Here's a striking fact worth contemplating: gold's value has skyrocketed by 13,500% since the U.S. formally abandoned the gold standard. This dramatic surge underscores a fundamental shift in how modern economies manage currency and value storage. The transition from commodity-backed money to fiat systems has reshaped markets, sparking ongoing debates about monetary policy, inflation hedging, and alternative assets. For those tracking digital assets, this historical context matters—it illustrates why many now seek alternatives to traditional monetary frameworks.