Authenticity Questions Arise: Shanghai Bank’s Gold Bar Found Containing Suspicious Materials

Shanghai residents raised concerns after a customer discovered dark impurities inside a gold bar purchased from a bank when having it made into jewelry. Despite initial resistance from the bank, which blamed the jeweler and suggested tampering, the matching serial numbers on the gold bar and bank documents confirmed it was the original purchase. Financial regulatory authorities have since become involved, stepping in on Tuesday following the Wednesday incident. The bank, reportedly located in Shanghai’s Nanxiang area, has stated that verification processes are underway. Online commentators have noted the difficulty in distinguishing genuine gold from counterfeits, particularly since materials like […]

China’s Central Bank Uses Gold Imports to Manage Currency Appreciation Amid Trade War

China’s central bank (PBOC) has authorized commercial banks to purchase foreign currencies specifically for gold imports following an expansion of gold import quotas last month. This strategic move comes as gold prices have rallied amid market volatility caused by President Trump’s trade war, which has also strengthened Asian currencies as investors move away from U.S. dollars. The policy adjustment serves a dual purpose: helping meet increased demand for gold while simultaneously easing the yuan’s appreciation, which has been hurting Chinese exporters already struggling with U.S. import tariffs. Despite gold prices reaching $3,500 per ounce last month, the PBOC has continued […]

China Leads Historic Surge in Gold ETF Demand Amid Trade Tensions and Currency Concerns

Global physically-backed gold ETFs experienced significant growth in April, adding $11 billion and extending their inflow streak to five consecutive months. Total assets under management reached a new high of $379 billion, with holdings increasing by 115 tonnes to 3,561 tonnes. Asian markets led this surge, accounting for 65% of global inflows and setting a record with $7.3 billion in new investments, primarily from China. North American investors added $4.5 billion, while European markets saw modest outflows of $807 million. Trading volumes across global gold markets exploded to $441 billion per day, 48% higher than the previous month, with all […]

Poland Outshines ECB with Gold Holdings as National Bank Builds Strategic Reserve

Poland’s central bank (NBP) now holds 509.3 tonnes of gold, surpassing the European Central Bank’s 506.5 tonnes, according to NBP governor Adam Glapiński. This represents a dramatic increase from just 14 tonnes in 1996 and 102 tonnes in 2016, with the pace of acquisition accelerating significantly after 2022. Gold now constitutes 22% of Poland’s total reserves, exceeding the bank’s 20% target. About 20% of this gold is stored in Poland, with the remainder in New York and London, though the bank plans to eventually distribute it equally across all three locations. Glapiński values the gold at €44.3 billion and notes […]

Gold Returns to London as Tariff Exclusion Normalizes COMEX Premium

Gold held in London vaults increased by 0.6% to 8,536 metric tons in April as bullion flowed back from New York after the Trump administration excluded gold from import tariffs, normalizing the premium of COMEX futures over London spot prices. From December to March, market participants had moved significant gold to the U.S. to cover COMEX positions against potential tariffs, reducing London market liquidity and prompting bullion market players to borrow from central banks. COMEX gold stocks have been declining since early April, with a significant drop of 28.8 tons (worth $3.1 billion) on Wednesday alone. Silver holdings in London […]

China’s Central Bank Continues Gold Buying Streak But at Declining Pace

China’s central bank (PBoC) has continued its gold buying streak for the sixth consecutive month, adding 70,000 ounces (just over 2 tons) to its reserves in April. However, this represents a declining trend in monthly purchases, down from nearly 3 tons in March, 5 tons in January and February, and over 10 tons in December. Since resuming gold purchases last November, the PBoC has acquired a total of 970,000 ounces (about 30 tons)—significantly less than previous buying sprees when it purchased similar amounts in a single month. Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch suggests this reduced buying interest might be connected to […]

Gold Rally Continues Amid Global Uncertainties, But Analysts Flag Technical Warning Signs

Gold continues to dominate commodities trading, reaching a peak of $3,500 per ounce in April and currently trading around $3,320. Investors are pouring money into gold-backed ETPs due to uncertainties surrounding Trump’s trade tariffs, economic policies, and global geopolitical risks. While JP Morgan projects gold to exceed $4,000 within a year, some analysts are growing cautious. LBBW expects prices to reach only $3,000 by year-end, citing increased mining supply and already high speculator positions. HSBC’s technical analyst warns that gold’s price has diverged significantly from its 200-week moving average, suggesting potential consolidation ahead.

Gold Bull Run Hits Speed Bump at $3,435, Key Support Levels to Watch

According to Société Générale’s FX analysts, gold’s recent rally has stalled below the key $3,500 mark, with a lower high forming at $3,435. Technical indicators show weakening momentum, with the daily MACD pulling back from multi-month highs and dipping below its trigger line. This suggests a temporary consolidation phase in gold’s uptrend. For the rally to resume, gold would need to break above $3,435, while near-term support levels are identified at $3,200 and $3,140.

The Gold Capital of China: Yantai’s Remarkable 39-Year Reign as Top Producer

Yantai, known as the “Hometown of Gold,” has been China’s top gold producer for 39 consecutive years, with its reserves accounting for one-quarter of China’s total. The city is home to 86 gold companies above a designated size, with major corporations like Shandong Gold Group and Shandong Zhaojin Group leading the industry. In 2013, Yantai’s gold output reached 146.5 tons, representing 36.3% of China’s total production. The gold sector has expanded beyond mining to include tourism, with attractions drawing 1.5 million visitors annually, and jewelry manufacturing, with Zhaoyuan county becoming a major base for gold processing with an annual capacity […]

Gold Approaches $3,350 as Geopolitical Tensions and Dollar Weakness Provide Support

Gold prices rose over 1% on Friday as the dollar weakened by 0.3%, bringing spot gold to $3,332.88 per ounce and contributing to a nearly 3% weekly gain. The precious metal, which has increased more than 27% since the beginning of the year, found support from ongoing geopolitical tensions—including escalating military conflicts between India and Pakistan and uncertainty surrounding U.S.-China trade relations. President Trump’s comment that 80% tariffs on Chinese goods “seems right” ahead of weekend trade talks added to market concerns. Despite the current rise, some analysts suggest gold might be entering a period of consolidation after its strong […]