The World Gold Council (WGC) has introduced a forward-looking initiative to build a shared infrastructure aimed at accelerating the evolution of digital gold. Detailed in a white paper developed in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the proposal outlines a new framework titled “Gold as a Service.”
This concept envisions a unified platform that seamlessly connects physical gold reserves with digital systems responsible for issuing and managing gold-backed assets. By streamlining processes such as custody, reconciliation, compliance, and redemption, the model aims to simplify operations while improving consistency and accessibility across digital gold products.
Despite steady progress in digitisation—ranging from electronic trading systems to tokenised gold—wider adoption has faced hurdles. Fragmentation, lack of standardisation, and limited fungibility have restricted digital gold’s integration into broader financial ecosystems.
The proposed infrastructure seeks to overcome these challenges by introducing standardised protocols that enable digital gold to function as a more cohesive and interchangeable asset. Built-in verification mechanisms, including continuous audits and reconciliation processes, are designed to enhance trust and transparency.
Additionally, the framework is structured to work seamlessly with existing financial networks as well as emerging digital platforms, enabling smoother asset mobility and broader use cases. Beyond investment, it also opens up possibilities such as using gold-backed assets as collateral in lending scenarios.
David Tait, CEO of the World Gold Council, highlighted the urgency for gold to adapt alongside the financial sector’s rapid digital transformation, noting that this initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure gold remains relevant in modern markets.
Echoing this sentiment, Matthias Tauber of Boston Consulting Group emphasised that the focus is no longer on whether gold will become digital, but on building reliable systems that preserve its physical integrity while enabling scalability.
The World Gold Council has extended an open invitation to industry stakeholders and innovators to participate in shaping this shared digital infrastructure, signalling a collaborative approach to the future of gold.