Top 8 Gold Backed Cryptocurrency Tokens & Where to Buy (2022)

Bitcoin, the flagship of cryptocurrency, is sometimes called “digital gold” to point its utility as a retailer of worth, however fast value swings in its quick historical past are regarding to would-be traders eager on exploring digital belongings, however with a desire for stability. 

The “gold vs. Bitcoin” debate is sort of as outdated as Bitcoin– with Peter Schiff typically taking the anti-BTC pro-gold stance. (embed to video)

Regardless of cryptocurrency’s rising reputation, many would-be cryptocurrency traders are swayed from shopping for or holding digital belongings because of the trade’s risky nature. 

Nevertheless, what if cryptocurrency may mimic the value of gold, whereas sustaining the benefits of its digital nature? What if individuals may leverage the advantages of holding gold with out truly having to carry and defend heavy bricks of gold?

Gold-backed, additionally known as “gold-pegged”, cryptocurrencies are backed by the bodily worth of gold. Much like stablecoins, most gold-backed cryptocurrencies characterize a bodily assortment of gold custudied by the stablecoin issuer. 

The next gold-backed cryptocurrency information explores the most well-liked gold-pegged tokens, who’s behind the mission, and different pertinent info. 

Gold-Backed Tokens 101: How Do They Work?

Gold-pegged cryptocurrencies are designed in an analogous method to stablecoins, however somewhat than being backed by fiat are backed by the worth of bodily gold. 

Gold-pegged tokens goal to forestall value fluctuations by tying the by-product asset to a tangible asset. Theoretically, the cumulative value of the tokens shouldn’t be lower than the worth of the bodily belongings

The quantity of gold used to again a selected gold-pegged cryptocurrency should be held in gold reserves, that are generally held at banks and different third-party establishments. 

Gold-pegged tokens differ in how they’re backed. For instance, some tokens are backed at a ratio of 1:1, during which 1 token is equal in worth to 1 gram of gold, whereas others will use totally different ratios. 

As the worth of gold will increase, so ought to the value of a token, making it a extra secure funding than different cryptocurrencies. 

Most gold-backed tokens enable traders to redeem tokens for gold, much like how dollar-pegged stablecoins usually may be traded for his or her $1.00 equal in fiat.

There are a number of benefits to gold-pegged tokens:

• You may personal a token with the identical worth as gold, with no need to bodily maintain gold.
• Gold’s worth is much less susceptible to cost fluctuations
• It’s a extra simple route into the commodities market

Nevertheless, there are additionally just a few disadvantages:

• Though gold can defend from the downsides, it traditionally doesn’t carry comparable returns to cryptocurrencies as BTC or ETH. 
• Market progress tends to be slower than different cryptocurrencies. 
• Digital belongings pose new inherent dangers that the bodily asset doesn’t, and are additionally with out lots of the similar protections. 

Gold-pegged tokens are a gentle asset for these looking for stability of their digital portfolio.

To compile our checklist of the most well-liked gold-pegged tokens, we evaluated the corporate that created the token, the present market cap, and the distinctive options of every mission.

Perth Mint Gold Token (PMGT) 

Perth Mint Gold Token (PMGT)  is without doubt one of the few cryptocurrencies validated by a authorities. As a substitute of the gold shops being held by a non-public firm, all gold bought at PMGT is traded and saved at The Perth Mint.

The forex is supported by bodily gold blocks at a 1:1 ratio and has a market cap of $2,212,088​​. Patrons are given digital gold certificates each time they purchase the token. These certificates may be traded for gold bullion, which may be delivered on to their deal with. 

Through the transaction, traders will not be required to pay any transaction charges. Along with this, they don’t have to pay for storage or any ongoing administration charges ought to they select to not maintain the gold themselves. 

The token can solely be bought at Independent Reserve, although talks are in place for PMGT to be listed on different exchanges. 

Gold Coin (GLC) 

Gold Coin (GLC) is an ERC-20 coin developed by Digital Gold LTD. The cryptocurrency was constructed and is maintained by a gaggle of volunteers who imagine within the promotion of financial freedom. 

It’s backed by a ratio of 1000 GLC per ounce of gold, and has a market cap of $1,807,944. When holding GLC traders have entry to distinctive options similar to two-minute affirmation speeds, making it the quickest transaction of all gold-pegged tokens. 

GLC additionally affords an unique Goldcoin Pockets for any gold bought and there are not any transaction charges, making it extraordinarily straightforward for traders to purchase and maintain their gold. 

Gold Coin is offered on the next exchanges: CryptoExchange.com and Goldcoin.com; it may be purchased with credit score and debit playing cards. 

DigixGlobal (DGX)

DigixGlobal is a Singapore-based firm that gives gold-pegged DGX tokens. The DGX token is backed on a  1:1 ratio and has a market cap of ​​$1,183,867. Every token represents 1 ounce of gold.

