Here's something worth paying attention to: when a major retail chain like Costco starts offering gold to its members, it's basically throwing its weight behind the narrative that alternative assets deserve a seat at the investment table. One industry executive put it bluntly—this kind of mainstream endorsement legitimizes the entire space. The message is clear: gold is no longer just a fringe play or conspiracy theory territory. It's becoming part of everyday investment conversations. This shift in perception matters more than people realize. Once the big players begin normalizing asset diversification beyond traditional stocks and bonds, it creates ripple effects across how everyday investors think about portfolio construction. Whether we're talking precious metals, digital assets, or other alternatives, the playbook is similar: institutional and mainstream adoption changes everything.