Nano Nuclear Energy Stock Plummets 68% in December Amid Project Delays and Funding Concerns

Nano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NANO) experienced a sharp 68% decline in share value during December 2025, marking one of the steepest single-month drops in the clean energy sector this year. The collapse followed the company’s public announcement of a delay in the prototype testing phase for its micro-reactor design, originally scheduled for Q3 2025. The project, intended to demonstrate grid-scale power output by mid-2026, has now been pushed back by at least 12 months due to unresolved thermal safety testing issues. The company’s failure to secure $45 million in planned equity financing further undermined confidence, with the offering withdrawn after investor interest fell short of target levels. This followed a prior $20 million private placement in September 2024, which had already signaled increasing financial strain. As of December 31, 2025, Nano Nuclear reported a cash runway of just 11 months at current burn rates, raising questions about its ability to meet upcoming R&D milestones. Market analysts noted that the stock’s volatility has amplified broader sentiment toward small-cap nuclear technology firms. Competitors in the small modular reactor (SMR) sector, including Hyperion Power and Oklo, saw their shares drop 12% and 8% respectively in the same period. The downturn coincided with a broader correction in clean energy equities, but NANO’s performance stood out due to its project-specific setbacks and funding shortfalls. Investors, particularly those focused on speculative clean energy plays, are now reassessing risk exposure to early-stage nuclear ventures. The company’s market capitalization has fallen to approximately $189 million as of January 2, 2026, down from $575 million at the end of November.