Gold’s recent surge—hitting over $3,550 per ounce (4th September 2025)—isn’t just a speculative blip.
It’s a convergence of deep structural shifts and short-term catalysts that are reshaping how investors, central banks, and governments think about value and stability.
Here’s why
🧭 Strategic Drivers (Long-Term Forces)
Central Bank Buying: Nearly half of surveyed central banks reportedly plan to increase gold reserves through 2025, citing inflation hedging, crisis resilience, and reduced reliance on the U.S. dollar.
Dollar Diversification: After Western sanctions froze Russia’s reserves in 2022, many countries began reassessing their exposure to dollar-denominated assets.
Fiscal Expansion & Debt Concerns: With U.S. debt surpassing $37 trillion and new legislation adding trillions more, gold is seen as a hedge against long-term dollar instability.
⚡ Tactical Catalysts (Short-Term Triggers)
Geopolitical Tensions: Ongoing wars, trade disputes, and questions around Federal Reserve independence have heightened uncertainty, boosting gold’s ‘fear hedge’ appeal.
Interest Rate Expectations: The Fed has held rates steady, but markets anticipate cuts. Lower yields make non-interest-bearing assets like gold more attractive.
Weakening U.S. Dollar: The dollar’s decline against the euro and yen has made gold cheaper for foreign buyers, increasing global demand.
ETF Inflows & Retail Demand: Physically backed gold ETFs saw their largest first-half inflows since 2020, while bar demand rose 10% in 2024.
Gold isn’t just a commodity—it’s a referendum on trust. When institutions wobble and currencies lose their shine, gold becomes the narrative anchor: a timeless, tangible vote of no confidence in the system.
Summary
🛡️ Safe Haven: Retains value during crisis.
📈 Inflation Hedge: Preserves purchasing power.
🧩 Portfolio Diversifier: Low correlation with other assets.
✋ Tangible Asset: Physical, unlike stocks or bonds.
Bitwise Asset Management, a prominent player in the cryptocurrency investment space, has recently made headlines with its filing for a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
This move marks a significant milestone as it is the first attempt to create an ETF specifically for XRP, the native token of the XRP Ledger.
The proposed Bitwise XRP ETF aims to provide investors with direct exposure to XRP through traditional brokerage accounts. This will make it easier for both institutional and retail investors to gain access to this digital asset. Bitwise’s decision to pursue an XRP ETF underscores the growing recognition of XRP’s potential and its established presence in the cryptocurrency market.
Bitwise is no stranger to the ETF landscape, having successfully launched Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in the past. The company’s experience and reputation in managing crypto assets lend credibility to this new venture. However, the approval process for the XRP ETF is expected to be rigorous, given the SEC’s cautious approach to cryptocurrency-related financial products.
The filing comes at a time when the cryptocurrency market is experiencing increased interest from mainstream investors. XRP, known for its fast transaction speeds and low fees, has been a popular choice for cross-border payments and remittances. If approved, the Bitwise XRP ETF could attract a new wave of investors looking to diversify their portfolios with digital assets.
While the SEC’s decision is still pending, the filing itself is a testament to the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency investments. There is a growing acceptance of digital assets in traditional financial markets. Investors and crypto enthusiasts alike will be watching closely as this development unfolds.
Bitcoin is often likened to a type of digital gold, but Ether is seen more as a native cryptocurrency on the Ethereum blockchain.
It is generally seen as a trade or bet on the growth and of the development of the blockchain and of crypto more widely.
Many of the funds set to launch this week have temporarily waived fees in an attempt to attract buyers.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has historically been wary of cryptocurrencies. However, the regulator was defeated in a legal battle last year concerning Bitcoin ETFs, which aided their launch in January 2024.
Given that both Bitcoin and Ether have regulated futures markets, the introduction of ether ETFs was viewed as the industry’s subsequent rational progression.
Bitcoin ETFs have attracted about $17 billion in net inflows since their launch in January 2024.
What is An Ethereum ETF?
