Daily Dispatches

Thirty Tons of Venezuelan gold, a Bargaining Chip Between Chavismo and the Opposition

By Alonso Moleiro
El Pais, Madrid
Wednesday, August 19, 2026

The likelihood is growing that an agreement will be reached to use Venezuelan assets frozen abroad as part of talks, mediated by the United States, between government and opposition delegations that began earlier in August. 

By Polina Devitt
Reuters
Monday, August 17, 2026

LONDON -- Gold's 9% rebound in August to around $4,400 an ‌ounce suggests bullion is starting to regain favor with institutional investors and central banks, leaving the market better placed to extend gains as it moves beyond the initial shock of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Looks like it will be sold to purchase dollars to be used for earthquake relief

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International Auditing Firms Will Monitor the Use of Funds Derived from Gold Blocked in England

From Banca y Negocios, Caracas
Saturday, August 15, 2026

The funds derived from the eventual release of the Venezuelan gold bars frozen at the Bank of England will be deposited into an account of the United States Treasury Department and their use in the country will be audited by qualified international companies.

By Jason Ma
Fortune, New York
Saturday, August 15, 2026

The first U.S.-Japan joint intervention in three decades aimed at boosting the yen has come and gone without doing much to ease anxiety in currency markets.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's notepad suggested the U.S. bought $5 billion-$10 billion worth of yen, while Japan's move topped $50 billion. The exchange rate initially strengthened to about 157 yen per dollar from nearly 164, but has since given back some gains and hovered around 159 on Friday.

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