The turn of the year is a special moment. A moment that sharpens awareness and opens space for new possibilities.
One year comes to an end, a new one begins. Yet this transition is more than a mere change on the calendar. It invites us to pause, recognize connections and broaden our perspective.
It is precisely at moments like these that one thing becomes clear: Markets, commodities and values do not move in years, but in cycles: And these often extend far beyond individual periods of time.
So the question is not only what has been, but also: What follows from it and what comes next?
2025: A Year That Will Be Remembered
2025 was no ordinary year for precious metals. Gold rose strongly. Silver even more so. For many, this development came as a surprise. For others, it was a confirmation.
Because such moves do not emerge overnight. They are the result of developments that build over years: Quietly, often unnoticed, sometimes underestimated.
And that is precisely why it is worth looking beneath the surface now.
The Silver Market: When Deficits Become Structural
The most important point for silver today lies not in its price, but in the balance between supply and demand.
What makes this cycle distinctive is the following: Rapidly growing demand for silver from solar energy, electric mobility, AI, robotics, energy storage and the Asian consumer market is not meeting a balanced market, but one that has already been in a supply deficit for 5, now nearly 6 years.
And this deficit is not cyclical, not short-term, but structural.
Forecasts indicate that this supply deficit is likely to widen further in the coming years, while new mining capacity is coming online only slowly, if at all.
Put differently: The additional demand is not being layered onto a relaxed market, but onto one that is already tight. This is the part that makes the current development so fundamental.
When the Market Takes Over
The former President of the Board of Directors of Elementum International AG, Prof. Dr. Hans J. Bocker, once put it succinctly:
“In the long run, nothing and no one is stronger than the market.”
What he meant by this is simple and at the same time decisive: At some point, supply and demand prevail. Not narratives. Not models. Not paper markets or derivatives.
When physical scarcity meets real demand, the market begins to dictate the price – not the other way around.
A Look Back: Why 1979 Is More Than an Anecdote
1979 remains a reference year to this day. Gold, and silver in particular, rose in magnitudes that became deeply etched into the collective memory.
When comparing that period with what we have seen so far, one thing becomes clear: The truly explosive phase of such cycles often comes late. Historically speaking, the rise to date, impressive as it may appear in the short term, has been relatively moderate to normal in the context of major commodity cycles.
This does not mean that history must repeat itself. But it does show what becomes possible when market forces fully take over.
2026: Not a Forecast, but a Perspective
What will 2026 bring? No one knows the answer. And that is precisely where the strength of this moment lies.
Because confidence does not arise from price targets, but from understanding.
Not from timing, but from positioning.
Precious metals were never meant to answer short-term questions. They have always been there to provide long-term orientation and calm.
A New Beginning Does Not Mean Forgetting
A new year does not mean leaving everything behind. It means moving forward consciously. With experience. With composure. With the understanding that values do not need to shine every day in order to fulfill their purpose.
Perhaps this is the most important insight at the start of the year: Not every year has to be spectacular, but every year can be meaningful.
Confidence Is a Choice
Confidence does not mean knowing everything. It means trusting that substance endures, even when the path ahead is unclear.
Gold and silver have accompanied generations. Not because they always rise. But because they remain.
And perhaps that is the most compelling perspective for 2026: Not the question of how high, but how well-founded.
Elementum wishes you a clear, confident start to the new year 2026. May it be a year in which confidence, substance and foresight accompany your path.
How can you buy precious metals cheaply and store them safely?
Elementum Deutschland GmbH, based in Sindelfingen (Germany), specializes in trading physical precious metals. Customers who purchase precious metals from Elementum Deutschland (or one of the other national Elementum companies in five European countries) can store them in the renowned high-security vaulting facilities in the St. Gotthard Massif in Switzerland at Elementum International AG.
Of course, you also have the option of purchasing gold and silver directly and having it delivered to your desired address. However, storing silver in the so-called open duty-free warehouse (“offenes Zollfreilager”) at St. Gotthard offers decisive tax advantages:
- The 19% value added tax customary in Germany is completely waived on purchases and sales – a considerable price advantage that effectively secures you 19% more silver for your money.
- If you store your silver in this high-security vault, you can sell it back to Elementum Deutschland GmbH at any time – without any bureaucratic hassle and also without VAT, as the trade takes place within the duty-free warehouse. You will receive the funds via bank wire.
- VAT is only payable when you physically remove the stored silver – either by picking it up in person (after prior notification) or by having it shipped to your address.
More silver, more return
Thanks to duty-free storage, you receive 19% more physical silver when you buy. This additional amount also participates in the performance of the silver price if it rises – a leverage effect that significantly improves your return opportunities.
Secure your storage space now – free of charge and without obligation
Register now for a storage space in the St. Gotthard high-security vaulting facility and receive free access to:
- our General Terms and Conditions (GTC)
- current fee tables
- annual audit reports from the auditing company BDO AG
- transparent proof of use of funds
- family discount information
- the popular children’s program “Schatz4Kids” (“Treasure4Kids”)
- as well as numerous other documents and information on storage, purchase, and resale, as well as the ratio “switching” strategy.
Register now: https://silberbar.elementum.de/
Tip for discounted entry: Enter the promotional code “50” (“Aktionscode“) and the “Vermittler” number 1000166 when registering to receive a 50% discount on the storage space setup fee.
Important: Registration is non-binding and does not commit you to anything – but it is your first step towards an independent and crisis-proof precious metal investment.
Elementum is a second-generation, owner-managed family business. Trust, consistency, and long-term thinking are at the heart of our philosophy. The Board of Directors of Elementum International AG is composed of internationally renowned experts in the money and precious metals markets, including economists, analysts, university professors, and precious metals specialists. This in-depth expertise forms the backbone of our actions – for your security, your assets, and your future.
About the Author
Stephan Bogner
CEO of Elementum International AG
Stephan Bogner, who holds a degree in business administration, studied economics at ISM Dortmund (Germany) and wrote the university’s first thesis on precious metals as a hedge against inflation. After studying in the UK and Australia and gaining professional experience in Dubai, he took over as CEO of Elementum International AG in Switzerland in 2012. His expertise in precious metals has had a significant impact on the company’s development.
Contact
Rockstone News & Research
Stephan Bogner (Dipl. Kfm., FH)
Müligässli 1, 8598 Bottighofen
Switzerland
Phone: +41-71-5896911
Email: info@rockstone-news.com
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal opinion of the author. Elementum assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content and accepts no liability for its use. This article may contain links to external third-party websites. Elementum is not responsible for the content of these external sites and expressly distances itself from all information provided there. At the time the links were created, no unlawful content was identifiable. This article does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell. Elementum International AG is a Swiss company that specializes exclusively in the storage of physical precious metals in a high-security vault facility located in the St. Gotthard mountain massif in Central Switzerland. The Board of Directors and Executive Management of Elementum International AG have been selected solely based on their professional expertise and long-standing experience in precious metals markets. As these individuals may also be professionally active outside their roles at Elementum International AG, the company has no influence over their external activities and respects their right to freedom of expression. Therefore, the views expressed by persons working with or for Elementum do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Elementum International AG. Investments in precious metals are subject to risks, including those specific to the structure of this market. Please read our full risk disclosures and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Neither the author, Elementum International AG, nor Elementum Deutschland GmbH assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The cover picture has been generated by AI, obtained and licenced from 123rf.com.
