Global central banks are turning away from the US dollar and towards gold as a safe-haven asset, sparking fears that America's economic dominance is coming to an end. In recent years, the price of gold has surged, driven in part by rising tensions between Washington and its rivals.
The trend reflects a growing distrust of the dollar among governments and investors. The US Federal Reserve's independence has been challenged by President Donald Trump, who has taken steps to undermine the Fed's ability to set monetary policy independently.
As a result, many central banks are buying gold as a way to hedge against potential economic instability. In June last year, gold overtook the euro to become the second-most important reserve asset after the dollar.
"This is not just about the value of gold," says RaphaΓ«l Gallardo, chief economist at Carmignac. "It's about the lack of confidence in the US dollar as a store of value and a safe-haven asset."
The shift away from the dollar reflects a broader change in the global economic landscape. With rising nationalism and protectionism on the rise, many countries are seeking to diversify their economies and reduce their reliance on the US.
Meanwhile, China is also building up its gold reserves, amassing more than 2,000 tonnes in an effort to rival Washington. The United States, however, remains the world's largest holder of gold, with an estimated 8,000 tonnes stored in Fort Knox.
While some economists believe that cryptocurrencies could eventually rival traditional currencies and gold as a reserve asset, many are cautious about their potential impact.
"The dethroning of the dollar would be a second-round effect," says Jonathan Fortun, an economist at the Institute of International Finance. "We'd have many other issues to deal with."
In contrast, gold has long been seen as a reliable store of value and a safe-haven asset during times of economic uncertainty.
As governments around the world continue to build up their gold reserves, one thing is clear: the dollar's grip on the global economy is beginning to slip.
The trend reflects a growing distrust of the dollar among governments and investors. The US Federal Reserve's independence has been challenged by President Donald Trump, who has taken steps to undermine the Fed's ability to set monetary policy independently.
As a result, many central banks are buying gold as a way to hedge against potential economic instability. In June last year, gold overtook the euro to become the second-most important reserve asset after the dollar.
"This is not just about the value of gold," says RaphaΓ«l Gallardo, chief economist at Carmignac. "It's about the lack of confidence in the US dollar as a store of value and a safe-haven asset."
The shift away from the dollar reflects a broader change in the global economic landscape. With rising nationalism and protectionism on the rise, many countries are seeking to diversify their economies and reduce their reliance on the US.
Meanwhile, China is also building up its gold reserves, amassing more than 2,000 tonnes in an effort to rival Washington. The United States, however, remains the world's largest holder of gold, with an estimated 8,000 tonnes stored in Fort Knox.
While some economists believe that cryptocurrencies could eventually rival traditional currencies and gold as a reserve asset, many are cautious about their potential impact.
"The dethroning of the dollar would be a second-round effect," says Jonathan Fortun, an economist at the Institute of International Finance. "We'd have many other issues to deal with."
In contrast, gold has long been seen as a reliable store of value and a safe-haven asset during times of economic uncertainty.
As governments around the world continue to build up their gold reserves, one thing is clear: the dollar's grip on the global economy is beginning to slip.