In this episode of The Gold Standard, Marcus Blackwell and Sasha unpack gold’s first weekly pullback after a three-week rally and connect it to war risk around the Strait of Hormuz, oil-driven inflation expectations, and shifting rate-cut odds. They then move through silver’s stalled breakout, mining company fundamentals, and how different gold and silver investment vehicles fit into a practical strategy for new and active investors. Listeners will learn how to interpret recent moves in gold and silver prices, what is driving structural demand for silver, and how high metal prices are reshaping mining economics, M&A, and royalty and streaming strategies. The episode closes with a clear framework for using ETFs, physical bullion, and miners to build a starter position, and a nuanced view of gold’s role as both a safe haven and a tactical tool in 2026. Gold price action and geopolitics: Gold’s first weekly loss after a strong rally, the concept of a war premium tied to Hormuz tensions, and how oil and rate-cut expectations are shaping safe-haven demand. Silver’s volatility and demand drivers: Why silver’s breakout failed, its sensitivity to oil and the dollar, and how AI data centers, solar installations, and a major jump in China’s imports are reshaping long-term demand. SLV and risk management: How to think about entering SLV after a roughly 145% one-year run, with emphasis on position sizing, time horizon, and volatility for newer investors. Miners, M&A, and royalties: How companies like Newmont are turning higher gold prices into free cash flow, what Agnico Eagle’s Finland deal signals about deposit scarcity, and how royalty and streaming firms like Wheaton Precious Metals offer different risk-return profiles. Flows, sentiment, and starter strategies: The role of persistent central bank buying, how to allocate a $500 starting position across ETFs, physical bullion, and miners, and when to treat gold as a long-term hedge versus a tactical allocation. If this episode helps clarify your approach to gold and silver, consider subscribing and leaving a review, or send your questions to GoldStandard@heymato.com.