Amsterdam, Netherlands – The Dutch Central Bank announced the transfer of 86 tons of its gold reserves from the United States and Canada to London, citing growing geopolitical volatility and the necessity of ensuring faster, more flexible access to its assets during potential economic emergencies.
London as an Accessible Trading Hub
The central bank explained that gold held in London offers significantly higher liquidity and ease of trade compared to reserves stored in New York and Ottawa. Central Bank President Olaf Sleijpen emphasized that this strategic reallocation enhances the institution’s crisis preparedness and operational resilience, ensuring rapid liquidity if emergency intervention becomes necessary.
Rebalancing Distribution and Asset Shares
The Netherlands’ total gold reserves of 612.4 tons are valued at approximately $83.7 billion (€72.2 billion). Following the reallocation—executed through a combination of sales, purchases, and physical transport—London’s share of Dutch gold rose to 32.1%, while holdings in New York and Ottawa dropped to 18.5% each, with 30.8% remaining stored domestically in Zeist.
Ultimately, Amsterdam’s gold transfer underscores a broader effort among European central banks to secure immediate liquidity and protect sovereign assets against unpredictable global geopolitical and financial risks.
