Silver emerged as one of the strongest-performing major assets in 2025, sharply outperforming both gold and Bitcoin. 

The rally was not driven by speculation alone. Instead, it reflected a rare convergence of macroeconomic shifts, industrial demand, and geopolitical pressure that could extend into 2026.

Silver’s 2025 Performance in Context

By late December 2025, silver traded near $71 per ounce, up more than 120% year-to-date. Gold rose roughly 60% over the same period, while Bitcoin ended the year slightly lower after a volatile run that peaked in October.

Silver price entered 2025 near $29 per ounce and climbed steadily through the year. Gains accelerated in the second half as supply deficits widened and industrial demand surprised to the upside.

Gold also rallied strongly, moving from roughly $2,800 to above $4,400 per ounce, supported by falling real yields and central-bank demand. 

However, silver outpaced gold by a wide margin, consistent with its historical tendency to amplify precious-metal cycles.

Bitcoin followed a different path. It surged to a record near $126,000 in early October before reversing sharply, ending December near $87,000. 

Unlike metals, Bitcoin failed to hold safe-haven inflows during late-year risk-off moves.

Macro Conditions Favored Hard Assets

Several macroeconomic forces supported silver in 2025. Most importantly, global monetary policy shifted toward easing. The US Federal Reserve delivered multiple rate cuts by year-end, pushing real yields lower and weakening the dollar.

At the same time, inflation concerns remained unresolved. That combination historically favors tangible assets, particularly those with monetary and industrial value.

Unlike gold, silver benefits directly from economic expansion. In 2025, that dual role proved decisive.

This is a 50-Yr chart of Silver futures
The red arrow marks my 1st trade in Silver
The $50 level rejected Silver in 1981 and 2011
The price has now sliced above $50
Corrections should find support in the low $50s
Upside targets exist at $87 and eventually $200-plus$SI_F pic.twitter.com/sz076mdeP1

— Peter Brandt (@PeterLBrandt) December 13, 2025

Industrial Demand Became the Core Driver

Silver’s rally was increasingly anchored in physical demand rather than investment flows. Industrial usage accounts for roughly half of total silver consumption, and that share continues to grow.

The energy transition played a central role. Solar power remained the single largest source of new demand, while electrification across transport and infrastructure added further pressure to already tight supply.

Global silver markets recorded a fifth consecutive annual deficit in 2025. Supply struggled to respond, as most silver production comes as a byproduct of base-metal mining rather than primary silver projects.

Most of silver demand is industrial and those users don't care if the price is 5x, because silver is only a small part of their products.

Industrial demand (mainly solar) continues to rise.

Also retail demand in Asia is now INCREASING along with rising prices.

— GoldSilver HQ (@GoldSilverHQ) December 23, 2025

Electric Vehicles Added Structural Demand

Electric vehicles significantly increased silver consumption in 2025. Each EV uses 25 to 50 grams of silver, roughly 70% more than an internal-combustion vehicle.

With global EV sales rising at double-digit rates, automotive silver demand climbed into the tens of millions of ounces annually. 

Charging infrastructure amplified the trend. High-power fast chargers use kilograms of silver in power electronics and connectors.

Unlike cyclical investment demand, EV-related silver consumption is structural. Production growth directly translates into sustained physical offtake.

Silver $71 today.
Just the beginning.
I completed a detailed analysis of Samsung's new battery technology. Production begins in 2027. (Confirmed by Samsung.) Approximately 1 kg of silver will be needed per EV. And Samsung's silver-carbon batteries will also be widely used across…

— HealthRanger (@HealthRanger) December 23, 2025

Defense Spending Quietly Tightened Supply

Military demand became a less visible but increasingly important factor. Modern weapons systems rely heavily on silver for guidance electronics, radar, secure communications, and drones.

A single cruise missile can contain hundreds of ounces of silver, all of which is destroyed upon use. That makes defense demand non-recyclable.

Global military spending reached record highs in 2024 and continued rising in 2025 amid wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. 

Europe, the United States, and Asia all expanded procurement of advanced munitions, quietly absorbing physical silver.

Geopolitical Shocks Reinforced the Trend

Geopolitical tensions further strengthened silver’s case. Prolonged conflicts increased defense stockpiling, while trade fragmentation raised concerns about supply security for critical materials.

Unlike gold, silver sits at the intersection of national security and industrial policy. Several governments moved to classify silver as a strategic material, reflecting its role in both civilian and military technologies.

