Dutch Central Bank Shifts 86 Tonnes of Gold to London

The Dutch central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), moved about 86 tonnes of gold from North America to London between March and August 2026. This relocation aims to improve crisis preparedness and place the metal in a closer, more secure financial hub.

The move increased London’s share of DNB’s gold reserves to 32.1% from 18.1%. Holdings in New York and Ottawa each fell to 18.5%, while the share stored in Zeist, Netherlands, stayed at 30.8%. DNB Governor Olaf Sleijpen stated the relocation improved the tradability of their gold reserves.

DNB held 612.4 tonnes of gold, valued at €72.2 billion ($80.7 billion) at the end of 2025. The bank facilitated the transfer by selling about 59 tonnes of gold in New York and then buying the same amount in London. Another 27 tonnes moved from Ottawa and New York to Zeist under strict security.

Storing gold at the Bank of England ensures it meets international trade standards, making it highly tradable. Rick Kanda, Managing Director at The Gold Bullion Company, noted that London offers quicker access during a crisis for countries needing to sell gold. This repositioning mirrors actions by other central banks, including France, which moved 129 metric tons of gold from the New York Federal Reserve in 2025-2026.