Weaker global prices lure buyers in Asian hubs

Trade in gold is widely authorised and regulated in many markets unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

MUMBAI: Gold demand picked up in most Asian centres this week as prices of the yellow metal slid to a six-month low, with gold being sold at a premium in India for the first time in seven weeks.

Spot gold touched its lowest since Dec 19 at US$1,260.84 an ounce on Thursday, weighed down by outlook for higher interest rates in the United States and as the dollar climbed to an 11-month peak.