15thĀ June 2026
By Anjali Kochhar
DBS to Offer Retail Customers Tokenized Physical Gold via digibank App
DBS Bank, Singaporeās largest lender by assets, is set to launch a tokenized physical gold product for retail customers in the second half of 2026, marking a significant step in the growing adoption of blockchain-based real-world assets (RWAs).
The bank announced that customers will soon be able to buy, hold, trade, and redeem tokenized gold directly through its digibank app. Each DBS Physical Gold Token will be backed by one gram of physical gold stored in a dedicated DBS vault in Singapore, providing investors with direct exposure to the precious metal while benefiting from the convenience of digital ownership.
According to DBS, the offering will be the first in Singapore to provide retail customers with an integrated platform for accessing tokenized physical gold. Users will be able to purchase fractional amounts of gold, trade tokens around the clock, and enjoy near-instant settlement through atomic settlement technology. Customers will also have the option to redeem their tokens for physical bullion.
In-House Infrastructure, Vault Custody, and Rising Gold Demand Drive Launch
The bank said it will manage the entire process internally, including tokenization, issuance, distribution, and custody. By leveraging its own banking infrastructure, DBS aims to offer a secure and regulated investment experience. The lender is also exploring the possibility of listing the gold tokens on the DBS Digital Exchange (DDEx), its digital asset platform currently serving institutional and accredited investors.
The move comes amid growing demand for gold investments. DBS revealed that physical gold holdings among its wealth management clients have more than doubled over the past three years, reflecting rising investor interest in the asset class.
āGold as an asset class has taken off in recent years,ā said James Tan, Group Head of Investment Products and Advisory Services at DBS. He noted that the bank has offered physical gold investments to wealth clients since 2013 and is now using tokenization technology to broaden access for retail investors.
Singapore’s Competitive Tokenized Gold Market and the Global RWA Trend
DBS is entering an increasingly competitive tokenized-gold market in Singapore. Earlier this year, rival bank OCBC introduced GOLDX, a tokenized gold fund developed in partnership with Lion Global Investors and DigiFT. Unlike DBSās upcoming retail-focused product, GOLDX is designed for institutional and accredited investors and operates on the Ethereum and Solana blockchains.
The launch also aligns with the broader global trend of tokenizing real-world assets. With on-chain RWA value surpassing $30 billion worldwide, financial institutions are increasingly exploring blockchain technology to bring traditional assets such as gold into digital markets. DBS has not yet disclosed the blockchain network that will power the gold tokens or provided a specific launch date.
