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

Bybit Learn

GameFi

Explainers

Altcoins

Pirate Nation (PIRATE) is a fully on-chain RPG game that lets you explore, battle, and loot in a secure, decentralized manner, complete with on-chain NFTs.

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 sector is one of the fastest-growing niches within the blockchain industry. Countless projects have joined the space over the last couple of years, hoping to capitalize on the explosive growth in the popularity of crypto games. However, many, if not most, of these gaming platforms only have a part of their functionality supported by 

 technologies. A large part of their working mechanisms, including the game engines, often resides on centralized Web 2.0 servers, with only certain features enabled by 

 operations tied to players' accounts, while the game engine and computing resources come from traditional Web 2.0 sources.

 is a GameFi project that, unlike many other platforms in this sector, has a fully 

 gaming environment. Launched by the Proof of Play game studio, 

takes you on a pirate adventure to collect materials, explore seas, gather loot and battle on bold quests and missions. Its fully on-chain web3 game leverages blockchain technology to offer a secure, permanently protected, transparent and user-owned gaming experience.

 is a fully on-chain RPG game that allows you to assemble a team of pirates and send them on quests across seas to collect gold and other resources, loot, participate in battles and more.

 By successfully carrying out these quests, your pirates gain experience, and you can eventually level up to unlock in-game-asset trading opportunities.

is completely blockchain-based. No part of the game's functional mechanism — its game engine, asset storage functionality, trading environment or user accounts — is held off-chain. By being completely web3-based, 

 offers significant advantages to users, including better security, public traceability and transparency, the permanency of game assets (as long as the host blockchain exists) and the ease of creating user-generated content (UGC). The last point is a particularly notable feature, given the growing popularity of UGC in the web3 world, particularly in the gaming and social media sectors.

Many gaming platforms extensively use Web 2.0 solutions to enable their functionality, even when they claim allegiance to web3. The use of Web 2.0 systems — with their heavy slant toward proprietary and centrally controlled features — limits UGC opportunities within these games. In contrast, 

 actively supports and facilitates UGC, thanks to its fully blockchain-based nature.

, a New York–based blockchain game developer. In March 2024, the blockchain technology company rolled out a dedicated chain to host and support 

 and average block times of about 0.25 seconds, providing an affordable and scalable hosting environment for the game.

Apex also provides multi-chain functionality, enabling smooth asset transfers across different blockchains. While the gaming engine for

 (NFTs) — the main in-game asset types on the platform — reside on the 

You’ll need to own at least one pirate to start the game. However, you don't have to purchase your first pirate, as 

 can be free to play. All you need to do is mint your first free pirate NFT to get started. Of course, the more pirates you have, the higher your chances of succeeding and leveling up, so purchasing more pirates is definitely advisable for those serious about playing the game.

You send your pirate(s) on quests or to collect treasures and pirate gold in an open, procedurally generated gaming world. Pirates are driven by an energy resource to carry out their tasks and quests. This energy replenishes every 24 hours. During sea exploration and quests, pirates use ships, which can be leveled up as players collect bounties and complete quests using their pirates.

As your pirate team successfully completes its missions, you earn points that let you level up in the game. For many users, the eventual goal is to level up to the tradable level; this is the level at which you acquire the ability to trade in-game assets on the platform.

There are three main modes of accomplishing tasks and leveling up: the combat-based Skullduggery mode, the discovery-based Exploration mode and the trade-based Privateering mode. Each player will gravitate toward one of these modes based on their gaming style and preferences. Regardless of the mode, you’ll encounter plenty of unexpected surprises and challenges along the way.

 revolves around three currencies: Pirate Gold (PGLD), Gems and the PIRATE token. Each serves a specific purpose for advancing in the game, trading or accumulating assets.

