Russia’s central bank announced Wednesday that its engagement with the domestic gold market—both buying and selling for the National Wealth Fund (NWF)—has been on the rise, citing the yellow metal’s growing liquidity. The central bank of Russia has seen a substantial portion of its foreign exchange reserves, held in key Western currencies such as the US dollar and the euro, immobilised. This unprecedented financial action is a direct consequence of sweeping sanctions implemented by Western nations—including the US, the European Union, and the UK—in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion and ongoing actions ... (full story)