Core Insights - Gold prices have doubled in the last two years, marking the largest increase since the 1979 oil crisis, with forecasts predicting prices could reach $5,000 per troy ounce by 2026 due to various factors including U.S. policy and geopolitical tensions [1][2][6] Group 1: Price Trends and Forecasts - Spot gold prices hit a record $4,381 in October, driven by demand from central banks and new investors, with expectations of further gains influencing buying behavior [2][6] - Analysts from Bank of America and JP Morgan predict gold prices will average above $4,600 in Q2 2026 and exceed $5,000 by Q4 2026 [6] Group 2: Demand Drivers - Central banks are diversifying reserves away from dollar-denominated assets, providing a solid foundation for gold prices in 2026, as they tend to buy when investor positioning is stretched [4][5] - Investor holdings of gold as a share of total assets under management have increased from 1.5% pre-2022 to 2.8%, indicating a growing interest in gold as a stable investment [6] Group 3: Geopolitical and Economic Influences - Concerns regarding U.S. Federal Reserve independence, tariff disputes, and geopolitical issues such as the war in Ukraine are contributing to the demand for gold [3][4] - The weak dollar policy and U.S. fiscal deficits are also driving investor interest in gold as a means of portfolio diversification [2][3]

RT John Mappin (@JohnMappin)WHEN PROPERTY BECOMES PLUNDER:How Seizing Sovereign Assets Breaks Law, Logic, and the MindBy John Mappin for IF MagazineThere are moments when one realises that something far deeper than a policy error has occurred. Something civilisational.Something psychiatric.The current enthusiasm in parts of the Western world for the confiscation of sovereign assets is one such moment.Freezing assets, while already dubious, was once understood as an emergency political measure, a temporary s ...

Core Insights - Deutsche Bank analysts suggest that Bitcoin is increasingly resembling gold and could be included in central bank reserves by 2030 if current trends continue [1][7] - Bitcoin's declining volatility, rising liquidity, and fixed supply make it a suitable candidate for central bank balance sheets, potentially serving as a modern financial security cornerstone [2][7] Market Trends - Both Bitcoin and gold are experiencing increased demand from central banks and corporations seeking alternatives to the US dollar and traditional assets [3][4] - Gold has seen a significant price increase of over 50% in 2025, its fastest yearly gain since 1979, with Goldman Sachs raising its gold price target to $4,900 due to persistent demand from emerging market central banks [3] Institutional Adoption - Companies like Michael Saylor's Strategy are integrating Bitcoin into their balance sheets, effectively treating it as a digital reserve asset, which is helping to normalize Bitcoin among institutional investors [4][5] - The trend of "Bitcoin treasuries" is gaining traction, contributing to the growing institutional trust in Bitcoin as a safe-haven asset [7] Comparative Analysis - Analysts acknowledge that while Bitcoin is not backed by anything, gold also lacks functional backing; however, Bitcoin's historic low volatility makes it more appealing for long-term holders [5] - The diversification strategy that has benefited gold could similarly apply to Bitcoin as its market matures and institutional confidence increases [6]

Market Trend - Deutsche Bank suggests $BTC could potentially be included in central bank reserves, similar to gold [1]