In a strange throwback to a bygone era, the current global financial turmoil has produced a multi-year low for crude oil, at around US$ 50 per barrel. At the same time, investor nervousness about the future has pushed gold bullion to exceed US$ 5,000 per ounce for the first time in history.

Oil has seen its ups and downs, but since the end of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and relaxations on new oil and gas development in the US, there’s more oil being pumped daily than ever before. Natural gas use has surged, as it’s no longer considered a fossil fuel – it’s manufactured daily by organic waste and bacteria, and is seemingly abundant everywhere.

Added to that is the inevitable acceleration in solar power and electric cars. Electric motors and solar panels are so efficient and cheap that it’s a no-brainer for most markets to make the switch, especially in megacities, where clean air is no longer considered a luxury, but simply a basic human right. Caught between higher output and lower demand, oil has dwindled in value, but is still an important industrial commodity.

On the other hand, finance and investment have seen more volatility than ever. From trade deals to regional power plays to currency wars – including crypto crashes – the supercharged world of high-speed global money has become a minefield for the under-resourced participant. And ‘under-resourced’ means not enough intelligent computing power. Now that AI has changed the game, humans – even maths PhDs – can’t compete.

Which is why gold has rallied, once again, to incredible highs. There’s so much uncertainty, and sentiment switches from greed to fear and back again daily. Gold is the one precious commodity that has stood the test of time, again and again, as the ultimate store of real value, and a hedge against money, which is, after all, just information!