Core Viewpoint - Gold has regained attention as a key asset for investors due to the weakening trust in the US dollar, highlighting its role as a safe-haven asset in the current economic climate [1] Group 1: Factors Driving Gold Prices - The financial, monetary, safe-haven, and commodity attributes of gold collectively influence its market trends [2] - Recent price increases are driven by three main factors: pricing logic, central bank gold purchases, and skepticism towards the US dollar system [2] - The rise in gold prices is linked to heightened geopolitical risks and the ongoing trend of de-dollarization, which has intensified since 2022 [2][3] Group 2: Central Bank Actions and Market Dynamics - As of April 2023, China's gold reserves reached 73.77 million ounces, marking a continuous increase for six months, with gold now constituting 6.8% of total reserves [4] - Global central banks purchased 244 tons of gold in Q1 2023, aligning with the trend of over 1,000 tons purchased annually from 2022 to 2024, significantly surpassing the average of 473 tons from 2010 to 2021 [4] - The participation of individual investors in gold ETFs has surged, with over 41 million investors involved, reflecting a growing acceptance of gold as an investment tool [4][5] Group 3: Long-term Investment Perspective - Despite recent volatility, gold is viewed as a long-term asset for hedging against currency depreciation and economic uncertainty [6] - The current market dynamics suggest that gold still holds long-term allocation value, especially in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions [6] - A recommended allocation of 5-10% in gold can effectively diversify risk and enhance portfolio performance, given its low correlation with other assets [6]

Group 1: Gold Market Fundamentals - Geopolitical risk premium is decreasing, leading to a reduction in safe-haven demand as investors recognize that current conflicts have not escalated into a full-blown energy supply crisis [3] - The largest gold ETF (SPDR) has seen a reduction in holdings, with a decrease of 18 tons from its peak on April 23, reflecting a weakening of institutional hedging [3] - The probability of maintaining the current interest rate range of 5.25%-5.5% has surged to 91.7%, while the likelihood of a 25 basis point rate cut has dropped to 8.3%, impacting gold's pricing logic [4] Group 2: Market Reactions and Technical Analysis - After reaching a historical high of $3500.12 on April 22, gold experienced a significant sell-off, with a single-day drop of $130 due to profit-taking and technical resistance [5] - The COMEX gold futures open interest peaked at over 600,000 contracts, leading to a 25% decrease in net long positions following the price drop [5] - Current short-term technical indicators suggest a high probability of further price declines in gold, with a recommendation for investors to consider short positions near resistance levels [6][7] Group 3: Silver Market Technical Analysis - Silver prices are currently fluctuating within a defined range, with a focus on the 1-hour cycle indicating a sideways movement [9] - Investors are advised to wait for a breakout above $33.160 to go long or a breakdown below $32.050 to go short, with stop-loss and take-profit levels set at $0.640 [9]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes a bullish long-term outlook on gold, suggesting that the current global order is undergoing a significant transformation, akin to historical periods of major upheaval [2]. Group 1: Introduction and Background - Traditional pricing models for gold are failing to explain its recent price increases, as gold prices have reached new highs despite a strong dollar index [12]. - The article proposes a framework for extreme scenario analysis to assess gold's price elasticity and potential growth under various extreme conditions [15]. Group 2: Extreme Scenario Analysis Scenario 1: Emerging Market Accumulation - Emerging markets are increasingly concerned about the sustainability of U.S. debt, leading to a shift in foreign exchange reserves towards gold [4]. - If emerging markets raise their gold reserves to match developed markets' levels, demand could increase by 15,000 tons, consuming approximately 4-5 years of global gold production [4][19]. Scenario 2: Collapse of Crypto Assets - Bitcoin faces potential threats from quantum computing and policy changes, which could lead to a significant decline in its value [5]. - A hypothetical 20% drop in Bitcoin's market value could result in a massive influx of capital into gold, potentially exhausting the market's liquidity [5][29]. Scenario 3: Shift in Reserve Currency - The dominance of the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency may face structural challenges, with a projected decline in its share from 55% to 30% over the next decade [6]. - This shift could lead to an increase in global central bank gold purchases by approximately 30,000 tons, equivalent to 8-9 years of gold production [6][41]. Scenario 4: Escalation of Geopolitical Conflicts - In the event of global military conflicts, gold is expected to be revalued as a safe-haven asset, with historical precedents indicating significant price increases during such crises [7]. - The article posits that a 10% annual increase in global debt could lead to a substantial rise in gold prices, with a median estimate of $28,000 per ounce [7][52]. Scenario 5: Return to the Gold Standard - A return to a gold standard would fundamentally alter the monetary system, linking currency issuance to gold reserves and limiting excessive money printing [8]. - Under this scenario, the price of gold could reach a median estimate of $49,000 per ounce, driven by the need to back a significant amount of global debt with gold [8][58]. Group 3: Conclusion - The analysis suggests that gold may experience significant price increases in response to various extreme scenarios, highlighting its role as a hedge against systemic risks and currency instability [2][15].