Gold in 2025: The Complete Guide to Starting to Invest from Any Device

Gold continues to demonstrate why it is considered one of the safest havens during times of economic uncertainty. Since 2024, this precious metal has experienced explosive growth in global markets, registering gains of over 103% compared to previous years. The numbers speak for themselves: while half a century ago an ounce of gold was trading around $35, today it reaches approximately $4,200, representing a 120-fold revaluation over five decades. This article breaks down the most effective strategies for investing in gold during 2025, as well as presenting the most reliable platforms to execute your trades from home.

Four different ways to access the gold market

There is no single gateway to the world of gold investments. Depending on your investor profile, available capital, and market experience, you can choose from the following options:

Physical gold: tangibility versus operational complexity

Acquiring bars, coins, or gold jewelry represents the most traditional form of investment. Although it offers the psychological advantage of owning a tangible asset that you can touch and store, this modality presents significant challenges.

On one hand, it guarantees direct access to the metal without intermediaries and maintains permanent intrinsic value. However, it faces security issues (risk of theft or damage), storage costs that erode profitability, low liquidity when selling, and heavier tax burdens on realized gains. This option is ideal only if you have a secure space to store it and patience for long-term operations.

CFDs: flexibility and accessibility for beginners

Contracts for difference allow speculation on gold price movements without ever owning the asset. They are agreements between investor and broker where the difference in value between opening and closing the position is exchanged.

This modality stands out for requiring a minimum initial capital (from 20 USD on many platforms), allowing both long and short trades, immediate access to multiple assets simultaneously, and no commissions on trades. The downside includes amplified risk if you use excessive leverage and the reality of never owning the underlying asset. Perfect for active traders with small capital.

Mining stocks: indirect exposure with analysis required

Investing in gold-producing companies exposes you indirectly to the price movements of the metal. Companies like Wheaton Precious Metals Corp (WPM), Dundee Precious Metals Inc (DPM.TO), and DRDGold Limited (DRD) generate income directly from the gold sector.

Advantages include the possibility of receiving dividends, access to specific business growth potential, and selective investment based on your own criteria. However, it requires deep financial analysis, exposes you to operational risks of each company, and adds volatility correlated to corporate performance beyond just the metal’s price. Recommended only for investors with stock analysis experience.

ETFs: instant diversification without individual decisions

Exchange-traded funds group multiple gold-related assets into a single investment. Products like SPDR Gold Shares, iShares Gold Trust, and SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust replicate gold market movements efficiently.

The main strength is automatic diversification within the fund, simplified market access, high liquidity for buying and selling, and reduced individual risk. Limitations include less freedom to make tactical decisions within the fund, management fees that reduce returns, and no direct control over holdings composition. Ideal for investors seeking to simplify management without sacrificing exposure.

General advantages and disadvantages of investing in this commodity

The positives

Gold acts as a protective shield during market volatility. Historically, during the 2008-2012 crisis, gold prices grew over 100% while other assets plummeted. In inflationary periods, when the dollar’s purchasing power erodes, gold prices generally rise. Additionally, adding gold to a diversified portfolio reduces overall risk since assets rarely all decline simultaneously.

The negatives

Gold is an asset with moderate returns compared to stocks or cryptocurrencies, meaning you might sacrifice higher gains by investing in it. Holding and storing gold incurs additional costs (transport, insurance, bank vaults). Selling physical gold with gains involves heavy tax burdens in many jurisdictions, higher than those applied to forex, stocks, or ETFs.

Making money when gold prices fall: short selling strategy

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need gold to rise to profit. Short selling allows you to benefit from price declines by selling an asset you don’t own, anticipating a buyback at a lower price.

Practical example: If gold is trading at $1800 per ounce and your analysis suggests a drop to $1700, you short sell at $1800. When it actually drops to $1700, you buy back the position. Guaranteed profit: $100 per ounce.

Step 1 - Preliminary analysis: Access your trading platform and perform technical analysis using moving averages, trend lines, and fundamental analysis of global economic events. Confirm a bearish trend before proceeding.

Step 2 - Trade setup: In the order window, select the “sell” or “short” option. Choose order type (market executes at current price; pending executes when price reaches a specific level). Define lot size (one standard lot = 100 ounces) according to your risk tolerance. Select appropriate leverage (multiply capital but increase risk).

Step 3 - Risk management: Set take profit levels (automatic closure upon reaching target gains) and stop loss (automatic closure to limit losses). Use support, resistance, and Fibonacci retracements to determine these levels. This discipline effectively protects your capital.

