Monday, January 26, 2026

Real_Assets

 Meta ai:

I have heard (on Facebook) that Silver is now a reserve metal for banks, thanks to an agreement at Davos. Is this correct?

Silver is indeed becoming a reserve metal for banks, but it's not exactly due to an agreement at Davos. Central banks, particularly Russia and India, are accumulating silver reserves as part of a broader strategy to diversify their portfolios and reduce dependence on traditional reserve assets like gold and US dollars.

This shift is driven by silver's unique dual nature as both an industrial commodity and a monetary metal, offering exceptional leverage and potential for outsized returns during periods of monetary instability. Russia's central bank has formally announced silver purchases, while India's Reserve Bank has made silver eligible as loan collateral, indicating a significant policy change. Would you like to know more about the implications of this trend or the current silver market situation?


I do know the price of silver has ballooned in January 2026...

Silver's price has indeed skyrocketed in January 2026, hitting an all-time high of $103.30 per ounce on January 23, 2026. As of January 25, 2026, the current price is around $106.18 per ounce 

This surge is driven by factors like geopolitical uncertainty, industrial demand, and safe-haven investments. Analysts predict silver could reach $100-$200 per ounce by 2026, with some even forecasting $375 by 2028. 

Would you like to know more about the factors driving silver's price or get the latest predictions from experts?


Considering it was at 30USD last year, that seems bullish to me...

Silver's price surge is definitely bullish, jumping from around $30 USD last year to $106.70 USD as of today. Analysts predict it could reach $200-$300 by the middle of 2027, driven by factors like industrial demand and safe-haven investments. 

Some key predictions include:

Short-term forecast: $107-$111 USD by January 31, 2026

Mid-term forecast: $202 USD by mid-2026 and $247 USD by year-end

Long-term forecast: $349 USD by 2027 and $615 USD by 2032

Would you like to know more about the factors driving silver's price or get the latest predictions from experts?


Tell me more about the actions of central banks. Is this what is driving the surge??

Central banks are indeed driving the surge in silver prices, and it's a significant shift. Russia's central bank has announced plans to acquire silver reserves for the first time, while Saudi Arabia's central bank has bought silver through ETFs. This move is part of a broader strategy to diversify their portfolios and reduce dependence on traditional reserve assets like gold and US dollars. 

Key Drivers:

Geopolitical Diversification: Central banks are seeking to reduce their reliance on Western financial systems and dollar-denominated assets.

Industrial Demand: Silver's unique dual nature as both an industrial commodity and a monetary metal makes it attractive.

Supply Constraints: Ongoing production deficits and declining above-ground inventories contribute to the price surge.

Notable Central Bank Actions:

Russia's central bank allocated $535 million for silver acquisition in its 2025-2027 federal budget.

Saudi Arabia's central bank bought approximately 932,000 shares of the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) worth $30.6 million.

This trend is expected to continue, with analysts predicting silver prices could reach $100-$200 per ounce by 2026. 

Would you like to know more about the implications of central bank silver accumulation or get the latest predictions from experts?


What are the implications. Is everyone getting rid of US debt?

Central banks are diversifying their reserves, and it's not just about getting rid of US debt. The move is more about reducing dependence on traditional reserve assets like the US dollar and exploring alternatives like gold and silver. Russia, for instance, has announced plans to acquire silver reserves for the first time, allocating $535 million over three years. 

This shift is driven by several factors:

Geopolitical Diversification: Central banks want to reduce their reliance on Western financial systems and dollar-denominated assets.

Monetary Policy Independence: By diversifying reserves, central banks can maintain control over their monetary policies.

Strategic Asset Accumulation: Central banks are accumulating assets like gold and silver during favorable pricing periods.

The implications are significant:

Reduced Demand for US Debt: As central banks diversify, demand for US debt might decrease, potentially impacting the dollar's value.

Increased Volatility: The shift could lead to increased volatility in currency and commodity markets.

Alternative Reserve Assets: Gold and silver might become more prominent as reserve assets, potentially driving up their prices.

Would you like to know more about the impact on the US dollar or the potential effects on gold and silver prices?


How odd is going back to real assets for central banks. Is the stability of the world economy in peril in any way!?

Central banks are indeed going back to real assets, and it's a significant shift. The move is driven by growing concerns over US fiscal policy, geopolitical tensions, and the desire to diversify reserves away from traditional assets like US Treasuries. This trend is particularly notable in gold, with central banks accumulating gold reserves at unprecedented rates. 

Key Drivers:

Geopolitical Diversification: Central banks want to reduce their reliance on Western financial systems and dollar-denominated assets.

Monetary Policy Independence: By diversifying reserves, central banks can maintain control over their monetary policies.

Strategic Asset Accumulation: Central banks are accumulating assets like gold and silver during favorable pricing periods.

The stability of the world economy isn't necessarily in peril, but this shift does signal a significant change in the global financial landscape. The dollar's dominance is being gradually eroded, and alternative reserve currencies like the euro and yuan are gaining traction.

Implications:

Reduced Demand for US Debt: As central banks diversify, demand for US debt might decrease, potentially impacting the dollar's value.

Increased Volatility: The shift could lead to increased volatility in currency and commodity markets.

Alternative Reserve Assets: Gold and silver might become more prominent as reserve assets, potentially driving up their prices.

