Which countries are selling Digital Gold?

 What is Digital Gold

First, a quick recap: “digital gold” refers to ownership of gold (or gold-backed tokens) in digital form rather than holding physical bullion or coins. Typically, the gold is stored in vaults, insured, and verified. You buy small fractions (grams, milligrams, etc.), and in some cases you can redeem to physical gold, or sell back to the provider. It gives you exposure to gold’s price movements without handling or storing physical gold yourself.


Countries Offering Digital Gold (Examples & Models)

Here are specific countries where digital gold / gold‑token / gold‑saving apps or systems are operating, with examples. Some are more mature; others are newer.

CountryHow Digital Gold is Offered / Key PlayersFeatures / Notes
IndiaMultiple platforms: SafeGold, MMTC‑PAMP, Augmont etc via apps or wallets (Paytm, Google Pay, PhonePe). You can buy starting from tiny amounts. The gold is backed by physical gold stored in vaults. There are rules around KYC, tax, GST etc. 
IndonesiaPlatforms like Digital Gold (DIGIGOLD) and services via Pegadaian (state‑owned) and banks offering “Gold Savings”. Users can buy, sell, sometimes convert to physical gold. There are apps/marketplaces. Pegadaian app has “gold deposit” balances, insurance, storage. 
United Arab EmiratesApps like Just Gold; fintech tie‑ups like O Gold via botim app. You can start small (e.g. from AED 10), vault storage, insured, sometimes able to redeem to physical gold. 
ZimbabweThe government via Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe offers GBDT / ZiG (Gold‑Backed Digital Tokens). These tokens are backed by physical gold, and have been used for investment, inflation hedge, and as a medium in domestic transactions sometimes. 
Malaysia / ThailandHelloGold was operating (Shariah‑compliant gold savings) in Malaysia and Thailand. However, HelloGold wound down its core business in these countries (as of 2023) due to viability issues. 

Key Differences & Considerations

When looking at digital gold across countries, some of the things that tend to differ:

  • Minimum purchase size — Some require only very small fractions, others have larger minimums.

  • Redeemability — Whether you can convert your digital gold holdings into physical gold (coins, bars). Not all platforms offer this, or might charge fees or have conditions.

  • Storage & Vaults — How/where the gold is stored, insurance, who the custodian is.

  • Regulation — Whether these offerings are regulated. Consumer protection, KYC/AML rules, tax treatment, etc.

  • Fees and spreads — The difference between buy‑price and sell‑price, storage fees, handling fees, etc. These can eat into returns.

  • Purity of gold — Usually high (e.g. 24K, 999.9), but requirements vary.

  • Currency & Exchange rate issues — If you’re investing using a currency that needs conversion, or if cross‑border issues come into play, costs can increase.


Risks

  • Regulatory risk — In some countries digital gold isn’t well regulated. There could be changes in law or lack of clarity which might affect your rights or the platform’s obligations.

  • Counterparty risk — If the provider mismanages vaults, or is not fully trustworthy. Physical backing must be verifiable.

  • Liquidity risk — Selling back could be harder, or you may have to accept lower price.

  • Hidden costs — Premiums, storage fees, delivery costs if redeeming physical gold.

  • Foreign exposure — If you’re buying gold stored abroad, or using foreign providers, you may face legal or logistical issues in case of disputes.


Brief Summary

  • Many countries (India, Indonesia, UAE, Zimbabwe, etc.) have digital gold options.

  • These services tend to make gold investment more accessible (small amounts, apps).

  • The quality and terms vary a lot: how easily you can convert to physical gold, how secure the system is, what fees are charged.

  • Regulatory treatment is often lagging or evolving; buyer should check that.

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