HONG KONG, China — Gold prices broke past $4,500 in Asian trade Wednesday on optimism that the Federal Reserve will continue cutting interest rates next year, and amid rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela. READ: US forces stop oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela The precious metal hit a peak of $4,519.78 to extend a rally that has seen it surge more than 70 percent since the start of 2025. Asian markets went into the Christmas break Wednesday on a mixed note as investors struggled to track a record day on Wall Street fueled by forecast-topping US economic […]... Keep on reading: Gold tops $4,500 for first time on rate cut bets, geopolitics