Dutch Central Bank Moves 86 Metric Tons of Gold to London Amid Global Tensions

The Dutch central bank De Nederlandsche has completed a major operation to relocate 86 metric tons of its gold reserves from North America to London. The move, which took place between March and August, aims to enhance liquidity and crisis readiness in the face of growing global tensions.

The bank drew down holdings stored at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, relocating the metal to the Bank of England. This shift positions London as the primary overseas custodian of Dutch sovereign bullion.

The transfer also adjusted the allocation of the Netherlands' foreign reserves. Before the reshuffle, 31.3% was held in New York and 19.7% in Ottawa. Now, both North American facilities hold an equal 18.5% share, while London's allocation expanded from 18.1% to 32.1%. The bank retained 30.8% of its total stockpile at its domestic Cash Centre near Zeist.

The relocation was executed using a dual approach: officials sold roughly 59 metric tons in New York and simultaneously purchased a matching quantity meeting London market specifications, while the remaining 27 metric tons were physically shipped across the Atlantic Ocean before being dispatched to the Bank of England.