Fort Knox holds more secrets than we will ever know, but the biggest one is: how much gold, if any, is there in America’s most famous bullion bunker?

The Golden Secret of Fort Knox 

GA News

The Spotlight

Newsdesk

Studies & research

 are familiar with Fort Knox, the notorious United States bullion depository that has become 

 within its bombproof granite walls. But that's far from certain.

Rumor has it that all, or most, of the gold in Fort Knox 

President Donald Trump wants to visit the vault

Let us unveil the secrets of one of the most protected gold vaults in the world.

Les secrets de Fort Knox, le coffre-fort le plus mystérieux des États-Unis

Fort Knox is a top-secret U.S. army base in Kentucky.

A highly classified bunker surrounded by steel fences and multiple alarms, Fort Knox has a bomb-proof roof and is guarded by Apache attack helicopters.

The building itself is pretty hardcore, to say the least: it’s made of concrete-lined granite and reinforced with steel to withstand possible attacks.

A gold vault was built inside Fort Knox in 1935 to protect America's gold during growing world turmoil. A small army post back then, Fort Knox was chosen because of its military support and its location behind the mountains, which makes it less vulnerable to air attacks.

The gold was shipped into Fort Knox in 1937 on a special nine-car train under the protection of the 7th U.S. Cavalry Brigade.

Fort Knox vault currently holds $274 billion worth of gold bars, which makes it one of the biggest gold depositories in the world.

The government says Fort Knox currently holds 

But this book value is based on a fixed price of gold that was set back in… 1973, at $42 an ounce! If we take the current market value of gold, Fort Knox's gold reserves are worth, roughly speaking, a whopping 

Of course, if they are still there. But it’s hard to know for sure.

Some conspiracy theorists even claim that Fort Knox's gold bars were actually 

tungsten bricks painted to look like gold

, while the real gold was secretly sold off by the government.

 to plunge gold prices and boost the U.S. dollar.

As a conspiracy-theorist group known as Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee stated: 

“The gold market is being manipulated by the Fed. It’s involved in gold swap agreements with foreign banks. 

Gold is a major determinant of interest rates

But the government politely disagrees… saying the U.S. Treasury conducts annual audits of the vaults to ensure that all the gold in Fort Knox is safe.

Well, we guess we’ll just have to take its word for it.

Recently, doubts about the actual presence of the gold at Fort Knox have resurfaced – 

fuelled by statements from President Donald Trump and Elon Musk

On 20 February 2025, Trump suggested that he would 

visit Fort Knox to verify the presence of the gold

“We're going to open up the doors. I'm going to see we have gold there. We want to find out, did anybody steal the gold in Fort Knox?” 

Trump said in a speech to the Republican Governors Association.

 of the site. Unsurprisingly, these statements have reignited public and investor interest in the issue. 

Others claim that the gold has been stolen to 

 in order to drive down the price of gold and boost the U.S. dollar. However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tried to ease these fears by confirming that he audited Fort Knox's gold in September 2024 and invited senators to come verify it for themselves.

Will Trump’s Fort Knox comments affect the price of gold?

Nicky Shiels, Head of Metals Strategy at MKS PAMP, a sister company of GOLD AVENUE, suggests the comments by Trump and Musk could have several consequences. Namely, the increased focus on the gold could lead to the price rising.

“Persistent chatter and tweets politicising gold will raise its profile in the US and globally. Any fears stirred by the US administration that the US’ Gold is not all there in Fort Knox – indirectly insinuating that previous US gov/admin/'deep state' has plundered the people's gold' – should lead to a ramp up in US retail demand.”

Shiels added that this increased attention on gold coincides with a surge in U.S. precious metals imports (up $60 billion since the threat of Trump's tariffs). This raises questions about U.S. leadership's sudden focus on gold for the first time in decades – and suggests that there may be broader implications for U.S. gold policy or the state of the U.S. economy.

Unfortunately, not really, unless you are a U.S. Treasury auditor or president.🙂

In fact, only a handful of people have ever gotten inside.

Franklin Roosevelt became the only U.S. president to set foot into Fort Knox’s gold vault. He traveled there in 1943 to personally inspect the gold reserves. 

one and only time Fort Knox’s vault was opened for inspection for anyone other than authorized personnel

Another rare official trip to the gold depository was made by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin in 2017. Along with several elected officials, he came to check on the government’s largest gold stockpile. 

Reportedly, Mnuchin and his delegation only had a quick peek at one of the 13 compartments within the Fort Knox vault, which prompted some to call the visit a bizarre "PR stunt" without a clear purpose.

Anyway, this didn’t stop Mnuchin from tweeting after the trip: “

Fort Knox gold vault in Kentucky once held the Magna Carta, the medieval English charter of basic human rights.

