Silver Prices Surge: Banks Face Billion-Dollar Losses
Silver prices explode 6%, breaching $33.6/oz. Five major US banks face billions in losses from massive short positions.
Silver prices soared by over 6% yesterday, breaking through the crucial $33.6 per ounce mark and sending shockwaves through global markets. The surge has put five major U.S. banks at risk of massive losses, potentially in the billions, due to their heavy short positions in the precious metal.
According to data from the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the open interest in silver futures contracts has reached a staggering 141,580 contracts, each representing 5,000 ounces of silver. This translates to a total of 707,900,000 ounces – nearly equivalent to a year's worth of global silver production.
With silver prices surging by $1.84 per ounce, these short positions are now underwater by an estimated $1.3 billion. Sources close to the matter report that gold futures are experiencing a similar trend, with paper shorts down over $1.5 billion.
The scale of this short position is particularly alarming given that it is reportedly concentrated among just five U.S. banks. Industry analysts are questioning how such a small group of institutions could take on a short position representing an entire year's worth of global silver mining output.
See also: Gold Short Position For Banks Reaches All-Time Record
Critics argue that this level of short selling creates artificial downward pressure on silver prices, potentially suppressing its true value despite strong industrial demand from sectors such as electric vehicles, solar panels, military applications, aerospace, and electronics.
See also: Military consumption of silver could far exceed industrial demand
This paradox stems from the disconnect between paper contracts and physical metal. Banks can sell short excessive amounts of 'paper silver' without owning or borrowing the actual metal, allowing them to manipulate prices downward even as physical demand surges.
The situation has raised concerns about market integrity and the potential for a supply crunch that could harm industries reliant on silver. Some market watchers fear that a sharp rise in silver prices could force these banks to buy back large quantities of silver to cover their shorts, potentially leading to billions in losses.
As this story develops, calls are growing for increased regulatory scrutiny of these practices to ensure fair price discovery and market stability in the precious metals sector.
The Silver Academy, an industry watchdog group, summed up the sentiment of many observers: "This behavior undermines market integrity and could have far-reaching consequences for both the financial sector and industries that depend on stable silver prices."
This is a developing story. More updates to follow as new information becomes available.
Source: The Silver Academy
Augusta Precious Metals $0 (10 Years) $50,000 "Best Overall" by Money Magazine, Award-Winning for 6 Years, Thousands of 5-Star Rankings Goldco Vary $25,000 Industry leader with over $2 Billion in gold and silver. Top rated precious metals company with buy back guarantee American Hartford Gold Vary $10,000 American Hartford Gold, ranked #1 Gold Company on Inc. 5000, boasts thousands of A+ BBB ratings and 5-star reviews, endorsed by Bill O'Reilly and Rick Harrison..Expand Details
Renowned for its exceptional customer service and commitment to transparency, Augusta Precious Metals has garnered numerous accolades, including "Best Overall" from Money magazine and "Most Transparent" from Investopedia. The company's dedication to educating and supporting its clients has earned it top ratings from organizations such as A+ from BBB and AAA from BCA.Expand Details
From precious metals iras to direct purchases of gold and silver, goldco have helped thousands of americans place over $2 billion in gold and silver. Top-rated precious metals company rated A+ by the better business bureau rated triple a by business consumer alliance earned over 6,000+ 5-star customer ratings Money.Com 2024 best customer service 2024 inc. 5000 regionals: pacific ranked #17 2024 gold stevie award, fastest growing company inc. 5000 award recipient, 8+ yearsExpand Details
With over $2 billion in precious metals sold, American Hartford Gold helps individuals and families diversify and protect their wealth. Their expert team provides investors with the latest market insights and a historical perspective, ensuring informed decisions. Trusted by public figures and praised for exceptional customer service, the company offers competitive pricing on top-tier gold and silver coins, backed by a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee
Jerusalem Post Store
`; document.getElementById("linkPremium").innerHTML = cont; var divWithLink = document.getElementById("premium-link"); if (divWithLink !== null && divWithLink !== 'undefined') { divWithLink.style.border = "solid 1px #cb0f3e"; divWithLink.style.textAlign = "center"; divWithLink.style.marginBottom = "15px"; divWithLink.style.marginTop = "15px"; divWithLink.style.width = "100%"; divWithLink.style.backgroundColor = "#122952"; divWithLink.style.color = "#ffffff"; divWithLink.style.lineHeight = "1.5"; } } (function (v, i) { });