Newsletter from 14.01.2026
Dear interested parties in the precious metals markets,
A good two months before the FutureForum Precious Metals, preparations are in full swing. The program, procedures and content are noticeably taking shape - and with every piece of feedback from the circle of speakers, partners and supporters, an impression is growing that reinforces us in our work. Again and again we hear the same sentence: A forum like this was missing. A place where precious metals are seriously discussed not only as a product, but also as an economic, political and social issue.
This is precisely the aim of the Precious Metals Future Forum. The aim is to bring together different perspectives, classify current developments and create space for objective exchange - beyond short-term market reactions or headlines. We see the fact that this concept has already met with such broad approval in the preparatory phase as both a confirmation and an obligation to create a forum that does justice to the topic and the expectations.
From now on, we will inform you once a week about the most important developments relating to the ZFE and the precious metals markets.
With best regards from Frankfurt
Wolfgang Wrzesniok-Roßbach & Corinna Schmitz
for the organization team of the FutureForum Precious Metals
Topic of the week: Will Donald Trump seal the end of the US Federal Reserve's independence?
At the beginning of the year, many market commentaries stated that the upside potential for gold was limited - unless the US government gained control of the Federal Reserve. On January 12, it then became public that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) had launched a criminal investigation into Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. Powell explained that the Fed had been confronted with grand jury subpoenas and the threat of criminal charges. Powell explicitly interpreted the action as political pressure on the central bank and an attack on its independence.
A stronger influence of the US government on the Fed would generally be bullish for gold because it weakens confidence in a data-based, independent monetary policy. Markets typically price in a higher risk and inflation premium in such a situation: If investors fear that interest rates will be set politically rather than macroeconomically in the future, uncertainty and demand for „politically neutral“ stores of value increase - gold benefits. In addition, the expectation can arise that the Fed will ease sooner or more strongly (lower interest rates) under pressure - this tends to lower real yields and weigh on the US dollar, both factors that usually support gold. It was precisely this mechanism that was already visible in the market debate on January 12: analysts warned of damaged Fed independence, the dollar weakened and gold reacted firmly.
Speaker of the week: Ruth Crowell (LBMA)
Gold is back at the center of the monetary policy debate. While central banks were regarded as reliable sellers for decades, this picture has changed fundamentally in recent years. Central banks around the world are increasing their gold reserves - partly for monetary policy reasons and partly for geopolitical reasons. The trend is remarkably stable and raises a key question: is the international monetary and reserve system on the verge of a structural reorganization in which gold will once again take on a more strategic role?
The focus of this development is not on short-term price movements, but on long-term considerations of stability, trust and sovereignty. Gold is not subject to political decisions, bears no issuer risk and is not subject to direct access. In a world of growing national debt, increasing geopolitical tensions and fragmented trade relations, it is precisely this aspect that is gaining in importance. For investors, market participants and political decision-makers, the question is therefore not so much „if“, but „why“ and the possible consequences of this development.
Ruth Crowell, Chief Executive of the London Bullion Market Association, provides a well-founded classification of this shift. As a representative of the central institution of international gold trading, she analyzes the role of central banks from a global perspective - beyond individual national interests. This is not just about purchase volumes, but also about market mechanisms, transparency, liquidity and trust in existing trading structures.
Crowell classifies the current developments as part of a long-term process in which gold is increasingly being viewed as a strategic asset again. Sales, which used to be part of the active reserve policy, are becoming less important. Instead, hedging against systemic risks is coming to the fore. This reassessment has an impact on the physical market as well as on regulatory issues, warehousing, refinancing and the role of established trading centers.
Why does this topic characterize the framework of the FutureForum Precious Metals?
The role of central banks is a key issue for understanding the precious metals markets as a whole. Their decisions influence supply, demand and market psychology - and set framework conditions that guide private and institutional players. The fact that this topic will be prominently discussed at the FutureForum Precious Metals 2026 underlines the event's claim to not only comment on market movements, but also to classify structural developments.
The question of whether gold will once again become a permanent focus of government reserve policy is therefore much more than a specialist topic for experts. It touches on fundamental questions of monetary order, trust and economic stability - and is the prelude to many other discussions about gold, silver and the platinum metals in Frankfurt in March 2026.
Our partners: HM Precious Metals
As a global leader in the precious metals industry and a platinum partner of ZukunftsForum Edelmetalle, HM Precious Metals stands for what creates value in the industry, especially „behind the scenes“ - the industrial processing, recovery and supply of precious metals. Founded in 1845 as Heimerle + Meule in Pforzheim, the company has grown classically as a gold and silver refinery and today offers a broad portfolio ranging from precious metal trading to precious metal and industrial recycling to semi-finished products and applications for jewelry, watches, dental and industry; in recycling, precious metal-containing materials such as jewelry, coins and dental gold as well as platinum/palladium residues are processed.
Most recently, the Group's main focus was on brand realignment: the Heimerle + Meule Group has been operating under the Group name HM Precious Metals since 2024 - combined with a revised brand identity and a clearer brand structure; this was followed by the launch of a new Group website in September 2024. HM Precious Metals is now one of the largest precious metals processors in the world - with over 1,500 employees at locations in nine countries.
The FutureForum Precious Metals as a forum - for you too!
The FutureForum Precious Metals offers companies and institutions the opportunity to present themselves as partners and play an active role in shaping the event. Partnerships enable visibility in front of a highly relevant specialist audience, prominent placement in the communication channels and access to exclusive exchange formats. Would you like to help shape the future of the precious metals market and contribute your expertise in a professional environment? We look forward to hearing from you and will be happy to introduce you to the various models.
- Be there as a partner or exhibitor: Find out more about the ZukunftsFoum Edelmetalle 2026.
Book now: Tickets and exclusive hotel contingent available for the FutureForum Precious Metals 2026
Tickets are now available for the FutureForum Precious Metals 2026, which will take place on March 23 and 24, 2026 with a preliminary program on March 22. The event brings together leading minds from the fields of investment, banking, precious metals trading, industry, recycling and research and offers a compact overview of the current key market trends. Participants have direct access to specialist presentations, panels and networking formats that enable a direct exchange with experts. Early bookings not only ensure participation, but also the best possible planning for your personal program.
Your additional advantage: With your ticket booking you will also receive a link to access the limited room contingent of our partner hotels, either NH Collection Frankfurt Spin Tower or nhow Frankfurt. Take the opportunity to book your hotel room at the exclusive event rate of only 139 euros including breakfast directly after purchasing your ticket!
Keeping an eye on things: News from the FutureForum Precious Metals
Whether new trends in the precious metals market, exciting background reports or information on upcoming events - we keep you informed throughout the year about everything that moves the industry.
On our LinkedIn channel we regularly publish exclusive insights, event information, expert interviews and the latest market observations. Follow us to make sure you never miss a post and stay in touch with the community.
Our newsletter is even more direct: here you receive selected first-hand information - compact, up-to-date and relevant for anyone who deals with precious metals either professionally or privately.
Partners - News from our supporters
We would like to expressly thank our strong industry partners at the FutureForum Precious Metals 2025, whose commitment has made an active contribution to offering participants a program that is unique in this form in the DACH region.
