Silver prices plummeted on Thursday, and oil prices fell more than $1 a barrel after the U.S. and Iran agreed to hold talks, according to Reuters.

In this factsheet, we explore the factors behind the movements of global precious metals prices in 2025 and early 2026.

In Egypt, this global shift is already reshaping household behavior and market structure. Retail buyers are favoring bullion over jewelry to avoid high workmanship fees. Meanwhile, policymakers and banks are eyeing silver-backed instruments to finance green projects and broaden financial inclusion.

Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Sherif Farouk has directed to intensify oversight of the precious metals and gemstones market and tighten measures against fraud operations.

Azimut Egypt plans to launch the first silver investment fund soon in the Egyptian market, the company’s CEO Ahmed Abou El-Saad stated.

The Egyptian Assay and Weights Authority (AWA) has opened the door for small- and medium-sized workshop owners working in the fields of gold and silver manufacturing to submit a request for an EGP 1 million loan.

The Egyptian Assay and Weights Administration is planning to launch the first online gold and silver auction via the Egyptian Mercantile Exchange (EMX) platform on November 14th.