The most promising money: Investment opportunities not to be missed in 2025

Over the past period, silver metal has made investors worldwide realize its true value. The surge in prices to an all-time high is not merely a cyclical movement but a sign of a profound market structural change.

Silver Metal in Historical Perspective: An Age-Old Production

Humans have known about (Silver) not just in the last two or three centuries. In fact, precious metal money has served as a medium of exchange and store of wealth for over 4,000 years. Early on, money was used in the form of objects with standard weight, such as rings or small bars.

Since the 16th century, when Spaniards cast silver bars into coins, this form of currency spread worldwide. It became an accepted means of debt settlement across all institutions and remained legally recognized in the United States until 1857. Although the official use of metal money as a monetary standard ended in 1935, its significance did not fade. The production of silver bars and coins for investment continues to this day.

Modern Era of Silver: A Mysterious and Increasingly Important Role

What makes silver special today is not its past but its physical properties that cannot be replaced. These characteristics have become integral to future technologies.

Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity makes silver an indispensable component in all modern electronic devices. Its high reflectivity enhances the efficiency of solar panels in converting sunlight into electricity. Its antimicrobial properties make silver essential in healthcare—from specialized dressings to medical instruments. Additionally, structural flexibility makes it suitable for use in microelectronics.

These factors collectively drive current silver prices, whether due to the shift toward clean energy, electric vehicle development, 5G networks, or artificial intelligence infrastructure. All of these rely inevitably on precious metals like silver.

Factors Influencing Price Changes: Macroe and Micro Levels

The price of silver does not move randomly but is supported by various forces, some visible at the macro level, others emerging deep within the market.

Direction dictated by global economic levels

Interest rates and central bank policies are directly related to asset prices. When the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) lowers interest rates in 2025, it becomes a key catalyst for a rapid surge in silver prices.

The strength of the US dollar has an inverse relationship with silver prices. When the dollar weakens, investors holding other currencies find it cheaper to buy silver, pushing prices higher.

Inflation concerns and international political uncertainties lead investors to seek silver as a hedge.

The battle between supply and demand: the key factor

The World Silver Survey 2025 report from a leading industry institution clearly depicts the current situation: the market is facing a structural deficit, meaning demand exceeds what can be produced and recycled. This is not the first time; it has been ongoing for four years.

Industrial demand reached 680.5 million ounces in 2024, accounting for nearly 59% of total demand, especially from rapidly growing sectors like solar energy, electric vehicles, high-end electronics, and AI systems.

Meanwhile, production cannot expand due to inherent issues such as disrupted mining operations, declining by-products, and aging stockpiles.

This situation is considered a “perfect storm” that could push prices significantly higher to new levels.

Comparing Gold and Silver: Key Differences

When it comes to “precious metals,” gold often dominates the conversation, but silver has distinct features that set it apart upon detailed analysis.

Gold/Silver Ratio: Showing whether silver is undervalued or overvalued

The indicator called Gold/Silver Ratio (GSR) tells us how many ounces of silver are needed to equal one ounce of gold. During extreme crises like March 2020, when COVID-19 spread, many investors flocked to gold, causing the ratio to spike to an all-time high of 124:1.

As confidence returned and investors became willing to take risks for higher returns, they shifted toward silver, reducing the ratio to just 31:1 in 2011.

Currently, the ratio remains high (around 84:1), signaling that the market has not yet priced silver according to its fundamental value. This gap presents an opportunity for investors seeking value.

Market size, volatility, and role

The gold market is valued at approximately $30 trillion, while the silver market is around $2.7 trillion. This difference means that when capital flows into the silver market, it can more significantly impact prices.

Silver prices tend to be 2-3 times more volatile than gold. This is a double-edged sword: in bear markets, silver declines more sharply; in bull markets, it can rise higher and faster.

Most gold is held by central banks as reserves, whereas silver is not. This makes silver more susceptible to fluctuations driven by industrial cycles, although it also benefits from production sector dynamics.

Investment Options in Silver Metal: Diverse Systems

For those interested and aware of the opportunities, there are several ways to invest.

Physical Silver Purchase: The Traditional Method

The simplest approach is buying bullion bars (Bullion Bars) or silver coins (Silver Coins) to store at home or in safes.

Advantages include owning real assets with no counterparty risk.

Disadvantages involve relatively high initial investment, premiums over global market prices (Premium), storage costs such as safes and insurance, and lower liquidity compared to other methods.

Investment via Funds and Mining Stocks

This method provides indirect exposure through mutual funds investing in silver mining companies.

Some funds specifically invest in shares of major global silver producers.

Advantages include high liquidity, easy trading on stock exchanges, and no storage concerns.

Disadvantages include company-specific risks such as management, production costs, geopolitical risks at mining sites, and stock prices not always aligning perfectly with global silver prices.

Futures Trading: For Experienced Traders

Thailand’s TFEX offers silver futures contracts (Silver Online Futures) with a contract multiplier of 3,000 times the price.

Advantages:

• Low initial capital due to high leverage ###Leverage(
• Profit from both rising and falling markets

Disadvantages:

• Very high risk, suitable only for experienced traders

) CFD Contracts: Flexible and Convenient

CFD (Contract for Difference) is a contract between investors and brokers to speculate on price differences without owning the actual asset.

Advantages:

• Low capital requirement relative to contract value ###Leverage###
• Profit in both upward and downward markets
• No storage costs
• High liquidity, easy and quick to open/close positions
• 24/5 trading hours

Disadvantages:

• Leverage amplifies risk
• Requires choosing a trustworthy broker

For Thai investors seeking reliable and user-friendly platforms, trading Silver CFDs through regulated brokers is a recommended option.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Silver

Opportunities and Benefits

1. Higher potential returns: Increased volatility and lower relative valuation compared to gold offer significant percentage gains during bull markets.

2. Growing industrial demand: The trend toward clean energy and digitalization is unstoppable and will sustain steady silver demand for years.

3. Affordable prices: Lower per-ounce prices make it easier for mid-level investors to accumulate and diversify their portfolios with modest capital.

4. Asset preservation: Silver has a long history of protecting wealth against paper currency devaluation.

Risks and Drawbacks

1. Intense price volatility: The same volatility that can generate huge gains can also cause severe losses in a short period; investors need strong nerves.

2. Sensitivity to economic cycles: Since most demand comes from industry, economic downturns can lead to sharp price declines.

3. Costs and risks of holding physical: Those storing actual silver face storage fees, insurance, and risks of theft or loss.

4. No interest income: Returns are solely from price differences.

Summary: Silver Might Be the Complement You Need

Silver metal is no longer just a “reserve metal.” It has become a vital asset in modern finance and economic systems.

Whether silver is a good addition to your portfolio depends on your investment goals and risk appetite.

For investors aiming to access the world of silver, having the right tools and a secure platform is crucial to make informed decisions and to follow global silver market movements alongside international investors.