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The price of stolen banking data is soaring worldwide — and Japan tops the chart as one of the most expensive markets for cybercriminals

According to recent research from NordVPN, prices for stolen payment cards on dark-web marketplaces rose in most countries. While the global average still sits around $8, some markets jumped by as much as 444%.

Many assume cybercrime happens to someone else, yet stolen payment card details change hands on these markets every day. It’s rarely just a card number: listings often include names, addresses, emails, and other details that help criminals pass fraud checks and impersonate real customers.

“Even with prices rising, card data remains cheap enough for entry-level criminals,” says Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN.

“On major marketplaces, a single stolen card often costs about the price of a movie ticket. Cards are frequently sold in bulk, stay valid for long periods, and can be cashed out locally — so for a few dollars criminals choose between a night at the cinema or a ready-made route to fraud, account takeovers, and outright cashing of someone else’s money.”

From $1 to $23: the forces behind dark-web card pricing

Compared with other countries, Americans are the most affected by payment-card scammers. More than 60% of payment cards belonged to U.S. users. Singapore is second at about 11%, and Spain is third at around 10%.

However, high prevalence doesn’t equal low price. Stolen U.S. cards sit near the middle of the dark-web range at $11.51. While the most expensive listings come from Japan at roughly $23. Cards from Kazakhstan, Guam, and Mozambique go for roughly $16. At the low end, cards from the Republic of the Congo, Barbados and Georgia can sell for around $1.

Globally, most stolen payment cards cluster around $9. In Europe, Spain tops the list at $11.68, followed by France ($11.07) and Switzerland ($11.96). In Asia, Japan leads by far with cards averaging $22.80, followed by Kazakhstan ($16.87) and Thailand ($15.08). In North and Central America, El Salvador stands out with $15.80, followed by the United States ($11.51) and Canada ($5.88). In South America, Colombia’s cards reach $14.52, followed closely by Chile ($12.52). In Africa, Mozambique leads with $16.38, while Morocco follows at $11.95. In Oceania, New Zealand tops the region at $13.39, outpacing Australia ($9.11).

Why prices spiked: supply, demand, and stricter anti-fraud controls

Our analysis shows that over the past two years, prices for stolen data have risen significantly. The largest increase was in New Zealand (more than 444%), followed by Argentina (368%) and Poland (221%), while France saw a modest rise of just 18%.

Pricing on the dark web mostly follows simple supply and demand. Criminals pay more for cards from countries where supply is low and anti-fraud controls are strict, such as Japan. In markets with abundant data like the U.S. or Spain, cards are cheaper and often sold in bundles, which lowers the price per card.

“The strength of law enforcement and political stability also shape risk and price — where ‘risk’ refers to how advanced issuers are at detecting fraud and how quickly they respond,” says Adrianus Warmenhoven. “Cards with longer expiration dates command a premium: about 87% of the cards we observed remain usable for more than 12 months, which makes them easier to resell.”

Carding: How criminals turn stolen cards into cash

Millions of cards are listed on the dark web, but the money is made in what happens next — the cash-out, a process usually called carding. Stealing or buying card data is just the start; the real skill is validating, monetizing, and laundering that data so that it turns into actual profit.

Carding runs like an industrial supply chain. Different actors play specific roles: “harvesters” source or steal data, “validators” run bots that check thousands of cards per hour, and “cash-outers” convert validated cards into gift codes, goods, crypto, or cold cash.

“The crucial step in carding is validation,” says Adrianus Warmenhoven. “Cybercriminals use bots to run tiny test charges or authorization attempts to see which cards work. Sometimes they use small payment providers or merchant sites they control to spread attempts and hide failures. Once a card is validated, it can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs, buy gift cards or vouchers, or purchase travel and accommodation that can later be resold. Monetization and laundering are tightly coupled — multiple steps are used to obscure the origin of funds.”

Easy tips on how to stay safe:

Adrianus Warmenhowen from NordVPN shares a series of steps people can take to protect themselves:

●        Monitor your statements regularly. Review your bank and card activity at least weekly and turn on real-time transaction alerts to catch unfamiliar charges early and dispute them quickly.

●        Use strong passwords. Secure accounts with complex and unique passwords, especially in e-shops where you save personal data, such as your home address and payment details.

●        Don’t save passwords and payment data in your browser. If malware infects your computer, it can access your browser’s local password storage and steal autofill information, such as passwords, addresses, and payment card details.

●        Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Add an extra layer of security with codes, devices, or biometrics.

