Odaily Planet Daily reports that J. Safra Sarasin strategist Claudio Wewel pointed out that the continuous surge in silver prices is due to the market's weakening expectations of a rate cut in the US and silver's new critical mineral status. The US Department of the Interior listed silver as a critical mineral in November, increasing the possibility of tariffs on this metal. He noted that this has intensified long-term supply tightness and prompted US importers to accelerate silver purchases. Meanwhile, retail investors, unable to buy gold at historic highs, are turning to silver as a safe-haven asset.