DBS to Launch Tokenised Physical Gold for Retail Investors in Singapore

The launch comes amid growing interest in both gold and real-world asset tokenisation. DBS will manage the entire process in-house, including tokenisation, custody, vaulting and distribution.

The tokenised gold offering expands DBS’s existing range of gold investment products. It forms part of the bank’s broader push into digital assets and blockchain-based financial services.

Tokenisation involves issuing digital tokens backed by a physical asset. In this case, each DBS Physical Gold Token represents one gram of gold held in a vault. The tokens can be traded via the DBS digibank app with near-instant settlement, reducing the gap between trade execution and transfer of ownership. The bank said it will also explore a future listing on its digital exchange.

For retail investors, the product lowers the minimum investment threshold for gold. Traditional gold bars or coins often require a larger outlay, while tokenised gold allows purchases starting from a single gram. The physical backing also distinguishes it from synthetic gold products that track the gold price through derivatives.

DBS is one of the few banks globally to offer tokenised real-world assets directly to retail clients through a banking app. Its digital exchange, launched in 2020, already supports trading in cryptocurrencies and security tokens. The addition of tokenised physical gold broadens the range of assets available on the platform.

The bank said it will continue to develop its digital asset capabilities in line with regulatory requirements. The tokenised gold offering is expected to launch in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approval.