An Ethereum ETF, or Ether ETF, is an exchange-traded fund that tracks the price of ether (ETH), the cryptocurrency with the second-highest market capitalization following Bitcoin. Unlike purchasing Ethereum on a cryptocurrency exchange, an Ethereum ETF is bought and sold on traditional stock exchanges.
How an Ethereum ETF works
An Ethereum ETF contains futures contracts linked to Ethereum’s price movements. These contracts enable investors to speculate on Ethereum’s future price without the need to own the cryptocurrency directly.
Investing in an Ethereum ETF offers exposure to Ethereum’s price volatility while eliminating the need to handle wallets or navigate the intricacies of cryptocurrency exchanges. Such ETFs offer traditional investors a practical avenue to engage with the cryptocurrency market, leveraging the conventional environment of stock exchanges.
Ethereum one year price chart as at: 16:10 BST 23rd July 2024 from CoinMarketCAP
Ethereum one year price chart as at: 16:10 BST 23rd July 2024 from CoinMarketCAP
The price of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin was down more than 6% at close to $60,000 on Monday 24th June 2024 – its lowest level in more than a month and about 17% from its March 2024 record.
In the past week, it’s fallen more than 10%.
Crypto investment products reportedly notched a second consecutive week of outflows, according to analysts. Last week, they saw their lowest trading volumes globally since the U.S. Bitcoin ETFs launched in January 2024.
Bitcoin one day chart 24th June 2024 at around $60,000 (CoinMarketCap)
Bitcoin one day chart 24th June 2024 at around $60,000
Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) debuted in January 2024, yet their adoption by financial advisors has reportedly been sluggish.
Advisors’ hesitations stem from Bitcoin’s price volatility and its relatively brief history. Bitcoin ETFs serve as a conduit between cryptocurrency and conventional finance. According to a BlackRock spokesperson – financial advisors are cautiously, but progressively, embracing the long-anticipated Bitcoin ETFs since their launch.
Currently, it is estimated that approximately 80% of Bitcoin ETF purchases are being made by self-directed investors who decide their own allocation, frequently via an online brokerage account.
Bitcoin one year chart snapshot 18th June 2024 (am)
Bitcoin one year chart snapshot 18th June 2024 (am)
Nvidia’s swift ascent is poised to prompt a major technology exchange-traded fund to acquire more than $10 billion in shares of the semiconductor maker, consequently reducing its shareholding in Apple.
The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK), which will rebalance soon, is guided by an index that will adjust based on the market cap value at Friday’s close. According SPDR Americas Research, the recalibration will reportedly position Microsoft as the leading stock, followed by Nvidia, and then Apple.
Without caps, each of the three stocks would exceed a 20% weight in the index. However, the index’s diversification rules restrict the total weight that stocks constituting at least a 5% share of the fund can hold.
Consequently, it is anticipated that Microsoft and Nvidia will each approach a 21% weight, while Apple’s share is projected to drop to approximately 4.5%.
This news moved markets on 17th June 2024 and pushed the S&P 500 to a new all-time high. The Nasdaq100 index also relished the news reaching: 19902.75
The Nasdaq100 index also relished the news reaching: 19902.75
Nvidia share price 17th June 2024 – one year chart
Cryptocurrency Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have been issued by three Chinese companies: Bosera Asset Management, China Asset Management and Harvest Global Investments, all on the Hong Kong exchange.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse anticipates the total value of the cryptocurrency market will double this year.
He references the launch of the first U.S. Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) and the forthcoming Bitcoin halving event as key factors.
“The overall market capitalization of the cryptocurrency industry is expected to double by the end of this year, influenced by a range of macroeconomic factors,” Garlinghouse reportedly said.
He also considers the potential for favorable regulatory changes in the United States as another catalyst for the market’s growth.
SNAPSHOT: Cryptocurrency market value as of 8th April 2024
Let’s check in on the prediction at the end of the year and see where the crypto market is.
Bitcoin has been on a remarkable ascent! It soared past the $72,000 mark on Monday 11th March 2024, setting a new all-time record.
