Silver Hits #3 Global Asset: Flips Apple & Crushes Bitcoin, Nvidia next? (2026 Forecast)
It is December 27, 2025. The financial world is rubbing its eyes in disbelief, but the numbers do not lie. What many "gold & silver bugs" and silverbacks 🦍 have prophesied for years has now become reality: Silver is no longer just Gold's little brother; it has risen to become one of the most powerful assets on the planet.
A look at the current global market capitalization rankings reveals a historic shift. Silver is now officially the third most valuable asset in the world—having left tech giant Apple behind.
The "Flippening": Silver Overtakes Apple
The latest data paints a clear picture of the new world order in the markets:
- Rank 1: Gold. Undisputed at the top with a colossal market cap of $31.45 trillion and a price over $4,520 USD.
- Rank 2: NVIDIA. The AI giant holds firm in second place with approximately $4.6 trillion.
- Rank 3: Silver. The sensation of the year. With a current price of $72.38 USD, Silver has reached a valuation of $4.074 trillion.
- Rank 4: Apple. The former king of the stock market falls slightly behind the precious metal with $4.041 trillion.
The fact that a physical commodity has overtaken a tech behemoth like Apple highlights a massive shift in investor sentiment: away from pure growth promises, towards substantial assets that offer both monetary protection and industrial indispensability.
The Reality Check: Silver vs. Bitcoin
The charts are particularly painful for crypto enthusiasts to look at. 2025 was supposed to be the year Bitcoin took the lead as "digital gold." But reality has taken a different turn.
While Silver is valued at over $4 trillion, Bitcoin is languishing around $87,000 as the year ends. This corresponds to a market capitalization of only about $1.7 trillion.
„The market speaks clearly: Silver is currently nearly 2.5 times more valuable than the entire Bitcoin market.“
The reasons for this massive discrepancy are fundamental:
- Industrial Foundation: Silver is critical for AI infrastructure (chips by NVIDIA) and solar energy. Bitcoin lacks this industrial floor.
- Volatility: While Silver climbed steadily, Bitcoin showed weakness throughout 2025, deterring institutional investors.
The Silver Squeeze: Why Short Sellers Are "Bleeding"
What we are currently witnessing is a classic, yet massive Short Squeeze in the futures market. For years, the silver price was suppressed via the derivatives market (COMEX) through "paper silver." But 2025 is the year physical reality ended the paper game.
According to market reports, many institutional short sellers betting on falling prices are now forced to cover their positions as physical silver becomes extremely scarce. Inventory levels at the LBMA and COMEX have dropped to critical lows, triggering panic buying among short sellers.
Market Data: Anatomy of the Squeeze
The following table illustrates the extreme imbalance in the futures market currently catapulting the price upwards:
| Indicator | Status End of 2025 | Impact on Price |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Deficit | approx. 100 Million oz | Extreme upward pressure as demand exceeds supply. |
| LBMA/COMEX Inventories | Critically Low (Coverage < 12 Months) | Exchanges are struggling to meet delivery obligations. |
| Futures Open Interest | High (Covering Buys) | Short sellers must buy at any price ("covering") to limit catastrophic losses. |
The Gold-Silver Ratio: Why Silver Is Still "Cheap"
Many investors initially shy away when they see silver prices over $70. However, a look at the crucial Gold-Silver Ratio puts this price into perspective immediately and reveals the true potential.
Dividing the current Gold price (approx. $4,524 USD) by the Silver price ($72.38 USD) gives us a ratio of approx. 62.5. This means:
- Historical Context: Geologically, silver is found in the ground about 15 to 20 times more often than gold.
- Bull Market Dynamics: In extreme past bull markets (like 1980 or 2011), the ratio often trended towards 30 or even lower.
A ratio of 62 signals that despite the rally: Silver is still historically undervalued compared to Gold. If the ratio were to fall merely to the bull market average of 30 (assuming Gold stays constant), Silver would mathematically have to rise to over $150 USD. This is the "hidden turbo" in the silver price that hasn't even ignited yet.
Silver Price Forecast 2026: The Road to $5 Trillion
Crossing the $4 trillion mark is not the end of the road, according to analysts. Michael DiRienzo of The Silver Institute sees no signs of the rally ending. The global deficit in silver—exacerbated by demand from the chip industry—could drive prices even higher in 2026.
If this trend continues, Silver could begin to close the gap with NVIDIA in 2026. Analysts consider price targets of $100 per ounce plausible for next year, which would lift its market capitalization to over $5.5 trillion.
Conclusion: Bet on the Winner of the Year
The ranking of top assets doesn't lie. While tech stocks (excluding NVIDIA) struggle and Bitcoin stagnates, precious metals are proving their strength. Silver at #3 among global assets is a wake-up call for any investor who is still under-allocated. The squeeze is in full swing. Short sellers are on the run, and the industry is buying up everything available.
Do you want to be part of this historic movement? With the Spargold App, you can buy physical silver directly and easily. Secure your share of the "World's Third Largest Asset" and protect your wealth from inflation and market turbulence.
Stay far-sighted
Yours, Nils Gregersen
