Gold Hits 45-Year High… But Silver’s About to Explode - Here’s Why

An episode of the Hard Asset Money Show podcast, hosted by Christian Briggs, titled "Gold Hits 45-Year High… But Silver’s About to Explode - Here’s Why" was published on January 12, 2026 and runs 7 minutes.

January 12, 2026 ·7m · Hard Asset Money Show

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Summary

Gold and silver just posted their biggest gains since 1979—but according to Christian Briggs, the party is just getting started. In this powerful first-of-the-year episode of On The Record, Briggs—CEO of Hard Asset Management—unpacks the forces behind the historic 2025 metals rally and why silver may soon outshine gold in both price and strategic importance.With silver up over 150% and gold rising more than 60%, investors are wondering: can this momentum last? Christian says yes—and backs it with facts. He reveals how central banks around the world are aggressively backstopping their currencies with gold, quietly ushering in a new monetary era that threatens to leave the U.S. dollar behind. China, Russia, and the BRICS nations are already working on a gold-backed digital currency, slated to debut in the next 12–18 months. It’s a direct attack on dollar hegemony—and it’s working.But silver is the real story of 2026. As Christian explains, global silver supply is about 1 billion ounces per year, but projected demand for technology alone will exceed 1.5 billion ounces, driven by AI data centers, solar, EVs, semiconductors, and explosive demand in electric infrastructure. Elon Musk’s warning on China’s control of the silver supply chain only added rocket fuel to the price action. And with 3–4 ounces needed in every EV, the world is facing a looming silver crunch that could dwarf past squeezes.It’s not just gold and silver making headlines. The platinum group metals (PGMs)—platinum and palladium—are emerging as the backbone of the coming nuclear energy revival, with China building hundreds of new reactors and President Trump fast-tracking U.S. nuclear permits. According to Briggs, platinum demand is about to go vertical, and early investors are positioning now.Briggs also highlights a massive surge in retail demand for hard assets, noting that Hard Asset Management has seen its busiest 18 months in four decades. From seasoned investors to first-timers, people are waking up to the risks of inflation, CBDCs, and fiat erosion—and they’re turning to metals for safety, yield, and sovereignty.If you want to know where the smart money is going in 2026—this episode tells you everything you need to know.

Episode Description

Gold and silver just posted their biggest gains since 1979—but according to Christian Briggs, the party is just getting started. In this powerful first-of-the-year episode of On The Record, Briggs—CEO of Hard Asset Management—unpacks the forces behind the historic 2025 metals rally and why silver may soon outshine gold in both price and strategic importance.

With silver up over 150% and gold rising more than 60%, investors are wondering: can this momentum last? Christian says yes—and backs it with facts. He reveals how central banks around the world are aggressively backstopping their currencies with gold, quietly ushering in a new monetary era that threatens to leave the U.S. dollar behind. China, Russia, and the BRICS nations are already working on a gold-backed digital currency, slated to debut in the next 12–18 months. It’s a direct attack on dollar hegemony—and it’s working.

But silver is the real story of 2026. As Christian explains, global silver supply is about 1 billion ounces per year, but projected demand for technology alone will exceed 1.5 billion ounces, driven by AI data centers, solar, EVs, semiconductors, and explosive demand in electric infrastructure. Elon Musk’s warning on China’s control of the silver supply chain only added rocket fuel to the price action. And with 3–4 ounces needed in every EV, the world is facing a looming silver crunch that could dwarf past squeezes.

It’s not just gold and silver making headlines. The platinum group metals (PGMs)—platinum and palladium—are emerging as the backbone of the coming nuclear energy revival, with China building hundreds of new reactors and President Trump fast-tracking U.S. nuclear permits. According to Briggs, platinum demand is about to go vertical, and early investors are positioning now.

Briggs also highlights a massive surge in retail demand for hard assets, noting that Hard Asset Management has seen its busiest 18 months in four decades. From seasoned investors to first-timers, people are waking up to the risks of inflation, CBDCs, and fiat erosion—and they’re turning to metals for safety, yield, and sovereignty.

If you want to know where the smart money is going in 2026—this episode tells you everything you need to know.