2024
2024
GOLD
GOLD
GOLD
The BRICS are rapidly increasing their gold reserves. In a few years, their share of global stocks has significantly risen, reflecting a strategic shift. This movement takes place in the context of questioning the role of the dollar in the international monetary system. Behind these acquisitions, a trend is confirmed: several major economies seek to reduce their dependence on the greenback. This development could permanently alter the balance of financial powers.
While the petrodollar wobbles, the figures reveal a rapid increase in the BRICS’ gold reserves, now estimated at more than 6,000 tonnes. This accumulation represents “17.4 % of central banks’ global reserves”, up from 11.2 % in 2019, confirming a rapid rise of the bloc in the international gold market. At the same time, central banks have acquired “1,045 tonnes of gold in 2024”, surpassing the 1,000-tonne mark for the third consecutive year.
This momentum largely relies on a concentration of reserves among a few major players. Russia and China stand as the pillars of this strategy, together holding an overwhelming share of the bloc’s stocks. India also fits into this trajectory, progressively strengthening its positions.
These levels confirm a coordinated strategy around gold, used as a central reserve asset by several economies in the group.
Beyond the cumulative volumes, the acquisition pace confirms a recent acceleration. In the first nine months of 2025, the BRICS purchased 663 tonnes of gold, equivalent to about 91 billion dollars according to data from the World Gold Council. This sustained pace reflects a strategic repositioning amid monetary uncertainties and geopolitical tensions.
Such accumulation fits within a movement questioning the dollar’s role in international trade. The phenomenon is described as “one of the most significant monetary changes in decades”, illustrating a gradual transition to a system where gold regains a central role as a reserve asset. The erosion of the petrodollar acts here as a catalyst, pushing several economies to reduce their exposure to the U.S. currency.
In the long term, this trajectory could accelerate the emergence of a multipolar financial system, where reserve diversification becomes a strategic priority. Between physical gold, local currencies, and alternative assets, the choices made by the BRICS could sustainably influence global monetary policies and redraw economic power relations.