Silver Rises Over 120% YTD 
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 rising gold prices or could indicate unreported purchases.
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Paper Gold vs Physical Gold: Which Is Safer?
When markets turn volatile, the difference between paper gold vs physical gold becomes critical. While ETFs, futures, and unallocated accounts offer convenient price exposure inside the financial system, physical gold provides direct ownership outside of it. Understanding counterparty risk, margin-driven volatility, and ownership structure helps investors choose the approach that aligns with long-term wealth preservation and portfolio protection goals.
February 19, 2026
