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Gold prices below 2000 but seasonals remain favorable

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Gold prices below $2,000, but seasonals remain favorable

Although gold remains stuck below $2,000 an ounce, some analysts remain optimistic that all-time highs are an achievable target by year-end or into the new year.

In quiet holiday trading, spot gold prices have stabilized Thursday at an elevated level, last trading at $1,992.20 an ounce, up 0.15% on the day.

Analysts are not expecting to see much of a rally through the rest of the week as most traders are now focused on the U.S. Thanksgiving Holiday and Black Friday shopping. U.S. markets are closed Thursday and will open for half a day Friday.

Heading into the holiday, the gold market could not hold new gains above $2,000 an ounce as markets continued to digest the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s November monetary policy meeting, which were released Tuesday afternoon.

Although the central bank left interest rates unchanged at its latest meeting, the minutes show that the committee is maintaining a hawkish basis as they expect to hold rates in restrictive territory for the foreseeable future.

"The bullion price found strong support earlier in the week, as expectations that the Fed's rate hiking cycle had ended consolidated amongst investors."

"The resulting mood led to a two-and-a-half-month low for the greenback and saw treasury yields drop, in a dynamic that benefited the non-yielding precious metal," said Ricardo Evangelista – senior analyst at ActivTrades, in a note to clients Thursday. "However, the subsequent publication of hawkish Fed minutes cooled this enthusiasm, and the release of strong labour data on Wednesday compounded the sentiment of uncertainty as investors hesitated to call the next Fed monetary policy move. With the 'higher-for-longer' view lingering and receding expectations of a rate cut in the first half of 2024, the upside for gold prices may be limited."

Although gold prices have been capped in recent weeks, there is still optimism that prices will eventually move higher.

"Gold has put in a decent performance so far this week after trading down to $1,965 on Monday. It has crossed above the $2,000 per ounce level a few times," said David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation. "But, as in late October, gold has failed to hold this level as support and has been knocked lower every time it approaches $2,010. Nevertheless, it’s currently trading just underneath this key area and it feels as if it wouldn’t take much for it to have another attempt at an upside break-out."

With markets waiting for a new catalyst, analysts have said that seasonal factors could play a bigger role in the price action, which would be extremely bullish for gold.

In a recent interview with Kitco News, Adam Button, head of currency strategy at Forexlive.com, said that gold’s year-end seasonal trade is one of the most reliable in the market.

"You buy gold before Thanksgiving and sell it in February," he said.

Nicky Shiels, head of metals strategy at MKS PAMP, said that in the last five years gold has seen average gains of 2.7% between Thanksgiving to Dec.31.

Gold and silver prices stuck, waiting for a catalyst – Quant Insight's Huw Roberts

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Neils Christensen

For Kitco News

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

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Gold silver slide as USDX rallies crude oil sells off

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Gold, silver slide as USDX rallies, crude oil sells off

Gold and silver prices are lower in midday U.S. trading Wednesday, pressured by solid gains in the U.S. dollar index and sharp losses in crude oil. Better risk appetite in the general marketplace this week is also a bearish element for the safe-haven metals. December gold was last down $8.80 at $1,992.90. December silver was last down $0.194 at $23.675.

The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index solidly higher after hitting an 11-week low Tuesday. Nymex crude oil prices are sharply lower and trading around $74.75 a barrel. Reports today said the OPEC-plus cartel postponed its weekend meeting in Vienna because members are in disagreement on further oil-production cuts. Meantime, the yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is presently fetching 4.428%.

U.S. stock indexes are higher at midday and at multi-week highs amid the better risk appetite in the marketplace. It's a quieter trading week as the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday is on Thursday, and Friday is typically one of the quietest U.S. trading days of the year. Look for U.S. traders to hit the exit doors early today, to get a jump on the holiday.

  Massive money printing coming in 2024, the Fed to 'catastrophically' break something – Preston Pysh

The marketplace quickly digested the minutes from the last FOMC meeting of the Federal Reserve, which were released Wednesday afternoon. The FOMC minutes said the committee members noted the risk of higher-than-expected inflation and weaker-than-expected U.S. economic growth. The FOMC minutes said more evidence is needed before the Fed shifts its stance on U.S. interest rates. The marketplace took that to mean the Fed will continue to pause on its rate hikes for a few months as it weighs incoming economic data. Markets showed little reaction Tuesday afternoon as the minutes contained no surprises.

Technically, the gold futures bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Bulls' next upside price objective is to produce a close in December futures above solid resistance at the October high of $2,019.70. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at the November low of $1,935.60. First resistance is seen at $2,000.00 and then at this week's high of $2,009.80. First support is seen at Tuesday's low of $1,979.90 and then at this week's low of $1,967.20. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.0

The silver bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing December futures prices above solid technical resistance at $25.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the November low of $21.925. First resistance is seen at $24.00 and then at the November high of $24.22. Next support is seen at this week's low of $23.30 and then at $23.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.0.

Try out my "Markets Front Burner" email report. My next one is due out today and is going to be entitled, "When China sneezes…" Front Burner is my best writing and analysis, I think, because I get to look ahead at the marketplace and do some market price forecasting. And it's free! Sign up to my new, free weekly Markets Front Burner newsletter, at https://www.kitco.com/services/markets-front-burner.html .

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Jim Wyckoff

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Tim Moseley

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A Glimpse into the World of Crypto Exchange Revenue Decentralized Exchanges Emerge Including Markethives Latest Vision It just makes sense

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A Glimpse into the World of Crypto Exchange Revenue. Decentralized Exchanges Emerge, including Markethive's Latest Vision. It just makes sense. 

The popularity of cryptocurrency exchanges has skyrocketed in recent years, with a massive influx of users globally utilizing these platforms to purchase, sell, and exchange digital assets. The rise of cryptocurrencies has brought about a peculiar phenomenon where centralized exchanges hold a dominant position in various aspects, including profitability, usage, stature, and innovation, with examples such as perpetual swaps, a derivative product pioneered in the crypto space. Meanwhile, decentralized exchanges (DEXs) have introduced innovations like automated market makers (AMMs) to the landscape.

In a previous article, we reviewed how crypto trading exchanges made money and, for the first time, surpassed the traditional stock exchanges in 2021. Now, we’ll outline some of the leading centralized crypto exchanges’ revenue and ponder the emergence of decentralized crypto exchanges, which are imperative for security, legitimacy, and autonomy. 

Centralized Crypto Exchanges

Hundreds of centralized exchanges are out there, with many holding their own catering to specific niches. Below is an overview of five leading centralized crypto exchanges, their fortunes, and misfortunes in their efforts to remain successful and serve the crypto community worldwide.  


Source: Binance 

Binance

Binance has emerged as a leading platform for cryptocurrency trading, with a whopping $7.7 trillion in exchange volume in 2021. Founded in 2017 by Changpeng Zhao, a seasoned industry expert who previously held key roles at Blockchain.info and OKCoin, Binance has solidified its position as a dominant force in the digital asset market.

Initially introduced in Hong Kong, it rapidly gained popularity as one of the premier exchanges. However, it encountered a series of strict regulations, with China issuing a ban on crypto exchanges that led it to relocate its servers and headquarters to Malta. Currently, Binance staff are scattered worldwide and work from home. 

