Gold is projected to surpass $3,000 per ounce in 2025, driven by strong macroeconomic and geopolitical factors.

At the heart of gold's potential surge is the current macroeconomic landscape that’s characterized by persistent inflation and anticipated monetary policy shifts. Inflation rates in the U.S. are expected to remain above the Federal Reserve's target of 2%, creating an environment in which gold is expected to serve as a crucial hedge against currency devaluation. When inflation erodes purchasing power, investors often turn to gold to preserve their wealth.

Moreover, the Federal Reserve has signaled a shift toward monetary easing, with market expectations indicating potential interest rate cuts in the coming months. Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding gold, making it a more attractive investment as compared to interest-bearing assets, such as bonds and savings accounts. With real interest rates projected to remain low or even go negative, gold could experience renewed demand as a safe store of value.

Geopolitical tensions further bolster gold’s appeal. Ongoing conflicts, particularly the strained U.S.-China relationship and the Russia-Ukraine war, create an atmosphere of uncertainty that drives investors toward safe-haven assets. During times of geopolitical instability, gold has historically seen increased demand as investors seek to mitigate risks associated with market volatility.

As global tensions escalate, the demand for gold is likely to rise, reinforcing its status as a reliable hedge against financial instability. Investors tend to flock to gold during crises, viewing it as a secure asset that retains its intrinsic value, especially when other markets are under pressure.

Another significant factor contributing to the bullish outlook for gold is the unprecedented demand from central banks around the world. In 2024, central banks collectively purchased over 1,000 metric tons of gold, marking one of the highest levels of accumulation in recent history. This trend is expected to continue into 2025, particularly among countries like China and Russia that are actively reducing their reliance on U.S. dollar reserves as part of a broader de-dollarization strategy.

This central bank buying provides a strong structural support for gold prices, minimizing downside risks. As these institutions accumulate more gold, the resulting scarcity in the market could lead to higher prices. The growing demand from central banks underscores the renewed confidence in gold as a strategic reserve asset, especially amidst economic volatility and geopolitical tensions.

From a technical perspective, gold is currently in a robust uptrend, trading above key moving averages and nearing critical resistance levels. If gold successfully breaks through the psychological barrier of $3,000 per ounce, momentum could carry it toward higher price targets, potentially reaching $3,200 or even $3,500. 

, such as relative strength index (RSI) and moving average convergence divergence (MACD), suggest that gold remains in a bullish phase, indicating further upside potential.

As gold approaches these key resistance points, technical traders will closely monitor its price movements. A successful breach of the $3,000 level could trigger momentum buying, propelling prices higher as investor confidence grows.

Finally, rising investor sentiment plays a crucial role in gold’s potential price surge. Increased inflows into gold-backed 

 (ETFs), in addition to speculative positioning in futures markets, reflect strong confidence among both retail and institutional investors. As ETF holdings rise, it signals renewed interest in gold as a safe-haven investment.

This optimism is bolstered by a general shift in market sentiment as investors are increasingly turning to gold amid concerns over economic stability and inflation. The combination of robust technical indicators, macroeconomic pressures and favorable investor sentiment positions gold favorably for a significant price increase in 2025.

In summary, gold is well-positioned to reach $3,000 per ounce in 2025, driven by a combination of persistent inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, strong central bank demand and positive technical indicators. As investors seek refuge in safe-haven assets, gold’s intrinsic value and historical performance during times of crisis will make it an attractive option for preserving wealth. The confluence of these factors suggests that gold's upward trajectory could continue, making 2025 a pivotal year for this precious metal.

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Bybit Commodity Insight Report: Why Gold Is Poised to Reach $3,000 in 2025

Our weekly crypto derivatives analytics report delves into macro events, the current state of crypto and trading signals from spot trading volume, as well as futures, options and perpetual contracts.

Macro headwinds are impacting the crypto market, with a sell-off that began over the weekend deepening this week. BTC, ETH and most altcoins are declining alongside equities, gold and treasury yields, though derivatives markets are showing little bearish sentiment or increased volatility expectations. Among perpetuals, there are record consistent positive rates across most markets, indicating a reset in positioning. Meanwhile, ETH retains a volatility premium over BTC, but its term structure hasn’t inverted as sharply as in earlier sell-offs this month.

