Divergent Trends in US Treasury Holdings Highlight De-Dollarization Pressures

The global landscape of sovereign reserve management is undergoing a significant recalibration, characterized by a complex interplay of demand for U.S. Treasuries and a strategic pivot towards alternative assets. Recent data for July 2025 indicates that while overall foreign holdings of U.S. Treasuries reached a record high of $9.159 trillion, reflecting a nearly 9% year-over-year increase, underlying trends among key economic powers reveal growing pressures on U.S. dollar dominance.

Most notably, China continued its strategic divestment from U.S. debt, with its Treasury holdings declining to $730.7 billion in July—the lowest level recorded since December 2008. This $25.7 billion reduction was the steepest in nearly two years, underscoring Beijing's deliberate efforts to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar, bolster its own currency, and navigate complex trade dynamics. Conversely, Japan, the largest non-U.S. holder, increased its holdings by $3.8 billion to $1.151 trillion, reaching its highest level since March 2024, likely driven by a search for yield in a near-zero interest rate domestic environment. While other nations, such as the United Kingdom, also increased their Treasury holdings to nearly $900 billion, overall net capital inflows into the U.S. for July moderated significantly to $2.1 billion, down from a revised $92 billion in June. Furthermore, foreign investors sold $16.3 billion in U.S. equities during July, suggesting a potential shift in risk appetite.

Central Banks Pivot to Gold Amid Geopolitical and Economic Shifts

A more profound structural shift is evident in central bank reserve management, where gold has, for the first time in over three decades, surpassed U.S. government bonds in aggregate holdings. According to data from the European Central Bank and the U.S. Treasury, central banks collectively hold over 36,000 tonnes of gold, valued at more than $3.6 trillion, nearly matching the $3.8 trillion held in U.S. Treasuries as of June 2024. This historic milestone is largely attributed to gold prices soaring above $3,500 an ounce this year.

This accelerating trend of gold accumulation is driven by several factors. Central banks are increasingly seeking "sanctions-proof" assets in the wake of geopolitical events, such as the freezing of Russia's dollar and euro reserves. Concerns over America's rising debt levels are also prompting caution regarding excessive U.S. bond holdings, alongside a broader desire for reserve diversification. Data from the World Gold Council (WGC) highlights robust buying, with central banks purchasing over 1,000 tonnes annually in 2022, 2023, and 2024—more than double the rates seen a decade prior. Surveys indicate this trend is set to continue, with 43% of central bankers planning further increases in their gold holdings in the coming year.

Federal Reserve Policy Confronts Persistent Long-Term Yields

The efficacy of Federal Reserve monetary policy in managing long-term interest rates has come under increased scrutiny amidst these evolving global capital flows. Despite the Fed's decision on September 17 to reduce the federal funds rate by 25 basis points (bps), with indications of two more cuts by year-end, long-term U.S. Treasury yields have shown resilience. This contrasts with expectations that rate cuts would drive down yields, particularly on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note.

The previous round of rate cuts in 2024 saw the 10-year Treasury yield soar over 120 bps even as the federal funds rate was lowered by 100 bps. This decoupling suggests that the Fed's influence over long-term bond rates, crucial for mortgages and other lending, is diminished. Institutional bond traders, both domestic and international, are exhibiting clear skepticism, prompting observations of a "buy the rumor, sell the news" dynamic in bond markets. This implies that the market is increasingly questioning the sustainability of U.S. fiscal policy and the quality of U.S. sovereign debt, potentially necessitating direct intervention from the Fed through large-scale bond purchases to meaningfully affect long-term rates.

Broader Context: Implications for US Dollar Dominance and Global Capital Flows

The trends observed in Treasury holdings and central bank gold accumulation are integral components of a broader, gradual process of de-dollarization. This phenomenon, defined as a substantial reduction in the U.S. dollar's use in global trade and financial transactions, carries significant implications for the global economic order. The dollar's share in central bank foreign exchange reserves has already reached a two-decade low, and foreign ownership of U.S. Treasuries has fallen from over 50% during the Global Financial Crisis to approximately 30% by early 2025.

The shift is also visible in commodity markets, where an increasing proportion of transactions, such as Bangladesh's payment to Russia for a nuclear power plant in Yuan, are being conducted in non-dollar-denominated contracts. This diversification allows countries like India, China, and Brazil to reduce their reliance on precautionary dollar reserves. For the U.S., continued de-dollarization could lead to a broad depreciation and underperformance of U.S. financial assets, impacting U.S. equities and potentially fostering a loss of confidence in U.S. markets.

Expert Commentary Points to Structural Shifts

Market observers emphasize that the current dynamics reflect more than short-term fluctuations. Strategists point to deep-seated structural issues and geopolitical realignments. The sentiment among sophisticated investors is particularly telling:

"Institutional bond traders, both domestic and abroad, are generally the most knowledgeable and sophisticated of all investors, and they are signaling skepticism."

This skepticism pertains to the U.S.'s fiscal direction and the long-term quality of its sovereign debt. J.P. Morgan analysts highlight that de-dollarization is not an abrupt event but a protracted process influenced by geopolitical developments, trade agreements, and the diversification of global reserves.

Outlook: Continued Scrutiny on Monetary Policy and Reserve Management

Looking ahead, market participants will closely monitor forthcoming economic reports and any further actions by the Federal Reserve regarding interest rates. The evolving strategies of global central banks in managing their reserves, particularly their ongoing preference for gold over traditional debt instruments, will be a critical determinant of future capital flows. The potential for increased volatility in bond markets and continued pressure on the U.S. dollar remains a key factor for investors to consider, as the global financial system adapts to these fundamental shifts in reserve asset management and international economic power dynamics.