Despite facing scrutiny from regulatory authorities in various countries, Binance has managed to maintain its position as the leading cryptocurrency exchange by volume. The company has been investigated in the US and UK, which has led to several banks prohibiting their customers from transferring funds to Binance. Nevertheless, Binance continues to outperform its rival, Coinbase, which has a more extensive user base but lower trading volumes. Binance ranks #1 on CoinMarketCap.

Binance key statistics

  • Binance made $20 billion in revenue in 2021, a 263% YoY increase.
  • Binance has an estimated 28.6 million users as of October 2021.
  • Binance's annual spot trading for 2021 is already seven times larger than its 2020 value.
  • Its peak 24-hour trading volume is $76 billion.


Source: Coinpedia

Coinbase

Since its establishment in 2012, Coinbase has been at the forefront of the cryptocurrency industry, holding the position of the largest exchange in the United States regarding trading volume. Currently ranking at #2 on CoinMarketCap, it is primarily recognized as a platform for buying, selling, and storing Bitcoin. Coinbase also provides various options for exchanging different cryptocurrencies and traditional fiat currencies.

Before Bitcoin's meteoric rise, Coinbase seamlessly integrated its payment processing system with prominent platforms such as Stripe, Braintree, and PayPal while also forming partnerships with major merchants, including Dell, Expedia, and Time Inc. This strategic move positioned Coinbase for success in 2017, a year that would prove to be a turning point for both the company and the cryptocurrency market as a whole. In this year, Coinbase expanded its offerings by adding new coins to its exchange and achieved a remarkable revenue milestone of nearly $1 billion.

Coinbase has faced numerous allegations, such as excessively charging customers for transactions and delays in making currencies accessible. Additionally, it was compelled to disclose information to the IRS about traders in the United States who held significant amounts of cryptocurrency. Although Coinbase went public in 2021, its worth has become closely linked to the price of Bitcoin, resulting in a continuous decrease in value throughout 2022.

Coinbase key statistics

  • Coinbase Global annual revenue in 2022 was $3.194 billion, a 59.25% decline from 2021.
  • Coinbase has 98 million users worldwide, and nine million people exchange monthly.
  • Coinbase lost $2.6 billion in 2022, a massive swing for the company, which reported $3 billion in net profit the previous year.
  • Coinbase global total assets for 2022 were $89.7 billion, a 321.75% increase from 2021.


Source: SignHouse

Kraken

Kraken is among the pioneering cryptocurrency exchanges, with its roots in San Francisco, USA. Founded by Jesse Powell in 2011, the platform aimed to provide a reliable and secure environment for users to trade digital assets. In response to the security breach at Mt. Gox in 2011, Powell saw the need for a robust exchange and launched Kraken publicly in 2013, committed to creating a haven for cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

Kraken ranks #3 on CoinMarketCap and has emerged as the leading crypto exchange in the Eurozone, thanks to its integration with the Bloomberg Terminal and timely involvement in the Mt. Gox saga. Initially, Kraken's growth was fueled by its provision of market data on bitcoin trading, which made it a hit among traders. However, its user base significantly surged when Mt. Gox ceased operations in 2014. As Kraken was chosen to spearhead the search for 650,000 missing Bitcoins and distribute Mt. Gox's assets to creditors, many Mt. Gox creditors opened trading accounts with Kraken, thereby providing the exchange with early liquidity.

Kraken's initial edge as the sole gateway for Euro-based crypto trading has resulted in its position as the leading exchange for Euro trading volume. However, its growth has been outpaced by other exchanges, such as Binance and FTX, which have expanded their offerings and user base faster. Despite being launched later, in 2017 and 2019, respectively, Binance and FTX have now surpassed Kraken in size. This can be attributed to their faster introduction of new features and currencies and their provision of high-risk, high-reward trading options that Kraken does not offer.

Kraken Key Statistics

  • Kraken is valued at $10.8 billion, a valuation/revenue of 7.4X
  • Kraken’s 2022 revenue reached a new milestone of $47.11 million.
  • In 2022, Kraken exceeded 9 million users worldwide.
  • Kraken's monthly average trading volume in 2022 is $33.1 billion.


Source: Coinmarketcap

HTX (formerly Huobi Global)

HTX, a prominent cryptocurrency trading platform, ranks #15 on CoinMarketCap regarding trading volume. Founded in 2013 by Leon Li and Du Jun, the exchange has recently caught the attention of Justin Sun, Tron's founder, who has taken on an advisory role and is considered a de facto owner. To commemorate its 10th anniversary, Huobi Global rebranded to HTX in September 2023, with the letters "H" and "T" representing Huobi and TRON, respectively, and "X" symbolizing the exchange.

HTX Exchange holds significant influence in Asian markets and was initially established in China. However, due to heightened regulatory measures, HTX decided to move its operations to the Republic of Seychelles. In addition to its physical offices in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, HTX also established a presence in the United States in 2018. Unfortunately, this office had to be shut down due to regulatory issues. Following the crackdown in China, HTX experienced a decrease of approximately 30% in its revenue, which further fueled its drive for global expansion.

HTX did not benefit from the recent bear market. In 2020, the platform generated approximately $250 million in quarterly revenue, which increased to $1.25 billion in mid-2021. However, by the end of 2022, HTX's quarterly revenue had decreased by 98% compared to 2021. In 2023, HTX focused on burning its HT token to reduce its circulation supply and potentially raise its value. Additionally, HTX adjusted its burning methods to align with other prominent cryptocurrency exchanges.

HTX Key Statistics

  • HTX's estimated annual revenue is currently $110.1M.
  • HTX is handling over $4 billion in daily trading volume.
  • Total assets are approximately $2.35 billion.


Source: Coingeek

OKX (formerly OKEx)

Since its inception in 2013, OKX has undergone various iterations. Mingxing "Star" Xu established it as the OKCoin.cn Bitcoin exchange in China. Subsequently, an international variant called OKCoin.com was introduced, which continues to operate as a fiat-supporting exchange in select markets. In 2017, OKEx, an all-digital-asset platform, was launched concurrently with the International Digital Asset Exchange (IDAX). Over time, OKX has expanded its presence to encompass the European Union, the United States, and Latin America. The company's headquarters are located in Seychelles.

In 2022, OKEx rebranded and changed its name to 'OKX' to adapt to decentralized services. According to OKX, this change in name and image will guide the company toward a decentralized future where digital assets merge with other innovative experiences. The letter "X" symbolizes the uncharted and yet-to-be-discovered opportunities in the financial and virtual domains. OKX holds the rank #5 on CoinMarketCap

The company has made the strategic decision to enter the emerging world of cryptocurrency and delve into DeFi offerings, NFTs, gaming, and metaverses. This expansion signifies OKX's desire to explore the possibilities within the crypto realm fully and transform it into a comprehensive destination for all types of cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

OKX Key Statistics

  • OKX’s year-to-date is $50 – $75 million. 
  • OKX's year-to-date volume is $960.9 billion.
  • OKX has over 20 million users worldwide in over 100 countries.
  • Total assets: Nearly $11.8 billion

Decentralized Crypto Exchanges 

Over the past few years, decentralized exchanges (DEXs) have become strong contenders to the conventional centralized exchange (CEX) model. Blockchain technologies like cryptocurrency are based on a philosophy of decentralization. As a result, it is only natural that decentralized exchanges have emerged to challenge the established centralized exchanges. These recent developments have fostered a distinctively unique ecosystem for crypto assets, attracting a growing community of traders and investors.