This dynamic created a rare feedback loop: geopolitical risk boosted both safe-haven investment demand and real industrial consumption.

The rise in the price of gold and silver from 2001 through 2008 was a sign of a major Fed policy error and a harbinger of the 2008 financial crisis. The current rally that began in 2024 is signaling a bigger policy error that will have even more profound consequences for the U.S.

— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) December 22, 2025

Why 2026 Could Extend the Outperformance

Looking ahead, most of the drivers that powered silver price in 2025 remain in place. EV adoption continues to accelerate. Grid expansion and renewable investment remain policy priorities. Defense budgets show no signs of retreat.

At the same time, silver supply remains constrained. New mining projects face long lead times, and recycling cannot offset growing industrial losses from military use.

Gold may continue to perform well if real yields stay low. Bitcoin may recover if risk appetite improves. But neither combines monetary protection with direct exposure to global electrification and defense spending.

That combination explains why many analysts see silver as uniquely positioned for 2026.

Looks like silver is going to be a shocker for most. While a significant group of investors is still in denial and do not realize that we are in a new realities constantly waiting for a pullback, silver keeps pushing higher and higher. My immediate target is $75 – 80. Let's wait… pic.twitter.com/ni35W0lIwd

— Rashad Hajiyev (@hajiyev_rashad) December 22, 2025

Silver’s 2025 rally was not a one-off speculative spike. It reflected deep structural changes in how the global economy consumes the metal.

If current trends persist, silver’s dual role as a monetary hedge and industrial necessity could allow it to outperform both gold and Bitcoin again in 2026.

The post Why Silver Could Outperform Gold and Bitcoin in 2026 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

The Central Bank of Russia unveiled a long-awaited conceptual framework to regulate crypto trading on December 23, marking a decisive shift from ad-hoc restrictions toward a structured, licensed market.

Under the proposal, cryptocurrencies and stablecoins will be legally recognized as currency values that can be bought and sold. However, they remain prohibited as a means of payment inside Russia. 

What the New Framework Introduces

The central bank submitted its legislative proposals to the Government of Russia for review.

The announcement marks the largest effort yet to bring crypto activity under formal financial supervision, while maintaining strict controls on retail risk and capital flows.

The proposal establishes a two-tier investor model, separating retail and professional participants.

Non-qualified investors will be allowed to purchase only the most liquid cryptocurrencies, as defined in future legislation. 

Access will require passing a mandatory risk-knowledge test, and purchases will be capped at 300,000 rubles per year.

Qualified investors will face fewer restrictions. They will be permitted to buy any cryptocurrency except anonymous tokens whose smart contracts conceal transaction data. 

Volume limits will not apply, although risk-awareness testing remains mandatory.

The central bank emphasized that cryptocurrencies remain high-risk instruments, citing volatility, lack of sovereign backing, and sanctions exposure.

Russia is leading Europe in crypto use, over $376B moved in a year, says Chainalysis.

While others talk about regulation, Russians are actually using crypto for real needs; trading, saving, and moving money fast.

Quiet adoption, big numbers. pic.twitter.com/2XcmYx8ioB

— Tom Tucker (@WhatzTheTicker) October 16, 2025

How This Differs From Russia’s Current Stance

Until now, Russia’s crypto policy has been fragmented. Ownership and trading were legal in practice but lacked a clear regulatory pathway. 

Retail access operated in a gray zone, intermediaries faced uncertainty, and enforcement relied on informal restrictions rather than explicit market rules.

The new concept formalizes what was previously tolerated, while sharply narrowing how retail investors can participate. 

It also confirms that Russia will regulate crypto activity through existing financial infrastructure, allowing exchanges, brokers, and trust managers to operate using their current licenses. Additional requirements will apply to crypto-specific depositaries and exchange services.

The framework also clarifies cross-border rules. Russian residents will be allowed to buy crypto abroad using foreign accounts and transfer crypto overseas through Russian intermediaries, provided they notify tax authorities.

Timeline and Enforcement

The central bank plans to finalize the legislative base by July 1, 2026. From July 1, 2027, illegal crypto intermediation will trigger liability comparable to penalties for illegal banking activity.

This phased approach gives market participants time to align with licensing, disclosure, and compliance requirements.

