Silver prices have soared to a record high, driven by a tightening global supply and the lowest Chinese inventories in a decade. This surge comes as OPEC+ decided to maintain its 2026 oil production quotas, effectively freezing output increases. Meanwhile, South Korea has announced stricter foreign-exchange oversight to stabilize the won amid ongoing market volatility. Additionally, global arms sales have increased by 5.9% to $679 billion, reflecting heightened geopolitical demand. In response to housing affordability challenges, younger investors are increasingly turning to riskier assets, including cryptocurrencies.