What makes DEXs unique is that they're peer-to-peer marketplaces that let cryptocurrency traders make direct transactions — without an intermediary managing their funds. Instead, DEXs use smart contracts that self-execute their agreements, and innovative solutions have been devised to solve liquidity-related issues.


Source: IQ.wiki 

The 1inch Network

The 1inch network was introduced in May 2019, while its token, 1INCH, was launched in December 2020 by its founders, Sergej Kunz, and Anton Bukov. Before co-founding 1inch, Kunz was employed full-time as a cybersecurity specialist at Porsche and worked as a senior developer at a price aggregator. Bukov, on the other hand, has experience in software development and has recently been involved in decentralized finance.

The 1inch network uses multiple protocols: Aggregation, Liquidity, and Limit Order Protocol. The synergy of these protocols ensures fast and protected operations in the DeFi space. It unifies numerous decentralized exchanges (DEXs) into a user-friendly platform. This lets users compare and optimize their crypto trades and swaps without navigating multiple exchanges separately. The network's initial protocol, a decentralized exchange aggregator solution, scours various liquidity sources to provide users with the best possible rates, exceeding those offered by any individual exchange.

The 1inch Aggregation Protocol leverages identify the most optimal paths across a vast network of over 300 liquidity sources spread across ten different blockchain platforms, including Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Avalanche, Optimistic Ethereum, Arbitrum, Fantom, Gnosis Chain, Klaytn, and Aurora. 

Even though the cryptocurrency market was experiencing a downturn and chaos due to the collapse of centralized entities, UST, and a well-known crypto hedge fund, users are still actively trading on the 1inch Network. Despite the market decline, the increase in trading volume on 1inch indicates that users strongly desire to adjust their investment portfolios to withstand the market conditions. 1inch has proven its value to users during a challenging economic environment by consistently growing its trading volumes.

1inch Key Statistics 

  • Total earnings for 2022-’23: $12.5 million
  • Total volume 2022-’23: $175.1 million. 
  • 1inch has approximately 4.9 million users, accommodating 54,300 users per day.
  • 1inch’s Market cap is $377.2 million and ranked 110th out of all 8,819 active cryptocurrencies listed on CoinMarketCap.


Source: Ailtra

dYdX

dYdX has established itself as a leading decentralized exchange platform globally, supporting over 35 cryptocurrencies. Founded by Antonio Juliano, a California-based entrepreneur and former Coinbase engineer, in July 2017, the platform provides various services such as trading, lending, and borrowing and initially operated on the Ethereum Layer-1 network. dYdX also introduced its native currency, DYDX, in August 2017.  

The company is widely acclaimed for its cross-margin perpetual trading, making it a comprehensive hub for decentralized financial transactions. As a DEX offering derivatives, dYdX was an early mover, rolling out its first perpetual swap (perp-swap) offering in 2020. Three years later, most DEX trading activity is still on spot-trading venues. The leading exception is dYdX.

The high trading volume on dYdX can be attributed to two significant developments in 2021. Firstly, dYdX migrated from the Ethereum mainnet to utilize layer-2 rollups powered by Starkware, resulting in faster and more affordable transactions. Additionally, introducing the dYdX protocol token boosted the platform. It is a governance token that allows the dYdX community to own and govern the protocol truly, aligning incentives between traders, liquidity providers, and broader stakeholders. These enhancements, known as dYdX v3, have contributed to a substantial increase in trading activity, with the number of listed pairs growing from 3 to over 30.

In June 2022, dYdX v3 was replaced with a new version, the dYdX v4. The dYdX Chain (currently on the public Testnet from Sept. 2023) marks a significant milestone in the company's development as it shifts towards a decentralized, community-driven model. Leveraging the Cosmos SDK, dYdX creates a transparent and trustless central order book exchange governed by validators and stakers. The ratio of fee distribution will be determined by on-chain governance, ensuring that holders of the dYdX token will receive a share of the fee revenues. 

In a move towards true decentralization, dYdX Trading Inc. and other central parties will not have access to trading fees on dYdX V4, as promised by the core team in their January 2022 announcement. It’s interesting to note that considering the recent market downturn, the exchange has seen volume and revenue while focusing on development, which can help the platform grow when the activity returns in the crypto market. dYdX currently sits at #1 of the DEX listings on CoinMarketCap.

dYdX Key Statistics 

  • dYdX’s semi-annual report states that dYdX’s trading volume has surpassed $230 billion, with a daily volume of $1 billion. The v3 platform recently exceeded $1 trillion in cumulative trading volume.
  • dYdX has generated $71.1 million in revenue in 2023 to date. 
  • dYdX’s user base is over 60K, with 1.8K active daily users. 

Successful Crypto Exchanges Have A Community-First Ethos

The backbone of a thriving cryptocurrency exchange lies in its dedicated community. Beyond the utility of its token and the services provided by the exchange, the involvement and support of its community are crucial in fostering the widespread adoption of cryptocurrency. Crypto communities have become instrumental in promoting digital assets and driving mainstream adoption worldwide.

Some projects and exchanges in the industry have taken a community-first stance. This shift has led to the rise of community-driven initiatives, where open communication and shared decision-making are the cornerstones of project development. By placing the reins in the hands of the community, developers can harness the collective power of the crowd, fostering a spirit of collaboration and shared ownership. This emphasis on community building has, in turn, given rise to the creation of social networks explicitly tailored to the needs of the crypto community.

Thomas Prendergast, the founder and CEO of Markethive, firmly believes that community-driven approaches will shape the future of businesses. Markethive, a pioneering social market broadcasting platform built on blockchain technology, is set to launch its cryptocurrency, Hivecoin (HVC), on the crypto market. Moreover, the company offers a unique opportunity to early adopters through its Founders Token, representing the ILP and allowing them to be a part of the emerging Markethive ecosystem and share in its value and revenue.

The Markethive system fosters community engagement and growth by recognizing and rewarding contributors who share a common purpose. By leveraging the collective enthusiasm of like-minded individuals, we can create a self-sustaining ecosystem that benefits its members and extends its impact to the broader communities they are a part of. This approach will have a transformative impact on our professional and social lives and unlock unforeseen opportunities. 

So, the next logical step for Markethive, with all its ducks in a row, is to embark on a project that will complete its ecosystem: a decentralized crypto exchange. 


Image: Markethive.com

Markethive Crypto Exchange: It just makes sense. 

Thomas has a clear vision for Markethive's next venture: a cutting-edge crypto exchange that leverages the platform's unique strengths, including innovative inbound marketing strategies, blogcasting capabilities, dynamic social engagement, and community-driven support. This new endeavor is a natural progression for Markethive, allowing it to expand its reach and provide users with a seamless trading experience that integrates the platform's proven features.

