The take-off of digital gold has the potential to disrupt the industry to an unprecedented degree. Historically, gold has been used as a global currency as a hedge against inflation. It has also been serving as an investment venue (commodities), often preferred over other asset classes like equities or foreign exchange, particularly in conventional markets.
However, there are certain disadvantages to owning physical gold, such as inconvenience in transport and storage, as well as the risk of theft. Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) might come across as an alternative option, but it cannot be forgotten that the traders don’t actually own the gold while paying the same taxes as gold bullion, or gold bars, and also investors have to pay an annual fee of around 0.4% to 1%. Gold contains all forms of metal, like coins and bars, whereas bullion includes all the exchangeable physical forms of other precious metals, like silver and platinum.