Geopolitical tensions have fundamentally reshaped global asset flows. As major economies face sanctions and reserve constraints, gold prices have surged significantly—a classic flight-to-safety pattern we've seen repeat throughout market cycles. One emerging trend worth monitoring: when traditional safe havens spike in value, it creates an interesting dynamic for crypto portfolios. Institutional investors increasingly view Bitcoin and other major digital assets as non-correlated alternatives to conventional reserves. The substitution effect isn't just about replacing physical assets anymore; it's about rethinking what "alternative reserves" even means in a fragmented geopolitical landscape. Whether you're managing a national fund or a personal allocation, the lesson is clear: single-asset strategies fail when the rules of the game change overnight. Diversification across traditional commodities, precious metals, and decentralized digital assets may offer more resilience than ever before.