The decentralized crypto exchange will be a separate offshore company collaborating with Markethive that can offer a strategic partnership that includes integrated traffic and a built-in community, gamification, promotional support for new coin listings, press releases, and custom articles to create a dynamic trading platform. The exchange will also provide automated memberships, airdrops, and promo codes to encourage sign-ups, all of which will be supported by a vast and engaged community that can help promote and establish new coins on the exchange, potentially attracting millions of interested users to Markethive.

Markethive's new exchange will significantly benefit all E1s and community members with ILPs as that membership represents revenue, which increases Markethive's revenue. So even if you’re not in an ownership position with Markethive’s new exchange, the exchange is a revenue engine for Markethive and will drive the membership in Markethive into the stratosphere and thereby increase the revenue so it is to everyone’s benefit. It will increase the value of your Hivecoin and produce revenue to fund the ILPs. This fulcrum will send Markethive into another realm, becoming a giant in the crypto exchange industry, and will solidify Markethive's position as a leading ecosystem. 

The emergence of a multi-polar world is evident, with the growing influence of the BRICs and the potential for others to offer similar solutions. This shift presents an opportunity for Markethive to establish itself as a neutral and apolitical platform capable of facilitating cross-border transactions without the constraints of sanctions or political allegiances. By operating offshore, its crypto exchange can enable the seamless exchange of payments from all countries, promoting financial inclusion and accessibility for the benefit of people worldwide.

Markethive offers a refuge from the harmful strategies of authoritarianism, which persist in threatening the stability of nations worldwide. As an alternative economic system, we are committed to promoting individual freedom and autonomy, in contrast to the oppressive and centralized control advocated by fascist and communist ideologies. Our goal is to empower individuals and communities rather than submit to the dictates of a single, all-powerful authority.

Markethive is set to revolutionize the cryptocurrency exchange landscape by inviting its community members to participate in this groundbreaking project. By engaging its community in this innovative endeavor, Markethive aims to offer an unparalleled opportunity for involvement at an unprecedented low cost, promising remarkable rewards. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development.

Join us on Sundays at 10 am MST as we reach new heights in revenue-generating integrations. Be a part of the excitement and witness the cutting-edge technology and innovative concepts of Markethive firsthand. Get your questions answered and participate in the conversation as we work together to create the ultimate ecosystem. Don't miss out – join us in the meeting room. The link to this can be found in the Markethive Calendar.
We look forward to seeing you there!

This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

 

 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech. I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

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Fed hikes may have concluded as central banks purchase gold at a record level

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Fed hikes may have concluded, as central banks purchase gold at a record level

Gold had tremendously strong gains today of just over $20 per ounce in both physical gold as well as futures. As of 4:00 PM EST gold futures basis the December contract is currently up $20.80 or + 1.05%, and fixed at $2001. On its first day as the most active Comex contract, February gold (GC G24) gained $20.60 or + 1.03% and is currently fixed at $2021.10. Physical or spot gold is up $20.80 trading at $1998.40.

Today’s solid gains are the result of multiple factors. First, the release of economic reports indicates that the economy in the United States has been contracting as a result of recent rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Secondly, the Federal Reserve released its minutes from the last FOMC meeting in which the Fed continued to maintain its current interest rate level.

Third, a report by the World Gold Council revealed intensified buying by central banks around the world resulting in a new record for purchases in the first nine months of the year. Lastly, except for the Federal Reserve, global central banks are beginning to cut interest rates.

It was a combination of all the events cited above that propelled gold futures above $2000 per ounce.

The World Gold Council has updated its list of gold reserves by countries revealing that many central banks aggressively added to their gold reserves. Collectively these purchases by global central banks are at a record pace for the first three quarters of 2023 which totals 800 tons, with China Poland, and Singapore being the primary buyers. This pace is well above the total purchases for the same period in 2022.

Will the Fed follow the pack and cut rates sooner than anticipated?

Today the Federal Reserve released its minutes for the most recent FOMC meeting. The minutes supported current expectations that the Federal Reserve’s pause not only will continue, but more importantly signals that the Fed might have concluded its aggressive interest rate hikes that began in March 2022. These hikes have effectively raised the Fed funds rate from between 0 and ¼% to between 5 ¼% and 5 ½%. Expectations by the CME’s FedWatch tool indicate the probability of a rate hike pause is 94.8% down from the probability of 99.8% a week ago.

Adding to these bullish developments that took gold futures above $2000 per ounce is the fact that multiple central banks have begun interest rate cuts.

In fact, for the first time since January 2021, the number of central banks that are cutting interest rates is greater than the number of central banks implementing rate hikes.

While the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy has not mentioned any imminent rate cuts the fact that many other central banks are cutting rates is positive. Although the ECB has not begun to cut its interest rate level, expectations are high that they have ended their cycle of rate hikes and could begin rate cuts as early as the second quarter of 2024.

Gary S. Wagner

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Gary Wagner

Contributing to kitco.com

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

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Gold silver weaker amid better risk appetite in marketplace

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Gold, silver weaker amid better risk appetite in marketplace

Gold and silver prices are moderately lower in midday U.S. trading Monday. The safe-haven metals bulls have lost momentum amid investor risk appetite that continues to improve heading into the holidays. There are solid clues the U.S. Federal Reserve is done raising interest rates amid falling inflation. And six weeks into the Israel-Hamas war there has been no major military escalation to involve other countries. December gold was last down $8.20 at $1,976.50. December silver was last down $0.262 at $23.59.

Asian and European markets were mixed in overnight trading. U.S. stock indexes are higher and at or near multi-week highs today. It will likely be a quieter trading week as the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday is on Thursday and Friday is typically one of the quietest U.S. trading days of the year.

  Uranium price rally explained: How this asset went from being 'hated' to 'liked' and what's next – Rick Rule

The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index solidly lower and hitting an 11-week low. Nymex crude oil prices are solidly higher and trading around $78.00 a barrel. Reports said OPEC is considering more oil-production cuts. The cartel will meet this coming weekend in Vienna. The yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is presently fetching 4.47%.

Technically, December gold futures bulls have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. Bulls' next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $2,000.00. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,900.00. First resistance is seen at today's high of $1,987.80 and then at last week's high of $1,996.40. First support is seen at today's low of $1,967.20 and then at $1,959.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.5

December silver futures bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $25.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the November low of $21.925. First resistance is seen at today's high of $23.87 and then at $24.00. Next support is seen at today's low of $23.30 and then at $23.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.0.

December N.Y. copper closed up 630 points at 380.15 cents today. Prices closed near the session high today and hit a two-month high. The copper bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a four-week-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at the September high of 390.85 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at the November low of 358.00 cents. First resistance is seen at 385.15 cents and then at 390.85 cents. First support is seen at today's low of 372.55 cents and then at 370.00 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.0.

Try out my "Markets Front Burner" email report. My next one is due out today and is going to be entitled, "When China sneezes…" Front Burner is my best writing and analysis, I think, because I get to look ahead at the marketplace and do some market price forecasting. And it's free! Sign up to my new, free weekly Markets Front Burner newsletter, at https://www.kitco.com/services/markets-front-burner.html .

