Invest ideasNews
27 Jan 2026, 07:39
China builds gold stockpile as PBoC strengthens reserve strategy
A Kobeissi Letter report has revealed that China is still covertly stockpiling gold, having bought an additional 0.9 tons last December, marking the 14th straight monthly purchase. The report claims that China is reporting 10 to 11 times less gold than it is actually buying, suggesting that the +27 tons of total gold purchase officially reported in 2025 could be +270 tons in reality. According to Goldman Sachs’ estimates, China bought over 15 tons of gold, nearly 10 times more than what was officially reported. Similarly, in November, China’s estimated gold purchases reached over 10 tons, approximately 11 times the amount the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) reported. According to the Kobeissi Letter, China is buying gold as if the world were in a major crisis. Rumors that China was stockpiling gold behind the scenes began surfacing in 2023 and continued to gain momentum through 2024 and 2025. By April 2025, the PBoC was quietly buying unprecedented amounts of gold, with the country’s gold reserves reportedly going through the roof. China has allegedly been buying nearly five times as much gold as the PBoC discloses to the IMF since the Ukraine war began. China reaffirms tight hold on gold market China continues to stockpile gold behind the scenes: China acquired +10 tonnes of gold in November, ~11 times more than officially reported by the central bank, according to Goldman Sachs estimates. Similarly, in September, estimated purchases reached +15 tonnes, or 10 times… pic.twitter.com/CmC5eOvT33 — The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) January 27, 2026 The PBoC’s (reported and unreported) gold purchases exceeded 118 tons in the third quarter of 2025, 55% YoY and 39% MoM. Therefore, the Chinese central bank was considered the leading single entity driving global gold prices to record highs, with a more than 55% annual increase in 2025. However, the estimated total for Chinese monetary gold reserves stood at 5,411 tons in Q3 2025, versus 2,304 tons reported by the PBoC to the IMF. Apparently, the weaponization of the U.S. dollar since the Ukraine war started in 2022 is the reason China and other countries in the mBridge project, like Saudi Arabia, are on a covert gold buying spree. These countries are reportedly looking to replace the dollar entirely, not hedge against it. “We continue to see elevated central bank gold accumulation as a multi-year trend, as central banks diversify their reserves to hedge geopolitical and financial risks,…We maintain our assumption of average monthly central bank buying of 80 tons in the fourth quarter of 2026.” – Lina Thomas , Analyst at Goldman Sachs Meanwhile, global gold reserves are skyrocketing to the dollar’s disadvantage, as central banks load up on gold and push gold prices to all-time highs. The estimated total of central banks’ monetary gold reserves stood at nearly 220 tons by the end of Q3 2025. PBoC seeks to dominate the global gold market The PBoC is reportedly seeking to increase China’s influence in global gold markets by offering to hold foreign central bank gold reserves within the country. The PBoC has been using the Shanghai Gold Exchange to pitch the idea to central banks in friendly countries, and at least one Southeast Asian country has shown interest. According to recent media reports, the push will allow Beijing to cement its role as a bullion hub and reduce reliance on the West. The PBoC views these custodian services as a key part of that infrastructure, helping enhance credibility and attract more trading activity. Meanwhile, gold analyst Jan Nieuwenhuijs noted last September that central banks have technically been able to store gold in Shanghai since 2014. However, he stressed that uptake has been minimal so far, noting that at least one country possibly tied to the mBridge cross-border payment project is seriously considering the option. On the other hand, China still faces competition from established gold markets like London, whose coffers hold more than 5,000 tons of global reserves. The World Gold Council (WGC) ranked China fifth among central bank gold holders as of January 2026. China is behind the U.S. (8,133 tons), Germany (3,350 tons), Italy (~2,452), France (2,437 tons), and Russia (2,329 tons). Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .
27 Jan 2026, 07:02
'Waited 50 Years': Mow Brushes Off Gold Rally, Predicts BTC Explosion
For now, "gold bugs" can enjoy their relatively short moment in the sun as the yellow metal shatters decades-old resistance levels.
