Gold in 2025: The Complete Guide to Investing from Any Digital Platform

Investing in gold has become an increasingly popular strategy to protect wealth. Since 2024, this asset has been breaking records non-stop. The reason? Its ability to safeguard investments during times of economic volatility.

To put the phenomenon into perspective: 50 years ago, one ounce of gold cost just 35 dollars. Today, it reaches 4,200 dollars, representing a 120-fold increase. In the first half of 2025 alone, the price has risen more than 103% since the beginning of 2024.

Why invest in gold in 2025

Gold functions as a “safe-haven asset.” During economic crises (such as 2008-2012, when the price increased by more than 100%), while other assets fall, gold tends to maintain or increase its value.

Additionally, it protects against inflation. When currency loses purchasing power, the gold price rises to compensate. For diversified portfolios, adding gold reduces overall risk without completely sacrificing profitability potential.

Five different ways to access gold

There is no single way to invest in this precious metal. Each alternative presents different characteristics depending on your investor profile.

Physical gold: Tangibility with logistical challenges

Buying gold bars or jewelry offers real ownership of the asset. However, it involves risks of theft, storage costs in vaults or banks, difficulties in selling quickly (low liquidity), and higher taxes on gains.

CFDs: The most accessible option for beginners

A contract for difference allows speculation on the gold price without owning the asset. Ideal for those with limited capital (less than 1,000 USD), CFDs offer access to multiple instruments with flexible leverage.

Key advantages: Depositing just 20 USD allows you to start. You can go long (bet on the rise) or short (profit if it falls). However, leverage amplifies gains but also losses.

Mining stocks: For investors with financial knowledge

Companies like Wheaton Precious Metals Corp (WPM), Dundee Precious Metals Inc (DPM.TO), or DRDGold Limited (DRD) are directly linked to the gold price. Investing in their shares exposes you indirectly to the commodity.

Requires analyzing balance sheets, cash flows, and operational prospects. Returns may include dividends, but there is specific company risk beyond gold’s behavior.

ETFs: Automatic diversification

Exchange-traded funds like SPDR Gold Shares, iShares Gold Trust, or SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust group multiple gold-related assets. They offer high liquidity and instant diversification, though management fees erode returns and limit individual decision-making.

Gold futures: Advanced instruments

Standardized contracts where you speculate on the future price of gold at specific dates. Require experience and rigorous risk management due to involved leverage.

Five reliable platforms to invest in gold in 2025

Mitrade: Access from 20 dollars

Regulation: ASIC, CIMA, and FSC

Features: Minimum deposit of only 20 USD, low spreads, one free withdrawal per month, leverage up to 100 times, multiple payment methods (Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, bank transfers).

Founded in Melbourne with over 5 million global users. The platform is intuitive on both mobile and desktop. Offers a free demo account for practice.

eToro: Social trading tools

Regulation: Multiple jurisdictions

Features: Over 30 million users, CopyTrader™ feature to replicate successful traders’ operations, over 5,000 available assets including 100 cryptocurrencies.

Minimum deposit of 100 USD, $5 USD withdrawal fee. Charges $10 USD monthly if the account remains inactive for more than 12 months. Ideal for those who want to learn by copying strategies.

AvaTrade: Professional analysis

Regulation: Global licenses

Features: Access to MT4, technical analysis tools, real-time news, spot gold and gold futures trading.

Minimum deposit of 100 USD, $10 USD inactivity fee monthly if no activity occurs for 2 consecutive months and balance is less than 2,000 USD. Better suited for long-term traders.

TIOmarkets: Flexibility with FCA regulation

Regulation: FCA UK

Features: Customizable account types, fees adjusted according to account type, unlimited leverage, access to MetaTrader, no fund withdrawal.

Founded in 2019, positions itself as a competitive option. The interface requires some familiarization, especially for beginners.

Tickmill: Low costs, multiple regulators

Regulation: FCA, FSA, CySEC

Features: Over 785,000 accounts opened, competitive spreads, no commissions on standard accounts, diverse financial instruments.

Minimum deposit of 100 USD, $10 USD inactivity fee monthly after 1 year without activity. Available on app, web, and MetaTrader. Platforms require some learning curve.

Strengths and limitations of investing in gold

Clear advantages: Protection during market downturns, hedge against inflation, portfolio diversification that reduces overall risk.

Disadvantages to consider: Limited volatility means lower returns compared to stocks or cryptocurrencies. Owning physical gold involves storage, transportation, insurance costs, and higher taxes on sales. Missed opportunities if invested in assets with higher potential.

Short operations: Profit when gold falls

Even if the price drops, it’s possible to profit through short selling. The mechanism is to sell gold you do not own, expecting to buy it back at a lower price.

Practical example: If gold is quoted at 1,800 USD/ounce and you anticipate a drop to 1,700 USD, you short at 1,800. When it declines, you buy back at 1,700. Net profit: 100 USD per ounce.

Step 1 - Technical analysis: Log into your broker and evaluate if gold shows a downward trend. Use moving averages, trend lines, economic news, and global events to confirm the expected direction.

Step 2 - Setup: Select “sell” or “short position” in the order window. Decide if it’s a market order (executes at current price) or a pending order (executes when it reaches a specific level). Indicate quantity in lots (1 standard lot = 100 ounces). Adjust leverage according to your risk tolerance.

Step 3 - Protection: Before executing, set take profit (exit level in profit) and stop loss (exit level to limit losses). Use supports, resistances, or Fibonacci retracements as references. These levels automatically protect your investment.

Step 4 - Execution: Confirm the operation and monitor the position. Stay informed about market news to make adjustments if necessary.

Conclusion: Is 2025 the time to invest in gold?

The 120-fold increase over 50 years, combined with the current economic volatility, makes gold a serious consideration for any portfolio. Whether through CFDs for beginners, ETFs for automatic diversification, mining stocks for fundamental analysis, or futures for advanced traders, options exist.

The five presented platforms offer proven regulation, varied instruments, and accessible deposits. The key is to choose the one that aligns with your initial capital, experience, and time horizon. And remember: even if gold’s price falls, short operations allow maintaining profitability in bearish markets.