Gold explodes on the global market! Romania enters the game through RAFINOR

Gold rose by 1.6% on Wednesday to $4,047/oz, according to the latest data, with its value appreciating by more than 50% this year alone. The rise was boosted by interest in assets considered safe-haven, bullion purchases by central banks to diversify their reserves and reduce reliance on the dollar, and investors who see gold as a hedge against uncertainty.

Ray Dalio, US billionaire and founder of Bridgewater Associates - the world's largest hedge fund - said gold is a safer alternative to the dollar, calling it "an excellent diversification tool" for portfolios.

"It is a historic moment"said Claudiu Diaconu, CEO RAFINOR,, the first modern gold refinery in Romania. "Demand is supported not only by central banks and institutional investors, but also by strong physical purchases".

The precious metals refiner's representative points out that gold's attractiveness is increasing amid negative real interest rates: as the Fed eases monetary policy, real rates fall and investors increasingly seek assets that hold value. At the same time, the weak US dollar is boosting global demand, as a weaker dollar makes gold more accessible to buyers outside the US. Institutional demand and central bank purchases are also supporting the upward trend: UBS estimates that global demand for gold could reach around 4,850 tons in 2025, the highest level since 2011.

The price of gold has surpassed key thresholds in times of chaos or uncertainty, with the upward trend fueled by several macroeconomic and geopolitical factors. Its value topped $1,000/oz during the financial crisis, $2,000/oz during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the $3,000 threshold was breached in March, just before President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs.

While yesterday, the price of gold was over $4,000/ounce, analysts estimate that by the end of 2025 it could rise to $4,300/ounce, and estimates for 2026 put the price of gold at $4,900/ounce.

Gold breaks records. RAFINOR puts Romania on the map of major refineries

If Romania was until now only a spectator in the global gold phenomenon, today it has its own landmark on this market - RAFINOR,. Nationally, the only modern precious metals refinery in the country offers investors the chance to own locally produced gold at low cost and with maximum security.

"Rising gold prices is not only a market signal, but also an opportunity for Romania to become an observer and an active part of the international gold ecosystem. This precious metal stands for excitement, security and tradition, but it is also a strategic asset that has proven its value over the centuries. It is a smart investment with deep roots in national history. And through RAFINOR, Romania is no longer watching the global precious metals industry from the outside, but actively participating in it. It is a form of economic responsibility: sourcing, producing locally, ensuring traceability and providing investors with a sound foundation for protecting, but also for growing capital." says Claudiu Diaconu, CEO RAFINOR.

Recent analysis points to limited room for short-term declines in the gold price and consistent upside potential, with the likelihood of new all-time highs in the coming years.  

The benefits of refined gold in Romania. Benefits for investors           

RAFINOR is bringing the ancient tradition of processing precious metals locally up to date and, at the same time, connecting the Romanian market to international standards.

"RAFINOR is not just an industrial project, but an important step for Romania to strengthen its role on the global precious metals market"emphasizes the company's CEO. In this context, RAFINOR is laying the foundations of a new stage for Romania, which is no longer just an "import customer" but is becoming a producer of refined gold to international standards.

RAFINOR produces 999.9% purity ingots of different grammages, being able to meet national demand without logistical delays. The refining capacity of the leading company in precious metals processing is currently 6 tons of gold per year, with the aim to increase its production to 8 tons per year in 2026. Within two years, RAFINOR aims to reach a refining capacity of 15 tons per year.

With locally produced gold, Romania is regaining its place on the world gold map. But the benefit is not just one of image: it brings multiple advantages for investors who want to opt for this strategic asset. Locally refined gold of international standards means for investors:

• • lower costs and reduced delivery time;

• • full assurance of origin and purity;

• • Direct participation in a growing global trend;

• • Direct involvement in the circular economy of precious metals;

• • supporting an industrial segment with a long tradition in Romania and creating new jobs.