Please check out the report’s highlights.

Funding Rates Largely Positive Amid Sell-Off

Despite risk-off sentiment across asset classes this weekend and early this past week, USDT-denominated perpetual contracts have shown their most consistently positive funding rates within the past month. While these rates haven't reached the bullish levels of early December 2024, most have returned to a neutral level of 0.01%, signaling a reset in positioning due to recent market movements.

Tuesday's intensified risk-off sell-off led to a significant spike in BTC put trade volume as traders hedged against further declines. Unlike ETH, which leans bullish on calls, BTC's open interest is balanced between upside and downside protection. The volatility term structure is flat again, typical during sharp market moves, but this reflects a decline in longer-dated options, rather than a rise in short-term expectations.

As the sell-off in risk-on assets deepened this past week, ETH outperformed BTC. ETH derivatives markets are showing stronger sentiment, with higher call trade volumes indicating greater demand for upside positioning as compared to puts. However, ETH's volatility term structure has inverted more sharply than BTC's, as seen in previous significant market moves since last November (2024), with front-end volatility levels 15 points above those of BTC options with a similar tenor.

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Bybit X Block Scholes Crypto Derivatives Analytics Report (Feb 26, 2025): Reset in Sentiment Brewing as Fund Rates Turn Positive

Explore four essential tips to help you accumulate more points, optimize your strategy and claim the best rewards in EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge.

With the rise of gamified crypto events, EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge stands out as one of the most exciting opportunities for users to earn rewards while engaging with both Bybit and Mantle Network. This limited-time event offers participants a shot at a 1,000,000 MNT prize pool when they complete on-chain and trading-related tasks. 

To help you maximize your rewards and ensure you get the most out of this event, in this guide we’ll break down four essential tips to help you accumulate more points, optimize your strategy and claim the best rewards in EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge.

EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge is a limited-time campaign that rewards participants with a share of a 1,000,000 MNT prize pool when they complete both Bybit and on-chain tasks. Players earn "wishes" that can be used to enter Lucky Draws or climb the leaderboard for greater rewards.

This campaign, hosted by Bybit in collaboration with Mantle, blends gamification with 

 engagement, offering users multiple ways to win. Participants can choose to rely on chance via the Lucky Draw or strategically allocate their wishes to compete on the leaderboard. The event runs from Mar 6, 2025 to Mar 27, 2025, making it a limited-time opportunity to accumulate rewards while exploring the Mantle ecosystem.

4 Tips to Maximize Your Wishes and Rewards in EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge

To make the most out of EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge, you need to strategize your wish allocation, complete as many tasks as possible and take advantage of all available earning mechanisms. Here are four essential tips to maximize your rewards:

One of the best ways to earn high-value rewards in EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge is by competing on the leaderboard. There are a total of five rounds, and the rewards are higher with each passing round. 

The more wishes you allocate toward leaderboard rankings, the higher your position and the larger your rewards. However, since the leaderboard is dynamic, your rank can change based on the activity of other participants.

Since leaderboard positions fluctuate, it’s recommended that you monitor your ranking regularly and adjust your strategy accordingly. Players who accumulate the most wishes by the end of each leaderboard round will receive the greatest rewards.

 that each round’s rewards and wishes are calculated independently, and any wishes spent in a round won’t carry over to the next round.

If you prefer an element of surprise, the Lucky Draw is your best bet. By spending wishes on Lucky Draw attempts, you earn the chance to win instant prizes. The Lucky Draw operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so the earlier you participate, the better your chances of securing top-tier rewards.

Since rewards are limited, it's advisable to use your wishes early before the top prizes run out.

An easy way to earn free points in this campaign is by holding Mantle (MNT) and/or Mantle Restaked ETH (cmETH) in your Bybit account. By simply keeping these assets in your wallet, you’ll receive additional wishes, increasing your chances of winning more rewards.

