The World Gold Council (WGC) reported that physically backed gold ETFs registered record inflows in January, with investors pouring more than $19 billion into these funds. North American and Asian markets led the charge with strong demand despite recent price declines.
Paper Gold Markets Keep Growing as ETF’s Reach Record Inflows in January
Paper gold markets remain strong even amidst the current climate of volatility and the call to rely on physical investments.
According to the World Gold Council (WGC), January registered record inflows into physically backed gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with over $19 billion entering the precious metal market through these.
As a consequence, global gold ETF assets under management also spiked, reaching a record of $669 billion, a 20% month-on-month increase. All markets recorded inflows, with Asia leading the charge and North America following behind.

North American investors, particularly, have reported eight consecutive months of inflows, even after the sharp pullback gold experienced after the Trump Administration announced the nomination of Kevin Warsh as future Chairman of the Federal Reserve. These markets added $7 billion.
The WGC declared:
“This overhang on the future path of monetary policy, combined with investor expectations of eventual rate cuts, continues to support gold ETF demand.”
Asian funds reported record inflows in January, accounting for their strongest month on record after adding $10 billion. China led the region’s inflows as “robust gold prices, lingering geopolitical uncertainty, and strong institutional demand all underpinned the country’s continued appetite for gold ETFs.” India also contributed $2.5 billion in inflows as investors try to diversify from the underperforming local stock market.
European ETFs registered $2 billion in inflows, underpinned by current geoeconomic issues, including the tariff threat that puts pressure on export-heavy economies, increasing demand for safe-haven assets such as gold.
These numbers highlight the recovering relevance of gold across world markets, as regional markets experience a resurgence of the demand for the precious metal due to different local realities.
Read more: From Safe Haven to Stress Test: Gold and Silver Prices Feel the Heat
FAQ
- What recent trends have been observed in paper gold markets?
Despite market volatility, paper gold markets are strong, with record inflows into physically backed gold ETFs totaling over $19 billion in January.
- How have global gold ETF assets changed in recent months?
Global gold ETF assets under management reached a record $669 billion, reflecting a 20% increase month-on-month.
- Which regions are leading the inflows into gold ETFs?
Asia and North America are leading in inflows, with North American investors reporting eight consecutive months of growth.
- What factors are driving the demand for gold ETFs?
Investor concerns over monetary policy, expectations for rate cuts, and geopolitical uncertainties are fueling demand for gold as a safe-haven asset.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Tokenized bonds are opening the door wider for inflows beyond T-bills
Tokenized bonds open the door for more capital beyond T-bills
OpenEden has launched tokenized, high-yield corporate bonds, expanding the RWA market beyond T-bills and attracting additional on-chain capital flows.
Tokenized bonds are rapidly expanding into higher-yield asset categories. OpenEden is focusing on the debt segment.
TapChiBitcoin4m ago
Nasdaq-listed Axe Compute releases its FY2025 annual report, with a highest single-day gain of 152%
Axe Compute (NASDAQ: AGPU) released its FY2025 annual financial report, showing a total contract amount of $12 million over the past 30 days, an estimated Q2 revenue of $835,000, and more than 20 clients. Following the earnings release, AGPU’s stock price surged by up to 152%, with trading volume reaching a record high. All computing power is supplied by the Aethir network, covering 94 countries and deploying over 435,000 GPUs.
GateNews58m ago
A CEX CEO announced that they would personally invest in researching quantum-resistant solutions for Bitcoin and urged the industry to tackle the issue as soon as possible.
A CEX CEO said they will study Bitcoin’s quantum-resistance-related issues and urged the industry to address potential threats as early as possible. Although post-quantum cryptography is feasible, execution must be approached with caution to avoid new risks. The exchange has already initiated infrastructure upgrades and is pushing community collaboration to develop quantum-resistant solutions.
GateNews2h ago
Productive Stablecoins: Closing the $300B Efficiency Gap
This essay discusses the inefficiencies of stablecoins, highlighting that 90% are unproductive and act as a hidden tax. It identifies a significant opportunity within DAO treasuries and DEX liquidity, as well as emerging solutions like HyENA and Solomon that aim to enhance yields for users.
CoinDesk2h ago
Digital Assets ETP Landscape: Past, Present and Future
Digital asset ETPs saw a peak of over $250B, ending 2025 with $184B AUM, mainly driven by Bitcoin products. The market is evolving, with over 125 new filings indicating a trend toward diversified asset offerings.
CoinDesk3h ago
ADVFN Founder: The era of cryptocurrency industry token speculation is coming to an end, and the next bull market will be driven by real-world applications
Gate News message, on April 2, Clem Chambers, founder of the European stocks and market news platform ADVFN, said that the crypto industry is moving out of a cycle centered on token speculation, and that the next bull market will be driven by real-world blockchain use cases. Chambers noted: "That era may have ended, and is heading toward its conclusion; what will replace it is genuine use cases." He advised investors to "forget financial primitives (Fi) and instead focus on applications—the actual use-case scenarios where tokens and blockchain are put to work."
GateNews3h ago