You are here

Daily Dispatches

CME shifts precious-metals margin system to percentage basis as prices swing

Section: Daily Dispatches

By Yihui Xie
Bloomberg News
Tuesday, January 12, 2026

CME Group will change the way it sets margins for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures after a surge in prices and volatile trading.

The new approach will set margins based on a percentage of so-called notional, the CME said in a notice. Previously, they were based on a dollar amount.

... Dispatch continues below ...


... ADVERTISEMENT ...

Buy, Sell, or Store Precious Metals with Money Metals Exchange

Switzerland seeks to enshrine role of cash with altered proposal

Section: Daily Dispatches

By Bastian Benrath-Wright
Bloomberg News
Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Switzerland's government backs enshrining cash in the constitution before a national vote in March, but with wording that differs from that of campaigners seeking to safeguard the status of physical money.

The executive proposes adding two sentences stating that the Swiss currency is the franc and that the Swiss National Bank guarantees the supply of cash.

... Dispatch continues below ...


... ADVERTISEMENT ...

Mike Maharrey: Unusual Comex trend could signal accelerating silver squeeze

Section: Daily Dispatches

By Mike Maharrey
Money Metals Exchange, Eagle, Idaho
Monday, January 12, 2026

An interesting development in the Comex silver exchange seems to reflect an accelerating silver squeeze.

The stage was set for a silver squeeze last April when significant amounts of metal moved from London to New York, driven by tariff worries. The displacement of metal, coupled with surging Indian demand, set off the first squeeze in October. That drove the silver price over $50 for the first time.

... Dispatch continues below ...

Allen Mendenhall: New book shows gold's ancient refuge endures in digital age

Section: Daily Dispatches

By Allen Mendenhall
1819 News, Hoover, Alabama
Monday, January 12, 2026

The year 2025 proved to be consequential for those who maintain that gold remains relevant in an age of algorithmic trading and central bank digital currencies. Gold climbed more than 60% in 2025, marking its strongest annual performance since 1979. North American gold-backed exchange-traded funds attracted approximately $21 billion in inflows through July, according to the World Gold Council, while central banks continue purchasing the metal at rates double their historical averages.

Fed Chairman Powell says Trump administration threatens him with criminal indictment

Section: Daily Dispatches

By Howard Schneider and Ann Saphir
Rueters
Sunday, January 11, 2026

WASHINGTON -- The Trump administration has threatened to indict Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over congressional testimony he gave last summer about a Fed building project, an action Powell called a "pretext" to gain more influence over the central bank and monetary policy.

Jay Morse of Shadow Stats: The silver gates have closed

Section: Daily Dispatches

5:27p ET, Saturday, January 10, 2026

Dear Friend of GATA and Gold (and Silver):

Walter J. (John) Williams, the private consulting economist who publishes the ShadowStats economic letter, long has been an unsung hero of the struggle against gold and silver market rigging. GATA has cited his work many times over the years to show that understating inflation is U.S. government policy and is very much connected to the purposes of suppressing monetary metals prices.

Iran's ayatollah may be evacuating gold to Russia, Moscow Times says

Section: Daily Dispatches

From the Moscow Times, Amsterdam
Friday, January 9, 2026

Russian military transport aircraft have begun making frequent flights to Tehran since the onset of mass protests spreading across Iran, threatening the current regime's. Russia may be providing military and technical support while simultaneously preparing for the evacuation of the supreme leader and his closest aides, including the removal of gold. 

Russia similarly facilitated the escape of dictator Bashar al-Assad from Syria just over a year ago.

... Dispatch continues below ...

Turkiye to end cash transactions in gold trade under new tracking system

Section: Daily Dispatches

Coming soon to a 'land of the free' near you?

* * *

From the Hurriyet Daily News, Istanbul
Thursday, January 8, 2026

Turkiye will introduce a comprehensive digital tracking system for precious metals in April, effectively ending cash transactions in gold trading and requiring all purchases and sales at jewelry shops to be conducted through banks, credit cards, or bank transfers.

Called the Precious Metal Tracking System, the new framework has been developed by the Turkish State Mint within the Treasury and Finance Ministry.

Alasdair Macleod: Physical shortage continues to drive silver

Section: Daily Dispatches

By Alasdair Macleod
GoldMoney, Toronto
Friday, January 9, 2026

Chinese silver demand is on pause allowing prices to drift from all-time highs. Meanwhile, gold marches on towards a test of its post-Christmas highs.

However, the physical silver shortage is what matters and will continue to drive prices. In gold, there is a dawning realisation that there must be something solid behind its bull market, with speculators returning to Comex. 

... Dispatch continues below ...

Pages