The China Silver Fund Crash of February 2026: A Domino Effect on Global Markets
Introduction In early February 2026, a seemingly niche event in China's financial markets triggered a widespread panic, leading to sharp declines in silver, gold, Bitcoin, and even U.S. stocks. The epicenter was the UBS SDIC Silver Futures Fund (LOF, code: 161226), China's primary silver-tracking fund, which experienced a historic collapse due to a valuation rule change amid global silver price volatility. This report examines the causes, ripple effects, and key visuals from market charts, while providing actionable investment advice. As of February 7, 2026, the aftermath lingers, with the fund still in liquidity limbo. The Bubble and the Burst The crisis began with retail investors in China piling into the 161226 fund, inflating its market price to a 60%+ premium over its net asset value (NAV)—a classic bubble fueled by leverage and speculation. By late January, global silver prices had plunged over 30%, but China's daily 17% drop limit kept domestic futures from full...