Central banks explore tokenized gold to settle cross-border trade

Central banks increasingly view tokenized gold as a mechanism to improve the utility of their currencies in international trade, according to Noelle Acheson. Rather than relying solely on wholesale central bank digital currencies, which lack inherent demand, these institutions can use tokenized gold as a liquid, low-volatility placeholder. This allows trading partners to convert received digital fiat into a stable, on-chain asset that remains accessible 24/7 (Crypto is Macro Now).

Gold has demonstrated significant long-term resilience as a store of value compared to other tangible assets. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and Macrotrends shows that 606 ounces of gold could purchase one median-priced U.S. home in 2000 for $167,550. By the first half of 2026, the same quantity of gold was equivalent to 6.7 median-priced homes, as the price of gold climbed to $4,514 per ounce while home prices reached $409,600.

Advisors remain cautious about integrating such specialized assets despite this potential. While 42% of financial advisors identify unmet demand for alternative investment strategies, Cerulli Associates reports that most professionals stick to traditional core equity and fixed income ETFs. Issuers launched 733 new funds in the first half of 2026, yet they continue to close products that fail to attract sufficient assets or distribution support (Griffin Kelly from The Daily Upside).