Gold and other reserve currencies – but not the euro or renminbi – are steadily eroding the U.S. dollar’s position as the world’s preeminent reserve asset, according to Wolf Richter, analyst and publisher of Wolf Street.

“The status of the US dollar as the dominant global reserve currency has helped the US fund its twin deficits, and thereby has enabled them: the huge fiscal deficit every year and the massive trade deficit every year,” Richter wrote in an article published Monday. “The reserve currency status comes from other central banks (not the Fed) having purchased trillions of USD-denominated assets such as Treasury securities, other government securities, corporate bonds, and even stocks. The dollar status as the dominant reserve currency has been crucial for the US, and as that dominance declines ever so slowly, risks pile up ever so slowly.”

Total holdings of USD-denominated securities by other central banks (not the Fed) fell by $59 billion to $6.63 trillion at the end of 2024, from $6.69 trillion at the end of 2023,” he noted. “And the dollar’s share declined to 57.8% of total allocated exchange reserves at the end of 2024, the lowest since 1994, down by 7.3 percentage points in 10 years, as central banks have been diversifying their holdings for years to assets denominated in currencies other than the dollar, and into gold.”

Gold prices maintained their upward momentum on Wednesday, fueled by a combination of rising geopolitical tensions, concerns over the US economy, and the looming threat of tariffs from US President Donald Trump. These factors drove both domestic and international gold prices higher, as investors flocked to the precious metal as a safe-haven asset. The MCX gold contract for June 2025 opened with a significant gap-up at ₹91,229 per 10 grams, hitting an intraday high of ₹91,232, reflecting strong market reactions to Trump’s tariff threats.

In global markets, spot gold hovered around $3,125 per ounce, while COMEX gold futures stood at $3,155 per troy ounce. As Trump’s tariff announcements draw closer, gold prices found fresh demand near $3,110, with investors seeking a safe store of value amid the uncertainty surrounding global trade policies. The anticipation of tariffs led to renewed interest in gold, reinforcing its status as a hedge against geopolitical and economic risks.

The daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) has now entered the overbought zone, signaling that the current gold rally may need to be approached with caution. While the price surge reflects the broader market uncertainty, the overbought condition suggests the potential for a price correction in the near term. Despite this, gold’s appeal remains strong, particularly with the softening signs of the US labor market and growing expectations of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, which could further support gold’s upward momentum.

However, any short-term reactions to US economic data or Fed actions may be short-lived, with the market’s primary focus on Trump’s upcoming “Liberation Day” and the announcement of new tariffs. The outcome of these geopolitical developments will play a crucial role in determining gold’s trajectory in the coming weeks. As tensions continue to build, gold remains a key asset in navigating the uncertainty surrounding global financial markets, with traders and investors closely monitoring every new development.

A remarkable 53.14-carat yellow diamond, set in a pendant and expected to reach up to CHF 3.1 million ($3.5 million), will be the star attraction at Phillips’ upcoming Geneva Jewels Auction IV on May 12. The internally flawless, fancy-vivid-yellow diamond, suspended from a round brilliant diamond, will lead the auction’s offerings, which will mark the 100th anniversary of Art Deco with a curated selection of rare and valuable pieces.

Alongside this extraordinary yellow diamond, the auction will feature items from prestigious design houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Bulgari, Graff, and Buccellati, as well as pieces from renowned collections. Phillips will preview select items in cities including Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, and London.

Benoit Repellin, worldwide head of jewelry for Phillips, expressed excitement about the auction, highlighting the superb collection of colored gemstones and Art Deco masterpieces. Other standout items in the sale include a pair of D-Flawless diamond earrings, a Van Cleef & Arpels ring featuring a 7.10-carat Kashmir sapphire, and a heart-shaped fancy-vivid-orangey-pink diamond ring, among others.

The auction will also offer a range of rare gemstones, including a 122.77-carat Paraiba tourmaline, Burmese rubies, and a Serpenti wristwatch by Bulgari, all of which are expected to attract strong interest from collectors.