Market Meltdown: Global Markets Erase $3 Trillion in 90 Minutes as Gold and Silver Plunge. -

A historic wave of volatility has rattled global markets, wiping out over $3 trillion in value during a staggering 90-minute window on Friday, January 30, 2026. The “sell-everything” mood was triggered by a combination of geopolitical shifts and rumors of a more hawkish stance from the Federal Reserve, leading to aggressive profit-taking after a massive 90% rally over the past year.

Key Market Highlights:

Commodities Crash: Gold prices plummeted to approximately $5,135 per ounce, while silver fell to $109 per ounce as investors rushed to liquidate positions.
Local Impact: In Pakistan, gold prices saw a massive single-day drop, with 24-karat gold falling by Rs 35,500 to reach Rs 537,362 per tola. Silver followed suit, dropping to Rs 11,069 per tola.
Tech Sector Bloodbath: Microsoft shares crashed 12%, its worst single-day fall in nearly six years, erasing $400 billion in market capitalization alone.
AI Narrative Under Fire: The sudden downturn has dragged down the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, leaving investors questioning the long-term sustainability of the high-growth AI narrative.
Trading Suspensions: Earlier in the week, the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX) had already suspended silver trading due to “unusual surge and volatility,” reflecting the wider global turbulence.

As the market enters this cooling phase, financial analysts urge everyone to verify live rates and exercise caution before making any major investment moves.