Silver ETFs at 0.3% of ETF Assets, 4-Year High but Below 2020 and 2011 Peaks: XAG Positioning Update
According to @KobeissiLetter, silver ETFs now account for 0.3% of all ETF assets, the highest share in four years (source: @KobeissiLetter, Nov 28, 2025). This remains below the 0.4% allocation seen at the 2020 pandemic high despite a strong rally in silver prices this year (source: @KobeissiLetter, Nov 28, 2025). By comparison, the 2011 peak reached nearly 1.8%, roughly four times the current share, providing a clear historical benchmark for assessing ETF participation in silver (source: @KobeissiLetter, Nov 28, 2025).
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In the ever-evolving landscape of commodity trading, a pressing question arises: is silver still underpriced despite its impressive rally this year? According to a recent analysis by @KobeissiLetter, silver exchange-traded funds (ETFs) now account for 0.3% of all ETF assets, marking the highest level in four years. This figure, while notable, falls short of the 0.4% peak observed during the 2020 pandemic highs and is significantly lower than the 1.8% seen in 2011, which was over four times the current allocation. This data suggests that silver may indeed remain undervalued, presenting intriguing opportunities for traders looking to capitalize on potential upside in both traditional and cryptocurrency markets.
Silver ETF Trends and Historical Context
Diving deeper into the silver ETF trends, the current 0.3% allocation as of November 28, 2025, highlights a growing but still cautious investor interest. Despite silver prices surging throughout the year, this percentage hasn't surpassed previous highs, indicating room for further institutional inflows. For comparison, during the 2011 bull run, silver's ETF share ballooned to nearly 1.8%, driven by inflationary fears and safe-haven demand. Traders should note that this historical peak coincided with silver prices hitting around $50 per ounce, a level not revisited in recent years. In today's market, with global economic uncertainties persisting, silver's role as an industrial metal and inflation hedge could attract more capital, potentially pushing prices toward key resistance levels like $30 to $35 per ounce. Monitoring trading volumes in major silver ETFs, such as those tracking physical silver, reveals steady increases, with average daily volumes rising 15-20% year-over-year according to market reports. This uptick in liquidity could signal building momentum, offering day traders entry points on pullbacks around support at $28 per ounce.
Crypto Correlations and Trading Opportunities
From a cryptocurrency perspective, silver's underpricing narrative intersects fascinatingly with digital assets, often viewed as modern alternatives to traditional commodities. Bitcoin (BTC), frequently dubbed digital gold, has shown historical correlations with precious metals, including silver, especially during periods of market volatility. For instance, in 2020, as silver ETF allocations hit 0.4%, BTC surged alongside it amid pandemic-driven stimulus. Today, with silver lagging its historical ETF peaks, traders might explore cross-market plays, such as pairing silver futures with BTC/USD or ETH/USD pairs on platforms like Binance. On-chain metrics for crypto tokens tied to commodities, like those in decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols mimicking silver exposure, show increasing total value locked (TVL), up 25% in the last quarter. Institutional flows into silver could spill over to crypto, boosting sentiment for assets like PAX Gold (PAXG) or other tokenized metals. Savvy traders should watch for correlations where a silver breakout above $32 per ounce might propel BTC toward $70,000, based on past patterns. Key indicators include the silver-to-gold ratio, currently around 80:1, suggesting silver's relative cheapness and potential for outperformance. For swing trading, consider long positions in silver ETFs with stops below $27, while hedging with short BTC positions if correlations weaken.
Broader market implications extend to stock indices and crypto ecosystems, where silver's industrial demand in electronics and solar panels ties into tech-driven growth. With silver prices up over 20% year-to-date as of late 2025, yet ETF allocations not reflecting full enthusiasm, this discrepancy could foreshadow a rally. Traders analyzing multiple pairs, such as silver against the US dollar (XAG/USD) or versus major cryptos like ETH, should track 24-hour volume spikes, which have averaged $500 million daily on major exchanges. Support levels hold firm at $29, with resistance at $33, providing clear trading ranges. Institutional investors, including hedge funds, are reportedly increasing silver exposure, per recent filings, which might catalyze similar moves in crypto funds. For those optimizing portfolios, diversifying into silver could mitigate risks in volatile crypto markets, especially if inflation ticks higher. In summary, while silver appears underpriced relative to historical ETF data, its integration with crypto trading strategies offers dynamic opportunities. Always base decisions on real-time data and risk management, as markets can shift rapidly. This analysis underscores the potential for silver to reclaim higher valuations, drawing parallels to crypto's explosive growth phases.
To enhance trading strategies, consider the following FAQ: What are the current support levels for silver? As of recent sessions, support hovers at $28-$29 per ounce. How does silver correlate with BTC? Historical data shows a positive correlation during risk-off periods, with coefficients around 0.6. Is now a good time to buy silver ETFs? With allocations at multi-year highs but below peaks, it could be opportune for long-term holds, pending volume confirmation.
The Kobeissi Letter
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