This surge is attributed to a growing demand for new spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which have been approved for listing in the U.S. by some of the world’s largest financial firms.
The market for these ETFs is expected to reach $62 billion in the next two or three years. The cryptocurrency keeps surprising everyone with its value, which has grown to an amazing $1.42 trillion and is still rising… again!
Bitcoin moved off its all-time record shortly after achieving it.
The relentless volatile march of Bitcoin continues… again!
Bitcoin jumped gain, edging ever closer to its all-time high after the rally took a breather over the weekend. Last week, Bitcoin surged $10,000 in the space of a couple of days.
It looks very much like the ETFs are kicking in during normal weekly trading moving Bitcoin other than just at weekends. The market also has an eye on the halving event due in April.
Bitcoin 7 day chart showing it above $69000 on 5th March 2024 – CoinMarketCap
Bitcoin 7 day chart showing it above $69000 on 5th March 2024– from CoinMarketCap.
Bitcoin climbed to touch $49,000 after the SEC recently gave the go ahead for the Bitcoin ETF. The last time I checked it was at $39,000 (23rd January 2024). Oh, dear me – the dramatic pain of volatility.
Bitcoin volatility has increased after the launch of the first spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States. The price of Bitcoin (BTC) rocked wildly, reaching a high of $49,000 and a low of $46,000 in just hours of trading.
Liquidation
This caused liquidations of millions in the Bitcoin market. Some analysts predict that the ETFs will bring more institutional investors and liquidity to the Bitcoin market, while others warn of the risks and challenges of the new investment vehicle.
Bitcoin ETFs are funds that track the price of Bitcoin and trade on stock exchanges, allowing investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without buying or storing it directly.
Bitcoin chart – 3 months 24th January 2024 at 15:26
Bitcoin chart – 3 months 24th January 2024 at 15:26
Cathie Wood says $1.5 million Bitcoin bull case is now more likely
Ark’s Invests Cathie Wood said the approval of Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF) in the U.S. convinced her even more that the world’s largest cryptocurrency ‘Bitcoin’ could hit her crazy bullish target of $1.5 million.
For her bull case, the ARK Invest boss sees Bitcoin hitting $1.5 million by 2030. Her base case is in the $600,000 range, she reportedly said.
‘We think the probability of the bull case has increased with this SEC approval. This is a green light.’ ‘It is the first global decentralized digital rules based … monetary system in history.
It is a very big idea.
Win! Win! then…?
Bitcoin 7-day chart from 6th January – 12th January 2024
Bitcoin 7-day chart from 6th January – 12th January 2024
After years of regulatory rejection, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday 10th January 2024 finally approved the Bitcoin EFT.
It has approved what are known as ‘spot’ Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), which can be purchased by anyone from pension funds to retail investors. This now means that some of the biggest asset managers in the world, including BlackRock and Fidelity can trade a crypto related ETF.
Now, instead of using a crypto asset exchange such as Binance, Coinbase or Kraken to purchase and hold a token like Bitcoin, traders can now trade a ‘spot’ Bitcoin ETF for direct exposure to the digital asset market.
It may also mean that investors could pay lower fees than they would if they bought the digital currency from a crypto exchange directly.
Basically, it is now cheaper than ever to buy Bitcoin – but is this positive for the long-term?
Crypto fans can now invest in Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) – but what exactly are they?
A Bitcoin ETF allows investors to buy a product that tracks the price of Bitcoin through the same method they already use to buy stocks and other existing products. This also reduces additional worry of managing their crypto related holdings, which typically involves maintaining a cryptocurrency wallet and a safe storage system to safeguard that investment.
But what exactly is an ETF?
ETFs are holdings or portfolios that allow investors to ‘bet’ on multiple assets, without having to buy any themselves. Traded on stock exchanges like shares, their value depends on how the overall portfolio performs in real time.
