The gold-backed IRA provider SmartGold is transferring $1.6 billion in vault assets on-chain through a partnership with the tokenization platform Chintai Nexus, which could open the door for tokenized gold investments via self-directed U.S. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).
The two companies announced on Tuesday that each gold token is backed one-to-one by physical gold bars and can be deployed as collateral in decentralized finance (DeFi) lending protocols.
The structure works by allowing investors to purchase and store vault gold through SmartGold's self-directed IRA. Chintai will then hold the assets, tokenize them, and issue digital representations directly linked to the physical assets.
These tokens can be used as collateral on platforms like Morpho and Kamino, allowing investors to gain dollar-denominated liquidity. The borrowed capital can be reinvested into other yield-generating strategies while the underlying gold remains stored, maintaining the tax-deferred status of the account.
Self-directed IRAs offer the same tax advantages as traditional or Roth accounts but provide retirement planners with a broader range of asset options, including cryptocurrencies, private equity, and real estate. According to Pacific Premier Trust, they account for 2% to 5% of the $10.8 trillion held in U.S. IRAs.
The launch of SmartGold-Chintai comes at a time of rising demand for tokenized gold. The International Precious Metals Group has introduced tokenized products in its supply chain, while stablecoin issuer Tether has gained attention with Tether Gold, which surpassed a value of $800 million earlier this summer and has since grown to $1.3 billion.
Meanwhile, medical technology company BioSig has recently turned to tokenization through a merger with real-world asset platform Streamex. The merged entity secured $1.1 billion in growth financing, bringing gold and other commodities on-chain.
While many cryptocurrency advocates emphasize Bitcoin (BTC) as "digital gold" due to its scarcity, divisibility, and potential to maintain purchasing power, the original inflation hedge has been a standout performer this year.
Comex gold futures rose to a record high of $3,557 per ounce on Monday, extending the year-to-date gain of the precious metal to 34%.
Demand is driven by geopolitical and political uncertainty, significant central bank purchases, and ongoing concerns about inflation and the broader economy.
According to The Wall Street Journal, gold has also benefited from growing skepticism about the Federal Reserve's independence as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to reform the institution, criticizing it for not being aggressive enough in cutting rates.
At last month's Jackson Hole symposium, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell hinted that a rate cut could be on the table in September as policymakers shift their focus to the labor market.
Related: Reports suggest Trump is considering a post-war Gaza plan to propose tokenized land.
Original article: “SmartGold, Chintai to Tokenize $1.6 Billion IRA Gold”
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