Retail Money Floods Gold and Silver ETFs at the Start of 2026
Retail investors are accelerating their shift toward precious metals, with fresh fund-flow data showing a sharp pickup in demand for both gold and silver ETFs at the start of 2026.
The trend points to rising interest in defensive assets as uncertainty continues to dominate global markets.
- Retail investors are consistently buying gold ETFs in 2026, pushing year-to-date inflows to around $370 million
- A $95 million one-day inflow marked the strongest retail buying in gold since October 2025
- Silver ETFs recorded a record $922 million in retail inflows over the past 30 days, signaling accelerating demand
Retail demand for gold turns persistent
Gold-linked ETFs recorded a notable jump in retail buying this week, with individual investors adding around $95 million in a single session – the largest daily inflow since October 2025. While that figure remains below last year’s peak inflows of roughly $150 million, the broader pattern is drawing more attention than the headline number.
Retail investors have been net buyers of gold ETFs on nearly every trading day so far this year. That steady accumulation has pushed year-to-date retail inflows to roughly $370 million, suggesting a deliberate repositioning rather than a short-term reaction to price moves. Compared with 2025, when inflows tended to spike during brief bouts of volatility, the current buying behavior appears more consistent and conviction-driven.
Market participants note that gold is increasingly being treated as a strategic holding by retail investors, reflecting ongoing concerns around inflation protection, currency stability, and geopolitical risk.
Silver ETFs see record inflows
Silver is seeing an even stronger surge in retail interest. Over the past 30 days, silver-linked ETFs attracted a record $922 million in retail inflows, highlighting a sharp increase in participation from individual investors. The magnitude of these flows suggests growing enthusiasm for silver’s dual role as both a precious metal and an industrial asset.
The simultaneous strength in gold and silver flows points to a broader shift in retail portfolio positioning. With volatility elevated and confidence in traditional hedges being tested, precious metals appear to be regaining prominence as a preferred defensive allocation.
Retail investors are increasingly influencing market dynamics, and unlike fast-moving institutional trades, sustained retail inflows tend to provide more stable underlying demand. If current trends persist, retail participation could become a meaningful support factor for precious metals prices in the months ahead.
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Alexander Zdravkov is a person who always looks for the logic behind things. He has more than 3 years of experience in the crypto space, where he skillfully identifies new trends in the world of digital currencies. Whether providing in-depth analysis or daily reports on all topics, his deep understanding and enthusiasm for what he does make him a valuable member of the team.