An ETF could comprise a combination of gold and silver bullion, for example, or a mixture of shares in both big technology and energy companies. Some ETFs already contain Bitcoin indirectly – but a spot Bitcoin ETF will buy the cryptocurrency directly, ‘on the spot’, at its current live price, throughout the trading day.
Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency
Based on an idea by someone called, Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and remains the most valuable and famous to-date. Its price is often seen as a barometer for the whole industry of thousands of other coins (altcoins), tokens and products built on the same blockchain technology.
Art illustration of Bitcoin blockchain
And with an influx of new money, many expect a surge in interest in cryptocurrency technology in general.
How will the decision affect cryptocurrency adoption and is this decentralisation as originally intended?
Some say this decision shows the existing ‘old financial school’ establishment is finally taking Bitcoin seriously, at least as a speculative asset. For those who consider Bitcoin legitimate ‘digital gold’, what better proof could there be than the biggest wealth-management institutions flocking to buy, and now overseen by regulators?
Others say cryptocurrency is about rejecting traditional financial systems in favour of a decentralised, people-powered alternative. And investment bankers buying Bitcoin just to get rich on U.S. dollars is not what Satoshi Nakamoto had in mind.
But judging from the chatter on social media, the prevailing sentiment is expecting the new cash injection will make existing Bitcoin investors and owners rich.
What are the risks to future investors?
It is possible to lose all of your investment
The price of Bitcoin can change rapidly and often without warning or explanation – it is a volatile asset. So investors will need to be aware when investing in ETFs linked to a digital coin.
Art illustration of Bitcoin trading
But ETFs are often sold as high-risk, high-reward products anyway. It is EXTREMELY high risk – don’t do it if you don’t understand it and even if you do, or think you do – BE CAREFUL! These products can rip the shirt off your back!
Cyber-crime risk
Another potential risk is cyber-crime. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have been the subject of huge and costly attacks that have seen crypto companies drained of sometimes hundreds of millions of dollars overnight. And if the likes of Blackrock become major holders of Bitcoin, their cyber-security will be tested in ways never before. Let’s hope their security systems are extremely robust.
Cost of mining coins
Another downside is the heavy cost to the environment is that Bitcoin use a massive number of powerful computers around the world, to process transactions on the blockchain ledger and to create coins – this is known as mining.
Renewable energy use is growing – but it remains to be seen how investment companies will tackle the environmental cost of Bitcoin.
Be careful
ETFs are here now – but BE CAREFUL when entering a Bitcoin related ETF trade or investment, or any type of ETF for that matter. If it goes wrong, you will lose your money, and quickly.
Bitcoin jumped briefly on Tuesday 9th January 2024 after a post on the U.S. markets SEC regulator’s ‘X’ account post said it had approved the Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF’s) in the cryptocurrency.
This was a big news event for the cryptocurrency community and for the wider investment world. Large and small investors have been eagerly awaiting this news for months. When it finally arrived, it turned out to be fake.
U.S. regulators are expected to make an announcement on the new ETF’s this week.
The social media platform ‘X’ refuted the accusation that its systems had been the reason for the ‘compromise’.
Fake post
The fake news post appeared on the SEC’s official X account shortly after 16:00 Washington time (21:00 GMT). It said the regulator ‘grants approval for #Bitcoin ETFs for listing on all registered national securities exchanges.’ The post was immediately on the general social media radar and business news outlets.
SEC’s chair Gary Gensler quickly posted a message correcting the erroneous announcement on his personal ‘X’ account: “The @SECGov twitter account was compromised, and an unauthorized tweet was posted. The SEC has not approved the listing and trading of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products.”
‘The SEC has determined that there was unauthorized access to and activity on the @SECGov x.com account by an unknown party for a brief period of time shortly after 4 pm ET. and that the unauthorized access has been terminated,’ it was reported.
Bitcoin jumped
Bitcoin jumped to touch $48,000 (£37,800) immediately after the erroneous post before falling back to around $45,500
Bitcoin jumped to ouch $48,000 (£37,800) immediately after the erroneous post before falling back to around $45,000
Investors are eagerly anticipating an SEC announcement on the potential approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, which is expected this week.