●        Monitor the dark web. Tools like NordVPN's Dark Web Monitor can alert you if information associated with your email addresses are found on the dark web, while Dark Web Monitor Pro™ allows you to add credit card numbers for continuous monitoring and instant alerts too.

Methodology: The research was conducted by NordStellar, a threat exposure management platform created by the team behind NordVPN. NordStellar researchers analyzed stolen payment card data being sold on dark web marketplaces. The dataset, collected in May 2025, included a total of 50,705 card records.

Please note: No individual payment card details or user credentials were accessed or purchased during this study. The researchers analyzed only the metadata provided in stolen data listings on dark web marketplaces.

ABOUT NORDVPN

NordVPN is the world’s most advanced VPN service provider, chosen by millions of internet users worldwide. The service offers features such as dedicated IP, Double VPN, and Onion Over VPN servers, which help to enhance online privacy with zero tracking. One of NordVPN’s key features is Threat Protection Pro™, a tool that blocks malicious websites, trackers, and ads and scans downloads for malware. NordVPN is part of Nord Security, whose latest product is Saily, a travel eSIM app. Known for its user-friendly design, NordVPN offers some of the best prices on the market and covers 165 locations across 127 countries worldwide. For more information, visit nordvpn.com.

Following a lengthy period of declining values, the KOF Employment Indicator is pointing to a slight improvement in the employment outlook for the first time in three years. 

New CommBank data shows more Australians are starting their home buying journey online, signalling a shift in consumer behaviour.

3 November 2025

By the numbers:

• CommBank online home loan application submissions are five times higher year-on-year.
• Online application submissions by first home buyers have increased fourfold year-on-year.
• Customers aged 31-40 make up 34 per cent of all online application submissions, while customers aged 21-30 are the fastest growing cohort.

More people starting their home loan journey online

Just as Australians have gone digital for dating, shopping and job hunting, they’re now turning online for one of life’s biggest milestones – buying a home.

CBA’s digital home loan channel, the newest way to apply, has become the bank’s fastest growing with the number of people submitting online home loan applications increasing five times compared to a year ago.

Executive General Manager of Home Buying, Marcos Meneguzzi said: “We’ve seen strong growth in the digital channel because customers want more flexibility over how they start the process.”

“As Australia’s largest lender, we can see this trend across all types of customers. People are blending digital and personal support to get the experience that suits them best.”

The data shows a broader shift in behaviour, with more people comfortable researching their options, checking their borrowing power and learning what’s achievable before applying for their home loan online.

Younger Australians are leading the shift, with online home loan applications from people in their twenties now six times higher than a year ago, and those in their thirties now making up the largest share of digital applicants (34 per cent). But it’s not just younger buyers embracing the change, more experienced customers are joining them, with applications from people in their fifties roughly quadrupling in the same period.

First home buyers’ behavioural shift

First home buyers are showing one of the most striking behavioural shifts in CBA’s digital home loan channel, with online applications more than quadrupling year-on-year. Despite having never been through the process before, many are now choosing to start their home buying journey online before being connected with a lender.  

“Traditionally, first home buyers have preferred a face-to-face experience, but that’s starting to change,” Marcos said.

“Just as they’re comfortable researching and shopping online for everyday purchases, they’re now applying the same habits to bigger decisions like buying a home.”

When it comes to people who have bought a home before, online applications have increased six times, year-on-year.

“This isn’t about moving away from our existing channels – it’s about providing choice and additional support through lenders once an application is submitted.” Marcos said.

“Some customers prefer to begin online, others want to talk in person. What matters is that they can choose what works best for them.”

CBA’s digital channel allows customers to apply online for a range of products, including the Standard Variable Rate, Fixed Rate, Simple, and Digi Home Loans. Tools like the borrowing power and stamp duty calculators are also helping people estimate costs and feel more confident when applying online.

About the data: Data compares the number of home loan applications submitted online in September 2025 with the same period in 2024.

