Onfolio's Industrial Gas Shift
Onfolio and Paramount Helium Secure Vast U.S. Helium and CO2 Assets, Pivoting to Industrial Gas
Key Points
Paramount Helium has agreed to terms with Proton Green's creditors to acquire the senior debt position secured by Proton Green's helium and carbon-dioxide assets in North America, a move that underpins Onfolio's planned strategic combination into the industrial gas sector.
The St. Johns Unit in northeastern Arizona is estimated to contain more than 20 billion cubic feet of recoverable helium, described as roughly ten times the size of the U.S. Federal Helium Reserve.
Helium-3 (3He) is reported to be present in the St. Johns Unit, with independent estimates suggesting more than 50 kilograms of 3He, potentially valued at $10–$20 million per kilogram.
U.S. policy emphasis on domestic resource independence and supply chain security—catalyzed by helium supply disruptions from Qatar—underscores the strategic rationale for Onfolio's pivot into the industrial gas sector.
The St. Johns asset is positioned to elevate Onfolio into a premier helium and CO2 producer, with claims of being the largest single-source CO2 production site in the North American merchant market in addition to helium assets.
Onfolio Holdings has signed a binding Letter of Intent with Paramount Helium to enter the $122 billion global industrial gas market, targeting a massive helium deposit in northeastern Arizona estimated at more than 20 billion cubic feet of recoverable helium — roughly ten times the size of the U.S. Federal Helium Reserve, according to Quiver Quantitative.
The deal hinges on Paramount Helium acquiring the senior debt tied to Proton Green's helium and carbon dioxide assets in the St. Johns Unit of Arizona, according to Goldea Capital. If completed, the transaction would mark a sharp pivot for Onfolio, a company previously known for owning and operating a portfolio of online businesses.
St. Johns Unit Holds a Rare Helium Treasure
The St. Johns asset in northeastern Arizona sits at the heart of this deal. The deposit is estimated to hold more than 20 billion cubic feet of recoverable helium, according to Quiver Quantitative. That makes it a giant by any measure. For context, the entire U.S. Federal Helium Reserve holds roughly 2 billion cubic feet.
The site also reportedly contains helium-3, a rare isotope with growing demand in quantum computing and advanced technology. Independent estimates suggest more than 50 kilograms of helium-3 are present, potentially valued at $10 to $20 million per kilogram, according to Minichart. Beyond helium, the St. Johns Unit is also described as the largest single-source carbon dioxide production site in the North American merchant market.
Onfolio Bets on U.S. Helium Supply Security
The move comes at a time when U.S. policymakers are pushing hard for domestic resource independence. Global helium supply has faced repeated disruptions, including outages tied to Qatar, one of the world's largest suppliers. That has raised alarms about supply chain gaps in critical industries, according to Goldea Capital.
Helium is not just used for balloons. It is essential for semiconductors, aerospace, space exploration, and defense systems. The U.S. government has flagged helium as a strategic material. Onfolio's entry into this space positions it to serve industries that Washington is actively trying to shore up at home.
How the Deal Structure Actually Works
The transaction is structured around debt, not a direct asset purchase. Paramount Helium is negotiating with Proton Green's creditors to acquire the senior debt secured by the St. Johns assets, according to Gurufocus. Onfolio would then pursue a strategic combination with Paramount Helium, giving it a stake in those resources.
The St. Johns asset is valued at roughly $3 billion, according to Quiver Quantitative. That is a significant sum for a company like Onfolio, which has struggled with profitability in its online business model. No final terms have been set, and the LOI is binding but still subject to a completed agreement.
A Small Company Swings for a Transformational Shift
Onfolio has historically operated as a buyer and manager of small online businesses — newsletters, content sites, and software tools. That model has kept the company modest in scale. This deal, if it closes, would be a full reinvention of what Onfolio is, according to Goldea Capital.
The helium and carbon dioxide markets are large, growing, and strategically important. Demand is rising from chip makers, rocket companies, and defense contractors. If Onfolio can secure this asset, it would shift from a niche internet holding company to a potential supplier of critical industrial gases — a dramatic leap in both scale and purpose, according to Minichart.
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