Gold hits $4,000/oz for the first time ever as investors flee to alternative assets

Summary

Gold hit $4,000 per troy ounce for the first time ever as investors shifted into alternative assets amid economic uncertainty. The move is historically dramatic. Gold has doubled from $2,000 in just a few years, with 2025's gains exceeding rallies during the pandemic and the 2008–2009 recession. The year-to-date run outpaced even the inflationary shock of 1979. Bitcoin hit an all-time high around the same time, signaling a broader rotation away from traditional assets. Investors are simultaneously chasing AI stocks, energy, and cryptocurrencies. The dual moves reflect deepening concern about the US economy's outlook and the strength of the dollar.