Episode Details

In this episode of Global Economic Press, Alex Brady discusses the latest analysis from J. Rotbart & Co., an international precious-metals brokerage and storage firm, which has released its findings on Asian gold holding trends ahead of the India Gold Conference 2026. The analysis reveals a significant shift in gold demand and supply dynamics across Asia, with a particular focus on India. Despite a 5.9% decline in gold demand in India, spending reached a record 21 billion United States dollars, and recycled gold supply fell to its lowest level in eleven quarters. This trend indicates that Asian households and investors are opting to hold onto their physical gold rather than selling it, even as local prices have increased by 59% compared to the previous year. For more information, visit J. Rotbart & Co.'s website.

The podcast further explores how these trends are not isolated to India but are part of a broader regional pattern. Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, have seen an increase in bar and coin demand, while China's central bank continues to add to its reserves. The analysis highlights the importance of Hong Kong and Singapore as key hubs for gold storage and trading, reflecting mainland Chinese demand and policy. J. Rotbart & Co. emphasizes that the center of gravity in the physical gold market is shifting towards Asian vaults, with policy changes like India's import duty rise impacting these hubs first. This episode underscores the importance of understanding the structure and jurisdiction of precious metal ownership for investors worldwide.