This passive method of earning wishes ensures that you accumulate extra points without actively completing tasks, making it one of the simplest ways to boost your rewards.

Another hidden gem for doubling your rewards in EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge is through Layer 3. Participants who complete specific Layer 3 quests will receive extra bonuses, including double rewards on certain tasks.

By leveraging Layer 3 bonuses, you can significantly boost your total wish count, increasing your chances of securing leaderboard positions or hitting big wins in the Lucky Draw.

If you’re looking for a fun and rewarding way to engage with the Mantle ecosystem, EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge is definitely an event worth joining. With 1,000,000 MNT up for grabs, both casual users and seasoned traders can benefit from this campaign.

The event's dual-reward system allows participants to tailor their strategy based on their preferences. Whether you enjoy the thrill of luck-based rewards or prefer the competitive edge of leaderboard climbing, this campaign offers something for everyone.

Additionally, holding MNT and cmETH provides passive earnings, while Layer 3 integration presents an opportunity for double rewards — making the experience even more lucrative for active participants.

EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge is a limited-time, gamified rewards campaign that blends trading, staking and on-chain interactions. By completing tasks, holding Mantle assets and strategically using your wishes, you can maximize your rewards and secure your share of the 1,000,000 MNT prize pool.

This event runs from Mar 6, 2025 to 27, 2025, so now is the best time to get started. Are you ready to explore the Mantle ecosystem and claim your rewards? Join EcoGalaxy: Mantle Surge today!

Beginner

how to participate in ecogalaxy mantle surge

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Join Bybit’s AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle, vote for top AI projects and compete for a share of a $1M prize pool. Earn rewards while shaping the future of AI in crypto.

The Bybit AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle is an exciting and innovative trading and voting event that aims to identify and support high-potential AI projects within the cryptocurrency space.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize blockchain technology, this competition offers users a unique opportunity to engage with emerging AI-driven crypto projects while earning substantial rewards of up to $1 million.

 (AI) and cryptocurrency is reshaping blockchain and 

 — autonomous programs powered by machine learning — are revolutionizing the sector by automating trading strategies, optimizing portfolio management and executing on-chain decisions with minimal human input.

These intelligent agents analyze vast datasets, identify market trends and execute trades in real time, significantly enhancing efficiency and reducing risks in the volatile crypto market. Their role extends beyond trading, influencing DeFi protocols, NFT markets and blockchain governance.

Bybit is at the forefront of this AI-driven transformation, launching the 

 to spotlight high-potential AI projects. This event provides a launchpad for groundbreaking AI applications, connecting innovators with a global crypto audience.

What Is the Bybit AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle?

Bybit is launching a unique AI trading event designed to highlight the most promising AI-driven crypto projects.

AI is revolutionizing crypto markets, with automated trading bots now executing over 60% of all crypto transactions. The integration of AI and blockchain is unlocking new trading strategies, DeFi innovations and web3 applications, making the AI sector one of the most promising in crypto.

Bybit’s AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle bridges AI and blockchain, providing a global stage for emerging projects to gain exposure to a global audience. Participants play an active role in shaping the future of AI in crypto while earning rewards.

How to Participate in the AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle

Campaign Period: Feb 28, 2025, 10AM UTC – Mar 27, 2025, 10AM UTC

Bybit users can support AI projects and earn rewards by participating in this AI-powered trading competition. Here's a step-by-step guide to joining:

Projects earn voting points from the following ways:

By actively trading and voting, participants not only have a chance to earn from the $1 million prize pool, but will also play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI in the crypto industry.

Bybit's AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle offers an exciting $1 million prize pool, with multiple ways for participants to win rewards.

The breakdown of how votes are allocated for Bybit Spot is as follows:

The breakdown of how votes are allocated for Bybit Web3 is as follows:

The maximum number of daily votes that a user can receive is 100,400 (50,200 for Bybit Spot and Web3 respectively).

By trading, voting and engaging in the competition, participants not only support innovative AI projects but also receive a chance to maximize their earnings in this high-stakes trading battle.