Would you like to know more about the impact on the US dollar or the potential effects on gold and silver prices?

                                                                       *     *     *

Copilot :

                                                                                     


The price of gold has also been spiking, at the same time...

You’re absolutely right to connect the two. When gold and silver spike together, it usually signals that something deeper is happening in the global system — and your open tab on GoldPrice.org  shows just how dramatic the move has been. Gold sitting around $5,047/oz with +82% year‑over‑year gains is extraordinary, not a routine bull market. 

Let’s unpack why both metals are exploding simultaneously, because that’s the real story.

🌍 Why Gold Is Spiking Alongside Silver

🧲 1. Safe‑Haven Demand Is in Overdrive

Gold is the world’s default “fear asset.”

When:

geopolitical tensions rise

currencies wobble

debt markets look fragile

investors distrust central banks

gold becomes the global insurance policy.

The 2025–2026 environment checks all those boxes.


⚡ 2. The Dollar Has Been Weakening

A weaker USD mechanically lifts gold and silver.

But more importantly, it signals that global investors are hedging against:

fiscal instability

political uncertainty

long‑term inflation risk

Gold responds first. Silver follows with leverage.


πŸ”‹ 3. Industrial Metals Are Tight — and Silver Sits at the Crossroads

Silver is both:

a precious metal (like gold)

an industrial metal (unlike gold)

So when industrial demand surges and safe‑haven demand surges, silver goes vertical.

Gold’s spike confirms that the safe‑haven side of the equation is real.


🏦 4. Central Banks Have Been Buying Gold Aggressively

This is one of the most important but under‑discussed drivers.

Central banks — especially in Asia and the Middle East — have been:

diversifying away from USD reserves

increasing gold holdings

reducing exposure to U.S. Treasurys

When central banks buy, they buy tonnes, not ounces.

That pushes the entire market upward.


πŸ”₯ 5. The Gold/Silver Ratio Has Been Compressing

Historically:

High ratio → silver undervalued

Low ratio → silver catching up to gold

With gold at $5,000+ and silver breaking $100, the ratio is tightening fast.

This is typical in late‑stage precious‑metal bull runs.


🧭 What Your GoldPrice.org Tab Tells Us

Your active tab shows:

Gold up +1.41% today

Up +15% in 30 days

Up +82% in 1 year

Up +170% over 5 years  

Those are not normal numbers.

They’re the signature of a macro regime shift.


🎯 The Big Picture

Gold’s spike is the macro signal.

Silver’s spike is the amplified response.

When both move together this violently, it usually means:

investors are hedging systemic risk

industrial demand is colliding with supply limits

currencies are under pressure

central banks are repositioning

geopolitical uncertainty is high


This is not a speculative bubble in isolation.

It’s a repricing of risk across the global system.


If you want, I can map out:

how gold might behave 2026–2030

whether gold’s spike is more sustainable than silver’s

how the gold/silver ratio might evolve

what this means for Canadian consumers and bullion availability in Quebec

Just tell me where you want to go next.


Have any other metals been behaving like this?

Yes — several other metals have been surging sharply, though none as explosively as silver. Gold, platinum, palladium, copper, and even aluminum have all been in strong uptrends heading into 2026, driven by the same mix of geopolitical tension, electrification demand, and supply constraints.

Below is a clear breakdown of which metals are moving, how fast, and why.

πŸ”₯ Metals Showing Silver‑Like Behavior (2025–2026)

🟑 Gold — The Most Dramatic After Silver

Gold has been breaking record after record, exceeding $4,800/oz in early 2026 as safe‑haven demand surged.

Drivers include tariff threats, geopolitical instability, and central‑bank buying.

Gold is the closest analogue to silver’s spike, but its move is more macro‑driven than industrial.


⚪ Platinum — Triple‑Digit Percentage Gains

Platinum rose ~126% in 2025, a massive move for a metal that usually trades quietly.

Driven by:

automotive catalyst demand

supply issues in South Africa

investor rotation into undervalued precious metals


⚫ Palladium — Also Surging

Palladium gained ~80% in 2025, lifted by:

auto‑sector recovery

constrained Russian supply

substitution dynamics with platinum


πŸ”§ Base Metals With Strong Uptrends (But Not Parabolic)

🟠 Copper — Record‑High Prices

Copper entered 2026 with record‑high pricing due to supply‑demand imbalances.

Electrification, EVs, and grid expansion are the main drivers.

Copper is rising fast, but not in a silver‑style vertical spike.

⚙️ Aluminum — Tight Supply, Rising Prices

Aluminum prices rose significantly in 2025 and into 2026 due to:

energy‑cost pressures

supply tightness

strong demand from aerospace and packaging


πŸ”© Nickel, Tin, Zinc — Broad Uptrend

The World Bank expects firm pricing for aluminum, nickel, tin, and copper through 2026–2027 due to tightening supply and modest demand growth.

These metals are rising, but not spiking.

                                                                                    


he only metals behaving as dramatically as silver are gold, platinum, and (to a lesser extent) palladium.  

Base metals are rising strongly but not exploding.


If you want, I can map out:

which metals are most likely to keep rising through 2030

how these moves affect manufacturing, electronics, and consumer prices in Quebec

whether this resembles past commodity supercycles.

No comments: