Gold Shatters Records at $3,830 While Bitcoin Mining Stakes Rise: The New Battle of Safe-Haven Assets

Gold Reaches Historic High as Bitcoin Mining Stakes Rise in France

In a significant market development, gold has set a new historical record while a series of events in the cryptocurrency sector showcases the growing importance of Bitcoin mining infrastructure and security concerns for crypto entrepreneurs.

Gold Breaks New Record at $3,830 per Ounce

The price of gold has surged to an unprecedented $3,830 per ounce, pushing the value of U.S. reserves beyond the symbolic threshold of $1 trillion. The Federal Reserve currently holds approximately 261.5 million ounces (about 8,133 tons) of the precious metal.

This rally reflects increasing investor appetite for safe-haven assets in an unstable market environment. Institutional investors appear to be rebalancing their portfolios, with some shifting allocations between gold and Bitcoin. This trend could strengthen the short-term correlation between BTC and gold, while reinforcing the narrative of Bitcoin as a digital alternative to the yellow metal.

Security Incident Targets Crypto Entrepreneur in France

In a concerning development for the cryptocurrency community, French authorities arrested four individuals during an attempted break-in at the residence of a DeFi entrepreneur in the Yvelines region. The suspects, aged 23 to 34, were apprehended in the act during the night of September 28-29, 2025.

According to sources close to the investigation, the perpetrators specifically targeted the residence and were equipped to force entry. The victim reportedly manages cryptocurrency portfolios potentially worth hundreds of thousands of euros. The four suspects have been placed in custody as an investigation for attempted aggravated theft continues, with authorities exploring whether information about the victim's assets and location might have been leaked.

This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by individuals known to possess significant cryptocurrency holdings.

Political Controversy Over Exaion's Acquisition by Marathon Digital

A political debate has emerged in France regarding the proposed sale of Exaion, a wholly-owned EDF subsidiary specializing in blockchain infrastructure and Bitcoin mining, to U.S.-based Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA). The deal, valued at over €100 million, has drawn opposition from Éric Ciotti, president of the Republicans party.

Ciotti argues that selling Exaion would "jeopardize French sovereignty" in what he considers "a sector of the future." Marathon Digital, which claims to control more than 11 EH/s of computing power, appears to be seeking stronger positioning in the European market.

EDF justifies the potential sale as part of its strategy to refocus on its core energy production and distribution activities, aligning with the French government's industrial policy. However, several parliamentarians have expressed concerns about losing control of what they view as strategic technology. The French government, as EDF's majority shareholder, has not yet issued an official response.

"High-performance computing and Bitcoin mining are not mere technological curiosities: they are useful activities that create value and innovation (...) If we let this wealth slip abroad, we will lose an asset in the coming monetary reconfiguration," stated Ciotti.

Banking Sector Accelerates Blockchain Adoption

Meanwhile, traditional financial institutions continue to integrate blockchain technology. Citi has expanded its blockchain capabilities by connecting Citi Token Services to its USD payment network, allowing for instant and programmable settlements on a private blockchain. Qatar National Bank has adopted JPMorgan's Kynexys blockchain platform for cross-border dollar payments, with the first transactions expected in Q4 2025.

Market Implications

These developments collectively reflect growing institutional interest in both traditional safe-haven assets and blockchain infrastructure. The political debate around Exaion's potential sale highlights the strategic importance governments are beginning to place on Bitcoin mining capabilities, while the security incident serves as a reminder of the real-world risks associated with cryptocurrency ownership.

As gold sets new records and financial institutions embrace blockchain technology, the boundaries between traditional and digital finance continue to blur, creating both opportunities and challenges for market participants.