The Bank of Russia's gold reserves dropped to 73.4 million troy ounces by July 1, 2026, marking their lowest point since February 2020. This decline has been continuous since January 2026, with total value at $298.99 billion as of March 1, 2026.
Venezuela plans temporary accommodation for thousands displaced by recent earthquakes, with the death toll at 4,333. President Jorge Rodriguez announced the plan, while interim President Delcy Rodriguez requested the Bank of England release gold reserves and the IMF release emergency funds for reconstruction.
Central banks are increasingly storing gold bullion domestically, driven by geopolitical tensions and concerns over accessibility of overseas reserves. The World Gold Council survey shows a rise in domestic storage and diversification of foreign locations, with expectations of continued central bank gold purchases.
A World Gold Council survey reveals 45% of central banks plan to increase gold reserves due to geopolitical uncertainty and declining trust in the US dollar. Most expect global reserves to rise, with gold seen as a crisis hedge and inflation buffer.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has refuted media reports claiming it sold gold worth $12 billion to support the rupee. The RBI stated its physical gold stock remains unchanged at 880.52 tonnes, and the share of gold in foreign exchange reserves has increased.
The Reserve Bank of India may have sold approximately $12 billion in gold reserves in the two weeks leading up to May 22 to safeguard its foreign-currency assets amidst capital outflows and rising oil prices, according to Bloomberg Economics. This action highlights the RBI's priority on maintaining liquid forex reserves as Middle East tensions impact the rupee.
The Indian government has strongly refuted rumors about plans to monetize gold held by temples and religious institutions, calling the claims "completely false" and "baseless." It denied any proposal to issue gold bonds or treat temple gold as strategic reserves.
The Indian government has officially denied rumors about plans to monetize gold held by temples and religious institutions. The government stated that claims of issuing gold bonds or treating temple gold as strategic reserves are "completely false" and "baseless," urging citizens to avoid spreading unverified information.
The USA leads the world in gold reserves with over 8,133 tonnes, followed by Italy, China, India, and Japan, as of Q1 2026, highlighting gold's role in economic strategy and stability.
Facing a widening trade deficit, India's Prime Minister urges reduced gold purchases. Industry bodies propose tapping into the nation's vast household gold reserves. Their plan involves using refined household gold for domestic demand and channeling imported gold into jewellery exports via gold metal loans, aiming to boost working capital and cut imports.
India's foreign exchange reserves experienced a significant drop of $7.794 billion, reaching $690.693 billion in the week ending May 1. This decline, primarily driven by a fall in foreign currency assets and gold reserves, follows a previous decrease. The central bank's intervention in the forex market to support the rupee is a key factor behind this trend.
RBI is not alone in repatriating its gold reserves. Several central banks like France’s Banque de France, Germany’s Deutsche Bundesbank, Serbia’s National Bank have done the same - buy why?
Tether’s XAUt tops $3.3 billion as gold reserves reach 154 tons, with demand rising amid geopolitical tensions and shifting expectations for Federal Reserve policy.
The Reserve Bank of India has repatriated nearly 77% of its gold reserves (approximately 680 metric tonnes out of 880.52 mt) by end-March 2026, up from 65.4% six months earlier. The move follows global events including the Russia-Ukraine war and Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, where G7 countries seized foreign currency reserves. About 197.67 mt remains in custody with the Bank of England and Bank for International Settlements. Gold's share of total foreign exchange reserves rose to 16.70% from 13.92% during this period.
To ease the burden on consumers, DIW head Marcel Fratzscher proposes selling part of Germany's gold reserves — currently worth around €440 billion.
India's foreign exchange reserves surged by $2.362 billion to $703.308 billion in the week ending April 17, following a previous gain of $3.825 billion. This increase, driven by rising foreign currency assets and gold reserves, marks a rebound after a decline caused by Middle East geopolitical tensions.
