Dutch central bank moves billions in gold to London for crisis readiness

The Netherlands’ central bank announced that it has reallocated roughly 86 metric tons of gold from its North-American stores to the Bank of England in London as part of a “crisis preparedness” strategy. Prior to the move, the bank’s 313 metric tons were split between New York (31.3%) and Ottawa (19.7%); after the transfer both cities hold 18.5% each of the total 612.4 metric tons valued at €72.2 billion at the end of 2025.

Governor Olaf Sleijpen said the relocation enhances the gold’s tradability and the institution’s resilience, though the assets are not expected to be used. More than 27 metric tons were physically shipped from the United States and Canada to a heavily guarded vault on a military base near Zeist, then onward to London, while about 59 metric tons were sold in New York and the proceeds used to buy gold in London. The bank highlighted that gold stored at the Bank of England meets modern international trade standards and can be accessed more quickly in a crisis than the holdings in New York and Ottawa.