Bybit's AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle offers a distinctive platform that connects cryptocurrency traders with AI innovators. Participants are invited to support leading AI projects, earn attractive rewards and contribute to shaping the future of AI within the crypto ecosystem. 

 and be part of the AI-driven revolution on Bybit!

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How to Participate in Bybit’s AI-DOL SUPERSTAR Trading Battle

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Blockchain

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Decentralized apps (DApps) are open-source software apps designed to run on P2P blockchain networks. Find out more about how they work and why they exist.

Technology has spoken: The world no longer needs middlemen. 

Thanks to decentralized apps, or DApps, you no longer have to go through a company or single authority to connect to people or the goods and services you need. Unlike conventional apps, DApps aren’t owned by a single entity, they never have downtime, and they cannot be shut off. This novel breed of application is quickly changing the app game and the world. 

Below, you’ll learn all about DApps, how they work, why you should use them, and some of the challenges this new type of app faces both now and in the days ahead.

 and DApps becoming more and more popular, chances are that you’re wondering — like millions of others — what DApps are and what this new technology is all about. Essentially, DApps are applications just like any other, but instead of running on a single server, they run on decentralized P2P networks. This means there is no single central authority.

 and decentralized networks supported by distributed 

 ledgers, DApps can be continually improved and built upon by others once the codebase has been released. This makes their control by a single authority virtually impossible.

, and other distributed ledger technologies have helped popularize DApps. The use of blockchain allows DApps to process data and execute transactions through 

DApps have been created for a variety of applications, ranging from gaming and social media to web browsing and DeFi. Unlike web-based apps, DApps are always accessible and are not exposed to any single point of failure.

DApps are still in their nascent stage, so the specific definition of a DApp or the criteria needed to be considered a DApp isn’t something that can be explained in a single line. Nonetheless, in 2014, a 

 was released defining DApps. In it, DApps were defined as entities meeting the following four criteria:

The first and most crucial criterion for a DApp is that its core source code must be available to everyone. It must be user-controlled and work without any third-party intervention, and no entity can own more than 50 percent of the tokens or coins issued. While it was created several years prior to Ethereum, which is the blockchain network most DApps are built on, Bitcoin is an excellent example of a DApp, as its code is open-source, it has no majority owner, and it’s governed by a proof of work consensus mechanism.

As their name suggests, DApps use decentralized blockchains. In fact, to be considered a DApp, all information must be stored in an openly accessible blockchain to keep the app free of centralized authority and invulnerable to any central point of attack.

Since DApps are based on decentralized blockchain networks, everyone who validates their records must be incentivized or rewarded with digital assets, such as cryptographic tokens. These tokens serve as payment to miners and stakers, who are necessary for the DApp’s continued operation and growth.

A DApp must run according to a protocol, and the development community must agree on a 

 (PoW) cryptographic algorithm as a means of showing proof of value.

Under this definition and according to these criteria, many cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, can be considered DApps, even if in a rudimentary sense. In fact, even without the use of smart contracts, a blockchain in and of itself can be considered a DApp.

Like Bitcoin, blockchains can host DApps with their own blockchains. Or, like Ethereum-based blockchains, non-blockchain based DApps can be built on top of existing blockchains. If all of this starts to sound a bit confusing, just remember DApps and blockchains go hand-in-hand.

DApps may be getting a lot of shine these days, but they’re nothing new. In fact, for all of you younger millennials out there, you may be surprised to know that they even predate Bitcoin. That’s right; DApps have been around since the thought of blockchain technology was, well, just a thought.

If you were born post-1995, you may not have heard of some of the earliest decentralized applications. The most famous were 

 (which was influential in the naming of Bitcoin), 

. However, back then, the term “DApp” didn’t exist. If it did, no one knew it, and it certainly wasn’t a part of everyday nomenclature like it is today.

It wasn’t until P2P file sharing, which preceded blockchain, that DApp usage really started taking off. Websites leveraging BitTorrent protocol, for example, are still widely used around the world today, despite always seeming to be in regulatory hot water.

