2025 was the year the precious-metals rally broke out, with gold and silver grabbing headlines — and now platinum and palladium are pushing onto the radar. Market watchers say these two lesser-followed metals could be next to climb, reshaping the broader commodity narrative that crypto traders and portfolio allocators are watching closely. Kitco reports that platinum and palladium prices are set to trend higher after a period of weakness. Both metals were pressured in recent years by changing automotive demand: rapid EV adoption reduced the need for traditional catalytic converters, driving palladium and platinum into oversupply and lower prices. But that dynamic appears to be shifting — if EV growth slows or automakers pivot — and that could restore industrial demand for these metals. Geopolitical and supply-side risks are also feeding the bull case. Commodity analysts at TDS note that a “war-economy” mindset is encouraging governments and firms to stockpile critical minerals. They point to ongoing Section 232 investigations and the lingering threat of tariffs, plus a move toward “just-in-case” inventory strategies, as reasons why outsized stockpiling could keep global inventories tight — particularly in hubs like London. Looking to 2026, analysts are divided but optimistic overall. Nicky Sheils expects a strong year for platinum and palladium on valuation grounds. Some market forecasts have platinum aiming toward about $2,000, while BMO’s outlook is more conservative, projecting around $1,500 by 2026. BMO also warned that if the market swings into surplus, industrial users would be less reliant on selling investor holdings to meet demand — which could ease spot-market pressure. Separately, BMO said palladium’s fundamentals may remain challenged, with a sizable surplus possible from next year onward. What this means for crypto-focused traders: precious metals are reasserting their role as a portfolio diversifier amid macro and geopolitical uncertainty. As gold and silver drew capital in 2025, platinum and palladium are emerging as the next commodities to watch — driven by a complex mix of EV trends, inventory behavior, and geopolitical risk that could tighten supplies or lift prices rapidly. Sources: Kitco; TDS commodity analysts; BMO; comments from Nicky Sheils. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news