But aren't we off the 'gold standard'?

Even though the United States �and, effectively, the whole world �no longer backs up their currencies with stores of gold, it's still held as a reserve asset by nearly every central bank around the globe. Gold serves as an asset of last resort that can be used in the midst of severe international crises such as war, economic upheaval, environmental disasters, and the like. Gold's intrinsic worth and relevance today have not changed from previous times. It's the asset that holds universal value for both individual investors and nations alike.