It would mark a key milestone for the cryptocurrency market in gaining acceptance to mainstream financial markets.
Crypto related stocks climbed Monday 8th January 2024 as the price of Bitcoin increased again to its highest level since April 2022.
Crypto exchange Coinbase rose 3%, while Block and Robinhood, which also offer Bitcoin trading services, added 3% and 5%, respectively. Mining stocks enjoyed gains too: Marathon Digital and Riot Platforms advanced some 8% each. CleanSpark and Iris Energy both added 6%.
ETF decision closer
Bitcoin rallied above $47,000 as BlackRock, Grayscale and other potential Bitcoin ETF issuers submitted final updates to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), that bolstered investors’ confidence that a likely positive decision is due soon.
Bitcoin 24-hour chart Monday 8th – Tuesday 9th January 2024
Bitcoin extended its rally overnight, climbing past the $41,000 level for the first time since May 2022.
The price of Bitcoin quickly soared above $41,000 easily taking out $40,000. The cryptocurrency is up around 13% over the past month and up more than 130% year to date. But the price of Bitcoin is down more than 40% from its all-time high in 2021.
In November 2023, analysts reportedly said Bitcoin could soar to as high as $150,000 in 2025, as it rides a new bull cycle. Other altcoins are available, as they too ride the coat tails of Bitcoin’s encouraging move. Be aware though, Bitcoin is a volatile asset and as such is subject to dramatic moves in either direction. BE CAREFUL!
Bitcoin price snapshot 09:35GMT 4th December 2023
Why is Bitcoin on a tear?
Cryptocurrency industry analysts have suggested this bull-run could lead to fresh all-time highs in 2024 above $100,000.
Excitement around a Bitcoin ETF being approved in the U.S. in 2024 as well as the process of Bitcoin halving due in April 2024 is fueling this rally in cryptocurrencies.
Many also say the crypto industry is enjoying a market climb due to the FTX case and the Binance settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) as the two outstanding issues that were holding up the crypto market were resloved.
The Magnificent Seven is a term to describe seven tech’ stocks that have been surging in 2023.
Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), the social media giant that also owns Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus.
Apple, the maker of the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, and other popular devices and services including cloud and Apple TV streaming service.
Amazon, the e-commerce leader that also operates AWS, Prime Video, Alexa, and Whole Foods.
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, YouTube, Gmail, Google Cloud, and Waymo.
Microsoft, the software company that owns Windows, Office, Azure, LinkedIn, Xbox, and Teams.
Nvidia, the semiconductor company that produces graphics cards, gaming devices, data center solutions, and AI platforms.
Tesla, the electric vehicle maker that also develops solar panels, batteries, and autonomous driving technology.
Dominant
These seven stocks are considered to be dominant in their respective fields and have strong growth prospects driven by innovation and artificial intelligence (AI).
They have outperformed the broader market and attracted many investors who are looking for exposure to the tech’ sector. Some analysts believe that these stocks will continue to lead the market in the future, while others caution that they may face regulatory challenges, competition, or valuation issues.
Approximate combined market cap of the Magnificent Seven tech stocks
The approximate combined market cap value of the Magnificent Seven as of September 2023 is approximately $11.8 trillion.
Apple: $2.5 trillion
Microsoft: $2.3 trillion
Alphabet: $1.9 trillion
Amazon: $1.7 trillion
Nvidia: $0.8 trillion
Meta Platforms: $0.9 trillion
Tesla: $0.7 trillion
Note that these values will change over time as the stock prices fluctuate.
A way to trade the tech sector is through funds
There are many funds that can trade tech stocks, depending on your investment objectives, risk tolerance, and preferences.
Technology mutual funds: These are funds that invest in a diversified portfolio of technology companies across different industries, such as software, hardware, internet, cloud, biotech, and more. Technology mutual funds can offer exposure to the growth potential of the tech sector, as well as reduce the volatility and risk of investing in individual stocks.
