Overview
- Posts shared on X claim China will require government licences for silver exports starting January 1, 2026, a move not yet confirmed by Chinese authorities.
- Elon Musk responded that “This is not good,” noting silver’s essential role across many industrial processes.
- Prices hit fresh highs, with spot silver around $79.16 per ounce after a roughly 10% weekend surge and an intraday peak near $83.62 on Monday before easing to roughly $75 on profit‑taking.
- Analysts caution that tight physical supply could intensify price swings, and some reports cite China’s outsized role in processing at an estimated 60%–70%.
- Potential curbs would likely pressure supply chains for electronics, electric vehicles and renewable energy, so market participants are watching for policy details from Beijing.