Markets tremble as volatility spikes and metals slump

A sharp wave of risk-off trading hit markets as gold and silver plunged (silver down as much as 30% and gold around 15% at one point) and bitcoin slid up to 10% to below $80,000, marking the strongest turbulence since November. Citi attributed broad risk-off flows and falling stock futures as traders weigh whether volatility signals a turning point. Retail buyers later helped metals recover over the weekend, and investors will watch if correlated assets move in tandem to gauge whether the choppiness persists or fades.