Funny thing is that all central banks still hold gold. Still. So do nation states. Gold isn't as practical as it once was but this is due mostly to technological advances. 

Derivatives make price manipulation way easier than physical commodities due to leverage and speed of settlement. Not only ETFs, but all structured products. Telecom and IT progress surely was/is a huge driver of financial markets. 

SwapMarket

econ

How has gold been neutered by ETFs? Has it?

kepford

Yeah, I understand that. That isn't necessarily neutering right? I would argue that the invention of telecommunications did more to affect gold than ETFs. 