The gold is saved in each Singapore and Canada, which is a novel worth add in comparison with different gold-backed tokens on this checklist; by having storage places in two components of the world, the dangers of simply having a single location are mitigated.

DigixGlobal costs a 1% price per trade and assumes the demurrage (delivery) price. The one trade you possibly can at the moment purchase DGX is Coinsquare, the place it may be bought with Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH). 

Meld Gold by Algorand (MCAU)

Meld Gold was created by Algorand as a secure various to altcoins; it makes gold investing accessible to traders within the type of Meld Digital Gold Certificates. Every gold certificates is equal to 1 gram of bodily gold and the market cap is unknown as of April 2022. 

The tokens (certificates) are secured on the Algorand Pockets, making them simply accessible to traders who already personal a pockets. Meld launched a partnership program to draw leaders within the gold, monetary and know-how sectors to collaborate and brainstorm the token’s future. 

You may at the moment purchase Meld at BTC Markets. 

Tether Gold (Gold)

Tether constructed its popularity as one of the vital widespread stablecoins. Tether Gold was launched in 2020 and it grew to one of the vital widespread gold-pegged tokens with a market capitalization of $469 million USD. 

One token represents one effective troy ounce of gold on a London Good Supply bar. The Tether Gold reserves are held in Swiss vaults and traders are required to pay a small 0.25% price per transaction. 

Tether Gold may be bought on Coinbase. 

AABB Gold Token (AABBG)

AABBG is considerably an anomaly within the crypto house because the founding firm has no prior expertise in cryptocurrency or finance. As a substitute, AABBG was based by Asia Broadband Inc. (AABB). AABB is a useful resource firm targeted on the manufacturing, provide, and sale of treasured and base metals.

 In contrast to different gold-pegged tokens during which the gold comes from a spread of sources, 100% of the gold bought utilizing AABBG comes immediately from the corporate’s mining mission. This cuts out the intermediary, and ensures traders get their gold immediately from the supply. It then makes use of a novel mine-to-token gold-backing format that verifies gold belongings displayed by every token. 

The token has a present market cap of $97,382,859.21. It may possibly solely be bought utilizing an official AABB Wallet, and requires Bitcoin or Ethereum to make the transaction. 

AurusGOLD (AWG)

AurusGOLD, higher often called AWG, is minted by gold merchants who arbitrage between the AWG and bullion gold markets. It has a market cap of $1,880,988. 

Every token may be redeemed for 1 gram of gold provided from London Bullion Market Affiliation (LBMA) certificates refineries. If traders aren’t excited by gold however have an curiosity in holding different treasured metals, AWG has additionally diversified into the valuable metals area of interest. Traders can buy tokenized treasured metals the identical approach they’d gold and maintain them of their crypto wallets. 

AWG may be bought on a number of Aurus partnered exchanges and treasured metals sellers. The preferred trade is CEX.IO and treasured metallic sellers embody Direct Bullion and Aurica Group. 

PAX Gold (PAXG)

Pax Gold was based by Paxos, a US-based belief firm and custodian. Every token is equal to 1 troy ounce of a London Proper Supply bar of gold. 

The PAXG token was launched in 2019 and is backed by gold shops in Brink’s vaults, that are permitted by the London Bullion Market Affiliation. It has a market cap of $610,389,228 and is the one gold token that traders can redeem for LBMA-accredited Good Supply gold bullion bars.

The best approach to purchase PAX Gold is thru Coinbase, the place it may be purchased with Ethereum (ETH). 

Remaining Ideas: The Way forward for Gold Pegged Tokens 

Regardless of having a popularity for being one of many safer investments, proudly owning bodily gold isn’t notably straightforward. It may be held within the type of bodily bullions and saved at dwelling, or holders will pay a storage facility to carry them for a price. 

Gold-pegged tokens make it considerably simpler for people to personal gold with out ever needing to retailer it themselves. 

As a less expensive and extra handy various, we might in the future see gold pegged tokens grow to be the brand new dominant type of gold possession for a world, decentralized base of individuals. 

Nevertheless, the way forward for gold pegged tokens might look utterly totally different. 

For one, numerous decentralized finance initiatives and decentralized exchanges enable individuals to earn curiosity on their gold deposits in a wide range of mechanisms, similar to lending or by liquidity pools.

Some extremely experimental initiatives are even creating artificial belongings that derive their worth algorithmically somewhat than basing it on a bodily deposit of belongings.

Whereas this checklist is on no account exhaustive (neither is it prescriptive, none of our content material is funding recommendation, it’s essential to teach your self concerning the intersection between conventional finance (gold) and decentralized finance (cryptocurrency).