Step 4 - Execution and monitoring: Confirm the trade and stay alert to market changes. Adjust your position as needed and stay informed about relevant economic news.

Regulated and reliable platforms to invest in gold during 2025

Mitrade: extreme accessibility with a minimum deposit of $20

Technical specifications:

• Minimum deposit: 20 USD (the most affordable option on the market)
• Commissions: zero on trades, competitive spreads
• Withdrawals: first monthly withdrawal free; 5 USD additional
• Regulation: ASIC, CIMA, FSC
• Platforms: iOS, Android, PC, WebTrader

Founded in Melbourne, Australia, this broker stands out for democratizing access to professional trading. With over 5 million international users and only a few years in Spanish-speaking markets, it represents a global option with solid fund security guarantees.

Differentiating features: Configurable leverage from 1 to 100 times on gold trades. Multiple deposit methods including Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, and bank transfers. Free demo account for risk-free practice. Intuitive interface adapted for mobile devices and computers. Unified access to stocks, currencies, cryptocurrencies, gold, silver, and other instruments from a single account. Frequent promotions for users.

eToro: global community and copy trading tools

Technical specifications:

• Minimum deposit: 100 USD
• Commissions: no trading commissions, low spreads
• Withdrawals: 5 USD fee
• Inactivity fee: 10 USD monthly (after 12 months of inactivity)
• Regulation: international licenses
• Platforms: mobile app and web

Since its founding in 2007, eToro evolved into a social platform with over 30 million global users. Offers access to 5000+ assets including 100 cryptocurrencies.

Differentiating features: Copy trading tools that allow automatic replication of successful traders’ operations. Active community for collaborative learning. Simplified interface suitable for beginners. Gold futures as an available instrument. Risk-free demo account. Limitation: higher costs than competitors and penalties for prolonged inactivity.

AvaTrade: professional analysis and dual access (spot and futures)

Technical specifications:

• Minimum deposit: 100 USD
• Commissions: no commissions, competitive spreads
• Withdrawals: platform free; banks may charge(
• Inactivity fee: 10 USD monthly )after 2 months inactive if capital < $2000(
• Regulation: global licenses
• Platforms: app, WebTrader, MetaTrader4

Operating since 2006 with over 400,000 users, AvaTrade combines advanced analytical tools with access to both spot and futures gold.

Differentiating features: Integrated economic news and professional analysis tools. Trading via MetaTrader4 for advanced users. Global presence facilitating access from multiple regions. Note: high inactivity fees favor active long-term traders over occasional operators.

) TIOmarkets: FCA regulation and leverage flexibility

Technical specifications:

• Minimum deposit: varies by account type
• Commissions: depending on account type and volume
• Withdrawals: 0 USD fee
• Leverage: unlimited
• Regulation: FCA ###United Kingdom(
• Platforms: MetaTrader

Established in 2019, TIOmarkets quickly gained reputation for competitive costs and reliable FCA regulation.

Differentiating features: Multiple account types allowing selection based on profile. Unlimited leverage to maximize exposure. MetaTrader as native platform. Limitation: interface requires familiarization, not ideal for absolute beginners.

) Tickmill: low costs with triple regulation

Technical specifications:

• Minimum deposit: 100 USD
• Commissions: standard accounts no commission but higher spreads
• Withdrawals: platform free; banks may charge###
• Inactivity fee: 10 USD monthly (after 12 months)
• Regulation: FCA, FSA, CySEC
• Platforms: app, WebTrader, MetaTrader

Since 2014, Tickmill has established a reputation in markets for extraordinarily low trading costs backed by triple regulation. Over 785,000 accounts opened worldwide.

Differentiating features: Robust regulatory structure offering maximum security. Wide instrument catalog enabling diversification. Occasional promotions for users. Multiple account types with variable costs. Limitation: less intuitive platforms challenging beginners in learning curve.

Conclusion: defining your gold investment strategy for 2025

Investing in gold requires alignment between your risk profile, available capital, trading experience, and time objectives. Each modality (physical, CFDs, stocks, ETFs) and each platform (Mitrade, eToro, AvaTrade, TIOmarkets, Tickmill) presents specific trade-offs that you should evaluate consciously. Beginners with limited capital will find Mitrade and CFDs the most accessible entry points. Experienced investors seeking diversification will maximize options with AvaTrade or Tickmill. The key is to start educated, practice with demo accounts, and gradually scale your exposure as you gain experience in movements of this fundamental commodity.