Gold Boom: Central Banks And Investors Drive Record Demand In 2024

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 5, 2025

Global gold demand soared to an all-time high in 2024, driven by aggressive central bank purchases and a surge in investment interest, according to the World Gold Council’s annual report.

Key Figures

Nearly 5,000 tonnes of gold were traded last year, surpassing the 4,899 tonnes recorded in 2023, including over-the-counter (OTC) investments.
Central banks continued their buying spree, surpassing 1,000 tonnes of purchases for the third consecutive year.
The National Bank of Poland emerged as the top buyer, adding 90 tonnes to its reserves, followed by Turkey (75 tonnes) and India, which made steady purchases throughout the year.

What’s Next?

Gold prices shattered 40 all-time highs last year and continue to rise in 2025. Futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) climbed to $2,875.8 per ounce this week, according to FactSet.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

With rate cuts expected, the opportunity cost of holding gold is likely to decrease, keeping investment demand stable.

Investment Surge

Total gold investment jumped 25% to a four-year high of 1,180 tonnes, primarily fueled by ETFs.
Demand for gold bars and coins remained steady, with robust purchases in China and India.
India’s gold demand spiked following a government reduction in import duties from 15% to 6% in July.
Across ASEAN nations, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, investment demand saw double-digit growth.
Wealthy investors continued to hedge risks through OTC gold investments, which operate outside traditional exchanges.

Jewelry Market Struggles

Despite the bullish investment climate, gold jewelry demand fell 11% year-on-year, making it the only segment to decline. High gold prices and sluggish economic growth are expected to keep demand weak in 2025, according to analysts.

While central banks and investors drive record-breaking gold purchases, consumer markets remain under pressure, setting the stage for another year of market shifts in 2025.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Central Bank Of Cyprus Balance Sheet Reflects Strong Eurosystem Position

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 17, 2026

Overview Of Financial Stability

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has released its latest balance sheet, reaffirming its steadfast role within the Eurosystem. The balance sheet, featuring total assets and liabilities of €29.545 billion, underscores the institution’s stable financial posture at the close of January 2026.

Asset Allocation And Strategic Holdings

Governor Christodoulos Patsalides issued the balance sheet, which details the CBC’s asset composition under the Eurosystem framework. Notably, the bank’s gold and gold receivables amounted to €1.635 billion, providing a significant hedge and stability to its balance sheet. Additional asset categories include claims on non-euro area residents denominated in foreign currency at €1.099 billion, while claims on euro area residents in both foreign and domestic currency add further depth to its portfolio.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

The most substantial asset category, intra-Eurosystem claims, reached €19.438 billion, an indication of the CBC’s deep integration with its European counterparts. Furthermore, euro-denominated securities held by euro area residents contributed €6.587 billion. Despite a marked emphasis on these areas, lending to euro area credit institutions in monetary policy operations recorded no activity during the period.

Liability Structure And Monetary Policy Implications

On the liabilities side, banknotes in circulation contributed €3.218 billion. Liabilities to euro area credit institutions associated with monetary policy operations were notably the largest single category, totaling €17.636 billion. Supplementary liabilities included those to other euro area residents, which aggregated to €4.989 billion, with government liabilities playing a predominant role at €4.754 billion.

Other liability items, such as claims related to special drawing rights allocated by the International Monetary Fund at €494.193 million, and provisions of €596.571 million, further articulate the CBC’s exposure. Revaluation accounts stood at €1.643 billion, and overall capital and reserves were confirmed at €333.822 million, completing the picture of a well-capitalized institution.

Conclusive Insights And Strategic Alignment

The detailed breakdown illustrates the CBC’s sizeable intra-Eurosystem exposures, reinforcing its central role within Europe’s monetary landscape. With an asset-liability balance maintained at €29.545 billion, the CBC’s financial position remains robust, indicating a commitment to structural stability and strategic risk management.

This fiscal disclosure not only provides transparency into the CBC’s operations but also serves as a benchmark for comparative analysis among other central banks within the Eurosystem, highlighting the intricate balance between asset liquidity, regulatory oversight, and monetary policy imperatives.

Breaking news