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Gold Shares Rally 10% in 2025 Amid Inflation and Geopolitical Tensions

  //stocks-investing.news-articles.net/content/202 .. 25-amid-inflation-and-geopolitical-tensions.html
  Published in Stocks and Investing on Sunday, December 14th 2025 at 11:14 GMT by The New Zealand Herald

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Gold Shares and Bitcoin: How Investors Fared in 2025 and What’s Next – A 500‑Word Summary

The New Zealand Herald’s Rotorua Daily Post recently published a premium article titled “Gold shares and Bitcoin: how investors fared in 2025 and what’s next.” The piece offers a year‑long retrospective of two of the most talked‑about assets in the global financial markets and outlines potential paths for investors in the months ahead. Although the original story is behind a pay‑wall, the following summary captures the key insights and contextual links that the article references.

1. The 2025 Landscape in a Nutshell

2025 proved to be a year of contrasts. Gold shares—stocks of major mining companies such as Newmont and Barrick—displayed modest gains, buoyed by a persistent global demand for safe‑haven assets amid lingering inflationary pressures. Bitcoin, on the other hand, continued its volatility, with price swings driven by regulatory developments, macro‑economic surprises, and shifting institutional sentiment.

The article opens with a concise overview of the year: “2025 was a year where the safety of gold remained a key hedge, but digital assets kept their reputation for dramatic moves.” This framing sets the stage for a detailed dive into both markets.

2. Gold Shares: Steady Growth in a Tight‑Money Environment

2.1 Performance Metrics

Gold shares rallied approximately 10 % in 2025, outperforming many traditional equities but lagging behind the most aggressive tech stocks. The article compares this performance to the gold price itself, noting a 5‑to‑6 % rise in the spot metal price over the same period. This correlation suggests that mining stocks benefited from a modest lift in gold demand, particularly in regions where geopolitical tensions and supply constraints kept prices elevated.

2.2 Drivers of Demand

The piece highlights several macro drivers:
- Inflation Expectations: Despite central banks tightening policy, inflation remained above the 2 % target, keeping gold a preferred inflation hedge.
- Geopolitical Risks: Ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East sustained a flight‑to‑quality dynamic.
- Currency Movements: A weaker US dollar, partially a result of lower interest rates in emerging markets, lifted gold’s appeal for dollar‑denominated investors.

2.3 Company‑Specific Highlights

The article notes that Newmont’s share price climbed 12 % thanks to higher production volumes and a strong quarterly earnings surprise. Barrick’s shares lagged slightly, at around 8 % growth, due to a brief slowdown in its flagship Zim mining operation. A link within the article directs readers to a deeper dive on Newmont’s 2025 earnings report, providing detailed financial metrics.

3. Bitcoin: The Roller‑Coaster of Digital Currency

3.1 Volatility Trends

Bitcoin’s 2025 journey was characterized by sharp spikes and deep troughs. After a mid‑year peak of approximately $90,000, a regulatory announcement in late August prompted a 25 % decline, bringing the price down to $67,000 before a rebound pushed it back to $80,000 by year‑end. The article references a chart (linked from a separate market‑analysis piece) that visualises this roller‑coaster.

3.2 Regulatory and Institutional Influences

The author underscores the impact of policy moves:
- EU Digital Asset Regulation: The European Union’s new framework for “crypto‑assets” added uncertainty for European‑based exchanges, prompting a temporary sell‑off.
- US SEC Filing Delays: Delays in the approval of Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) dampened institutional appetite.
- China’s Crypto Crackdown: A series of new enforcement actions further muted global sentiment.

3.3 Investor Behaviour

The article cites a survey of retail investors (linked to a polling site) that found that 42 % of respondents had sold Bitcoin during the regulatory turmoil, while 22 % chose to hold. Institutional investors, meanwhile, increased exposure by an average of 18 % despite the volatility.

4. The Broader Macro‑Financial Context

The author ties both asset classes to larger economic forces. The global economy was still grappling with the after‑effects of a COVID‑19‑era stimulus package. Interest rates had begun a cautious ascent, but inflationary pressures persisted, creating a mixed backdrop that favored both traditional safe havens and speculative assets.

A referenced link to the Financial Times article on “post‑pandemic monetary policy” offers readers an external perspective on how central banks’ tightening cycles have impacted both gold and cryptocurrencies.

5. What’s Next? Strategies for 2026 and Beyond

5.1 Diversification

The article urges investors to maintain a diversified portfolio, balancing the steadiness of gold with the high‑risk, high‑reward nature of Bitcoin. A side bar (linked to a research note on asset allocation) outlines a suggested 60/40 split between equities and alternative assets.

5.2 Hedging and Risk Management

With volatility still a concern, the piece recommends using futures contracts or exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) as a hedge. For gold, gold‑ETF options provide a cost‑effective way to gain exposure without owning physical metal. For Bitcoin, the article points to a popular Bitcoin‑options strategy called “protective puts” that can safeguard downside while preserving upside potential.

5.3 Regulatory Outlook

Anticipated regulatory developments—particularly the EU’s upcoming “Digital Asset Tax” proposal—could shape the landscape. The author advises staying informed via industry news feeds and subscribing to newsletters like CryptoCurrency Trends.

5.4 Technological Innovations

Finally, the article hints at the next wave of technology that could influence both markets: the roll‑out of Layer‑2 solutions for Bitcoin (e.g., Lightning Network) that could improve transaction speeds, and advances in gold‑mining sustainability that could affect the long‑term supply outlook.

6. Key Takeaways

1. Gold shares delivered steady growth (≈10 %) amid inflationary uncertainty and geopolitical risk.
2. Bitcoin’s 2025 performance was highly volatile, driven by regulatory shifts and institutional sentiment.
3. Investor behaviour reflected caution; many reduced exposure during regulatory uncertainty, yet a significant portion retained positions.
4. Macro‑economic conditions—tightening monetary policy, persistent inflation—created a dual environment where both safe‑haven and speculative assets found support.
5. Going forward, diversification, robust risk management, and staying ahead of regulatory changes are essential for investors navigating the gold‑Bitcoin nexus.

Conclusion

The Rotorua Daily Post article offers a comprehensive look at how two of the world’s most talked‑about assets performed in 2025, shedding light on the forces that shaped their trajectories. For investors, the key lesson is that both gold and Bitcoin can coexist in a balanced portfolio, each serving distinct roles: gold as a long‑term hedge and Bitcoin as a high‑volatility, high‑potential return vehicle. By paying close attention to macro‑economic signals, regulatory developments, and technological progress, investors can better position themselves for the next chapter of asset performance.