Equinor ASA announces that Tone H. Bachke will leave her position on the Board of Directors and prioritize her executive responsibilities as EVP and CFO in SHV Holding N.V., a global company headquartered in the Netherlands. The change takes effect 31 October 2025.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

After four consecutive sessions of gold declines to $3,972 per ounce amid a stronger dollar and tempered Fed rate-cut expectations, markets are reassessing positions while long-term forecasts remain bullish for gold. In light of this, I am sharing insights from our report, highlighting the largest gold holdings per capita globally and how much they are worth right now. (ref. https://www.bestbrokers.com/gold-brokers/golds-2024-rally-mapping-central-banks-demand-for-the-precious-metal-in-2024/ )

Gold prices began climbing sharply in 2024 as central banks and investors alike turned to the precious metal as a safe haven amid mounting geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainty. While some countries accelerated their gold purchases to strengthen reserves, others seized the opportunity to cash in on elevated prices by selling significant volumes. The team at BestBrokers analysed the World Gold Council October release, covering all of the available data for 2025, to identify the world’s largest buyers and sellers of gold during this period. The complete dataset behind the report can be accessed on Google Drive via the following link. (ref. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15nG3u2sRxR1ceVH-x208sCF4xfK5IyW3yhY_LrEtnQc/edit?gid=0#gid=0 )

As of October 2025, Switzerland holds 1,039.94 tonnes of gold, ranking seventh worldwide by total national reserves and first in gold holdings per capita. The market value of its reserves has surged by about 54.97% to $135.18 billion since the end of 2024, reflecting a sharp rise in gold prices, from $2609 per ounce on 31 December 2024 to $4,043 per ounce on 29 October 2025.

Here are the countries with the largest gold holdings per capita in 2025:

(expressed as the equivalent number of 1/10-ounce American Eagle Gold Proof Coins per person)

• Switzerland – 1,040 tonnes, currently valued at $135.18 billion = 37 coins per capita (115.97 grams)
• Lebanon – 287 tonnes, currently valued at $37.29 billion = 16 coins per capita (49.04 grams)
• Italy – 2,452 tonnes, currently valued at $318.72 billion = 13 coins per capita (41.45 grams)
• Germany – 3,350 tonnes, currently valued at $435.51 billion = 13 coins per capita (39.85 grams)
• Qatar – 115 tonnes, currently valued at $14.97 billion = 12 coins per capita (36.97 grams)
• Portugal – 383 tonnes, currently valued at $49.74 billion = 12 coins per capita (36.75 grams)
• France – 2,437 tonnes, currently valued at $316.79 billion = 12 coins per capita (36.56 grams)
• Singapore – 204 tonnes, currently valued at $26.54 billion = 11 coins per capita (34.77 grams)
• The Netherlands – 612 tonnes, currently valued at $79.61 billion = 11 coins per capita (33.38 grams)
• Austria – 280 tonnes, currently valued at $36.40 billion = 10 coins per capita (30.72 grams).

Key takeaways from the analysis:

• Switzerland’s gold holdings total 1,039.94 tonnes, valued at approximately $135.18 billion, a 40% increase since December 2024, largely driven by the surge in global gold prices. This places Switzerland seventh worldwide in national gold reserves, behind the United States (8,133 tonnes), Germany (3,350 tonnes), Italy (2,452 tonnes), France (2,437 tonnes), Russia (2,329 tonnes), and China (2,302 tonnes).
• Taking Switzerland’s population of 8.97 million into account, the country’s gold reserves amount to about 115.97 grams per person, roughly 37 small gold coins per citizen, the highest ratio in the world. Lebanon follows with the equivalent of 16 coins per person, while Italy and Germany each hold around 13.
• Switzerland has not been active in the gold market for more than 15 years. From 2002 to 2008, the country was an active seller of gold under the Central Bank Gold Agreements, offloading more than 20 tonnes per month as part of coordinated European sales. Since then, the Swiss National Bank has maintained largely stable reserves, with only a minor sale of 100 kilograms recorded in April 2014.
• In 2025 so far, the leading gold buyers have been Poland (67.1 tonnes), Kazakhstan (32.4 tonnes), China (22.7 tonnes), Turkey (21.4 tonnes), and the Czech Republic (14.1 tonnes). The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) also expanded its holdings by 34.5 tonnes, marking the second-largest single purchase of the year. However, as Azerbaijan’s central bank does not officially report gold reserves, the country is excluded from the global rankings.
• Global gold reserves reached $4.73 trillion on 29th October 2025, rising 40.43% since the end of 2024, as record-high prices drove a historic revaluation of central bank holdings.

‘Switzerland’s position at the top of global gold holdings per capita shows strategic diversification among both advanced and emerging economies. While the United States continues to dominate in absolute reserves, nations across Europe and Asia, from Germany and Italy to China and Singapore, are leveraging gold as a hedge against inflation, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical risk.

Recent accumulation by countries such as Poland, Kazakhstan, and China signals an enduring shift toward tangible assets amid a high-rate, high-uncertainty environment. As the U.S. dollar remains strong and monetary easing expectations fluctuate, gold’s role as a stabilising reserve asset appears set to strengthen further, anchoring global portfolios in an increasingly volatile financial landscape.’ – comments Paul Hoffman, lead data analyst at BestBrokers.

