The $20 Trillion Tipping Point for Gold & Silver

In the latest episode of The GoldSilver Show, Mike Maloney and Alan Hibbard unveil one of the most eye-opening charts they’ve ever presented. While most headlines focus on the $7 trillion parked in U.S. money market funds, Mike makes a case that more than $20 trillion in ultra-liquid capital could soon come flooding into safe-haven assets — gold and silver chief among them. 

What makes this episode essential viewing is not just the number itself — it’s how it’s built, what it signals, and why this time truly is different. 

More Than Money Markets: The Real Liquid Capital Pool 

The financial media often focuses on the record levels in U.S. money market funds, currently above $7 trillion. But as Mike and Alan explain, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. When you include currency in circulation, demand deposits, and even unused credit lines, the total pool of highly liquid capital capable of chasing assets like gold skyrockets past $20 trillion. 

In other words, this isn’t just idle cash. These are dollars that can — and likely will — move quickly in a crisis. This capital doesn’t have to be “invested” in the traditional sense; it’s positioned on the sidelines, waiting for a trigger. 

A Crisis Catalyst Could Hit as Soon as October 

Mike sounds a clear warning: “I think we could see a crash as early as this October.” October has long been a volatile month for markets — from 1929 to 1987 to 2008. And with global uncertainty mounting, the potential for a sharp drawdown or financial shock is rising. 

Why does this matter? Because, historically, large spikes in money market and deposit balances tend to precede major market corrections. Investors move to cash as they sense danger — and once the shock hits, they rush into hard assets. 

The Global Angle: $80 Trillion and Counting 

While the U.S. numbers alone are staggering, Alan expands the conversation by highlighting global liquidity. Worldwide, the figure rises to approximately $80 trillion in currency and liquid capital that could be mobilized during a crisis. That’s a colossal pool of capital, and only a small fraction needs to pivot into gold or silver to drive massive price increases. 

As Mike points out, gold currently represents less than 0.5% of global financial assets, compared to about 8% in 1980. If gold were to simply return to that historical level, we could see a 16-fold increase in its market footprint. 

This Time Really Is Different 

Skeptics often scoff at the phrase “this time it’s different.” But as Mike and Alan argue, the current setup is unprecedented. 

• There are exponentially more people globally who can access gold and silver markets. 

• The infrastructure for buying precious metals has grown dramatically. 

• Financial repression, central bank buying, and political volatility are all at decade highs. 

The combination of scale (more capital), access (more buyers), and fragility (more risk) creates a unique backdrop for a potential gold and silver surge. 

Don’t Wait for the Wave to Start Paddling 

If you wait for the crisis to strike, you’ll be competing with the rest of that $20 trillion. As Mike notes, monetary demand is what sends gold and silver prices soaring — and by the time the public reacts, supply is already tight. 

The takeaway? Positioning before the crowd is not just smart — it may be necessary. Whether you’re new to precious metals or looking to increase your allocation, now is the time to understand the dynamics behind this potential tidal wave of capital. 

Watch the full episode here and see the chart for yourself — before the next financial wave hits. 

Investing in Physical Metals Made Easy

People Also Asked 

How much liquid capital could move into gold and silver during a crisis? 

Over $20 trillion in ultra-liquid capital — including money market funds, demand deposits, currency in circulation, and unused credit lines — could potentially move into gold and silver during a financial crisis, according to Mike Maloney. This is nearly three times the often-cited $7 trillion in money markets alone. 

Why is October being flagged as a potential turning point for gold and silver? 

Mike Maloney warns that October has historically been a volatile month for markets, and current conditions suggest a crisis could trigger a massive shift into safe-haven assets like gold and silver. Rising liquidity levels and economic uncertainty are key signals. 

How does global liquidity impact the gold and silver markets? 

Globally, over $80 trillion in liquid assets could be mobilized during a crisis. Even a small percentage of this capital moving into gold or silver could lead to exponential price increases, especially given the metals’ relatively small share of global financial assets. 

Is this gold bull market different from the past? 

Yes. Mike Maloney argues that broader global access, more liquidity, greater financial risk, and rising central bank demand create a unique setup. Gold currently makes up less than 0.5% of global financial assets — far below its 1980 peak of 8%. 

What’s the risk of waiting to buy gold or silver during a crisis? 

By the time a financial shock hits, demand for physical metals typically surges, straining supply chains and raising premiums. Positioning ahead of the crowd helps investors avoid delays, higher costs, and limited availability.