DBS Bank is launching a tokenised physical gold offering, allowing customers to digitally access, hold, and trade the precious metal through a single platform.
The offering is scheduled to debut on DBS digibank for retail investors in the second half of 2026.
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The bank also plans to list the digital asset on the DBS Digital Exchange for accredited and institutional investors.
DBS will manage the entire lifecycle of the tokens in-house using its secure bank-grade infrastructure.
By applying blockchain technology to create fractional ownership, the Singapore-based lender aims to make physical gold investment more affordable and accessible to a broader base of everyday investors.
The platform will operate on a 24/7 basis, utilising atomic settlement to clear transactions almost instantly.
Each digital token is directly backed by one gram of physical gold secured inside a dedicated DBS vault in Singapore. Investors will retain the right to redeem their digital tokens for actual physical gold bullion.
The upcoming rollout capitalises on a massive structural shift in global finance, which recently saw gold surpass US government bonds to become the world’s largest reserve asset, after years of heavy buying by central banks and a steep rise in bullion prices.
Gold prices hit a record of $5,600 per ounce earlier this year, highlighted DBS.
According to European Central Bank data, gold expanded its share of global central bank reserve assets to 27% at the end of 2025, while US Treasuries fell to 22%.
DBS investment product and advisory group head James Tan said: “Gold as an asset class has taken off in recent years, demonstrating its enduring value as a safe haven and a critical diversifier in uncertain times.
“While our retail investors have been able to buy gold funds, access to physical gold has been largely available to only institutional and accredited investors. DBS has offered physical gold investments to wealth clients since 2013, and we are now leveraging tokenisation to broaden access, enabling more retail customers to invest in gold in a safe and meaningful way.”
