Global precious metals markets hit record levels as geopolitical tensions over Greenland's strategic resources intensify. Gold climbed past $2,450 per ounce, while platinum reached $1,380, reflecting heightened investor demand for safe-haven assets.
- Gold reached $2,450 per ounce, its highest level ever recorded.
- Platinum hit $1,380 per ounce, the peak since 2000.
- Five-day gold futures volume rose 67% amid rising geopolitical risk.
- Shanghai International Gold Exchange reported a record 28-ton daily settlement.
- Sovereign wealth funds increased gold exposure by an average of 18% in Q4 2025.
- Greenland holds approximately 12% of global known rare earth reserves.
Precious metal prices surged to unprecedented levels this week as uncertainty surrounding Greenland’s resource sovereignty deepened. Gold breached $2,450 per ounce on January 19, marking a new all-time high, while platinum rose to $1,380, the highest since records began in 2000. The price spikes were driven by escalating diplomatic disputes involving multiple global powers vying for access to critical mineral deposits beneath Greenland’s ice sheet, including rare earth elements vital for clean energy technologies. The crisis intensified following a series of unconfirmed satellite intercepts and increased military reconnaissance activity near Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. These developments triggered widespread concerns about potential regional instability, prompting institutional investors and central banks to reallocate capital into hard assets. According to preliminary trade data from major exchanges, gold futures volume spiked by 67% over the past five trading days, with the Shanghai International Gold Exchange reporting a record 28-ton daily settlement. Market analysts note that the rally reflects not just risk aversion but also underlying supply chain anxieties. With Greenland accounting for nearly 12% of the world’s known rare earth reserves, any disruption to extraction or transit routes could impact semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicle production, and defense infrastructure. Platinum, traditionally tied to industrial demand, saw its premium surge due to expectations of reduced output from conflict-affected mining zones. Financial institutions across Europe and Asia have begun adjusting asset allocations, with several sovereign wealth funds increasing their gold holdings by an average of 18% in Q4 2025. The move signals a broader shift toward resilience-focused portfolios amid growing systemic fragility in Arctic geopolitics.