Gold prices soared 15% in early 2026 amid waning trust in the U.S. dollar and financial system.

Building on a 64% increase in 2025, gold prices jumped more than 15% in early 2026 as international trust in the U.S. The financial system and the dollar declined. Growing U.S. Fears of inflation and currency devaluation were stoked by debt exceeding $38 trillion, low interest rates from Federal Reserve cuts, and political unpredictability following President Trump's return, which was characterized by attacks on the Fed, demands for lower rates, and aggressive trade policies. Central banks in China, Turkey, and Eastern Europe increased their gold holdings and decreased their U.S. holdings as a result of the 2022 freezing of Russia's foreign reserves, which heightened concerns about U.S.-denominated assets. exposures to the Treasury. Gold has emerged as a preferred safe-haven asset due to alternatives like the euro and renminbi lacking adequate depth and trust, indicating a persistent global shift away from the U.S. financial supremacy.