Crypto-friendly DBS Bank announced its plans to introduce tokenized gold trading to its retail customers in the second half of 2026.

The product, known as DBS Physical Gold Tokens, will be available on the bank’s digibank platform and may also be offered on the DBS Digital Exchange (DDEx) for accredited investors and institutions.

DBS will handle the tokenization, issuance, distribution, and management of the physical gold tokens internally, utilizing secure bank-grade infrastructure. Each token will be backed by 1 gram of physical gold stored in a dedicated vault in Singapore.

This move reflects the increasing popularity of blockchain-based versions of real-world assets (RWAs). The amount of physical gold held by DBS’s affluent clients has more than doubled over the past three years.

In 2025, DBS introduced tokenized structured notes on Ethereum and listed sgBENJI, a token for Franklin Templeton’s tokenized money market fund, as well as Ripple’s RLUSD dollar-pegged stablecoin.

James Tan, the head of DBS’ investment product and advisory unit, highlighted the significance of this development, stating, “While our retail investors have had access to gold funds, physical gold investments have primarily been accessible to institutional and accredited investors. DBS has been offering physical gold investments to wealth clients since 2013, and now we are using tokenization to expand access, allowing more retail customers to invest in gold securely and effectively.”