Today, however, DApps are mostly talked about in relation to blockchain, as many decentralized software startups utilize the technology’s native properties as foundations for their apps. By leveraging existing networks, there’s less need for development costs. Bitcoin and similar systems also allow for the distribution and tracking of native tokens given out to backers during project launches.

That said, as mentioned, decentralized applications have continued to evolve with blockchain technology, and most modern DApps are built on Ethereum, which many consider a second-generation blockchain. In addition to basic proof-of-work protocols for ledger management, these second-generation blockchains are layered with smart contract functionality to create a developer-friendly framework and ecosystem.

While Bitcoin was the world’s first blockchain, the once revolutionary technology has quickly evolved far past processing simple financial transactions. When Ethereum was proposed by Vitalik Buterin in 2013, his sights were set on something much bigger —a  decentralized world.

Buterin envisioned an internet based on blockchain, one where corporations didn’t have control, users did. To do so, Ethereum developed the now widely used smart contract. Essentially little more than automated if-then statements, these contracts are immutable and have rules and limitations built right into their code. This allows any party to transact without the need for an intermediary or centralized platform. This type of DApp is the one we know today.

A DApp is executed and stored on a blockchain network, commonly using Ethereum but now utilizing various tokens native to other networks as well. Cryptographic tokens are used to validate the app and are required to access the application.

In many ways, DApps are quite similar to conventional apps, as they both render web pages using the same front-end code. If you’re still wondering what DApps are, it’s the back-end code that makes them different, since they run on decentralized P2P networks.

While traditional applications are supported by centralized servers, DApps are supported by smart contracts stored on a blockchain. When it comes to using smart contract technology, the most popular blockchain to date is Ethereum, though competitors are numerous and proliferating.

A smart contract mediates transactions and enforces rules written into the code. While important, they only exist on the back end and make up just part of the complete DApp. Creating a DApp based on the use of a smart contract system requires combining a number of smart contracts for the back end. For the front end, third-party systems are used.

Smart contracts run on a ledger of data stored in blocks. Rather than being stored on a server in a central location, the blocks are dispersed across distributed locations. Each of the data blocks are linked and governed by cryptographic validation.

Using this decentralized blockchain as well as smart contract technology, DApps can be created and used for almost anything, including:

DApps run on distributed systems and aren’t owned by a company or individual, giving them their own unique advantages. Of course, because technology is always changing, DApps are works in progress. Let’s go over their pros and cons.

As you now know, DApps don’t rely on a central server. Because of this, they’re often regarded as being more secure than traditional centralized applications. Given the rampant

 taking place these days, anything you can do to secure your data should definitely be a priority.

Since DApps are hosted across expansive decentralized networks, there’s virtually no need to worry about data loss. If one of the blockchain’s nodes goes down, all of the other nodes pick up the slack to ensure your data remains in sync — and that you don’t miss a beat.

Each node of a blockchain syncs with the others to accurately track every action taking place within the network. This is how new transactions are verified. Would-be attackers must control a majority of the network’s computers for a successful intrusion, but even then, they must bypass cryptographic encryption.

While this alone isn’t impossible, it’s extremely difficult within a distributed, decentralized system. That being said, there’s no absolute guarantee of data safety these days, regardless of which type of app you’re using.

Not only must conventional, centralized apps act according to their country’s laws and regulations, but they must also follow the Terms & Conditions they themselves arbitrarily set when deciding which content they should and shouldn’t publish.

DApps, on the other hand, have no central authority telling community developers and users what they can and cannot say, which transactions they can or cannot make, or even what blockchain data they can read.

Centralized apps often have higher costs. For instance, applications like YouTube profit by taking a percentage of what their users earn from their video postings. Apps that are decentralized allow users to transact directly through the use of cryptocurrency. They are thus more financially efficient, and have no middlemen to cut into profits.

With greater flexibility and more robust than centralized apps, due to their lack of connectivity to a single central server, DApps can run with minimal downtime and fewer interruptions for maximum resilience and continuity.

Executing global transactions takes place very quickly, as no third parties exist to approve each one. Since transaction approval is based on consensus algorithms within the network, expensive third parties can be eliminated and transactions can be executed much faster.

