[Marathon Fusion Successfully Achieves 'Mercury-to-Gold' Alchemy, Potentially Disrupting Gold Fundamentals in the Mid-to-Long Term] BlockBeats News, October 22: This morning, U.S.-based private nuclear fusion startup Marathon Fusion announced that it has successfully achieved high-efficiency alchemy—transforming mercury into real, stable gold. According to its video introduction, Marathon Fusion utilizes beam-driven fusion technology to convert Mercury-198 into Mercury-197, which decays into stable Gold-197 after approximately 64 hours. Additionally, the process can breed tritium and generate electricity. Laboratory simulations indicate that under controlled conditions, each GWth could produce over 2 tons of gold annually, potentially doubling the economic value of power plants. Market analysts have pointed out that this technology is currently in the small-scale demonstration phase within laboratory settings, with production far from reaching commercial levels. As a result, it is unlikely to have any substantial impact on gold in the short term. However, if the technology matures and achieves commercialization in the future, it theoretically holds the potential to disrupt gold's fundamental market dynamics. Public information reveals that Marathon Fusion is a private nuclear fusion startup based in San Francisco, USA. Founded in 2023, the company focuses on full-stack nuclear fusion research and aims to solve fuel cycle challenges in fusion reactors. [Original Link]