Eric Sepanek
SBC Founder
Eric Sepanek is the founder of Scottsdale Bullion & Coin, established in 2011. With extensive experience in the precious metals industry, he is dedicated to educating Americans on the wealth preservation power of gold and silver.
Gold prices are headed to $3,000 this year, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). The leading gold authority broke with tradition by giving specific numbers in an assessment of the yellow metal’s trajectory. The group’s CEO outlined the group’s “very positive outlook” from a macroeconomic and geopolitical perspective, giving investors some concrete indicators of the metal’s anticipated rise.
WGC Gold Price Analysis & Prediction
In an interview with CNBC, David Tait, the CEO of WGC, spoke confidently of gold’s momentum heading into the new year. “It’s very hard for me not to see a very positive outlook for gold,” he explained. “I would expect to see gold top $3,000 at some point next year without any trouble at all.” This bullish forecast comes after a stellar 2024 performance where prices leaped over $700, clearing several new records along the way.
The yellow metal summited its highest point just before entering a post-election slump, a move Tait called “somewhat predictable.” In fact, the head of WGC sees gold’s moderate dip of 5–7% as proof of its “underlying strength” given that historic post-election declines have been steeper. Roughly a month after President-elect Trump won, gold prices have already clawed back most of those losses.
The Trump Factor
From post-election volatility to tariff threats, Trump’s upcoming term is already injecting uncertainty into an already frazzled economy. Supporters view his proposed policies as economically beneficial while critics anticipate a financial blowback.
According to Tait, these mixed signals are bullish for gold either way. Under a Trump presidency, the WGC expects to see:
- Inflationary pressures stemming from higher consumer goods in a high-tariff trade environment
- Sweeping tax cuts resulting in reduced government revenue and a larger spending deficit
- Steadily rising national debt which could hit $42 trillion in the next four years
- A steeper yield curve as long-term rates outpace long-term rates to a more severe degree
Why is gold going higher?
US & Global Debt
Debt is the most powerful fuel behind gold’s anticipated rise, according to the WGC. “The amount of debt that’s going to be piled on the US economy, Europe, and the rest of the world underlies the strength of gold,” Tait underlines.
The national debt crossed the $36 trillion line earlier this year, and the total global debt is $312 trillion, severely dampening any short-term market bullishness. Investors are flocking to safe-haven assets as faith in fiat currencies wanes under the mounting debt weight.
Central Bank Buying
Central banks are leading the charge in gold buying with a series of record demand in 2022, 2023, and 2024. These government-level investors can have a large impact on gold prices due to the size of their purchases, widespread market influence, and gold-positive monetary policies.
Across the globe, countries are increasingly eager to reduce their dependence on fiat currencies and fait-based assets. This shift has prompted a modern-day gold rush as central banks seek protection and stability, a trend likely to continue given an unchanging fiscal environment.
Emerging Market Demand
Over the past few years, emerging markets have been over-represented in gold demand relative to their size. These countries are largely driven by rapid growth, a desire to de-dollarize, and the uncertainty of an increasingly debt-laden global economy. As countries such as Japan, India, and China further open up their economies, Tait anticipates more gold buying, further boosting gold prices.
Inflationary Threats
These inflation-causing factors are likely to reinforce the immediacy of the debt problem warns the WGC CEO.
“You’re about to see a situation where the inflationary aspect of anti-tariffs and spending in the US is going to draw the debt burden into sharp focus which is only going to support gold.”
Experts Agree on Higher Gold in 2025
Typically, the WGC is reluctant to give concrete forecasts. The CEO’s decision to buck the trend is indicative of marketwide bullishness. In fact, the rich forecast of $3,000 is shared by over half a dozen experts, including Bank of America and Citi. The overwhelming majority of 2025 gold price predictions are far to the upside, suggesting gold is in for an exciting year.