The Ultra Wealthy Turn to Gold and Tokenized Versions to Mitigate Risks

In an age defined by geopolitical fractures and economic uncertainty, a growing number of the world’s ultra-wealthy are quietly moving their gold reserves far from the West—and Singapore is emerging as the new epicenter of precious metal security.

Just minutes from Changi Airport, a sleek, fortress-like structure shrouded in black onyx stands as a symbol of this financial shift. Known simply as “The Reserve,” the six-story, high-security vault is quickly becoming one of the most coveted havens for physical gold and silver storage globally. Inside, $1.5 billion worth of bullion is housed in private vaults and safe deposit boxes that tower three stories high, an imposing yet reassuring monument to wealth preservation.

The Reserve’s founder, Gregor Gregersen, told CNBC that demand has surged dramatically in 2025, with storage orders for gold and silver rising 88% from the same period last year. Meanwhile, sales of physical bullion have exploded, up 200% year over year. “It’s about trust and control,” Gregersen noted, adding that his clientele, primarily high-net-worth individuals, are increasingly concerned about tariffs, sanctions, and broader geopolitical volatility. As tensions between the U.S. and China send ripples through global markets, many are opting to store physical assets in politically neutral jurisdictions like Singapore, which boasts a strong rule of law and world-class infrastructure.

Adding to this flight to security is the rise in tokenized gold assets, digital representations of physical bullion stored in secure facilities like The Reserve. These tokens allow investors to retain full self-custody of their wealth, sidestepping the traditional banking system and mitigating counterparty risks. In a world where even bank deposits are no longer seen as fully safe, self-custody, whether through cold storage for digital tokens or physical vaulting of metals, is increasingly becoming the standard for the elite.

Gold’s momentum reflects this anxiety. After a record-breaking spring, spot prices are hovering around $3,346.32 per ounce, with some analysts predicting a potential climb to $5,000 in 2026. The precious metal’s timeless role as a safe haven has reasserted itself in an era marked by economic decoupling and fiscal instability.

One thing is clear is that the rich are hedging their future not with speculation, but with gold and digital assets.

Adele Simmons
UCW Newswire