By

Jim Wyckoff

For Kitco News

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

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Retail investors bullish on gold but Wall Street analysts shift into neutral

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Retail investors bullish on gold, but Wall Street analysts shift into neutral

Gold inched steadily higher this week, with prices seeing bumps following economic data releases, but after the strong and sudden moves of the past month or so, the precious metals’ price action was more orderly and less dramatic.

The latest Kitco News Weekly Gold Survey sees retail investors maintaining an overwhelmingly bullish bias going into next week, while the exact same proportion of market analysts have switched to a neutral assessment of the yellow metal’s near-term prospects.

Adrian Day, President of Adrian Day Asset Management, expects gold prices to be little changed during the coming week. “After the recent run, gold is vulnerable to bad news,” he said. “The medium-term fundamentals are very powerful: at some point, the Fed and other central banks will ease tightening before inflation has been conquered and that will be the firing gun for gold. But that’s not yet.”

Daniel Pavilonis, Senior Commodities Broker at RJO Futures, sees a period of prolonged consolidation for gold now that the geopolitical risk bid has subsided.

“We're right smack at the upper band of this trading range that we've been in for several weeks,” said Pavilonis. “Most likely we're not going to see any more rate hikes. We could possibly see some rate cuts in May of next year, but I doubt that's going to happen. I think we're really just going to stay where we're at for a while.”

Pavilonis said that while gold prices continue to react to economic indicators, they aren’t providing the precious metal with a clear direction. “I think that the market is just trading off of a mixed range of inflation data,” he said. “Housing starts, they’re still building houses, there's still demand. Employment reports still look relatively strong. The CPI numbers, the big drop was healthcare, supposedly. I would say next week we're still going to be range bound. I don't see anything that's going to break this thing out to the upside. I would imagine it's going to stay where we've been, trading within this 40, 50, 60-dollar range.”

“Gold is just going to have trouble moving higher if inflation data continues to weaken and we don't lower interest rates,” he said. “I don't know what the driver is going to be if geopolitics isn't there.”

This week, 12 Wall Street analysts participated in the Kitco News Gold Survey. Like last week, three experts, or 25%, expected to see higher gold prices next week, but this week only one expert, representing 8%, predicted a drop in price. The overwhelming majority, or 67%, were neutral on gold for the coming week.

Meanwhile, 595 votes were cast in Kitco’s online polls, and market participants were even more optimistic than they were in last week’s survey. 394 retail investors, or 66%, looked for gold to rise next week. Another 125, or 21%, expected it would be lower, while 76 respondents, or 13%, were neutral on the near-term prospects for the precious metal.

Next week will be a short one for trading and economic data releases, as Thursday’s U.S. Thanksgiving holiday means most of the action will be compressed into the first three days. Highlights include the release of the latest FOMC minutes and October Existing Home Sales on Tuesday, followed by October Durable Goods, University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment for November, and weekly jobless claims on Wednesday.

Everett Millman, Chief Market Analyst at Gainesville Coins, said he believes that the attention of gold investors is moving from the geopolitical sphere to macroeconomics.

“I think that we're seeing a shift in the focus of the gold market away from the war premium that we saw, that certainly drove gold higher in recent weeks,” he said. “I think that's becoming less of a central concern for the gold market, and now the attention is shifting more toward the macroeconomic picture and particularly, what Fed policy is going to be.”

Millman said the consensus now is that the Fed is most likely done hiking rates, and the gold market is really going to be focused on how soon the rate cuts will come. “Lower interest rates are basically the biggest bullish driver out there for gold, outside of a deep recession,” he said. “I think the economic data have been a bit mixed. I see so many takes about how strong the economy actually is, and yes, there's some data showing that. But then there's just as many examples or indicators you can look at on the other side.”

“I think that spells a period of sideways movement or consolidation for gold until we get some clearer pictures on economic conditions.”

Millman also said that under this Federal Reserve Chair, gold traders can’t afford to wait for interest rate cuts to get into their positions, unlike during Feds past.

“This is very different from the Greenspan era, where he basically was trying to cloak what the Fed was going to do so no one could front-run it,” he said. “Now the Fed does directly telegraph these things, and Powell has repeatedly acknowledged that these policy actions act with a lag, and traditionally that lag could be as long as 18 months. So I think it actually makes some sense that markets are going to go off of the signal rather than the action, because we do know that these changes in interest rates, or things like switching from QE to QT, that these types of policy decisions take 12 to 18 months to fully work their way into the economy and actually affect markets.”

“Obviously, if there is that long a lag, then market participants have to go off of the signal and work ahead, because if you're waiting to react to the actual consequence, like that lagged result, then you're going to be so far behind the eight ball,” Millman said. “They know that this 500-basis-point change in interest rates occurred in a very short span of time, but we're still not the full year and a half out, we're getting close. I think that definitely factors into the calculus here.”

Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank, said he doesn’t see any big moves for gold in the near term. “Having been so ‘lucky’ to hit it spot-on last week, I’m now looking for additional consolidation next week, so the call is NEUTRAL.”

Colin Cieszynski, Chief Market Strategist at SIA Wealth Management, is also neutral on gold for the coming week. “My reasoning is that between the usual late month drop-off in economic news and next week’s US Thanksgiving holiday, markets in general are likely to be quieter for the next ten days.”

Darin Newsom, Senior Market Analyst at Barchart.com, is bullish on gold’s prospects next week. “Dec gold’s short-term uptrend firmed this past week, with the contract hitting a high of $1,996.40 early Friday,” he said. “If the contract closes lower Friday, based on the Benjamin Franklin Fish Analogy (Like guests and fish, markets start to stink after three days of moving against the trend), Dec gold could move lower Monday and Tuesday as well.”

“Using Elliott Wave Theory, this would be considered Wave 2 of the 5-wave short-term uptrend pattern,” Newsom said. “Ultimately, the contract would be expected to take out the Wave 1 high.”

Marc Chandler, Managing Director at Bannockburn Global Forex, has a neutral bias for the coming week. “Gold bottomed near $1931 in the spot market on Monday and reached almost $1993.50 today, ahead of the weekend,” he said. “The main drivers appear to be the drop in US rates and the dollar. It is not inflation but the decline in inflation (US and UK reported in recent days) that presses rates lower and knocks a leg from under the dollar.”

“Lighter economic calendars next week and the market is pricing in 100 bp of Fed cuts next year,” Chandler added. “So, I look for some consolidation throughout the capital market and this could see the yellow metal consolidated. I see initial support in the $1970-75 area.”

And Kitco Senior Analyst Jim Wyckoff expects gold prices to make gains next week. “Higher, as charts have turned friendlier, and so has U.S. monetary policy after this week’s tamer inflation reports,” Wyckoff said.

Spot gold is currently flat on the day, but up 2.17% since Monday as market participants prepare for the weekend. The precious metal last traded at $1,980.43 per ounce at the time of writing.

