Spot gold prices surged above the $3,350 mark on August 18, 2025, experiencing a notable increase of 0.44% due to heightened demand for safe-haven assets. This surge is attributed to global trade uncertainties and macroeconomic volatility, prompting central banks and investors to reallocate portfolios towards gold as a hedge against inflation. The rise in gold prices has triggered discussions among policymakers and sparked interest from institutional investors looking for stability amidst uncertainty. Experts suggest that this trend might signal a shift towards hard assets as investors increasingly perceive them as a more reliable alternative to volatile digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.