Central Banks Buy Record 289 Tonnes of Gold in Second Quarter, Reports Show

Data from the World Gold Council revealed, as reported, that central banks around the world purchased a total of 289 tonnes of gold during the second quarter of 2026, marking a new quarterly record that confirms the continuation of the strategic diversification wave away from the US dollar.

Central banks in emerging market countries lead the list of buyers, according to reports, led by central banks in Central Asia, the Middle East, and certain African economies seeking to bolster their reserves of non-dollar assets.

This trend points to a long-term structural movement toward reducing reliance on the dollar, as a growing number of central banks trim the dollar's share in their reserves in favor of precious metals and other currencies.

Research institutions expect, as reported, that institutional demand from central banks will keep gold prices in a high range over the medium term, providing a firm demand pillar independent of dollar movements and interest rates.

What do these terms mean?

De-Dollarization: A path pursued by countries seeking to reduce their reliance on the US dollar in their reserves and international trade in favor of alternative assets such as gold, the yuan, and other currencies.

Gold Reserves: The quantities of gold held by central banks in their vaults as part of their foreign reserves, which enhance market confidence in the strength of the country's financial position.