More information about countries’ demand for gold is available in the full report. (ref. https://www.bestbrokers.com/gold-brokers/golds-2024-rally-mapping-central-banks-demand-for-the-precious-metal-in-2024/ )

It includes more details about the latest changes in the official national gold reserves reported to the International Monetary Fund, as well as the complete methodology behind our findings.

October 31 2025 –  Big Tech's latest earnings season has exposed a defining divide at the heart of the technology sector, affirms the CEO of one of the world's largest independent financial advisory organizations.

The analysis comes after Big Tech's earnings this week painted a mixed but telling picture of the market's evolving priorities.

Nigel Green, chief executive of deVere Group comments: “Investors are rewarding companies demonstrating discipline and punishing those overextending on promises of artificial intelligence-driven growth.”

Alphabet and Amazon delivered standout quarters, strengthening their positions as the two most credible beneficiaries of the AI revolution.

Apple produced solid results, though regional challenges remain, while Meta and Microsoft faced a sharp market backlash as investors grew wary of unchecked spending.

Tesla disappointed with weaker earnings, and Nvidia's next test will come in November.

The CEO of deVere Group says this earnings cycle marks a turning point in investor psychology.

“The market is no longer cheering companies that spend endlessly on AI in search of future gains,” he notes.

“It's favouring those proving they can harness AI profitably and efficiently right now.”

Alphabet's results were particularly impressive. The Google parent posted quarterly revenue above $100 billion for the first time, powered by a 34% surge in Google Cloud and a 13% rebound in advertising.

Shares hit record highs following the announcement as investors recognised the strength of its monetisation strategy. Google has emerged as one of the few firms turning the cost of AI infrastructure into sustained revenue growth.

Amazon's figures reinforced this trend. The group reported revenue of around $180 billion, up 13% year-on-year, and profit growth of about 40%.

Amazon Web Services expanded by roughly 20% to $33 billion despite a global outage earlier in the quarter, proving that demand for AI-enabled cloud capacity remains resilient. Investors responded positively to Amazon's ability to manage growth while improving margins — a sign that its focus on operational discipline is paying off.

Apple's report reflected a different kind of strength. Revenue climbed 8% to $102.5 billion, driven by record services income of $28.7 billion. Its core iPhone division performed broadly in line with expectations, but China revenue fell about 4%. The company's strategic shift toward high-margin digital services continues to offset hardware maturity, helping sustain double-digit earnings growth.

Shares rose roughly 5% after the results, showing that markets still view Apple as a dependable cash generator with strong brand durability.

The most notable market reactions came from Meta and Microsoft. Meta's stock dropped more than 10% after it announced plans to raise capital spending to as much as $72 billion to fund data centre and AI expansion.

Microsoft's shares slipped about 3% despite solid revenue and profit growth, as investors focused on the drag from its partnership with OpenAI. Both results were reminders that even well-capitalised firms are not immune to pushback when their spending appears excessive.

Tesla's report added to the cautious tone. The electric vehicle maker's earnings came in below expectations amid weaker automotive margins and soft global demand. While Tesla remains a critical player in the AI and robotics story, its results showed how rising costs and slower deliveries are challenging growth assumptions across the EV sector.

Nvidia, the seventh of the group, will report on November 19. Its results are expected to be a bellwether for the entire AI complex after a year of record-breaking valuation gains.

However, earlier this week, Nigel Green commented that “Nvidia's climb toward $5 trillion exposes the gap between belief and proof in the AI boom. The tech is unstoppable, but the valuations are unsustainable without profit to back them.

“This is the moment for investors to stay engaged, stay selective, and focus on where AI's promise turns into performance.”

He continues that the market's reaction this week reinforces that point. “Investors are now demanding results, not just promises,” he explains.

“The extraordinary enthusiasm around AI is giving way to a more pragmatic approach. Markets want evidence that these investments translate into measurable returns.”

Nigel Green concludes: “This week's results confirm that Big Tech remains the heartbeat of the global equity market.

“But investors have become more selective. Growth alone is no longer enough. The winners will be those applying AI to enhance earnings today, not those betting on uncertain payoffs years ahead.”

About deVere Group:

Quantum computing has attracted the attention of both public and private stakeholders across a range of regions and industries, with the global commercial opportunity for quantum computing hardware set to surpass US$21 billion within the next two decades. With multiple hardware providers demonstrating products capable of high-fidelity operations with hundreds of qubits, the focus is now shifting to which industries will be the first to benefit from commercially ready quantum computers?

