Gold prices plunged sharply this week, dropping below the $4,381 mark after a period of sustained growth fueled by factors like central bank purchases and de-dollarization. The market experienced a sudden and rapid decline, with investors witnessing a significant drop in gold prices within minutes, highlighting the fragility of the bull market. While the crash is alarming, experts believe it’s a correction within the long-term cycle of gold price movement. 2025 saw central banks buying gold for months to bolster their reserves, while de-dollarization accelerated as countries explored alternative currencies like the renminbi. The combination of inflation and geopolitical uncertainty further pushed investors towards safe haven assets like gold, leading to a significant price surge. However, recent events suggest that the bull run may have been overhyped, leaving investors exposed to a sudden price reversal when fear and speculation ran rampant. The article delves into the factors contributing to the decline, analyzing how market dynamics played out in real-time and highlighting key observations from the industry experts.