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Why we couldn’t be happier that gold is boring

Aug 18, 2022, 2:23 pm BST
This article is more than 2 years old.
Why we couldn't be happier that gold is boring

We’re the first to admit that investing in gold can be pretty boring. Don’t get us wrong, when you first decide to buy gold then the newness of it is exciting, as you choose which gold bullion dealer to use then it is interesting and when you actually see the gold bars or coins appear in your account then it’s really exciting.

But then what? There aren’t any major price moves, it’s not like you see any huge crashes or major leaps to keep you on your toes, not like with crypto.

But, as you’ll read below, boring really is the best way to be. Well, when it comes to investments that is.

Gold V/S Crypto

The gold price is hovering around US$1,800 per ounce, where it has averaged since the beginning of 2021.

Your feelings about the gold price likely are similar to ours: gold has been boring compared to stocks and crypto.

Since the beginning of last year the gold price, with the exception of a rise of around 14% when Russia invaded Ukraine (note that the safe-haven demand due to the invasion which resulted in this rise was in contrast to the decline in cryptocurrencies and equity markets), has oscillated around 5% of the average just over US$1800.

Gold Price Chart
Gold Price Chart

In contrast Cryptos oscillate 50% above and below Bitcoin’s average of 42,700 since the beginning of 2021. Most coins have had large runups and then sharp declines over the last year and a half. Some cryptos have moved 100% down. Bitcoin remains close to 50% below its average since the beginning of 2021.

Bitcoin Chart
Bitcoin Chart

Equity markets have had swings in the middle; more swing than physical metals but less swing than Bitcoin, oscillating around 20% from their respective averages since 2021 began.

The above shows the store of value of gold and gold’s low volatility. Both qualities help to stabilize an investment portfolio in times of turmoil.

Therefore, no matter how “boring” gold has been in recent months – the alternatives have had worse performances.

Adding to the store of value is the fact that counterparty risk is avoided by holding physical metals. This factor has gained importance versus paper contracts and versus investing in cryptocurrencies of late.

Versus paper contracts:

This is a follow-up to our July 14 post titled Gold traders on trial: Only buy physical where we discussed the trial of former JP Morgan traders for manipulating trades.

Last week the traders were convicted on charges of fraud, spoofing, and market manipulation of markets for more than a decade.

The oversized position of JP Morgan in the futures market gave the traders the power to move prices and manipulate the worldwide price.

The criminal case against the former JP Morgan traders is only one example of many scams and manipulation of markets.

And this example shows manipulation in regulated markets, while the scams in cryptocurrency markets are even more blatant and expensive. 

Versus investing in cryptos

The second point is growing cryptocurrency scams. One of these scams is called a digital ‘rug pull’.

According to cryptowallet.com: A rug pull is a term used in the crypto community to refer to cryptocurrency projects that turned out to be exit scams.

A rug pull is said to have occurred if the developers of a crypto project abscond with investors’ money

There are several types of digital rug pull in the crypto space, which include a form of Ponzi scheme where the project manager convinces investors to buy specific crypto and then flees with the funds.

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There are also cases where the head of a crypto exchange claims the exchange has been hacked and then takes off with the assets in the exchange wallets. The prevalence of ‘rug pulls’ is growing and there have been digital ‘rug pulls’ every month so far in 2022.

Chainalysis reports the total loss to scam victims was over $7.7 billion worldwide in 2021. The chart below from chainalysis.com shows the estimated total value of scams from 2017-2021. With the increasing prevalence of ‘rug pulls’ 2022 will likely be worse than 2021 when measured by dollars stolen.

Total Yearly Cryptocurrency value received by scammers, 2017-2021 Chart
Total Yearly Cryptocurrency value received by scammers, 2017-2021 Chart

It is important to recall that emotions and exciting movements can cause trouble for investors.

Therefore boring is beautiful … investors hold onto boring investments far longer than the next new creation, which could turn out to be a scam or decline significantly after a ‘bubble’ run-up in price.

The store of value of gold has been demonstrated repeatedly. Long-term investments give better results because they are easier to buy and hold…which makes boring investments into better investments.

All of this reinforces our belief in physical metals and that is why Goldcore stays true to the physical metals.

Next week we will be interviewing Jim Rogers on GoldCore TV. Recently Jim issued some stark warnings about cryptos and security.

For Jim, right now is a great time to own precious metals, and he recommends we all buy silver. Make sure you are subscribed to GoldCore TV so you don’t miss it!

If you can’t wait for Jim’s interview then why not head to GoldCore TV now for a new offering, a dinner party with Jim Rickards, Marc Faber and David Morgan. If you’ve ever wondered what Marc Faber’s biggest investment regret is, or maybe what books Jim Rickards would recommend then now is your chance.

Dinner Party with Marc Faber, David Morgan and Jim Rickards

From The Trading Desk


Market Update


Gold closed the week out on Friday at $1,802.

The close above $1,800 looked like it would carry through into this week but data out of China released on Sunday night showed industrial production grew at 3.8% below the 4.6% forecast.

Retail sales also came in lower at 2.7% versus the 5% forecast.

Gold slipped further Wednesday on the back of the Fed minutes that were released.

The Fed minutes showed that policymakers were in agreement with the recent 75bp rate increase in August but also that many officials were concerned about the risk that the Fed could tighten the stance of monetary policy by more than necessary. 

The market is currently pricing a 50bp hike for September.   

Gold price near-term support levels at $1,763 and $1,750 levels.

The upside level that we need to get above is the $1,832-$1,840 level which is a key support-resistance area from June

Stock Update 

Silver Britannia offer UK – We have just taken delivery of 10,000 Silver Britannia’s at our London depository.

Available for storage in London or immediate delivery within the UK.

These are available at the lowest premium in the market  (which includes VAT at 20%).

You can purchase these online or contact our trading desk for more information. 

Excellent stock and availability on all gold coins and bars. Please contact our trading desk with any questions you may have. 

Silver coins are now available for delivery or storage in Ireland and the EU with the lowest premium in the market. Starting as low as Spot plus 37% for Silver Britannia’s.


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GOLD PRICES (USD, GBP & EUR – AM/ PM LBMA Fix)

17-08-2022 1773.65 1767.20 1465.92 1463.77 1742.97 1737.16
16-08-2022 1776.15 1774.85 1476.16 1469.22 1752.70 1745.92
15-08-2022 1781.45 1776.60 1478.07 1469.78 1748.67 1742.13
12-08-2022 1788.45 1792.10 1472.61 1480.63 1735.87 1746.76
11-08-2022 1789.70 1796.70 1464.15 1467.54 1732.07 1734.35
10-08-2022 1793.50 1795.05 1482.15 1468.17 1753.33 1739.22
09-08-2022 1790.60 1795.25 1477.42 1482.34 1748.88 1753.60
08-08-2022 1775.70 1784.05 1469.92 1471.48 1744.09 1748.90
05-08-2022 1786.75 1773.25 1472.82 1473.04 1747.26 1744.35
04-08-2022 1777.90 1783.20 1460.90 1473.28 1744.48 1749.85

Buy gold coins and bars and store them in the safest vaults in Switzerland, London or Singapore with GoldCore.

Learn why Switzerland remains a safe-haven jurisdiction for owning precious metals. Access Our Most Popular Guide, the Essential Guide to Storing Gold in Switzerland here

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