Central banks eye Asia for safe gold storage: DBS

The central bankers identified legal stability and political neutrality as important considerations.

One in four (25%) of central bankers are evaluating the Asian region for storing official gold reserves, according to a whitepaper by DBS.

Half of central bank respondents in DBS’ survey indicated that the development of state-backed gold infrastructure has increased their institution’s interest in using Asia-based gold hubs.

Approximately 50% identified legal stability and political neutrality as the most important consideration when selecting a new gold storage location.

Amongst financial institutions, market liquidity, regulatory clarity, clearing and custody infrastructure, and cost efficiency ranked ahead of time zone alignment and geographical proximity, DBS said.

DBS did not disclose how many central banks were polled in the survey.

The whitepaper noted that Asia now accounts for the majority of global bar and coin investment and jewelry demand, or more than half of the $555b in value of global gold demand in 2025, based on data from the World Gold Council.

Singapore and Hong Kong have notedly intensified their efforts to become leading gold hubs in the region, with Hong Kong leveraging its role as a gateway to mainland China whilst Singapore builds its strengths on financial and wealth management.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) launched a central bank gold vaulting service for foreign central banks, international financial institutions, and sovereign entities in November 2026.

Hong Kong, meanwhile, recently brought together key players across the precious metals industry, according to Rocky Tung, executive director of the Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) said in the Hong Kong leg of the ABF IA Summit 2026.

Real-world tokenisation also presents greater opportunities for portfolio diversification.

“Trusted infrastructure, modern clearing and settlement, and financial product innovation are transforming access to gold,” said Li Zhen, head of foreign exchange and precious metals, Global Financial Markets, DBS.

As the market evolves, investors and institutions will increasingly rely on trusted partners to provide the safeguards and certainty needed to participate with confidence, Li said.

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