors seeking to invest in Greenland. As a result, the primary way to gain exposure to Greenland is through the GlacierShares Iceland ETF, which offers more access to companies operating in Greenland than any other ETF on the market.[i] International investors seeking to add Greenland to their portfolios can do so through the Iceland ETF, which includes holdings such as Amaroq Minerals, Eimskip, Icelandair, and Arion Bank, all of which have operations in Greenland.

 

Exposure to Greenland within the GlacierShares Iceland ETF:

· Amaroq Minerals: As the largest mineral license holder in Greenland, Amaroq Minerals focuses on the exploration and development of gold and strategic mineral assets across the island.[ii]

· Eimskip: Eimskip, a shipping and logistics company operating across the North Atlantic, provides freight services to all major ports in Greenland, making it a critical part of the island’s supply chain.[iii]

· Icelandair: Icelandair serves as an international gateway to Greenland, offering regular flights between Iceland and several Greenland airports and supporting both tourism and business travel.[iv]

· Arion Bank: Arion Bank, one of Iceland’s leading financial institutions, plays a key role in regional capital markets and provides financial services to Greenland-focused companies.[v]

Through the GlacierShares Iceland ETF, investors can gain access to companies operating in Greenland. While direct investment in Greenland is not currently possible, the GlacierShares Iceland ETF represents the primary avenue through which retail investors can invest in Greenland.

 

A Brief History

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, having gained self-rule in 2009.[vi]While Greenland governs most domestic affairs, Denmark retains control over foreign policy, defense, and security. As a result, Greenland is covered by Denmark’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), meaning the island falls under NATO’s collective defense commitments.[vii]During the Cold War, Greenland was recognized for its strategic importance, hosting U.S. military installations aimed at monitoring the Arctic and North Atlantic.[viii]That strategic relevance has re-emerged today.

In addition to its strategic position, Greenland is notable for its size and resource base. Roughly 80% of the island is covered by ice, yet significant deposits of rare earth elements, graphite, gold, zinc, uranium, and other critical minerals lie beneath it.[ix]Despite its vast size, Greenland’s population is roughly 57,000 people and largely concentrated along the coastline, contributing to structural challenges for large-scale development.[x]

 

Why Greenland is on the Global Radar

Global attention regarding Greenland has intensified sharply in recent years, particularly following renewed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump in early 2026. Trump reiterated assertions that the United States needs Greenland for strategic and security reasons, citing concerns about Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.[xi]While these remarks were initially rejected by both Danish and Greenlandic officials, they effectively placed Greenland back into international headlines and strategic debate.[xii]

 

Recent News: 

· The Trump administration announced it is negotiating “total access” to Greenland,stating that the United States and NATO have reached a preliminary framework for a future agreement. This agreement would allow for expanded U.S. access to the territory for strategic and security purposes.

· U.S. President Trump paused proposed tariffs, initially set at 10% and scheduled to take effect on February 1, as negotiations related to Greenland and broader NATO discussions continue.

· Denmark announced plans to expand its military presence in Greenland, deploying additional personnel in response to rising geopolitical tensions and renewed U.S. interest in the territory.

 

For updates on Greenland developments and Arctic investment trends, The Iceland Observer shares weekly insights on news, economy, markets, and trends delivered straight to your inbox. 

 

Greenland’s Investment Landscape

Nalik Ventures, owned by the Government of Greenland, plays a central role in Greenland’s business development.[xiii] Its mandate is to strengthen Greenland’s economy by providing financing and advisory support to companies that contribute to economic growth, job creation, and local ownership. Nalik Ventures invests across a broad range of sectors, including mining, tourism, retail, and consumer goods, supporting both early-stage startups and established businesses.[xiv]A key focus area is tourism infrastructure, where Nalik seeks to advance hotel development and cruise port facilities to support the sector’s long-term growth. Additionally, $700M+ in airport developments will allow increased accessibility to the region for both the tourism industry and the business sector.[xv] Through its investment and advisory activities, Nalik Ventures acts as an important institutional anchor in Greenland’s evolving investment landscape.

