Dutch Central Bank Shifts Gold Reserves to London for Crisis Preparedness

The Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank) has moved about 86 metric tons of gold from New York and Ottawa to London between March and August 2026. This shift is not just a matter of diversification, but rather a strategic decision aimed at having the most usable gold reserves in times of crisis.

The bank stated that gold held at the Bank of England must meet modern international trade standards and is considered the most easily tradable gold globally. In contrast, gold stored in New York and Ottawa cannot be used as quickly or directly in a crisis.

This decision is part of the Netherlands' crisis preparedness efforts, with DNB governor Olaf Sleijpen saying that the bank expects never to need the gold but still must strengthen resilience and preparedness. This approach reflects the bank's cautious attitude towards reserve management.