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Sat, 05 Sep 2026

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 Why are European countries moving their gold out of North America?

The Netherlands has relocated 86 tonnes of the shiny stuff - what's going on?
The Bank of England holds approximately 400,000 gold bars worth over £200bn in its vaults, making it the most popular storage spot for central banks. However, some experts believe that this trend of storing gold closer to home may be driven by factors beyond geopolitical instability, such as inflation and interest rates. Central banks have been accumulating gold at an unprecedented rate, with a 100% increase in annual purchases over the past four years compared to the previous decade. This surge in demand has contributed to the rise in gold prices, which are forecast to reach $4,900 per troy ounce by the end of 2026. The relocation of gold reserves from North America to Europe is seen as a strategic move by central banks to maintain their reserve assets and ensure that they can be readily available during times of financial turmoil.