Tokenized Gold Attracts $4B as Whales Hedge Volatility

Generated by AI AgentCoinSageReviewed byAInvest News Editorial Team
Tuesday, Jan 6, 2026 10:03 am ET2min read
Aime RobotAime Summary

- Tokenized

TVL reached $4B in 2025 as investors shifted to inflation hedges amid Bitcoin's 7% decline and gold's 65% rally.

- Platforms like Paxos and

dominate the market, enabling 24/7 trading, fractional ownership, and DeFi integration for physical gold.

- Institutional adoption grows with SEC-compliant custody solutions, while central banks are projected to purchase 755 tonnes of gold in 2026.

- Tokenized gold combines safe-haven appeal with digital advantages like instant settlement, attracting both retail and institutional investors.

- Regulatory risks and operational challenges persist, but expansion into stocks and

could drive further growth in tokenized assets.

  • Tokenized gold TVL surged to $4B in 2025 as investors sought inflation hedges .
  • Crypto whales pivoted to gold tokens amid Bitcoin's 2025 decline and gold's 65% rally .
  • Tokenization enables 24/7 trading and fractional ownership of physical gold bars .
  • Central gold demand remains strong with 755 tonnes expected in 2026 .

Tokenized gold holdings surpassed $4 billion in 2025 as institutional and retail investors embraced blockchain-based precious metal exposure

. This asset class combines gold's traditional safe-haven appeal with digital advantages like instant settlement and DeFi integration. Major platforms like Paxos and now dominate this rapidly expanding market segment .

Why Are Investors Flocking to Tokenized Gold?

Gold surged 60% in 2025 amid geopolitical tensions and falling real yields

. Tokenized versions like and XAUT captured this demand through enhanced accessibility. Investors gain exposure without physical storage limitations while maintaining 1:1 gold backing verified by regular audits . Crypto whales particularly favored these tokens when declined 7% last year .

Tokenized gold integrates smoothly into DeFi ecosystems for yield generation. This programmability creates new utility beyond traditional bullion

. Fractional ownership allows micro-investments as small as 0.01 ounces, democratizing access . These features explain why tokenized gold now anchors the $4B real-world asset tokenization market .

How Does Tokenized Gold Bridge Traditional and Digital Finance?

Tokenization transforms physical gold into on-chain assets tradable 24/7

. This eliminates traditional market hours and settlement delays. Platforms like Bitget TradFi enable cross-market trading where gold tokens serve alongside forex and commodities . Such integration reflects the Fed's endorsement of tokenization for modernizing financial infrastructure .

Institutional adoption grows as firms like tZERO expand custody solutions for tokenized assets

. Their broker-dealer infrastructure meets SEC standards for digital asset security . Meanwhile, projects like MatrixDock demonstrate how tokenization creates new gold investment vehicles . This convergence accelerates as traditional finance embraces blockchain efficiencies .

What Risks and Opportunities Lie Ahead for Tokenized Assets?

Regulatory uncertainty remains the primary institutional barrier

. Custody solutions must evolve to prevent operational breaches in digital asset management . Tokenized gold also faces traditional gold market risks like weaker physical demand in Asia and potential policy shifts .

Opportunities abound as tokenization expands beyond gold to stocks and real estate

. Central bank digital currency initiatives could further legitimize tokenized assets . With gold allocations still historically low in portfolios, tokenized versions offer efficient exposure . The market expects continued growth as blockchain infrastructure matures .