Central banks have been increasing the share of gold stored within their own borders rather than relying on traditional offshore vaulting hubs, reflecting a broader reassessment of reserve security and access resulting from heightened geopolitical tensions.
The trend is highlighted in a recent industry survey showing that monetary authorities are continuing to treat gold as a core reserve asset while adjusting where it is physically held. Data from the survey indicates central banks have been buying an average of 1,000 tonnes of gold annually over the past four years, a level significantly above the previous decade's average.
