Why gold prices no longer matter in 2026

Gold rose more than 65% in 2025—outperforming equities, bonds, real estate, and even bitcoin.

As 2026 begins, gold is trading around $4,500, just off recent highs.

Both groups are still focused on the same variable: price.

That focus may be the gold mistake almost everyone will make in 2026.

History shows gold rarely moves in a straight line. After major advances, it can trade sideways for years—sometimes decades—before the next sustained move.

 Waiting for the “right price” is not a strategy. It is a timing gamble.

A flat or drifting gold price does not mean flat gold outcomes. What matters is what your gold is doing while prices consolidate near record levels.

Every day gold sits idle is a day of zero return. No additional ounces. No compounding. Just exposure without productivity.

That is why many wealthy investors are no longer waiting.

As reported by CNBC, a growing number of high-net-worth investors are already earning income on their gold while prices stabilize near highs. They are not selling. They are not trading. They are increasing the amount of gold they own while remaining fully exposed to future price moves.

This is the opportunity most gold owners miss.

With gold leasing from Monetary Metals®, investors can:

• Earn rental income on their gold—paid in additional ounces of gold
• Retain full title and ownership of their metal
• Keep full exposure to the spot price
• Compound ounces over time, regardless of market directionA
• All for no surprise storage fee

Unlike paper derivatives or leveraged trades, this approach doesn’t require selling your gold or betting on short-term price movements. 

It relies on something far more controllable: increasing the weight of gold you own, independent of whether the next move in gold prices comes in the next five minutes, five months, or five years from now.

For investors who believe gold in the long-term value of gold, compounding by weight, and not waiting on price, can be a major strategic advantage.

As one long-time Monetary Metals client recently told CNBC after doubling the amount of gold he leases through the platform: “We live in a world where the global debt is unprecedented. Accumulating gold is the easiest, stress-free decision one can make.”

We can’t predict whether gold prices will continue to rise in 2026 —even after historic gains. The price rise may pause-- your gold strategy doesn’t have to.

There is now a productive alternative to zero return: earning a yield on gold, paid in gold—so you can earn while you wait.

Learn how to put your gold to work with Monetary Metals today by downloading the free Passive Income in Gold report.