Gold and silver have been considered valuable metals for centuries, and they have been held by many countries, people, and institutions throughout history. Here are some of the largest silver or gold holders in the world, both now and historically.
Countries:
United States: The United States holds the largest gold reserves in the world, with over 8,000 tons of gold in its reserves. This amounts to approximately 75% of the country’s foreign reserves. The US also holds a significant amount of silver reserves.
Germany: Germany is the second-largest gold holder in the world, with approximately 3,300 tons of gold in its reserves. The country has been actively repatriating its gold reserves in recent years to ensure their safety.
Italy: Italy has the third-largest gold reserves in the world, with over 2,400 tons of gold. The country’s central bank holds the majority of its gold reserves.
France: France has the fourth-largest gold reserves in the world, with approximately 2,450 tons of gold in its reserves. The country’s gold holdings are managed by the Banque de France.
China: China has been rapidly increasing its gold reserves in recent years, and it now holds over 1,900 tons of gold. The country is also the largest producer of gold in the world.
Institutions:
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): ETFs are a popular way for investors to gain exposure to gold and silver without holding physical metal. The largest gold ETF is SPDR Gold Shares, with over 1,000 tons of gold in its holdings. The largest silver ETF is iShares Silver Trust, with over 17,000 tons of silver in its holdings.
Central Banks: Many central banks around the world hold gold and silver reserves as a means of diversifying their foreign reserves. In addition to the countries listed above, other significant gold holders include the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Bank of Russia, and the People’s Bank of China.
People:
John Paulson: John Paulson is a billionaire hedge fund manager who made his fortune by betting against the housing market in 2008. He is also known for his investments in gold, and he reportedly held approximately 4.8 million shares of the SPDR Gold Shares ETF in 2021.
Ray Dalio: Ray Dalio is the founder of Bridgewater Associates, one of the largest hedge funds in the world. He is a well-known proponent of gold as a means of diversifying a portfolio, and his fund has held significant positions in gold in the past.
Warren Buffett: While Warren Buffett is not known for his investments in gold or silver, his investment firm Berkshire Hathaway has historically held significant positions in silver mining companies, such as Silver Wheaton (now Wheaton Precious Metals).
In conclusion, gold and silver are held by many countries, people, and institutions around the world as a means of diversifying their portfolios or as a safe-haven investment. While the largest holders of these precious metals may change over time, they will likely remain an important part of many investment portfolios for years to come.