Kenny Michaels: Silver, Supply, and the “Just in Case” Case for Gold

China’s silver imports are hitting record highs at the same time demand from AI, electric vehicles, solar, and data centers continues to reshape the precious metals conversation.

In Episode 4 of Striking Gold with Kenny Michaels, Kenny Michaels and Candace Pendleton break down why silver is getting more attention from retirement savers, why physical metals are different from paper assets, and why supply constraints could become a bigger part of silver’s story.

Watch the full episode below.

For those who prefer to read, here are the key takeaways from the episode.

Why Silver Is Back in the Spotlight

Kenny opened the episode by pointing to China’s record silver imports and the growing attention around silver’s industrial uses. That theme is timely. Bloomberg reported that China’s silver imports surged to an all-time high in March 2026, driven by retail demand and the country’s massive solar industry.

The broader silver market is also being shaped by technology and energy demand. The Silver Institute has highlighted silver’s role in solar, electric vehicles, data centers, AI, and other key technology sectors. Its 2026 materials noted that solar, EVs, and data centers all require silver because of the metal’s unique physical and conductive properties.

That is one of the core arguments Kenny and Candace make in the episode: silver is no longer just a precious metal people buy as a hedge. It is also an industrial metal used in many of the systems powering the modern economy.

Related: Free Guide - How to Buy Physical Gold and Silver in 2026

AI, Data Centers, Solar, and EVs Are Changing the Silver Story

Candace described silver as a “sleeping giant” because of its connection to the next wave of technology. AI needs data centers. Data centers need massive amounts of power. Electric vehicles, solar panels, advanced electronics, and energy systems all depend on metals that can conduct electricity efficiently.

Silver’s role in solar is especially important. According to the Silver Institute, silver’s use in photovoltaics reached a record 197.6 million ounces in 2024, helping drive growth in electrical and electronics demand.

That does not mean silver demand only moves in one direction. Reuters reported that the Silver Institute expected global silver demand to remain steady in 2026, with stronger physical investment demand helping offset projected weakness in some industrial categories, including a decline in photovoltaic demand due to thrifting and substitution.

Reuters also noted that the silver market was expected to remain in deficit for a sixth consecutive year.

In other words, the episode’s bullish silver thesis lines up with a real industrial demand story, but the market is still complex. Demand can rise in one category while efficiency improvements reduce silver use in another.

Related: Dollar Decline, Debt, and Market Volatility - Webinar Replay

Physical Silver vs. Paper Silver

A major theme of the episode is the difference between owning physical silver and owning paper exposure to silver.

Kenny Michaels and Candace Pendleton argued that retirement savers should understand that mining stocks, ETFs, and other paper assets do not behave the same way as physical metals.

Mining stocks can be affected by company performance, management, production costs, labor issues, debt, and stock market volatility. Physical silver, by contrast, is a direct holding of the metal itself.

That does not automatically make physical silver “better” for everyone. It simply means the risk profile is different. Paper silver products can be easier to buy and sell, while physical silver may come with storage, insurance, dealer spreads, and liquidity considerations. For retirement savers considering a precious metals IRA, those costs and rules matter.

The key point from the episode is that Kenny and Candace see physical silver as a form of “just in case” protection, not merely a trade. They compare it to insurance: something people hope they never need, but may want in place before market stress arrives.

Related: Jeremy Herrell and Rich Jacoby Launch "The Crest Report" 

Why Retirement Savers Over 50 Are Paying Attention

The episode speaks directly to Americans over 50 who may not have decades to wait for a market recovery if stocks experience a major correction.

Candace Pendleton warned that if a retirement account takes a major hit late in life, the timing can matter as much as the loss itself. A younger worker may have years of contributions and market cycles ahead. Someone nearing retirement may not have the same runway.

That is why Kenny and Candace frame gold and silver as portfolio insurance. Their argument is not necessarily that someone should move an entire retirement account into metals. In fact, Kenny says viewers do not have to move the whole thing. The point is to consider whether having some portion in hard assets makes sense as a way to reduce reliance on paper assets alone.

Silver’s Growth Potential Compared to Gold

Gold often gets more attention as a safe-haven asset, but the episode argues that silver may offer more growth potential because of its industrial demand and lower price point.

Kenny and Candace repeatedly describe gold as a long-term store of value, while silver is presented as the metal with more upside because it is used in manufacturing, technology, solar, EVs, and data centers. That distinction is important. Gold is often viewed primarily as monetary insurance. Silver has both monetary and industrial demand.

Reuters reported in late 2025 that silver had been outperforming gold over a multi-year period, supported by industrial demand and supply deficits.

Still, silver is often more volatile than gold. That means it may offer upside, but it can also move sharply in both directions. Retirement savers should weigh that volatility before deciding how much exposure makes sense.

Related: Download GoldenCrest Metals' Free Gold & Silver Guide

The “Just in Case” Argument

One of the most memorable parts of the episode is Kenny’s “just in case” analogy. He compares precious metals to bringing a jacket to a baseball game or keeping an umbrella in the car. You may not need it, but if conditions change, you are glad you have it.

That is the broader message of the episode. Precious metals are not positioned as a get-rich-quick move. They are framed as a way to prepare for uncertainty, including market corrections, inflation, debt concerns, currency weakness, and geopolitical risk.

For retirement savers who are heavily exposed to stocks, bonds, and other paper assets, Kenny and Candace argue that physical gold and silver may provide a layer of diversification.

Striking Gold - What You Need to Know...

Episode 4 of Striking Gold with Kenny Michael makes a clear case for why silver deserves more attention. The episode connects silver to AI, electric vehicles, solar, data centers, physical supply, and retirement diversification.

The strongest takeaway is simple: silver is not just “poor man’s gold.” It is a precious metal with real industrial demand and a growing role in the modern economy.

For Americans nearing retirement, the episode encourages a closer look at whether physical silver and gold may belong in a broader diversification strategy.