Is Gold Becoming the World’s New Reserve Currency? | Gold Investing

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In recent years there has been a hot debate concerning if Gold has started to slowly replace the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency.

Table of contents

In this article you will learn:

  • What is Gold investing
  • How to invest in Gold
  • If Gold is becoming the world’s new reserve currency
  • Why central banks have started buying up more Gold as a reserve
  • How economic sanctions has influenced central banks actions towards the USD and Gold

As the world’s most well-known precious metal, Gold has been used as a store of value for thousands of years. In modern times, gold has become a popular investment option, particularly as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Recently, there has been talk that gold is becoming the new reserve currency, replacing the US dollar. In this article, we will explore this topic and provide insights into Gold investing, Gold prices and the USD (US dollar). 

What is Gold investing?

Gold has been a reliable store of value for centuries, making it an attractive investment option for those looking to diversify their portfolio. One of the most significant benefits of investing in Gold is its ability to act as a hedge against inflation. As inflation rises, the value of currencies decreases, but the value of Gold tends to remain stable. Additionally, gold has a low correlation with other assets, such as stocks and bonds, making it a good portfolio diversification tool. However, as with any investment, there are risks involved, such as fluctuations in the price of Gold and the performance of the companies in the Gold mining industry.

Gold investing refers to the process of buying and holding physical Gold or Gold-related financial instruments with the aim of generating a return on investment.

There are several ways to invest in Gold:

  • Physical Gold: Investors can buy physical Gold in the form of Gold coins, bars or jewelry. The value of physical gold is determined by its weight and purity, and investors can sell their gold for a profit when its value increases.
  • Gold ETFs: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the price of Gold are a popular way to invest in Gold. These funds hold physical Gold and allow investors to buy and sell shares on an exchange like stocks.
  • Gold mining stocks: Investors can also invest in Gold mining stocks, which are stocks of companies that mine and produce Gold. The value of these stocks is directly related to the price of Gold and the performance of the company.
  • Gold CFDs: CFDs allow investors to buy or sell Gold without owning the underlying asset physically. As a type of derivative, it enables both retail and institutional investors to speculate on the price movement of Gold prices with leverage, meaning that their potential return on investment (profits or losses) is magnified. Learn more about Gold CFD trading.

Is Gold Becoming the World’s New Reserve Currency?

The idea that Gold is becoming the world’s new reserve currency is not new, and many analysts have debated this topic for years. While gold has been used as a form of currency for centuries, it is unlikely to replace the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency anytime soon. However, gold’s role as a reserve asset is growing, with several central banks increasing their gold reserves in recent years.

Why have central banks started buying up Gold as a reserve instead of USD?

Central banks around the world have been increasing their Gold reserves in recent years, leading some to question whether Gold is becoming the new reserve currency. Data from the World Gold Council showed that Gold demand increased by 18% in 2022 to more than 4,700 tonnes, which was in part driven from the biggest purchases of Gold by central banks for 55 years. There are several reasons why central banks have started buying Gold as a reserve instead of the USD:

  1. Diversification: Central banks have traditionally held US dollars as a reserve currency due to its stability and liquidity. However, recent geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties have led central banks to diversify their reserves to reduce their exposure to the USD. Gold provides a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty, making it an attractive option for diversifying a reserve portfolio.
  2. The limited supply: Gold is a finite resource, which means its supply is limited. This makes it a valuable asset to hold as a reserve, as it is less susceptible to inflation and currency fluctuations than fiat currencies.
  3. A store of value: Gold has a long history as a store of value, with its value remaining relatively stable over time. Central banks hold reserves to maintain the value of their currency, and Gold can help achieve this goal due to its stability and long-standing reputation as a store of value.
  4. A shift in global power: As emerging economies, such as China and Russia, continue to grow and gain economic power, they are increasingly looking for alternatives to the USD as a reserve currency. Holding Gold provides these countries with a way to diversify their reserves and reduce their reliance on the USD.

Has economic sanctions from the United States influenced Central Banks to buy more Gold?

The role of economic sanctions by the United States has certainly played a role in encouraging Gold buying by certain central banks. Economic sanctions are a tool used by the US government to restrict trade and financial transactions with specific countries, entities or individuals. These sanctions can have a significant impact on the economies of the targeted countries, as well as their access to global financial systems.

In recent years, the US government has used economic sanctions as a foreign policy tool more frequently, targeting countries such as Iran, Russia, and Venezuela. This has led these countries, along with others, to seek ways to reduce their reliance on the US dollar and the US financial system.

One way that central banks have sought to reduce their exposure to the US financial system is by increasing their holdings of Gold. Gold is a tangible asset that is not subject to US sanctions, and therefore offers a level of protection against the economic impact of sanctions.  

For example, in 2018, Turkey increased its Gold holdings citing the need to diversify its reserves amid US sanctions. Similarly, Russia and China have also been increasing their Gold holdings in recent years, in part to reduce their exposure to the US dollar and the US financial system. In the final months of 2022, China bought 62 tonnes of Gold and in effect lifting its total bullion reserves above 2,000 tonnes for the first time ever.