27 Jan 2026, 07:00
Tether Reveals Massive Gold Accumulation In Q4: Adds 27 Tons To Reserves
Tether, the company behind the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, has disclosed a substantial expansion of its gold holdings, underscoring a growing shift toward hard‑asset backing amid uncertainty across crypto and traditional financial markets. Tether Expands Gold‑Backed Stablecoin Reserves Gold crossed the $5,000 per ounce threshold for the first time on Monday, a milestone that market observers had not previously seen. Prices briefly climbed to around $5,110 per ounce as safe‑haven demand accelerated. Tether revealed that it significantly increased its gold exposure during the fourth quarter of 2025. The company disclosed that gold‑backed stablecoins (XAU₮) experienced rapid growth throughout the year, with total market capitalization rising from roughly $1.3 billion to more than $4 billion. Related Reading: Expert Who Nailed The Bitcoin Top Now Says Buy At These Levels According to Tether’s attestation report, this expansion was fueled by record‑high gold prices, rising geopolitical fragmentation, and growing demand from both institutional investors and crypto‑native users for fully on‑chain safe‑haven assets. Within the gold‑backed stablecoin sector, Tether Gold emerged as the dominant issuer, accounting for approximately 60% of the total supply in circulation. By the end of the fourth quarter, total physical gold reserves stood at 520,089.350 fine troy ounces. Each token is backed on a one‑to‑one basis by a fine troy ounce of physical gold. At current prices, the total market value of these holdings reached approximately $2.25 billion. Crypto Giant Ranks Among Top 30 Global Gold Holders Tether confirmed that all gold reserves are securely stored in Switzerland and comply fully with the London Good Delivery standards established by the London Bullion Market Association, a key benchmark for institutional gold custody. The scale of Tether’s accumulation has also positioned the company among major global gold holders. Based on data from the International Monetary Fund and a Jefferies report published in late 2025, Tether now ranks within the top 30 gold holders worldwide. Its holdings surpass those of several countries, including Greece, Qatar, and Australia. During the fourth quarter of 2025 alone, Tether Gold Investments added roughly 27 metric tons of gold to its exposure. Related Reading: Crypto Traders Share Odds Of XRP Price Rising 40% This Year, Can It Still Rally? Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s CEO, said the company’s growing role in gold markets carries significant responsibility. He emphasized that Tether Gold is designed to bring clarity and verifiability at a time when confidence in traditional monetary systems is being tested. Ardoino noted that each XAU₮ token represents vaulted physical gold that can be independently verified on‑chain, adding that the product’s rapid growth reflects rising expectations for tokenized assets to meet the same standards as sovereign and institutional reserves. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com
27 Jan 2026, 06:48
Ripple Powers Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 with Blockchain Breakthroughs
Ripple Partners with Jeel to Drive Saudi Arabia’s Blockchain-Enabled Financial Future Ripple, in partnership with Jeel, Riyad Bank’s innovation arm, is set to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s financial modernization through blockchain, aligning digital finance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, according to Ripple’s Middle East & Africa Managing Director, Reece Merrick. Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming a global hub for digital transformation, fueled by visionary leadership and bold economic reforms. Partnering with Jeel, Ripple seeks to unlock new efficiencies in cross-border payments, digital asset custody, and tokenization within the Kingdom’s financial ecosystem. This move follows Ripple’s accelerated European expansion, including preliminary EMI approval in Luxembourg, further strengthening its cross-border payments network. Ripple and Jeel: Transforming Financial Infrastructure The partnership will focus on three core pillars: Cross-Border Payments – Leveraging Ripple’s blockchain technology, the collaboration seeks to streamline international transactions, offering faster, cheaper, and more transparent settlements. For institutions operating globally, this could redefine liquidity management and significantly reduce transactional friction. Asset Tokenization – By converting real-world assets into blockchain-based digital tokens, Ripple and Jeel aim to enable fractional ownership, seamless transfers, and enhanced liquidity for a range of asset classes. This could open new avenues for investment and capital formation in Saudi Arabia. Blockchain-Based Finance – Beyond payments and tokenization, the partnership will explore innovative financial products and services built on decentralized infrastructure, reinforcing Riyad Bank’s position at the forefront of digital banking. Institutional Impact: Real-World Applications With over $130 billion in assets, Riyad Bank adds formidable institutional strength to this partnership. By combining its financial clout with Ripple’s blockchain expertise, the collaboration could fast-track blockchain adoption across the Kingdom, enabling quicker global settlements and the development of real-world tokenized assets. Well, Ripple’s latest move marks a strategic Middle East expansion and a key milestone in boosting XRP’s real-world utility. The partnership highlights blockchain’s role in advancing national economic goals, improving operational efficiency, and delivering innovative financial solutions aligned with Vision 2030. Simultaneously, UK institutions can now leverage XRP and the XRP Ledger for seamless cross-border payments, following Ripple’s FCA approval to scale its regulated payments platform nationwide. As Saudi Arabia accelerates its digital transformation, the Ripple–Jeel partnership showcases how global fintech innovation and regional banking strength can redefine the Kingdom’s financial landscape. Therefore, XRP is set to help shape the future of finance in Saudi Arabia. Conclusion The Ripple–Jeel partnership marks a strategic leap in modernizing Saudi Arabia’s financial ecosystem. By leveraging blockchain for cross-border payments, asset tokenization, and digital finance, it advances Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification and digital innovation. Combining Riyad Bank’s institutional strength with Ripple’s blockchain expertise, the collaboration promises greater efficiency, new investment opportunities, and accelerated adoption of tokenized solutions. As XRP drives real-world applications, this alliance positions the Kingdom as a global fintech leader and sets a benchmark for transformative financial partnerships.
27 Jan 2026, 06:33
60% of top US banks are geared up for Bitcoin: River
Brian Armstrong, the CEO of crypto exchange Coinbase, said a takeaway from his time at the Davos forum was that most of the bank CEOs he met were pro-crypto.
27 Jan 2026, 06:02
XRP’s Last Shakeout Before Liftoff? The $1.65–$1.70 Trap Zone
XRP May Be Poised for a Final Shakeout Before Its Next Major Move According to on-chain analytics firm XRP Update, XRP is nearing a critical inflection point , with price action potentially sweeping liquidity into the $1.65–$1.70 support zone. This isn’t just a horizontal level, it converges with a long-term macro trendline, forming a high-confluence area that traders and analysts are watching closely. At the time of writing, CoinCodex data shows XRP trading near $1.91, meaning a move into the projected support zone would be a healthy pullback, not a breakdown. Structurally, this resembles a “liquidity sweep” or “shakeout,” where price briefly dips below key levels to trigger stop-losses and clear weak hands before reversing. Meanwhile, XRP is tightening into a classic compression pattern, signaling that a breakout is approaching, with directional confirmation as the key trigger to watch. XRP Update says holding the $1.65–$1.70 zone would confirm a classic shakeout → reversal → continuation pattern. This often signals that a temporary pullback has reset momentum, drawn in bargain buyers, and allowed smart money to accumulate ahead of the next major move higher. The macro trendline gives this zone added weight. Trendlines drawn from major cycle lows often serve as dynamic support in bullish markets, and repeated confirmations only strengthen their technical significance. A successful defense here would signal that the broader bullish structure remains intact despite recent volatility, especially as data suggests XRP may be poised to outperform gold after seven years of underperformance. From a sentiment perspective, a dip toward $1.65–$1.70 may feel uncomfortable for short-term traders who bought near recent highs. For long-term participants, however, it could represent a strategic accumulation zone, particularly if on-chain metrics continue to show healthy network activity and steady holder behavior. Well, XRP holding above $1.90 suggests sellers haven’t seized control. An early return of buyers could allow consolidation at current levels and a renewed push higher, avoiding a deeper pullback. However, the confluence zone flagged by XRP Update remains a critical short-term pivot. Technically, XRP still risks a final shakeout into the $1.65–$1.70 support range. If that zone holds, it could serve as the launchpad for the next leg of the broader uptrend. With price hovering near $1.91, XRP is at a decisive inflection point, either a controlled dip into strong support or a surprise upside breakout. The next move is likely to shape its medium-term trend. Conclusion XRP is nearing a pivotal point. A potential liquidity sweep into $1.65–$1.70 may act as a reset rather than weakness, aligning with a key macro trendline. Holding this zone could trigger a classic shakeout and continuation higher. As XRP trades near $1.91, price action at these levels will likely define its medium- to long-term trend, presenting a critical opportunity for early-positioned investors and traders.