Having no central authority also means slower updates. Even fixing a minor bug requires majority consensus among every peer in the network. With this governance structure, it can take weeks and sometimes months before a problem can be fixed and an update made.

DApps also require a sizable user base in order to operate properly. The more users an app has, the more effective it will be in delivering its services. This is known as the 

. Many newer DApps suffer from low user numbers, making them less interactive and diminishing the overall user experience.

Since DApp users aren’t required to provide their real identities when interacting with the apps, verifying the identities of customers can be challenging.

For starters, while these apps do away with the possibility of data breaches on centralized servers and data systems, their open-source nature does leave them vulnerable to hacks and scams. Since they’re open-source, hackers have opportunities to probe blockchains and their networks in search of weaknesses. The 

 alone cost the ecosystem $80 million in 2021.

Fortunately, as decentralized app technology continues to expand and user bases grow, the industry is taking action to make hacking blockchain networks increasingly difficult. Some of the strategies currently being worked on include smart contract debugging, eliminating copy-and-paste errors, fixing faulty app logic and implementing regular audits.

While DApp creators are taking steps to fix these issues, as more and more DeFi projects hastily launch without proper funding and auditing protocols, the hacking problem persists.

The majority of apps today operate on centralized networks owned and maintained by a controlling authority. Streaming services, social media networks and financial institutions all hold your data on servers. When accessing these apps, their servers receive a request and they send the result back to you after validating your credentials. This generates enormous amounts of user data, which results in exposure to hacks, as well as big tech companies profiting from it.

These shortcomings have led to greater data security awareness and increased interest in blockchain technology. Decentralized by nature, blockchains eliminate the need for third-party intermediaries. Thanks to automated smart contract usage and shared consensus, Ethereum-based blockchains and apps can be completely decentralized, and function without Big Tech getting in the way.

For example, if you want to send some crypto to a friend using a DApp, all you have to do is log in to your personal crypto wallet, choose the amount to send, and then confirm the transaction. A smart contract then does the rest and completes the exchange. A permanent record of the transaction is created after being verified by blockchain validators.

Centralized web apps don’t work this way. When sending U.S. dollars to a friend using 

 or another centralized web app, the process takes place on a centralized network, with a bank or other company handling every component of the transaction. Not only do they decide on the validity of the transaction, but they also own the data.

Everyone from Twitter to Trello uses web apps, but every single one consists of both a front end and a back end. For example, when you open up the Twitter app or access it on your web browser, the Twitter web server (back end) goes to work supplying data to the display feed (front end).

Web Apps vs. DApps: Further Considerations

While huge amounts of data are channeled through the internet via centralized servers, blockchains share the transactional burden with scores of machines over a distributed network. Both websites and DApps work similarly on the front end to render available pages viewable on the internet. On the back end, however, a DApp communicates with a large blockchain network via a wallet.

Your wallet is responsible for managing your blockchain address, as well as the cryptographic keys needed to verify your identity. If a DApp is Ethereum-based, a smart contract is used (rather than HTTP protocol) to communicate back and forth with the blockchain and carry out transactions.

Despite still being in its early stages, DApp technology is really taking off. Already, there are thousands of DApp solutions offering a vast array of services. From playing games to trading NFTs and investing in DeFi, you name it — and there’s a DApp for it.

, there are over two million unique daily DApp users. While this is impressive, there’s still a way to go before DApp usage outpaces that of traditional web apps.

In order for DApp usage to become more mainstream, DApp developers and the networks they’re built on must work through a lengthy list of challenges, including security and 

. When they do, however, a new era of decentralization will dominate the app landscape.

DApps are sprouting up everywhere and creating a new P2P economy free of centralized power and monopolistic companies. Just as varied as traditional web apps, they're used for everything from productivity and finance to games and entertainment. Most of these apps are hosted on the Ethereum blockchain, but as smart contract and blockchain technology in general continues to evolve, DApps stand poised to evolve right along with it.

What Are Decentralized Apps (DApps) & Why Are They Used?

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