Central Banks Drive $407 Billion ETF Surge as Industry Consolidation Accelerates

USA News GroupNews Commentary
Issued on behalf of RUA GOLD Inc.

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 22, 2025 /CNW/ -- USA News GroupNews Commentary – Global central banks have purchased over 1,000 tonnes of gold annually for the last three years, representing a dramatic acceleration from the 400-500 tonne average of the preceding decade, according to the World Gold Council^[1]. This institutional demand has catalyzed a parallel surge in gold ETFs, with global assets under management hitting a record $407 billion in August following three consecutive months of inflows totaling over $18 billion^[2]. The sustained institutional buying is coinciding with unprecedented M&A activity in the gold sector, where deals increased 32% to 62 transactions in 2024, accounting for 70% of all mining M&A activity as companies seek scale and operational leverage^[3]. This convergence of central bank accumulation, institutional flows, and strategic consolidation is creating exceptional conditions for companies like RUA GOLD Inc. (TSXV: RUA) (OTCQB: NZAUF), i-80 Gold Corp. (NYSE-American: IAUX) (TSX: IAU), OceanaGold Corporation (TSX: OGC) (OTCQX: OCANF), Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV) (TSXV: ODV), and New Found Gold Corp. (NYSE-American: NFGC) (TSXV: NFG).