Global physical gold ETFs recorded $18 billion in net inflows in August 2026, marking the second-highest monthly inflow on record, World Gold Council data showed. North American and European funds drove most of the demand. Rising gold prices and new capital lifted global gold ETF assets under management 16% month-on-month to $615 billion. Total holdings increased by 121 tons to a record 4,189 tons, while cumulative net inflows for the year reached $29 billion.