 

Additionally, Greenland has been advancing many private projects within its mining sector. One of the most significant developments is the granting of a 30-year exploitation license for the Amitsoq graphite project in southern Greenland, backed by the European Raw Materials Alliance.[xvi]Expected to produce around 80,000 tons of high-grade graphite annually, this project is critical to electric vehicle battery supply chains and defense technology. In addition, projects like the Malmbjerg molybdenum and magnesium mine, supported by public-private partnerships and EU raw materials initiatives, are positioning Greenland as a potential supplier for steel production, aerospace alloys, and EV technologies.[xvii][xviii]Historically, Greenland has been slow to develop its mining sector due to harsh conditions, regulatory challenges, and limited financing, so these projects represent a massive shift in Greenland’s mining industry.[xix] Despite these projects marking progress towards investment in the region, there is no current investment vehicle available to retail investors to invest in Greenland. This leaves the Iceland ETF as the only avenue through which investors can gain access to Greenland.

 

Furthermore, the performance of Amaroq Minerals, a mining company listed in the GlacierShares Iceland ETF, has been noted as another clear signal towards increased development in the country. As the largest mineral license holder in Greenland, Amaroq Minerals is listed under the ticker symbol “AMRQ" on TSX Venture Exchange, AIM, and NASDAQ, as well as “AMRQF” on the OTCQX.[xx]Its share price rose notably following reports of increased U.S. and investor interest in Greenland’s mining sector in mid-January 2026.[xxi]Additionally, Amaroq CEO Eldur Olafsson noted that “gold production came above the midpoint of the guidance range” for the Nalunaq gold mine project in 2025, contributing to Amaroq’s rising prominence in January 2026.[xxii] Analysts have pointed to Amaroq as an example of how Greenland-focused firms may benefit from heightened awareness, even as projects remain long-term in nature.[xxiii]

 

Conclusion

Greenland’s growing visibility reflects its strategic relevance, resource potential, and gradual economic development. While direct investment in Greenland is not currently available to retail investors, activity within the mining sector and the role of institutions like Nalik Ventures indicate ongoing efforts to expand the country’s economic base. Currently, exposure to Greenland remains limited to companies accessed through the GlacierShares Iceland ETF. As development continues and investment structures evolve, Greenland is likely to remain an area of interest for governments and investors focused on the Arctic and long-term resources.

 

References

[i] https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/GLCR/ 

[ii] https://www.amaroqminerals.com/ 

[iii] https://www.eimskip.com/offices/greenland/ 

[iv] https://www.icelandair.com/ 

[v] https://www.arionbanki.is/english/ 

[vi] https://english.stm.dk/the-prime-ministers-office/the-unity-of-the-realm/greenland/ 

[vii] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260113IPR32390/ep-group-leaders-unequivocally-support-greenland-and-denmark#:~:text=The%20Kingdom%20of%20Denmark%2C%20including,the%20status%20quo%20are%20unacceptable. 

[viii] https://www.history.com/articles/1951-agreement-that-allows-us-military-presence-in-greenland 

[ix] https://san.com/cc/greenland-holds-vast-mineral-wealth-getting-it-out-of-the-ice-is-the-hard-part/#:~:text=Greenland%20is%20estimated%20to%20hold,eighth%2Dlargest%20uranium%20deposit%20globally. 

[x] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18249474 

[xi] https://www.newsweek.com/greenland-trump-us-denmark-nato-white-house-arctic-11347275 

[xii] https://ici.radio-canada.ca/rci/en/news/2220774/fundamental-disagreement-remains-with-trump-over-greenland-after-high-level-talks 

[xiii] https://nalik.gl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Strategi_Nalik-Ventures_DA_web.pdf 

[xiv] https://scanmagazine.co.uk/nalik-ventures-building-a-stronger-greenland-together/#:~:text=With%20vast%20experience%20and%20experts,and%20September%20this%20year%20alone. 

[xv] https://www.express.co.uk/travel/europe/2052637/greenland-airports-nuuk-llulissat-qaqortoq-travel 

[xvi] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/greenland-approves-30-year-mining-permit-eu-backed-graphite-project-2025-12-09/ 

[xvii] https://www.mining-technology.com/news/greenland-resources-30-year-exploitation-license-malmbjerg-project/ 

[xviii] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251110828418/en/Greenland-Resources-Announces-Financing-From-EIT-RawMaterials-Which-Is-Co-Funded-by-the-EU 

[xix] https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/business/article/greenland-s-harsh-environment-and-lack-of-21288661.php 

[xx] https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/AMRQ/company-name-change-to-amaroq-ltd/17123215 

[xxi] https://www.businessinsider.com/greenland-amaroq-minerals-us-investment-interest-discussion-mining-rare-earths-2026-1 

[xxii] https://www.miningweekly.com/article/amaroq-beats-midpoint-of-gold-production-guidance-at-nalunaq-in-commissioning-year-2026-01-08 

[xxiii] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-zeroes-greenland-could-1-165111570.html