How Russia’s Approach Compares Globally

Area	Russia (BoR Concept)	EU (MiCA)	United States
Legal status	Investment asset (“currency value”), not payment	Regulated crypto market	Fragmented federal & state oversight
Retail access	Allowed with testing and strict caps	Allowed via disclosure regime	Broad, no federal caps
Intermediaries	Existing licenses + added crypto rules	Mandatory CASP licensing	Multi-agency framework
Stablecoins	Tradable, payment ban	Heavily regulated	Federal stablecoin law in place
Enforcement	Phased, starts 2027	Already active	Ongoing agency enforcement

Overall, Russia is not liberalizing crypto in the Western sense. 

Instead, it is moving crypto out of the gray market, tightening supervision, limiting retail exposure, and positioning regulated crypto trading as an extension of its traditional financial system.

The post Russia Plans New Crypto Regulation for 2026 appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Chinese-language networks operating on Telegram have become the backbone of the world’s largest illicit crypto economy. 

These groups have surpassed the dark web in fusing scams, AI-driven deception, and money laundering into a single, industrial system.

Telegram Markets Now Dwarf Historical Dark Web Giants

The scale is unprecedented. Elliptic data shows Huione Guarantee, later rebranded as Haowang Guarantee, processed $27 billion between 2021 and 2025. 

That figure exceeds every major dark web market in history.

Over recent years, we've supplied @okx with crypto threat intelligence via multiple channels, and their compliance progress is notable.

Data shows a significant decrease in risky USDT deposits from Huione&Tudou Guarantee.

We will continue monitoring this. @star_okx pic.twitter.com/f7zHpzra8j

— Bitrace (@Bitrace_team) October 15, 2025

After Telegram banned Huione in May, activity migrated. Two markets now dominate:

• Tudou Guarantee: roughly $1.1 billion per month
  
• Xinbi Guarantee: roughly $850 million per month

Combined monthly volume now surpasses what AlphaBay processed over its entire lifetime.

Why Telegram Replaced the Dark Web

Telegram offers public channels, escrow-like systems, and instant global reach. Users need no Tor browser or technical knowledge.

Markets recreate classic darknet features:

• Vendor reputation systems
  
• Escrow and dispute resolution
  
• Stablecoin settlement
  
• Rapid rebranding after bans
  

In practice, Telegram has become a “dark web without friction.”

Be careful ⚠️⚠️⚠️

a FAKE telegram channel is trying to scam Smardex holders

There is NO V3 migration,
DO NOT FALL FOR SUCH SCAM

the official updates can ONLY be received through their website https://t.co/Ghz45GSSnI, their X: @SmarDex and their official TG (its link is in… pic.twitter.com/cESr07yx4e

— Crypto Feras  (@CryptoFeras) November 5, 2025

Crypto Scam Markets Feed a Global Fraud Industry

These markets do not sell drugs or weapons at scale, but they sell scam infrastructure.

The primary customer base is the pig-butchering scam industry. These long-term romance and investment scams generate roughly $10 billion annually from US victims alone, according to federal data.

Operations are concentrated in Southeast Asia. Many rely on trafficked labor held in scam compounds.

Telegram markets provide:

• Money-laundering services
  
• Fake investment platforms
  
• Stolen identities
  
• Telecom and social-engineering tools

The scam economy and the markets grow together.

AI Face-Swap Tools Supercharge Fraud

A key accelerant is artificial intelligence. Chinese-language Telegram groups actively sell:

• Real-time face-swap software
  
• Voice-cloning tools
  
• Deepfake identity kits
  

These tools allow scammers to impersonate real people on video calls. They dramatically increase trust and conversion rates.

Threat analysts describe this as the industrialization of social engineering. Scams now operate with assembly-line efficiency.

Look at this, what appears to be a SCAM site that is fully AI generated.

What is the government doing to stop these? Nothing at all?

All that talent going toward scamming new crypto users… on Twitter, Telegram, etc.

www_youtube_com/@cryptotopstories <– SCAM!!!… pic.twitter.com/HG1w0Lkx3e

— Jae Kwon – "godfather of proof-of-stake" (@jaekwon) November 22, 2025

USDT Is the Financial Backbone

Nearly all transactions settle in Tether (USDT). Unlike decentralized cryptocurrencies, USDT can be frozen. That capability exists but is rarely used at scale.

As a result, the most centralized stablecoin underpins the largest illicit crypto markets ever recorded. This dependency concentrates risk across scams, money laundering, and cross-border fraud.

Telegram has removed major markets before. Each time, replacements emerged within weeks.

Ownership stakes shift between markets. Liquidity follows instantly.

Elliptic tracks roughly 30 Chinese-language Telegram markets today. Together, they move tens of billions of dollars annually, mostly through crypto. 

Enforcement pressure remains fragmented and inconsistent.

