Here is the news article, written in the style of a senior financial correspondent.

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Gold tops $5,000 for first time ever, adding to historic rally

LONDON – Gold shattered a significant psychological barrier on Tuesday, with the spot price soaring past $5,000 an ounce for the first time in history. The milestone extends a breathtaking rally that saw the precious metal gain over 60% in 2025, cementing its status as the ultimate safe-haven asset in an era of profound global uncertainty.

The historic high is not an isolated event but the culmination of a "perfect storm" of economic anxiety and geopolitical turmoil. Investors are flocking to bullion as a hedge against a cascade of risks, from escalating international conflicts and trade disputes to persistent inflation and an anticipated easing of monetary policy by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

This flight to safety has also lifted other precious metals. Silver, often called "gold's little brother," topped $100 an ounce for the first time on Friday, building on a staggering 150% price surge last year.

The Geopolitical Cauldron

A convergence of multiple global crises is fueling a deep-seated sense of instability in financial markets, making tangible assets like gold exceptionally attractive. Analysts point to a landscape fraught with risk, where traditional diplomatic and economic norms are being tested.

• US-NATO Tensions: A primary driver is the growing friction between the United States and its NATO allies over the strategic future of Greenland. The dispute has introduced a new and unpredictable variable into transatlantic relations, unsettling markets that rely on the stability of Western alliances.
• Aggressive Trade Policies: President Donald Trump's increasingly protectionist stance continues to worry investors. His weekend threat to impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it finalizes a trade agreement with China has stoked fears of a renewed and broader global trade war.
• Global Conflicts: The protracted wars in Ukraine and Gaza show no signs of resolution, continuing to strain global supply chains, energy markets, and international diplomacy.
• Political Shockwaves: Washington's recent seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sent a shockwave through Latin America and beyond, highlighting a volatile geopolitical environment where drastic actions can occur with little warning.

"I think a large part of that is the extreme uncertainty we have around US policy," said Nikos Kavlis of the research consultancy Metals Focus, summarizing the mood among market participants.

Economic Headwinds and Central Bank Action

Alongside geopolitical fears, a challenging economic backdrop is providing powerful momentum for the gold rally. A combination of macroeconomic factors has systematically eroded the appeal of traditional financial instruments like currencies and bonds.

• Persistent Inflation: Higher-than-usual inflation across major economies is diminishing the purchasing power of fiat currencies, prompting investors to seek a reliable store of value.
• Weakening U.S. Dollar: A softer dollar makes gold, which is priced in the U.S. currency, more affordable for holders of other currencies, thereby stimulating international demand.
• Central Bank Buying: Central banks around the world, particularly in emerging economies, have been on a historic buying spree, diversifying their reserves away from the dollar and into physical gold to safeguard their national wealth.
• Federal Reserve Pivot: The U.S. Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut its main interest rate at least twice this year to support the economy. This is perhaps the most significant economic catalyst for gold.

Why Lower Rates Matter

The relationship between interest rates and gold is a cornerstone of the metal's valuation. When central banks cut rates, it directly reduces the return on government bonds and other interest-bearing assets.

"It's inversely correlated because the opportunity cost of keeping the money in a [government bond] is really not worth it anymore, so people go to gold," explained Ahmad Assiri, Research Strategist at Pepperstone. Holding a non-yielding asset like gold becomes far more attractive when the alternative—a bond—offers a diminishing return.

The Intrinsic Appeal: Scarcity and Security

Beyond the immediate headlines, gold's fundamental characteristics are central to its enduring appeal. Unlike equities or bonds, its value is not dependent on a company's performance or a government's ability to repay its debt.

"When you own gold, it's not attached to the debt of somebody else like a bond is or an equity where the performance of a company will drive performance," noted Nicholas Frappell, global head of institutional markets at ABC Refinery. "It's a really good diversifier in a very uncertain world."

This independence is reinforced by its physical scarcity.

• Finite Supply: According to the World Gold Council, only around 216,265 tonnes of gold have ever been mined—enough to fill between three and four Olympic-sized swimming pools. The majority of this has been extracted since 1950.
• Approaching Peak Gold: The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that only 64,000 tonnes of mineable gold remain in underground reserves. Global production is predicted to plateau in the coming years, reinforcing the scarcity narrative that underpins its long-term value.

This dynamic has also prompted a rotation of capital away from what some fear are overheated sectors of the stock market, particularly technology stocks whose valuations have been propelled by the artificial intelligence boom.

Outlook: The New $5,000 Floor?

With gold now firmly in uncharted territory, the key question for investors is whether this rally has further to run. While some profit-taking is inevitable after such a rapid ascent, the underlying drivers supporting the price remain firmly in place.

The market's trajectory will be closely dictated by the Federal Reserve's actions, inflation data, and any new geopolitical developments. For now, the combination of high-level uncertainty and supportive monetary policy creates a powerful tailwind.

As gold topped the $5,000 mark, it sent a clear signal to the world: in an age of complexity and crisis, the 5,000-year-old allure of the yellow metal as the ultimate measure of security has been powerfully and historically reasserted.