Apparently, Fort Knox is not just for storing gold. Occasionally, it has held other precious items, including the 

, the Medieval English charter of rights.

In 1939, one of its four copies was brought to the U.S. for the New York World's Fair. When World War II started a few months later, the Magna Carta was sent to the Fort Knox vault for safekeeping. The document was there until 1947 when it went back to England.

Other priceless non-gold guests at Fort Knox were originals of the 

U.S. Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the U.S. Constitution

Fearing an attack on Washington, the documents were moved to the gold vault two weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. As the war wound down, the parchment was returned to Washington in 1944.

During the Cold War, the U.S. military wanted to ensure it had enough painkillers in case foreign opium sources were cut off.

In 1993, the U.S. refined the remaining stuff into morphine, which is still stored in Fort Knox alongside the gold… If the gold is really there, of course.

What can you learn from the Fort Knox gold story? 

For investors seeking more long-term security with their investments, the secrecy of Fort Knox's gold reserves can be a bit concerning.🙂

So, if you want to build your gold savings, make sure you do these two things: 

, which belongs to you alone, not a bank or government. 

Store it in a secure vault that gives you insurance, accessibility, and direct ownership.

Read our SPOTLIGHT for more information on 

Gold offers several powerful advantages as a store of value. Discover why more and more investors are turning to this precious metal.

What are the advantages of gold compared to other investments?

A look at the strong changes in demand in the gold sector y-o-y.

A Shift in Gold Demand Trends

Good thing central banks can't print gold. 😉

21.9% Annual Inflation... and Counting

Despite slowing down, the frenzy around silver has kept prices up, and demand for physical bars and coins strong, while doubts over the state of the silver stocks emerge. Is Silver Setting the Stage for a Breakout?

Is Silver Setting the Stage for a Breakout?

We are thrilled to announce that our CEO Alessandro Soldati was invited for an open and lively discussion on a popular YouTube channel Frugalisme et Liberte Financiere.

How to Buy Physical Gold Online in 2022?

17/02/22: The European Central Bank could raise interest rates in 2022, the gold price goes up as tensions over Ukraine resurface, Switzerland lifts most Covid-19 restrictions. And more.

Weekly Digest: ECB Rate Hikes, Gold Up on Ukraine Tensions

Choosing between gold and silver: A comparison to help you decide which metal might be right for you.

Should You Buy Gold or Silver?

Reddit and the Wall Street Silver crowd are planning a new #Silversqueeze. With more coordination and hindsight, will they succeed in rising the silver price? 

#Silversqueeze 2.0?                         

The Federal Reserve’s inflation goals are getting risky and could cause the rate to overheat dangerously if they were to push it too hard.

The Fed’s Dangerous Game

Meet GOLD AVENUE CEO, Alessandro Soldati, in our first Q&A video session!

Q&A with our CEO - Alessandro Soldati

The Fed desperately wants higher inflation that would exceed its 2% target. Will the ECB follow the lead? It looks like it. 

Does the European Central Bank Want High Inflation?

24/02/22: Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the S&P is in a correction for the first time since the 2020 Wall Street plunge, gold hits a 20-month high. And more. 

Weekly digest: Ukraine Crisis, Markets Shaken, Gold’s Up

Russia’s decision to remove the US dollar assets from its sovereign wealth fund and partially replace them by gold boosts the yellow metal’s importance as a strategic asset.

Russia's New Move on Gold

After yet another central bank starts considering negative interest rates, we’re taking a look at how unlimited debt can impact physical gold investment.

Is Unlimited Debt Good for Gold?

World markets have taken a hit as the Russian invasion of Ukraine spooked investors around the globe. Here’s what you can do right now to protect your investment portfolio and gold savings.

Ukraine-Russia Conflict: What Impact on Your Savings?

You probably noticed certain industries and communities aren’t bouncing back as quickly as others during times of recession or economic crisis. That’s what the K-shaped recovery is all about.

What the K-Shaped Recovery Means for Gold

03/03/22: Markets are on a wild rollercoaster ride, Eurozone inflation at a record high, Russia intensifies its invasion of Ukraine, gold proves itself as a safe haven. And more.

Weekly digest: inflation rising, Russia sanctions, gold gains

You want to start investing but you don't know where to start? Here is a beginner’s guide to investing.

How to Start Investing in 2023? Here's What You Need to Know

The #silversqueeze movement took the investment world by storm and has the potential of shaking up the silver market. Will it be here for the long term?

#silversqueeze

Here’s a rare sneak peek into one of the world’s biggest gold refineries. 

How Do You Make Gold Bars?

10/03/22: Gold and palladium hit a record high, oil records its worst day since November, Biden signs an executive order on crypto. And more. 

