Wealthy investors have doubled their allocations to alternative investments over the past year, with more than half planning to own alternatives within 12 months, according to HSBC’s survey of 10,797 investors globally. Gold emerged as the “standout asset class,” with allocations more than doubling from 5% to 11% of portfolios – the largest increase across all asset classes. Physical gold remains popular as a safe haven (41% plan to own it), while 28% expressed interest in digital gold. Younger generations are leading the shift, with Gen Z and Millennials cutting cash holdings from 31% to 17%.

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The Largest Gold ETF Outflow Ever – But China Disagrees
North American investors pulled a record $13 billion from gold ETFs in March 2026. Chinese investors put a record $8.5 billion in — the same quarter. The World Gold Council data shows two markets treating gold in completely different ways.