By

Ernest Hoffman

For Kitco News

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

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Massive divergence – Kai Hoffmann on why gold stocks should be trading higher

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Massive divergence – Kai Hoffmann on why gold stocks should be trading higher

Generalist investors are still on the sidelines when it comes to gold, noted Soar Financial CEO Kai Hoffmann.

On Thursday Hoffmann spoke to Kitco. Hoffmann is hosting Deutsche Goldmesse in Frankfurt, Germany. The 2023 fall event kicks off November 24. Headliners include Lobo Tiggre, Thorsten Polleit and Michael Howell.

Hoffmann said the gold sector needs a spark. The metal has had high sustained prices through 2023, but the GDX, an index of gold companies, is still down for the year.

"It needs a bit of a trigger…to get generalists back into the market," noted Hoffmann. "It'd be great to see like a $50 to $100 move in a day, which is massive for a 5,000-year-old relic. Mainstream media might jump back on it."

Mining has been enjoying a lift from energy transition and all the metals needed for building fleets of electric vehicles, but Hoffmann likes beaten up precious metal companies.

"What's more contrarian than being a gold mining stock investor right now? If you look at how the stocks have performed and look at the gold price, there is a massive divergence. The stocks should be trading a lot higher."

While sentiment towards the resource sector has soured, Hoffmann described financings as mixed. He said the Oreninc index, which measures investment flows in the resource sector, is at a near average.

"We've seen way worse," said Hoffmann. "The index is including a lot of the flow through financings right now. In November half the money raised went straight into flow-through financings."

Hoffmann noted that early-stage companies are having a tough go of it.

"The grassroots explorers are hurting right now. There is no money for them. It doesn't matter what commodity. Unless you have a sexy project and an amazing management team, you're not getting any money from the market right now."

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Michael McCrae

For Kitco News

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

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Gold price up amid weakening USDX down-tick in US bond yields

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Gold price up amid weakening USDX, down-tick in U.S. bond yields

Gold and silver prices are moderately higher in early U.S. trading Friday, with silver hitting a 2.5-month high. The precious metals are supported on this last trading day of the week by a lower U.S. dollar index and a decline in U.S. Treasury yields. The near-term technical postures for gold and silver have improved this week, which is inviting chart-based bulls to the long sides of those metals. December gold was last up $6.10 at $1,993.40. December silver was last up $0.207 at $24.14.

It’s been an extra important trading week that is just winding down. U.S. inflation data was tamer, as was that from the U.K. Reads a Wall Street Journal headline today: “Global inflation fight turns a corner.” Trader and investor risk appetite was boosted this week, evidenced by the U.S. stock indexes hitting multi-week highs. After the tame U.S. inflation data earlier this week, the marketplace now expects the Federal Reserve has finished its interest-rate-increase cycle. There are growing notions the Fed will even lower interest rates in the spring. Lower global interest rates are bullish for the metals, suggesting better consumer and commercial demand amid lower borrowing costs.

Asian and European markets were mixed in overnight trading. U.S. stock indexes are pointed to slightly higher openings when the New York day session begins.

In overnight news, the Euro zone October consumer price index was reported up 2.9%, year-on-year, which was in line with market expectations.

Nymex crude oil prices are higher and trading around $73.75 a barrel. The yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is presently fetching 4.406%.

U.S. economic data due for release Friday is light and includes new residential sales.

Technically, the gold futures bulls have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close in December futures above solid resistance at $2,000.00. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,900.00. First resistance is seen at the overnight high of $1,996.40 and then at $2,000.00. First support is seen at the overnight low of $1,983.90 and then at $1,975.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 5.5.

The silver bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage and have momentum. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing December futures prices above solid technical resistance at $25.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $22.50. First resistance is seen at the overnight high of $24.22 and then at $24.50. Next support is seen at the overnight low of $23.805 and then at Thursday’s low of $23.35. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.0.

Try out my “Markets Front Burner” email report. My next one is due out today and is going to be entitled, “When China sneezes…” Front Burner is my best writing and analysis, I think, because I get to look ahead at the marketplace and do some market price forecasting. And it’s free! Sign up to my new, free weekly Markets Front Burner newsletter, at https://www.kitco.com/services/markets-front-burner.html.

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Jim Wyckoff

For Kitco News

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

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Investors will want to own gold as America faces a debt reckoning’ – Maison Placements Canada’s John Ing

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Investors will want to own gold as ‘America faces a debt reckoning' – Maison Placements Canada's John Ing

One of Toronto’s oldest boutique investment firms is warning investors that gold could be a good asset to own as the world faces significant threats in the coming months and years.

In his latest research report, John Ing, president and CEO of Maison Placements Canada, said he is looking for gold prices to rally to $2,200 an ounce as the chickens, raised on decades of uncontrollable spending, come home to roost.

Ing said in his latest commentary that they believe “mounting inflation, de-dollarization, heightened geopolitical risks, global debt and the rise in populism” provide a positive backdrop for gold: “it is a good thing to have.”

According to Ing, the biggest factor behind most of the global economic threats comes down to growing debt problems in the U.S. Ing noted that since 2008, the supply of Treasuries has risen five-fold to more than $25 trillion.

This fiscal year saw deficit spending in the U.S. rise by $1.7 trillion, pushing the debt past $33 trillion. “America faces a debt reckoning,” Ing warned.

Despite the growing threat, Ing noted that the U.S. government continues to spend money at a record pace as it pushes the transition to green energy to meet global carbon dioxide reduction targets. He described the green energy transition as a black hole: “Once you are in it, it is impossible to get out.”

“[President Joe] Biden’s Green Deal is something between a mirage and boondoggle as high interest rates, permit delays and supply problems become the new reality,” he said.

Ing also noted that the U.S. government’s debt makes it more challenging for America to provide a stable force as the world starts to fracture in the face of two major conflicts.

“As America's military arsenal runs low, it is an inconvenient fact that arming itself will prove very costly,” he said. “The strength of the American economy was one of the main reasons the US won the Cold War with Russia, allowing them to build a global defense behemoth which the Soviet Union could not match. America’s overconfidence led to arrogance and now complacency.”

America’s massive debt is also taking its toll on the U.S. dollar as the deglobalization trend is also prompting nations to diversify away from the greenback.

“The biggest threat to the dollar comes not from others but from the US government itself,” he said. “And that is a worry because the burden of debt is America’s Achilles heel.”

At the same time, Ing said that the selloff in bond markets has only begun as investors are reluctant to expose themselves to more U.S. debt.

“A meltdown in Treasuries now ranks among the worst Treasury crashes in history with 10-years collapsing 46% in the last three years while the 30-year bond erased 53% of gains. The meltdown has just begun,” he said. “America’s addiction to low rates and profligate spending debases the dollar, eroding its dominance, central to America’s credibility in financial markets.”

“We believe this fiscal unsustainability will show up in even higher yields and pain, from the shopping cart to corporate balance sheets, to taxpayers, as those chickens are only coming home to roost.”

In this environment, Ing said that gold remains a buying opportunity as it will help investors preserve their capital.