One of the most hotly debated topics in the quantum computing industry is what the first breakthrough “killer application” will be, sometimes also referred to as the “ChatGPT moment” for quantum, drawing parallels to the transition of LLMs from deep-tech projects to commercial success.

IDTechEx's market research report 'Quantum Computing Market 2026-2046: Technology, Trends, Players, Forecasts' explores in detail the different technology approaches, market leaders, infrastructure challenges and more. The content of the report is based on research from attending multiple global conferences and primary interviews with players across the value chain including hardware developers, materials providers, and end-users.

An overview of the industries likely to benefit from quantum computing in the near to medium-term future. Image source: IDTechEx

Quantum Computers for Quantum Chemistry

Based on input from the industry, one of the most commonly cited near-term use cases for quantum computing is in simulations of quantum chemistry and materials science, which could unlock a variety of new chemicals, materials, and pharmaceuticals. Market leaders such as Google Quantum AI and Quantinuum have already demonstrated the proof of concept for these simulations on real quantum hardware.

One of the first problems to be simulated is the Ising model, which describes the behavior of magnetic materials but becomes exponentially difficult to compute on classical computers. Quantum computers could therefore accelerate the discovery and characterization of new magnetic materials. Beyond magnetic materials, quantum computing could accelerate the discovery of new battery chemistries, industrial chemicals, or more effective drugs. For this reason, investment and collaboration with the quantum sector from the chemical, pharmaceutical, and automotive sectors has been steadily gaining momentum over the last 5-10 years.

Optimization for Automotive, Finance, and More

Another popular response to the question of what applications quantum computing could unlock is the more efficient optimization of problems and workflows across many industries. These problems include the better distribution of resources in factories and energy grids, improving supply or delivery workflows for manufacturing and logistics, or portfolio optimization in financial trading.

D-Wave has been by far the strongest proponent of quantum-enhanced optimization, publishing several early-stage use-cases running on their quantum annealers, which differ fundamentally from the universal gate-based approach of most other quantum computing companies. D-Wave's commercial partners for these demonstrations range from telecoms to the food industry to the research division of General Electric.

While the opportunities in optimization for quantum computers seem vast and highly lucrative at first, it is worth noting that the theory for exactly which problems could actually benefit from quantum speedup is less robust, and these problems also face more competition from improving non-quantum methods.

The Lurking Quantum Threat to Cybersecurity

The most notorious application of quantum computing is its potential to invalidate certain widely used encryption methods such as RSA. Many argue that this remains the main driver of national quantum computing initiatives, and the first cases where this application is likely to be used is by national actors or large conglomerates to gain access to the sensitive data and critical infrastructure of other nations or major corporations.

In May 2025, a study from Google Quantum AI suggested that breaking RSA-2048 encryption, which is widely used for secure communications over the internet, could be achieved in less than a week using a quantum computer with less than 1 million noisy (0.1% error rate) physical qubits. This is quite a drastic reduction from the previous estimate of 20 million qubits made by the same group in 2019. The steady decline in the qubit number predicted to be necessary is not due to mistakes in the calculations, but due to improvements in the quantum algorithms. This is a clear example of the two-way relationship between quantum hardware and software, where the two will eventually converge on an algorithm that can be run on existing quantum hardware.

For context, the timelines of most leading quantum computing hardware companies predict reaching the 1 million physical qubit milestone (or a logical qubit equivalent) no sooner than the early 2030s. While there is no cause for immediate panic, this development significantly increases the chance of a “Q-Day” event within the decade and should spur the adoption of quantum-safe solutions for those most likely to be affected.

Market Outlook

As quantum computers have grown in capability, stakeholders and investors now expect commercially relevant use cases to be demonstrated within the next few years. The development of quantum computing hardware has been broken down in the market research report 'Quantum Computing Market 2026-2046: Technology, Trends, Players, Forecasts', with critical analysis of the different hardware approaches and projections for future milestones and commercial adoption, as well as additional details on the applications discussed in this article.

To summarize, simulations in quantum chemistry hold significant potential as the first “killer application”, with relevance to the chemical, pharmaceutical, and automotive sectors. The more efficient solution of optimization problems and logistics would be highly lucrative for a larger range of industries, but it is of ongoing debate how soon these problems could benefit from a quantum speedup. Finally, the threat to cybersecurity remains a long-term driver for the quantum industry, especially for government strategies.