Weekly digest: Metals on the Rise, Oil Drops, Crypto Order

In 2021, central banks continued buying gold, with emerging countries stepping up as key net buyers. Do you wonder why? Here’s what you need to know.

Central Bank Gold Buying Explained

With inflation soaring in Europe and the U.S, learn how to navigate higher consumer prices from this great personal finance video from Sorelle Amore.

5 Ways to Protect Your Wealth From Inflation

17/03/22: The Fed has raised interest rates for the 1st time since 2018, one of Brazil’s biggest funds goes for gold, E.U.'s rethinking gas supplies. And more.

Weekly Digest: Fed’s 1st Rate Hike, Gold in Demand

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, investors rushed to gold, the world’s oldest safe-haven asset, pushing its price to a new record. Why did this happen? Here’s what you need to know. 

Investor Gold Demand is Booming Right Now: Here's Why 

On August 15, 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon possibly made the biggest monetary error in history. A video from Libre & Riche will tell you why.

All You Need to Know About the World’s Greatest Monetary Catastrophe

24/07/22: The U.K. hit by the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades, Powell finally admits inflation is “much too high”, European stocks drop. And more.

Weekly Digest: Cost of Living Crisis, Inflation Problem

The U.S. Federal Reserve has announced its first interest rate hike since 2018. What could this mean for the gold price? Here’s what you need to know. 

How Interest Rate Hikes Affect the Gold Price

31/03/22: European inflation soars to new heights, Russia resumes gold purchases, no breakthrough seen in Ukraine war despite renewed peace talks. And more. 

Weekly Digest: EU Inflation Runs Hot, Ukraine Peace Talks

It seems that the ongoing US presidential election has not changed the situation in the gold market so far as the macro backdrop remains quite favorable to the yellow metal.

Trump + Biden = Gold?

Do you want to buy gold bars but are not sure where to start? Here’s what you need to know to build your precious metals portfolio in a smart way.

How Do You Buy Physical Gold Bars? 

The backdrop of global inflation in the U.S. and Europe was already worrying. Now, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is making the situation even worse, including sending gas prices soaring to record levels. Here’s what you need to know.

Here’s How Rising Gas Prices and Inflation Fuel Each Other

07/04/22: More and more people are worried about rising consumer prices, experts think the U.S. recession is inevitable, cryptocurrencies are facing some privacy issues. And more.

Weekly Digest: Inflation Worries, U.S. Recession

It looks like stagflation could be here soon. Here’s what you need to know to understand the economic phenomenon that stifled growth through the 1970s.

What Is Stagflation and Why Should We Worry About It?

14/4/22: U.S. inflation hit 8.5% in March, the highest since 1981, EU ban on Russian gas could spark a sharp recession in Germany, Ukraine peace talks “at a dead end.” And more.

Weekly Digest: U.S. Inflation at 40-Year High, German Recession Risk 

Leading world banks say we should get ready for a new recession shock. What does it mean exactly, and what investments might be the best place to stash your hard-earned money?

Recession Risk is Rising, Economists Say. Here's What It Means for Investors

21/04/2022: The IMF cuts its global economic growth forecast, UN says the war in Ukraine could create a global food crisis “beyond anything seen since World War II,” Macron and Le Pen fight for the presidency. And more.

Weekly Digest: IMF Cuts Growth Forecast, Hunger Threat

If you are a parent, you probably want to find the best way to set your kids up for financial success. Here’s how your gold savings will help you start building their lifelong wealth.

3 Ways Gold Savings Can Benefit Your Children and Family

Easy is always right. Especially when it comes to buying precious metals. If you still don’t know what’s the easiest way to buy gold, you’re in the right place.

The Easiest Way to Buy Gold and Precious Metals

28/4/22: Russia halts gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, the Fed is set for more aggressive rate hikes to tame inflation, Musk seals the deal to buy Twitter. And more.

Weekly Digest: Russia’s Gas Cutoff, Musk’s Twitter Deal

If your children are the lucky ones to get a hoard of gold as an inheritance, there are 4 things you should do before passing it on to them.

4 Things to Remember When Buying Gold for Your Children

04/05/22: The Fed is set to fight inflation with the fastest rate hikes in decades, Fitch trims China’s 2022 growth forecast amid Covid-19 lockdowns, two Argentinian banks will allow crypto trading. And more.

Weekly Digest: Fed Rate Hike, Cuts to China’s Growth Forecast 

Here are the 4 handy tips you can immediately put into practice when buying physical gold for the first time.

How Do You Buy Gold? A Beginner’s Guide

Swissmint made history as they issued their first-ever 50-franc Vreneli gold coin on May 11, 2022, making a very special coin even more popular in Switzerland and beyond.