Some examples of technology mutual funds are Fidelity Select Technology Portfolio (FSELX), Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund (CGTYX), and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (SCHG).
Which tech fund to invest in?
Technology exchange-traded funds (ETFs): These are funds that track an index of technology stocks and trade on an exchange like a stock. Technology ETFs can offer low-cost and convenient access to the tech sector, as well as allow investors to choose from different themes, such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and more.
Some examples of technology ETFs are Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK), and VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH).
Technology index funds: These are funds that replicate the performance of a specific technology index, such as the Nasdaq 100, the S&P 500 Information Technology Index, or the Morningstar U.S. Technology Index. Technology index funds can offer broad and passive exposure to the tech sector, as well as low fees and high tax efficiency.
Some examples of technology index funds are Fidelity NASDAQ Composite Index Fund (FNCMX), Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX), and iShares Morningstar U.S. Technology ETF (IYW).
NOTE: These are not recommendations. Investments may go up or down. Your money is at risk!
The price of bitcoin surged Tuesday 29th August 2023 after the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was wrong to deny crypto investment giant Grayscale permission to convert its popular bitcoin trust into an ETF.
Bitcoin jumped around 7% following the ruling to $27,852. The move lifted other cryptocurrencies as well as crypto equities higher.
Grayscale
Grayscale’s lawsuit against the SEC has been closely watched by investors and other industry participants as a key catalyst that would shake up a market governed by low volatility and liquidity.
Earlier this month, bitcoin trading volatility fell to its lowest level in more than four years as investors had been waiting on the sidelines for more regulatory clarity on crypto activity .
Several bitcoin futures ETFs have already been approved in the U.S.
‘Shackles being removed from crypto regulation paving way for easier crypto trading’
Court ruling
‘The denial of Grayscale’s proposal was arbitrary and capricious … The Commission failed to adequately explain why it approved the listing of two bitcoin futures ETPs but not Grayscale’s proposed bitcoin Exchange Trade Product (ETP),‘the court said in the ruling. ‘In the absence of a coherent explanation, this unlike regulatory treatment of like products is unlawful. We therefore grant Grayscale’s petition for review and vacate the Commission’s order‘.
Tuesday’s ruling may increase the chances that the SEC will approve other bitcoin ETF applications, including that of BlackRock, whose filing in late June 2023 drove one of bitcoin’s big rallies this year, as well as Fidelity, Invesco and many others.
A U.S. bitcoin ETF would provide a way to get exposure to bitcoin without having to hold it, which would invite retail and institutional investors as well as wealth managers into the market.
A spokesperson for the SEC said it’s ‘reviewing the court’s decision to determine next steps‘.
‘Today’s decision reaffirms that a bitcoin ETF in the U.S. is a matter of when, not if’, said the global head of asset management at Galaxy, which filed with Invesco for its bitcoin ETF. ‘In order for digital assets to continue to flourish, they must be accessible to all investors. We believe that the ETF structure can enable greater access to and transparency across cryptocurrency investing, and truly help further democratize the asset class‘.
Dark cloud for crypto finally lifting?
The ruling also comes as a relief to many crypto market traders who have been frustrated by the SEC, particularly under Chair Gary Gensler, and its insistence on regulating by enforcement.
The crypto industry has long sought out clarity in rules businesses can apply to establish and build long-lasting, compliant companies. The U.S. regulatory crackdown on crypto in 2023 – which includes SEC enforcements and a lawsuit against the biggest U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase and also its case against XRP Ripple has been a dark cloud over the market.
Lawsuit filed June 2022
Grayscale initiated its lawsuit against the SEC in June 2022 after the agency rejected its application to turn its bitcoin trust, better known by its ticker GBTC, into an ETF. The company decided to pursue the ETF, which would be backed by bitcoin rather than bitcoin derivatives, after the SEC approved ProShares’ futures-based bitcoin ETF in October 2021.
The ruling faced multiple delays but the SEC ultimately rejected the application last summer, citing failure by Grayscale to answer questions related to concerns about market manipulation and investor protections.