PGLD is earned and spent by players throughout the game. It’s the 

 (P2E) crypto. Gaming achievements are mainly rewarded using this token. New players who haven't reached the tradable level earn Marks (MARK) tokens instead of PGLD. When their accounts reach the tradable level, all the accumulated MARK is converted to PGLD. From then on, their in-game achievements are rewarded with PGLD tokens.

, can be used to boost your gaming capabilities. For instance, using these tokens, you can purchase additional pirate energy and meet quest requirements. Gems also provide access to special events and game modes. It’s a non-transferable, internal asset limited to use within the 

The platform's main cryptocurrency, PIRATE, can be used to purchase Gems, which in turn open up access to a variety of game functions and features.

What Is the Pirate Nation Token (PIRATE)?

 token launched on Jun 13, 2024. As noted above, it can be used to purchase Gems tokens. Unlike Gems, however, PIRATE is freely tradable and is already available on the crypto market.

 that PIRATE will also be used in the future to reward players for various activities. These may include completing on-chain and off-chain quests, winning tournaments, expanding the player's grid and more. There may even be rewards for building on top of the existing 

 ecosystem, so other developers and gamers creating UGC might also benefit from the envisioned rewards program. As detailed in the next section, the PIRATE token also has staking functionality.

The total and maximum supply for PIRATE tokens is 1 billion. Supply allocation shares are per the chart below.

 PIRATE on the game platform allows you to collect Proof of Play Points.

 applies a multiplier to the points earned to encourage early participation in the staking program. This multiplier is decreased daily, but once you stake your funds, you’re guaranteed to earn points at a multiplier rate applicable on the starting day. Thus, getting in early allows you to lock in a better multiplier.

 is that you can still use your staked PIRATE funds for discounted on-platform activities and transactions without affecting the multiplier bonus. You can also unstake at any time.

Where to Buy the Pirate Nation Token (PIRATE)

The PIRATE token can be bought on Bybit's Spot market through a swap pair with USDT (

). You can also take advantage of Bybit's Token Splash campaign dedicated to the token to earn a share of the 

 . The campaign, which runs till Jun 26, 2024, 8:59AM UTC, requires existing and new users to complete a series of deposit and trading tasks to qualify for their share of USDT rewards. You can also earn USDT bonuses for referring your friends to sign up to Bybit.

 varieties: Founder's Pirates, Ships and Items. Items are NFTs representing a vast variety of in-game assets, including tools and equipment used by pirates, materials for crafting treasures, trees, muskets, pirate flags and many more. Ships, being larger and more critical in-game assets, are listed separately as an NFT variety of their own. As the NFTs are generated on-chain, the skills and traits they develop as they evolve are permanently stored in blockchain.

The most prominent NFT type on the platform is Founder's Pirates. These are 9,999 genesis NFTs in the form of pirates released by the platform in November 2022. Initially, Founder's Pirate NFTs were required in order to gain access to the game. However, the project team quickly realized that as the game gained popularity, requiring a Founder's Pirate from each new player would dilute the collection's supply.

The rules were modified, and new players can now start playing in the game using a free pirate NFT of a different type, not necessarily a Founder's Pirate. This move helps retain the scarcity element for Founder's Pirate NFTs, which are now used to provide access to certain exclusive features and benefits. They may also be used in 

's staking program along with PIRATE tokens. Staking a Founder's Pirate NFT with PIRATE tokens allows you to earn a better points multiplier.

Fully on-chain games aren't yet mainstream within the broader blockchain ecosystem, where many games still feature a combination of Web 2.0 and web3 technologies.

is a notable exception in this field with its dedication to providing a fully blockchain-based gaming experience. Besides this technological factor, the platform has uncompromisingly fun gameplay, as you take your pirates on many adventures across the high seas to discover hidden treasures and participate in quests and fierce battles.

Having recently launched its native token, the platform is ready to take on an active role in the niche of fully on-chain games. Its focus on the exclusively web3 experience and an engaging game environment are definitely going to help 

Pirate Nation (PIRATE): Experience High Seas Adventure On-Chain

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards