CME Group is raising margins on Comex gold and silver futures after prices suffered their biggest slides in decades.

Long before modern states claimed monopoly control over money, international trade depended on trusted systems that operated outside sovereign authority.

As gold prices continue to smash records, analysts are now assessing the metal’s next potential destination, with JPMorgan outlining scenarios in which it could top the $8,000-an-ounce level in the coming years.

Gold and silver prices both cratered on Friday as investors looked to book profits on the metals, which have rallied to record highs in recent weeks.

Gold has secured a $1-million unsecured loan facility from a strategic European investor to settle legacy stakeholder obligations to the Moyoi community, Narok County landowners and employees of the Kilimapesa gold mine, in Kenya.

Australia’s Predictive Discovery said on Wednesday, shareholders of Canada’s Robex Resources approved a A$2.17 billion ($1.45 billion) merger, paving the way to create a mid-tier gold producer in West Africa.

Iron ore futures were set for their highest close since late November, riding a broader year-end rally in metals as traders look ahead to potential policy support from Beijing.

China’s net gold imports via Hong Kong in November rose by 101.5% from October, Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department data showed on Monday.

Nickel hit the highest since March after top producer Indonesia flagged plans to cut supply in order to boost prices.

Zimbabwe will continue to make strategic mineral purchases in 2026 in order to build its foreign currency reserves, as it pushes ahead with plans to adopt the ZiG as its sole currency by 2030, central bank governor John Mushayavanhu said on Sunday.