By Kane White, CEO and Founder, Britannia Bullion
Every week there is a new headline. Another flashpoint. Another warning. Another reminder that the world is not as stable as we would like it to be.
I want to be clear from the outset. I will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
This is not scare mongering.
This is not political.
And it is not financial advice.
It is simply a straightforward look at what is happening, what it can mean, and why gold has historically mattered when the world gets uncertain.
One question worth asking
Through thousands of years of recorded history, when has gold tended to push higher at speed, the answer, more often than not, is geopolitical stress and war risk.
Not because gold is magical.
Because confidence in paper systems weakens when uncertainty rises. Have a look at the proven track record of Fiat currency.
The UK is now speaking differently
In the last few days, the UK’s Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, delivered a stark message about the need for national readiness, including the line:
“To build. To serve. And if necessary, to fight. And more families will know what sacrifice for our nation means.”
That is not social media exaggeration. That is a published UK government speech.
Reuters also reported on Sir Richard’s warning that the UK must better prepare for the threat posed by Russia, calling for broader societal readiness and industrial capacity.
And in a separate public comment, Sir Richard compared the likelihood of a direct Russian attack on the UK to “Liverpool winning the Premier League”, while still stressing the risk is not zero.
However you feel about politics, that shift in tone matters. It tells you what decision makers are thinking about behind the scenes.
This is not just a UK story
Zoom out and you can see why markets are on edge.
We have ongoing geopolitical instability across multiple regions, and increasingly forceful language between major powers. We have fresh sanctions, new flashpoints, and growing pressure on global trade and energy routes.
Again, I’m not here to dramatize. I’m here to highlight a simple truth.
When global friction increases, the world tends to look for assets that sit outside political promises.
Why gold reacts to moments like this, and alway has!
Gold is not a tech stock. It is not a start up. It does not need optimism.
Gold tends to do well when people want:
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stability over excitement
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independence over permission
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something real, not something promised
That is why gold has been referred to as a flight to safety for centuries. Not because it is perfect, but because it is widely recognised, globally liquid, and not dependent on one government or one system.
The smart money is not guessing
While everyday investors debate whether gold is “too high”, central banks have been doing the opposite.
In the World Gold Council’s 2025 Central Bank Gold Reserves Survey, 95% of respondents expected global central bank gold reserves to increase over the next 12 months.
That is a remarkable consensus.
When the institutions that create money choose to hold gold, it is worth paying attention. They are not buying it for decoration.
Simple facts people should know about physical gold... Let’s keep this practical.
Gold is real money, It is a recognised store of value with thousands of years of history.
Gold can carry zero counterparty risk when held physically, No bank promise required. No issuer. No third party IOU.
Gold can be held off grid, Physical ownership means it is not dependent on apps, servers, or payment rails.
Gold can be tax efficient in the UK, depending on the product, Investment gold can be VAT exempt under HMRC rules. And certain UK legal tender coins such as Britannia's and Sovereigns are treated as sterling currency and are exempt from Capital Gains Tax under the relevant HMRC rules.
That matters, because keeping more of what you earn is part of protecting your family’s future.
The point of this article
I am not telling you what to do. I am not predicting dates. I am not promising outcomes.
I am saying this.
When war risk rises, currencies and markets can become unstable, and history has shown us this! Governments spend more, borrow more, and the world becomes less predictable. In those moments, gold has historically played a clear role in how people protect purchasing power.
Right now, a lot of the conditions that have driven gold over long periods are appearing at the same time. That is why it is becoming a talking point again.
If you want to go deeper
If you want a simple conversation about:
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how physical gold works
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the difference between allocated and unallocated
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UK tax treatment on specific coins
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delivery versus storage options
Then reach out. No pressure. No hype. Just clarity. My details are below and our team are ready to assist.
Important: This article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. Gold prices can go up as well as down, and past performance is not a guide to future results.
