Kathmandu. In 2025, the price of silver has increased by 138 percent. This has made it the most aggressive ‘macro trade’ in the world.

The price of silver has crossed $ 60 an ounce for the fifth consecutive year due to supply shortage and record industrial demand. However, there is a big difference between the way investors in developed markets and Nepali investors view and utilize this opportunity.

The price of silver was Rs 4,235 per tola in the Nepali market today. That’s the highest ever.

Worldwide Scenario: Silver as ‘Industrial Gold’

In the world market, silver is no longer just jewelry or currency, but it has emerged as an important industrial commodity.

Supply-Demand Gap: Production from the mine is stable (about 800 million ounces) but demand is growing rapidly. The use of silver is indispensable, especially in the data infrastructure required for solar energy, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence.

New Forms of Investment: Investors around the world are investing heavily in silver through ETFs and derivatives. This has turned silver into a “market-leading” metal after gold.

Nepal’s Market: Physical Ownership and Policy Limits{

The investment in silver in Nepal is still limited to the traditional form. It is not as easy to access the digital or paper market as it is in the global market.

Status of Import and TAG_CLOSE_span_74Demand: According to the data of Nepal Rastra Bank, silver worth Rs 5 billion was imported in the first 10 months of 2025. This is 69% more than the previous year.

Policy Flexibility: In 2025, the Nepal Rastra Bank has adopted some flexibility in the rules of silver imports. Jewelry industries can import silver up to $500,000 per transaction and other traders can import silver up to $100,000.

Means of Investment: For Nepalese, the main means of investing in silver is physical coins, stones or jewelry. Since there is no silver ETF or futures market available in NEPSE, most of the transactions are based on cash and physical goods.

Main Differences Between Global and Nepali Investors

The investment in silver can be compared in the global and Nepalese context.

Investment Instruments: In the global market, investors invest in ETFs, futures, and shares of mining companies. In Nepal, it has to be limited to physical metals and jewelry.

Market Access: TAG_CLOSE_span_69 In developed countries, silver can be bought or sold in a matter of minutes through an online broker. In Nepal, trading is possible only through local jewelry shops or dealers.

Pricing: The price in the global market is very transparent and instantly updated. In Nepal, the price is determined by adding import cost, customs duty and profit of the businessmen to the international price. As a result, there may be some delays or differences in comparison to the global market.

Regulatory Priorities: Regulators in global markets focus on investor protection and transparency. In Nepal, the NRB’s main focus is on foreign currency reserves and import management.

{{TAG_OPEN_strong_80}Risks and Challenges

Despite the rise in the price of silver, investors need to be aware of some serious risks.

Substitution Risk: TAG_CLOSE_span_65 If the price of silver becomes too expensive, there is a risk that industries will start using cheaper metals instead.

Volatility: TAG_CLOSE_span_64 The price of silver fluctuates much faster and by a larger number than gold. Speculation can lead to a sudden drop in price.

Risk of Foreign Currency for Nepal: The price of silver is denominated in dollars and the Nepali rupee is weak against the dollar, which may put additional burden on Nepali investors.

Tips for Nepalese Investors

While investing in silver, it would be wise for Nepali investors to pay attention to the following:

Physical Purity and Premium: Be clear about the purity guarantee and the additional charges charged by the shopkeeper when buying silver.

Diversification: Don’t invest all your savings in silver. Think of it as a high-risk satellite investment.

Long-term thinking: Invest with a time frame of at least 3 to 5 years to avoid sharp price fluctuations.

{{TAG_OPEN_span_58} Policy Information: Take a close look at the Nepal Rastra Bank’s rules related to imports and foreign currency. Because these regulations have a direct impact on the availability and price of the local market.

Silver is now the energy and digital transformation key of the global economy. Although its access to Nepal is only physical, the impact of its global price rise is significant for both Nepali households and entrepreneurs.