Key TakeawaysBitcoin (BTC) has surged 3.6% to trade at $118,747.48, while Ethereum (ETH) climbed 4.3% to $4,375.18.Gold is holding firm near its recent peak, driven by U.S. shutdown risks and the outlook for Federal Reserve easing.The UK faces a potential hole in its public finances following a productivity downgrade, though Chancellor Reeves is reportedly set to reverse plans for higher business rates for retailers.Japan's government bond market is experiencing declining investor demand for 10-year JGBs am ...

It's not just gold (GC=F) notching a strong quarter as a potential government shutdown looms. Silver futures (SI=F) are up 27% over the past three months, versus gold's more than 15% rise, and roughly 58% year to date compared with the yellow metal's 45%. On Tuesday, gold futures held near record highs above $3,875 an ounce while silver futures traded around $46. The metal was within striking distance of its closing high of $48.70 — just north of $150 in today's dollars — set in January 1980. That was du ...