Swissmint Issues a New Limited-Edition Vreneli Coin

12/05/22: U.S. inflation stays at a 40-year high, defying expectations of a bigger drop, crypto and stocks fall, reacting to the U.S. inflation data. And more.

Weekly Digest: U.S. Inflation, Stocks, Crypto Crash

The end of Bretton Woods seems to be an essential reason behind the widening of the productivity-pay gap that reveals gold's influence as a source of stability.

What is the Productivity–Pay Gap?

A quick overview of the performance of gold versus some of the major commodities for the first half of 2020.

🔥 Gold VS Commodities 🔥

You read in the press that persistently high inflation has finally peaked and should be going down soon. But the latest CPI numbers show it might not be entirely true. Here’s why.

Has Inflation Peaked? Here's What You Need to Know to Understand Inflation

19/05/22: U.S. stocks post the biggest daily drop in almost two years, Sri Lanka default hints at troubles ahead for developing nations, E.U. slashes growth forecast. And more.

Weekly Digest: Dow Tumbles, Food Inflation Getting Worse

Since the start of 2022, the stock market has been on a wild ride, while gold was close to hitting a new record high in March. Which has performed better so far? We guess you already know.🙃

Gold Price Vs. Stock Market: 2022 Edition

While the Fed is taking a dovish stance, investors are fearing a real rise in inflation in the near future.

Is the Fed Moving Too Slow to Counter Inflation?

25/05/2022: U.S. stocks slumped again amid economic data, the global food crisis risks causing a “messy” migration in Europe, Bitcoin could fall to $8,000. And more.

Weekly Digest: Stocks Slump, ‘Messy’ Migration Risk in Europe

Have you been thinking of investing in platinum bars and coins? Here’s what you need to know about one of the world’s rarest precious metals.

Investing in Platinum: A Beginner’s Guide

02/06/22: The Eurozone inflation hits a new record high, JPMorgan Chase CEO warns of the economic hurricane, EU leaders agree to ban most Russian crude imports. And more. 

Weekly Digest: Eurozone Inflation, Economic Hurricane

09/06/22: The OECD has lowered its growth forecast for this year, Eurozone inflation is expected to peak, U.K. economy is facing stagnation. And more.

Weekly Digest: OECD Cuts Growth Forecast, EU Inflation to Peak

Central banks are rushing to raise interest rates to tackle rising consumer prices in Europe. There are a few things we can learn from them about fighting inflation.

How to Fight Inflation? The Central Bank Edition 

Thanks to GOLD AVENUE, Tibo InShape was able to enter the famous gold refinery MKS PAMP. Watch the video and follow Tibo in his discovery of gold!

Tibo InShape & GOLD AVENUE: visit of a gold refinery in Switzerland!

16/06/22: Fed announced a historic rate hike, a U.S. recession is looming, bitcoin is plunging, U.K. economy is shrinking, China’s contact with aliens. And more. 

Weekly Digest: Big Fed Hike, Recession Fears, Gold Could Soar

GOLD AVENUE’s CEO Alessandro Soldati was selected by Bilan magazine as one of French-speaking Switzerland's most promising young entrepreneurs.

Bilan Chooses GOLD AVENUE Among Switzerland’s Top Young Startups

If you are considering buying silver bars and coins, there are a few things you need to know first about one of the world’s most valuable and accessible precious metals.

Investing in Silver: A Beginner’s Guide

Country-specific guides to understand gold as an investment in 2021 from the World Gold Council.

The relevance of gold as a strategic asset: 2021

Famous precious metal skeptic buys gold as a hedge against accelerating inflation which he says is “reminiscent of the 1970s”.

Lifelong Gold Skeptic Makes Major U-Turn

23/06/22: The stock market dropped as recession fears grow, UK inflation hits a new 40-year high, Bitcoin could plunge to a low of $13,000. And more.

Weekly Digest: Stock Rally Fizzles, Recession Risk

While stocks and bitcoin went down sharply due to rising inflation and uncertain economic outlook, gold has retained its value, exactly when investors and savers needed it. 

Bitcoin, stocks, gold: What is the best investment today?

29/06/22: Morgan Stanley sees a mild recession coming to the Eurozone this year, G7 countries agree to ban gold imports from Russia, German inflation eases. And more. 

Weekly Digest: Eurozone Recession, Ban on Russian Gold

What does the future hold for gold? Here are the 4 trends that could make the yellow metal shine in the nearest future.

Is the price of gold going up next year? 4 main drivers explained

07/07/2022: Gold drops over 2% in a selloff sparked by a strong dollar, U.K.'s Johnson is expected to step down, higher interest rates are unlikely to solve the inflation problem. And more. 

The Golden Secret of Fort Knox

Shop our categories