 

By

Neils Christensen

For Kitco News

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

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Online Safety 101 How to Keep Cyber Snoopers at Bay

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Online Safety 101: How to Keep Cyber Snoopers at Bay

Have you ever paused to reflect on those emails from your bank urging you to update your information or the seemingly innocent act of connecting to your favorite coffee shop's Wi-Fi for a quick cup of joe? In the vast landscape of our digitally connected lives, have you ever entertained the thought of whether someone might be eavesdropping on your conversations?

In the contemporary world, where our daily routines intertwine seamlessly with digital communication, safeguarding the security and privacy of our online interactions has assumed a position of unparalleled significance. Alas, the challenge persists as cybercriminals continuously evolve, devising innovative methods to exploit vulnerabilities within our digital systems. Among these threats, the man-in-the-middle attack stands out as a particularly sophisticated and menacing technique, posing a substantial risk to the integrity of our digital security.

In this article, we explore the man-in-the-middle attack, unraveling its intricate workings, understanding its far-reaching implications, and, most importantly, arming ourselves with knowledge on how to shield against this pervasive cybercrime. Join us on this journey as we delve into the nuances of digital security and equip ourselves with the tools to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.


Source: Imperva.com

What is a Man-In-The-Middle Attack?

Imagine a scenario where your digital conversations aren't as private as you think; that's the unsettling reality of a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack, a serious cybersecurity threat more pervasive than we might realize. In this digital battleground, an attacker sneaks into the communication channel between two unsuspecting parties, much like a sneaky postal worker sorting through your mail.

The term "man-in-the-middle" is fitting because, just like that rogue mailman, the attacker plants themselves right in the middle of the communication flow. It's akin to this mail mischief-maker intercepting your bank statement, jotting down your account details, and then sealing the envelope back up before it reaches your mailbox. The victim remains blissfully unaware of this intrusion.

So, why is this cyber maneuver so dangerous? Well, imagine the rogue mailman stealing not just your bank statement but also your login credentials, credit card numbers, and other personal details. That's what happens in an MITM attack. The attacker gains access to sensitive information, opening the door to identity theft, unauthorized fund transfers, and other malicious exploits.

What makes MITM attacks particularly treacherous is their stealthy nature. They can lurk undetected for long periods, silently pilfering information. It's like a silent invader setting up camp in your digital space without you even realizing it. Worse yet, these attacks can introduce malware onto your device, giving the attacker complete control over your system.

MITM attacks come in various shades, from the passive ones, where the attacker slyly intercepts user traffic, to the active ones, where the attacker actively manipulates or alters the data flow. It’s like different tactics in a cyber playbook – IP spoofing, DNS spoofing, HTTPS spoofing, and email spoofing, each with its own crafty strategy.


Source: ReadyTechGo.com

Interception

Have you ever gotten a sketchy message from an unknown number posing as your bank or an enticing email from a supposed unfamiliar angel promising a piece of his fortune? These seemingly harmless messages might just be the tip of the iceberg regarding a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack, a favorite trick in the cyber criminal's playbook, where sensitive information is stolen from the unsuspecting victim.

So, what's the deal with interception, and how does it play into the whole MITM drama? Interception is like a digital sleight of hand with which the attacker slyly intercepts your online traffic before it reaches its intended destination. In the MITM attacks, the cyber trickster strategically positions themselves between two chit-chatting parties to either sneak a peek or slyly tweak the data passing between them.

The more straightforward and common form of MITM interception is where the attacker sets up a free Wi-Fi hotspot, maybe with a sneaky name like "CoffeeShop_FreeWiFi," and lures unsuspecting victims. Once connected, the attacker gets a backstage pass to all the victim's online data exchanges, kind of like a digital puppet master pulling the strings.

The attacker can spoof your IP and trick your computer into thinking it's hitting up a legitimate website when, in reality, it's a detour to the attacker's lair. Another move is DNS spoofing, where the attacker messes with your computer's GPS, sending it to the wrong digital address, aka their server, instead of the real deal. And who could forget HTTPS spoofing? This is like setting up a fake secure website, inviting victims to input their sensitive info, and then snatching it up like a digital pickpocket.

Email spoofing is another player in the MITM game. The attacker crafts an email that looks legit, maybe even mimicking a trustworthy source, to lull victims into a false sense of security. Once the victim bites, the attacker swoops in to nab the sensitive data. Here's the kicker: in all these cyber theatrics, the attacker stays incognito, a ghost in the machine, intercepting and manipulating data without the communicating parties having a clue. They might even drop malware on a targeted user's device, making themselves right at home.

Decryption

Alright, let's unravel the second act in the drama of a man-in-the-middle attack, which is decryption. Now that the digital trickster has nabbed the data sailing between two parties, it's time for the grand reveal. Decryption, in simple terms, is like translating a secret code back into something understandable. 

In the wild landscape of a man-in-the-middle escapade, decryption is the secret sauce that turns the jumbled-up, encrypted data back into its original, readable form. Now, why is this a big deal? Well, it's the key to unlocking a treasure trove of sensitive info – think login credentials, financial details, and personally identifiable information (PII). The attacker unleashes this process to expose what was meant to be private and secure.

One classic thing the attacker does is known as the packet sniffer. A virtual detective captures and dissects the data zipping across the network. It's like intercepting letters and reading them before they reach the recipient. Sneaky, right? Then there's the brute-force attack, a cyber brute trying every password combination until it hits the jackpot. It's like trying every key in the bunch until one finally opens the door. Another trick up the attacker's sleeve is the rainbow table attack, which is a cheat sheet of pre-computed encrypted passwords, speeding up the process of finding the original password. It's the cyber equivalent of having a master key.

But why should we care about decryption? Well, if the attacker succeeds, they waltz right into sensitive information territory. This can lead to identity theft, fraud, and other malicious endeavors. Plus, decryption is like the golden ticket for installing malware on a targeted user's device, the cyber version of an uninvited guest overstaying their welcome.

Prevention

Now that we've uncovered the ins and outs of man-in-the-middle attacks and how these sneaky maneuvers go down let's arm you with the knowledge to steer clear of falling victim to them. Lucky for us, there are several effective methods to keep these digital tricksters at bay. Let's dive into some savvy ways to keep yourself in the clear:

1. Embrace the Power of VPNs:
Think of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) as your digital superhero cape. It encrypts all your internet traffic and guides it through its own secure servers. Even if an attacker tries to intercept your data, they'll just be staring at a wall of encryption. It's like sending your online messages in an unbreakable code.


Source: Markethive.com

2. HTTPS and SSL/TLS:
This dynamic duo of HTTPS and SSL/TLS transforms your internet communication into a secret language. When you visit a website using HTTPS, just like Markethive does, your browser locks arms with the website's server in a secure handshake. An attacker attempting to eavesdrop finds nothing but encrypted gibberish. It's like turning your online conversations into an encrypted treasure chest.

3. Safeguard with Email and DNS Security:
Email and DNS can be the Trojan horses of MITM attacks, but fear not! Strengthen your defenses with email security tools like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to verify the legitimacy of your emails. For DNS, enlist the help of a secure resolver to ensure your DNS requests aren't being intercepted. It's like adding an extra layer of protection to your digital communication channels.

Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) are email security tools that can help you protect your emails from spoofing, phishing, and spam. They work by verifying the sender’s identity and the integrity of the email content.

