Indian Gold Options Trading Surges as Metal Hits Record Highs

India’s jewelry market, the world’s largest, is increasingly turning to gold options trading as prices hit record highs in 2025. Gold futures options on India’s Multi Commodity Exchange reached a daily turnover of 605 billion rupees ($7 billion) in February, capturing 26% of all options trading—their highest share since October 2021. Meanwhile, crude oil options, though still dominant, saw their share drop to 52% from over 70% last year. This shift stems largely from concerns about President Trump’s tariff policies, which have driven oil prices to six-month lows while boosting gold by more than 7% since January. According to market […]

UK Gold Rush: Royal Mint Reports 153% Surge in Bullion Sales

The UK is experiencing a gold boom, with Royal Mint bullion sales jumping 153% in late 2024. According to Stuart O’Reilly from The Royal Mint, three key factors are driving this trend: global political uncertainty after a year of major elections, lower interest rates making gold more appealing than bonds, and increased buying from Eastern European central banks seeking economic security. Gold coins have seen the strongest growth, with sales surging 206% compared to last year. UK investors are flocking to tax-exempt options like Britannias and Sovereigns to avoid capital gains tax on gold’s typical 11% annual returns. Silver has […]

Resource-Rich Indonesia Seeks Higher Returns from Mining Giants

Indonesia plans to raise mining royalties across its resource sector to boost government revenue. As the world’s top exporter of thermal coal and nickel, Indonesia aims to use these natural resources to fund President Prabowo Subianto’s new initiatives. The proposal shifts from flat rates to price-based progressive structures. Nickel ore royalties would jump from 10% to between 14-19%, with similar changes for nickel products. Coal royalties would increase by just one percentage point (up to 13.5%) when prices exceed $90 per ton. Copper faces the most significant change, with ore royalties potentially rising from 5% to between 10-17%. Tin, gold, […]

Maximizing Your Precious Metals IRA: A Guide to Tax Benefits and Avoiding Costly Mistakes 

In recent years, precious metals IRAs have gained popularity as a way to diversify retirement portfolios. While these accounts offer significant advantages, investors need to understand both the benefits and potential pitfalls to protect their retirement savings.  Understanding the Tax Advantages  A properly structured precious metals IRA offers powerful tax benefits that can enhance your retirement strategy:  IRS Compliance: Getting the Details Right  The IRS maintains strict requirements for precious metals IRAs. Understanding these rules is crucial for maintaining your account’s tax-advantaged status:  Eligible Metals:  Storage Requirements:  These IRS regulations can be complicated, but securing your retirement doesn’t have to […]

Gold’s Winning Streak Continues Amid Weak Economic Data and Trade Tensions

Gold has maintained its position near $2,910 per ounce after gaining almost 2% last week, supported by growing concerns about the global economy. The precious metal has been rallying throughout early 2025, hitting multiple record highs amid anxiety over Trump’s trade policies, central bank buying, and potential Fed rate cuts. Recent weak US economic data has strengthened expectations for further rate reductions, which typically benefit non-interest-bearing assets like gold.