Ever notice how people talk about gold like it’s some mythical safety blanket? “When everything goes south, gold will save you.” I used to roll my eyes at that—until I saw what’s happened to gold prices lately. From around US$2,000 an ounce just a few years ago to an eye-watering US$4,380 in mid-October… that’s not just a hedge; that’s momentum you can’t ignore.
Here’s the thing: getting real exposure to physical gold in Singapore has always felt like something only hardcore investors bother with. Vaults, insurance, storage fees—too much hassle. But that suddenly changed.
A New Way to Own Gold — Without the Complications
Lion Global Investors just launched the LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund, the first insured, fully vaulted physical gold fund in the country. And this isn’t some niche product buried in a corner of the finance world. It’s being rolled out through OCBC, MariBank, iFast, Great Eastern, POEMS and Singlife—places everyday investors actually use.
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The minimum entry? S$1,000.
And MariBank plans to open access from just S$1 later. Yes, one dollar. That’s the kind of inclusivity gold investing has always lacked.
What Makes This Fund Different?
Think about it this way: most people buy “gold exposure” through ETFs or digital gold. But this fund is backed 1:1 by actual gold bars, meeting strict LBMA standards (at least 99.5% purity). These bars sit inside Le Freeport, Singapore’s high-security fortress for valuables—insured, monitored, and traceable.
A tiny portion (up to 5%) sits in unallocated gold credit, but that’s mainly for liquidity so investors can enter or exit easily.
If you’ve ever felt uneasy about “paper gold,” this structure removes that doubt. You’re essentially buying the real thing without needing a private vault.
Why Launch Now?
You might think Lion Global is trying to ride the gold-price wave. But according to CEO Teo Joo Wah, this fund has been in the works since early in the year. Regulatory approvals just took time. And honestly, that makes it more reassuring—slow planning beats reactionary hype any day.
There are also plans to list the fund on SGX by early 2026, putting it alongside heavyweights like the SPDR Gold Shares ETF, but with the added appeal of directly vaulted gold.
Why Investors Are Paying Attention
From what financial advisers are saying, gold is no longer a “doomsday” asset. It’s becoming a smart diversifier—kind of like insurance for your portfolio. Many suggest allocating 5% to 10% of your liquid net worth to gold, depending on risk tolerance.
With inflation worries, geopolitical tension, and market unpredictability, gold offers a sense of calm. This new Singapore physical gold fund simply makes that option easier, safer, and more accessible than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund backed by real gold?
Yes. It’s backed one-to-one by LBMA-standard physical gold bars stored securely at Le Freeport and fully insured against loss, theft, and damage.
2. What is the minimum investment?
Most platforms start at S$1,000, but MariBank plans to allow investments from as low as S$1, making it highly accessible for beginners.
3. How is this different from a gold ETF?
Gold ETFs track prices but don’t always represent allocated physical gold. This fund holds actual bars in a vault, offering stronger security and transparency.