For more information on this report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/QuantumComputing, or for the full portfolio of quantum research available from IDTechEx, see www.IDTechEx.com/Research/Quantum.

About IDTechEx
 
IDTechEx provides trusted independent research on emerging technologies and their markets. Since 1999, we have been helping our clients to understand new technologies, their supply chains, market requirements, opportunities and forecasts. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

In October, the KOF Economic Barometer continues to increase. After rising in the previous month, the Economic Barometer now climbs above its medium-term average. The outlook for the Swiss economy is improving.

The KOF Economic Barometer increases in October by 3.3 points to a level of 101.3. Most of the indicator bundles included in the KOF Economic Barometer evince these positive developments. In particular, the indicator bundles for manufacturing, for financial and insurance services, and for other services show a more favourable outlook. The indicators for private consumption, however, experience a setback.

Within the producing industry (manufacturing and construction), the sub-indicators for the different aspects of business activity mostly indicate a positive outlook. The sub-indicators for stockpiling of intermediate goods as well as for stocks of finished products show a brightening outlook in particular. The sub-indicators for the competitive situation, however, are weakening.

Within manufacturing, the developments of the sub-indicators are mixed. While the sub-indicators for the electrical industry, for the metal industry, and for the wood, glass, stone and earth segment exhibit positive developments, the outlook for the sub-indicators for paper and printing products, for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry as well as for food and beverage producers is dampened.

October 30 2025 – Mounting debt levels in major economies including the United States and the United Kingdom are driving a surge of investor interest in alternative assets, says the CEO and founder of deVere Group, one of the world's largest independent financial advisory and asset management organizations.

“Government debt in leading economies has grown to unsustainable levels,” he says.

“Investors can see what's coming. When debt piles keep expanding faster than growth, the value of money is quietly diluted, and those holding conventional assets take the hit.”

The US national debt has now climbed above $38 trillion, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, and is projected to reach about 125% of GDP by the end of 2025.

In the UK, public sector net debt has risen to 96.4% of GDP, its highest level in more than six decades, while the IMF warns that global government debt could approach 100% of world GDP by 2029.

“These are not abstract figures,” says the deVere chief executive.

“They represent governments borrowing from the future to fund today's promises. The result is a slow erosion of purchasing power and a growing risk that the world's largest economies will struggle to finance themselves without constant central-bank support.”

He says this realization is prompting investors to shift away from assets tied too closely to sovereign balance sheets.

“Traditional bonds are losing their defensive value, and cash offers no protection against currency depreciation,” he explains.

“This is why we've been seeing renewed demand for tangible stores of value such as gold, silver, and increasingly, digital assets like Bitcoin. These are assets that don't rely on governments or central banks to maintain credibility.”

Nigel Green describes this movement not as speculative enthusiasm but as a rational response to fiscal overreach.

“When debt keeps expanding and productivity doesn't, investors know something has to give,” he says.

“They're reallocating toward assets that can hold value if the dollar, the pound, the euro, and other traditional currencies lose purchasing power. It's a redefinition of what safety means in a world of structural deficits.”

He adds that the appeal of alternatives now extends beyond retail investors. Institutional funds, pension managers, and sovereign wealth funds are recalibrating their portfolios to hedge against the debt-driven inflation threat.

“When the largest and most conservative investors start allocating to gold and digital assets, it's a clear signal that this shift is strategic,” he says.

“They're not chasing volatility; they're protecting capital from fiscal dilution.”

The imbalance between growth and government borrowing, he argues, has created a policy trap that investors cannot ignore.

“Governments are stuck,” he says. “If they keep rates high to control inflation, debt servicing becomes crushingly expensive. If they cut rates to ease the burden, they weaken their currencies and re-ignite inflation.”

Nigel Green predicts that these conditions will accelerate a global reallocation of capital over the next few years.

“This is the start of a structural shift,” he says. “Investors are positioning for a future defined by scarcity and decentralization rather than by debt and dilution. Precious metals, digital currencies, and certain private assets are becoming core components of modern wealth strategies.”

He believes the adjustment will be long-lasting because the fiscal pressures driving it are not cyclical.

“Neither Washington nor Westminster has the political will to reverse debt accumulation,” he says. “Voters expect high spending, and politicians deliver it with borrowed money.

“This is why this rebalancing toward alternative assets is an evolution.”

Nigel Green concludes that investors should be realistic about what record public debt means for the next decade.

 “The smart money including, increasingly, from institutional investors, is already diversifying into alternatives that can outlast the debt cycle.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.