【法国】Decline in Precious Metals and Cryptocurrencies: What’s Happening in Financial Markets?

Editor’s Note

The simultaneous decline of gold, silver, and cryptocurrencies is a rare event that signals heightened market volatility. This article explores whether this represents a brief correction or a deeper shift in the macroeconomic landscape.

Gold, Silver, and Cryptocurrencies Plunge

For several trading sessions, a wave of volatility has hit the financial markets. Gold, silver, and cryptocurrencies are recording simultaneous declines, a rare phenomenon that is concerning investors. This correction raises a key question: are we witnessing a simple technical adjustment or a more profound shift in the macroeconomic climate?

The session of February 2, 2026, marks a brutal turning point for so-called alternative assets.

“Gold recorded a drop of more than 9%, falling back below the $4,600 per ounce zone after recently trading at record levels.”

Silver experienced an even more violent movement, with a massive correction that plunged it back below $75, erasing a large part of its gains from recent months. This bearish dynamic was not limited to precious metals.

“The cryptocurrency market also came under strong selling pressure. Bitcoin briefly fell below $75,000, dragging the entire market down in its wake. Ethereum and many altcoins recorded double-digit declines, amplifying an already well-established sense of panic.”

This simultaneous movement is striking. Gold is historically seen as a safe-haven asset, while Bitcoin is often presented as its digital equivalent. Yet, in the current context, these assets are moving in the same direction, revealing a growing correlation with traditional financial markets.

The violence of the correction is partly explained by a chain liquidation phenomenon. After a long phase of rising prices, many leveraged positions were forced to close. These forced sales amplified the decline, causing a massive loss of market capitalization in just a few sessions.

A Macroeconomic Situation Worrying Financial Markets

Behind this widespread correction lies an increasingly tense macroeconomic context. Investors are currently reassessing their expectations regarding US monetary policy.

“The prospect of a more restrictive Federal Reserve has strengthened the dollar, which mechanically penalizes assets denominated in the US currency, such as gold or certain cryptocurrencies.”

A strong dollar reduces the appeal of precious metals for international investors. It also pushes some capital towards assets offering yield, to the detriment of assets perceived as non-income producing. This dynamic largely explains the outflow of liquidity observed in recent days.

On the cryptocurrency side, the situation is paradoxical. Their growing institutional adoption has brought them closer to traditional markets. In times of global stress, they no longer systematically play their diversification role and now react like risk assets.

“The fear of a credit tightening and a reduction in global liquidity accentuates this phenomenon. Investors favor caution, reduce their leverage exposure, and secure the gains accumulated during previous rising phases.”

However, this correction does not necessarily call into question the long-term prospects. Some players believe that the fundamentals, particularly the structural demand for gold and Bitcoin’s growing place in the financial ecosystem, could become drivers again when macroeconomic visibility improves.

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⏰ Published on: February 01, 2026