Overall, this is no longer a niche cybercrime story.

Public messaging platforms now host global illicit finance at scale. Language-based networks matter more than geography; tools are reshaping fraud economics.

The result is a criminal ecosystem larger than anything the dark web ever produced. And it operates in plain sight.

Without a coordinated platform, stablecoin, and law-enforcement action, this system will keep growing.

The post Chinese Groups Have Transformed Telegram into the Dark Web of Crypto Scams appeared first on BeInCrypto.

The latest US GDP report delivered a strong economic signal—but for crypto markets, especially altcoins, it may be bad news.

Data released on December 23 showed the US economy growing faster than expected in Q3, reinforcing the idea that monetary conditions may stay tighter for longer. While Bitcoin remains relatively resilient, broader crypto markets are flashing warning signs.

US GDP Growth Beats Expectations

The US economy expanded at an annualized rate of 4.3% in Q3, well above the market forecast of 3.3% and higher than the previous 3.8% reading.

The year of the tariff is powering America’s economy as real GDP accelerated to a 4.3% annualized rate and exports rose to an 8.8% SAAR in the third quarter.

This is just the beginning of new era of economic prosperity thanks to President Trump’s trade program unlocking new… pic.twitter.com/kWeBtxQ7aN

— United States Trade Representative (@USTradeRep) December 23, 2025

At the same time, core PCE inflation rose to 2.9%, up from 2.6%, remaining sticky above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

Also, Real personal consumption expenditures jumped 3.5%, far exceeding expectations of 2.7%.

In simple terms, Americans are still spending aggressively, and inflation pressures have not cooled enough for policymakers to declare victory.

Why Strong Growth Is a Problem for Crypto

Stronger-than-expected growth reduces the urgency for interest-rate cuts.

Combined with recent CPI data and still-elevated inflation expectations from the University of Michigan survey, the GDP report strengthens the case for higher-for-longer rates in 2026.

For risk assets like crypto, that matters because:

• Higher rates increase the return on cash and bonds.
  
• Liquidity becomes more selective.
  
• Speculative assets struggle to attract new capital.

This environment historically pressures altcoins more than Bitcoin.

The US economy has now been in an expansion for 65 months with annualized real GDP growth of 4.3% over that time.
The average expansion length since 1949: 67 months.
Longest: 128 months.
Shortest: 12 months. pic.twitter.com/QE6WnhhMA5

— Charlie Bilello (@charliebilello) December 23, 2025

Bitcoin Holds Better Than Altcoins

Market reaction following the GDP release reflected this dynamic.

Bitcoin remained relatively stable near $87,800, down modestly on the day but still holding key structural levels. Its market cap stayed above $1.75 trillion, showing limited panic selling.

Altcoins, however, underperformed sharply:

• Ethereum fell over 3% on the day.
  
• Solana, Cardano, and Dogecoin dropped between 3%–6%.
  
• Mid-cap and small-cap tokens saw deeper losses with weaker recoveries.

This divergence highlights Bitcoin’s role as a liquidity sink during macro uncertainty.

Crypto MACD Confirms Bearish Breadth

Momentum indicators reinforce the concern.

According to CoinMarketCap’s normalized MACD, 68% of tracked crypto assets are now in negative momentum. The average market MACD sits at –0.16, firmly in bearish territory.

Most assets below the $10 billion market-cap range remain deeply negative.

When momentum weakens across the market, capital tends to retreat toward fewer, more liquid assets—again favoring Bitcoin over altcoins.

Why Altcoins Are More Exposed

Altcoins rely heavily on cheap liquidity, retail inflows, and risk-on sentiment. Strong GDP growth combined with persistent inflation reduces all three.

With US consumers still spending but facing higher costs, disposable income for speculative investment may shrink in early 2026. 

Institutions, meanwhile, remain cautious amid Bank of Japan risks and global rate uncertainty. That combination creates a difficult environment for altcoins to sustain rallies.

What This Means For Crypto Markets Going Into 2026

The GDP report does not signal an immediate crypto crash. However, it raises the probability of prolonged consolidation or downside pressure, particularly outside Bitcoin.

If macro conditions remain unchanged:

• Bitcoin may continue to range rather than collapse.
  
• Altcoins could face extended drawdowns.
  
• Market leadership may narrow further.

Overall, strong US economic data is no longer bullish—it is a liquidity warning.

The post US GDP Surprise Signals Trouble for Altcoins, Not Bitcoin appeared first on BeInCrypto.