Gold Surges Amid Trade Tensions, Bitcoin Falters

• Gold prices have surged nearly 10% YTD in 2025, driven by investors seeking safe-haven assets amid trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty.
• On March 4, gold prices extended gains after former U.S. President Trump announced tariffs on trade partners, with MCX gold reaching an intraday high of ₹85,518 per 10 grams.
• Bitcoin has declined over 3% YTD, with recent drops attributed to concerns over U.S. cryptocurrency regulations and Trump's proposed national cryptocurrency reserve fund.
• Experts highlight gold's stability and historical performance as a safe-haven asset, while Bitcoin's volatility and potential for high returns attract risk-tolerant investors.
• Central banks, including China's, have been increasing gold reserves, further boosting investor confidence in gold as a reliable store of value.

Source: Mint, Mint