4. Double Down with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
Think of 2FA as having a bouncer at the entrance to your digital party. It requires a password and a second form of verification, like a code sent to your phone. This tag team ensures that only you get VIP access. It's like having a secret handshake for your online accounts.

5. Arm Yourself with Anti-virus Software:
Consider anti-virus software as your digital bodyguard. It scans, detects, and blocks potential threats, acting as a shield against MITM attacks. Keep it up-to-date to stay one step ahead of the cyber baddies.

6. Keep Software Updated:
Updating your software is like giving your digital fortress a fresh coat of paint. Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, so ensure your operating system, web browser, and other applications are rocking the latest security patches. It's like fortifying your defenses against unseen invaders.

It's essential you understand that by weaving these prevention methods into your digital routine, you significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a man-in-the-middle attack. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, gear up, stay vigilant, and keep the online baddies at bay!

Detecting a Man-In-The-Middle Attack

Detecting a man-in-the-middle attack can be subtle, but it’s important to stay alert. The first sign something’s off will likely be a slowdown in internet or network speed. If you notice it taking longer than usual to load pages, watch out; you might be under attack. The next sign is a pop-up error message. These error messages can appear for several reasons, but if the error message says, “The security certificate presented by this website is not secure,” that’s a red flag. An improper security certificate is a definite sign that the website is not secure and may have been compromised.

Network Monitoring is essential in detecting a man-in-the-middle attack. Network monitoring tools come in various shapes and sizes. They keep track of network traffic, identify traffic patterns, and check for suspicious behavior. SSL Certificate Warnings are some of the most common ways web browsers detect a Man-in-the-Middle Attack. 

When attempting to visit a website with an invalid certificate, the browser warns its user of its dangers, often citing the risk of middleman attacks. Suspicious Network Activity is another sign. If your network administrator or ISP has monitoring tools in place, unusual network activity can quickly raise a red flag. DNS Spoofing Detection Tools can help detect DNS hijacking and monitor suspicious activity on your network.

It's always best to have multiple lines of defense when trying to detect a man-in-the-middle attack. Using a combination of techniques and tools is key to recognizing suspicious activity before it's too late. Remember, prevention is always the best defense. Staying vigilant and using the preventive measures outlined in the previous section is vital. 

Examples of Man-In-The-Middle Attacks

As you might have figured out by now, man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks are pretty dangerous. They are used to steal sensitive information from various targets, including users of financial applications, e-commerce sites, and SaaS businesses. Such attacks can also gain entry into a secure network by installing malware on a user's device.

But let's dive deeper and look at some real-life instances of man-in-the-middle attacks that have occurred. In 2010, an Iranian hacker used a man-in-the-middle attack to access the Gmail accounts of several high-profile individuals, including US government officials and journalists. The attacker created a fraudulent security certificate for Google services, which allowed them to intercept email communication.

DigiNotar, a Dutch certificate authority that the hacker compromised, issued the security certificate. The hacker bypassed the HTTPS encryption that usually protects the communication between a user and a website. The hacker also used a technique called DNS spoofing, which involves changing the DNS records of a domain name to point to a malicious server. This way, the hacker could redirect the users to a fake Google website that looked identical to the real one but was under the hacker’s control.

In 2011, at a Black Hat conference, a researcher named Nicholas Percoco and his colleague Christian Papathanasiou showed how easy it was to run a man-in-the-middle attack on mobile devices running iOS and Android. The attack involved intercepting data packets between a mobile device and a wireless access point using a tool called SSLstrip.

SSLstrip is a tool that can downgrade HTTPS connections to HTTP connections and strip away the encryption that normally protects the communication between a user and a website. The tool can also modify the content of the web pages that the user sees, such as replacing the padlock icon with a fake one or inserting malicious links or scripts.

The researchers demonstrated how they could use SSLstrip to hijack a user’s Facebook session, steal their login credentials, and post messages on their behalf. They also showed how to intercept a user’s email communication, read their messages, and send spoofed emails. They also revealed how to access a user’s online banking account, view their balance, and transfer money to another account.

One of the most widespread man-in-the-middle attacks in recent times is the "Superfish" incident. Lenovo shipped its laptops with adware called "Superfish," designed to serve targeted ads to users. However, Superfish was designed to intercept HTTPS traffic, leaving users vulnerable to MITM attacks.

Another example of a widespread MITM attack is the WannaCry ransomware attack that took place in 2017. The WannaCry ransomware was propagated via a vulnerability in Windows systems and encrypted users' files, demanding a ransom for decryption. This sophisticated ransomware attack attacked several government agencies, businesses, and individuals worldwide. 

While most man-in-the-middle attacks aim to steal user data, some use MITM attacks to target companies and individuals. For instance, during the Syrian civil war, the SEA (Syrian Electronic Army) carried out a targeted MITM attack against the Associated Press (AP) Twitter account. The SEA used the account to post fake news about an explosion at the White House, causing a significant drop in the stock market. While man-in-the-middle attacks might not be new, the stakes are increasing with new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. So, it's crucial that you stay informed of such attacks and take the necessary precautions to protect your data.


Source: Cyber Security News

Security analysts discovered one recent incident of an MITM attack in April 2023. The attack targeted Wi-Fi networks and could bypass their security mechanisms. The attacker operated by imitating the genuine access point and transmitting a forged Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) to redirect the message to a targeted supplier. ICMP is a protocol used to send error messages and other information between network devices.

A redirect message is an ICMP message that tells a device to use a different route to reach a destination. By sending a forged redirect message, the attacker could trick the device into sending its traffic through a malicious router, where the attacker could intercept and modify it. This way, the attacker could hijack any device's traffic connected to the Wi-Fi network and perform various malicious activities, such as stealing passwords, injecting ads, or redirecting users to phishing websites.

Conclusion

So, we know these attacks are dangerous and can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. From intercepting personal information to potentially installing malware, cybercriminals will stop at nothing to get what they want, which is why it's so important to be aware of the risks posed by man-in-the-middle attacks.

We've gone over a few key steps to prevent becoming a victim, like using a VPN, HTTPS, SSL/TLS, email and DNS security, and two-factor authentication. It's also essential to keep your software up-to-date and be aware of suspicious network activity. But even with these precautions, it's not always possible to avoid a man-in-the-middle attack, so it's important to know how to detect one if it does happen.

Whether it's noticing strange SSL certificate warnings or monitoring network activity, early detection can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major data breach. And while it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the thought of cybercriminals lurking around every corner, being aware of the risks posed by man-in-the-middle attacks is the first step toward protecting yourself. 

Remember, attacks like these can happen to anyone. Still, you can minimize your risk and stay safe in an increasingly dangerous digital world by remaining vigilant and taking the necessary precautions. So, whether you're shopping online, checking your bank account, or browsing the web, remember to stay alert, stay safe, and watch for those pesky man-in-the-middle attacks. After all, when it comes to online security, a little awareness can go a long way to save you from disaster.

 

 

About: Prince Ibenne. (Nigeria) Prince is passionate about helping people understand the crypto-verse through his easily digestible articles. He is an enthusiastic supporter of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

The Artist that came out of the Winter