GOLD OVERTAKES EURO AS TOP DOLLAR RIVAL IN GLOBAL RESERVES Central banks bought a record 1,000 metric tons of gold last year—twice the decade average—making gold the second-most held reserve asset after the U.S. dollar. Gold now accounts for 20% of total reserves, boosted by both buying and rising prices. Meanwhile, the dollar’s share fell to 46%, partly due to sanctions on Russia that froze 300 billion in assets, raising concerns about dollar dependence. Central banks are also turning to other currencies like the Canadian and Australian dollars. The euro remains stable at around 16% but could gain from growing global unease over U.S. deficits and trade policy.