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Feature: The Digital Gold Standard

By Kai C. Chng, CEO, Digix

Published on January 17, 2019

The CEO of Digix explains why he thinks the company’s asset-backed virtual currency enabled by blockchain technology has the potential to allow gold to have a place in the digital realm.

The introduction of blockchain technology gave new meaning to the term “financial inclusion”. The concept of non-fiat digital currencies that could be transparently traded and transferred around the globe at the click of a button have set the tech field ablaze with innovation on such protocols around them.

It has to be said, however, that much of the potential for the adoption of something like Bitcoin, Ethereum or any number of coins is largely driven by hype. At the time of writing, Bitcoin’s value plunged by 24% in seven days.

From speculative to tangible

The financial market is heavily driven by speculation, and the fact that tokens or coins are fundamentally backed by nothing means that price movements are erratic and unpredictable. As a result of this, we are beginning to see more attention placed on projects with a real-world use case.

Historically, gold has been a safe haven asset that underpinned a paper-based system under the gold standard, where notes issued by central banks could be redeemed at any time for a pegged amount of gold.

The financial market is heavily driven by speculation, and the fact that tokens or coins are fundamentally backed by nothing means that price movements are erratic and unpredictable.

The peg was broken decades ago in favour of the fractional reserve system we have today (currency underpinned by trust in governments), and the growing mistrust in the current monetary system is bringing many sceptics back to the gold standard.

Digix, as a pioneer blockchain company, has utilised the best characteristics of the blockchain to create a gold-backed token to always ensure that 1 DGX token is backed by 1 gram of investment-grade gold.

Digix website asset-explorer page

Advances in blockchain technology

With advances in blockchain technology, we now have the ability to issue and trade in cryptocurrencies tethered to off-chain assets. This harkens back to the gold standard with greater optimisation – gold-backed cryptocurrency allowing affordable, divisible and near-instant transfers to anyone with an internet connection.

The biggest barrier to overcome for crypto gold is establishing trust with the issuer of the gold tokens. If there is any doubt over the legitimacy of the reserves held by the issuer, the peg is at risk of rupture, and the tokens may turn out to be worthless. In order to function, the tokens should always be redeemable for their physical equivalent.

Proof of Provenance protocol and DGX tokens

Digix uses the transparent and public nature of blockchain architecture and IPFS (a distributed database) to track the provenance of gold, so as to be able to issue gold backed tokens. Every DGX token is equivalent to 1 gram of gold divisible to four decimal places. Digix spent two years developing this technology, called the Proof of Provenance protocol. By design, no DGX gold tokens can be issued until the Proof of Provenance is fulfilled on the smart contract layer.

This protocol creates a blockchain time-stamped event requirement for every supply chain action. When Digix procures gold from a supplier, all related documentation is captured, uploaded, and kept as a permanent, unalterable record on a distributed database (IPFS) and public blockchain (Ethereum). When Digix moves the gold to the custodian, the same process of documentation attestation happens on the blockchain to create an immutable record. Every quarter, an independent auditor would verify the reserves, logging additional information as necessary (i.e. weight/amount of gold bullion) and via the Proof of Provenance protocol, have the documentation uploaded onto IPFS and recorded on Ethereum. It is only when these steps are fulfilled that DGX tokens can be created on the blockchain.

By doing this, we remove the opaqueness of the gold holdings by having real-time immutable public records of our reserves. Everyone, not only our customers, can verify this documentation, and that all DGX tokens issued are equally backed by its weight in physical gold.

Onwards and upwards

We have, at our disposal, a revolutionary technology that records the transfer of assets in a public and transparent manner. Proof of Provenance, as a “bridge”, enables gold to have a place in the digital realm, harnessing the traits that make cryptocurrencies so interesting – round-the-clock operations, easy transferability and a global audience. In a space known for its extreme volatility, crypto-gold tokens are the natural progression in the migration of hard assets into cyberspace.

Digix is the world’s first Smart Asset company. We want to be the leading brand in tokenising the world’s tangible assets. Digix aims to build stronghold of real-world assets represented as tokens on the blockchain with its proprietary Proof of Provenance (PoP) protocol. We uphold the highest standard of security, transparency, and auditability of assets on the blockchain. With that guarantee, we are looking to propagate our tokens into the entire crypto space and the associated crypto decentralised applications (dApps) to help create the future of the crypto economy.

Since the company’s inception in 2014, our team has grown from a three-man mission to a full-fledged team of business, legal and technology experts.

We have obtained investments from prominent VCs and angel investors, some of which include Japanese VC Global Brain and Chinese VC Fenbushi Capital.

Find out more at https://digix.global.

Kai C. Chng is the co-founder and CEO of Digix, an asset tokenisation company incorporated in Singapore in 2016 that aims to democratise access to gold for the masses. He is the co-author of Cryptocurrency Wizards with Shaun Djie.

* This article was published in partnership with Digix

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Singapore Bullion Market Association Secretariat-Lee-Jia-Yi

Lee Jia Yi

OPERATIONS & ADMIN EXECUTIVE
Before joining SBMA, Jia Yi worked as an Admin & Reporting Officer in her previous role. She holds a Diploma in Business & Social Enterprise from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Jia Yi is responsible for managing and maintaining physical and digital files in SBMA, supporting invoicing processes, reconciling receivables and payables, coordinating meetings and conferences. Additionally, she will provide support to the team and assist the Business Director in managing the Association’s office operations and general administrative activities.

SECRETARIAT SBMA-Emily-Oh

Emily Oh

OPERATIONS & ADMIN EXECUTIVE
Emily Oh is the Operations & Admin Executive, a seasoned professional who values teamwork and effective communication. She is skilled at adapting to new challenges and takes a proactive and resourceful approach to every task. Before joining SBMA, Emily had experience coordinating international travel arrangements and spearheading community initiatives. Her role at SBMA will be providing operational and administrative support for projects and other matters to the team.

SECRETARIAT SBMA Clara-Chang

Clara Chang

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE
Clara Chang joins SBMA as the Marketing & Communications Executive, enriching the team with her extensive experience in content creation, social media management, and digital marketing. Prior to joining SBMA, Clara held the position of Marketing Executive at her previous job. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University at Buffalo, one in International Trade and another in Geographical Information Science. Her core duties will include maintaining the SBMA website, managing the quarterly Crucible newsletter, among other responsibilities.

SBMA Committee-Photo-john-levin

Mr John Levin

Global Metals
TD Securities
John Levin is the Head of Metal Sales & Trading – APAC at the Toronto Dominion Bank’s Singapore office. Prior to this role, he devoted seven years to leading precious metal sales for the ANZ banking group in his home country, Australia. Notably, from 2009 to 2011, John played a significant role on the management committee of the London Bullion Market Association while serving as the Head of Precious Metals Sales for HSBC Global Banking and Markets in the UK.

SBMA Secretariat-Fabian-Lew

Fabian Lew

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Fabian was a Business Development and Marketing Associate before joining SBMA. He graduated from Singapore Management University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

He has joined SBMA since February, 2022.

SBMA-margare-secretariat

Margaret Wong

BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Margaret Wong, Business Director at SBMA (Singapore Bullion Market Association), brought valuable experience from her previous role at the World Gold Council (WGC). Her tenure at WGC provided her with extensive exposure to the gold community in Singapore and the broader region. This background has been instrumental in establishing strong working relationships within the industry.

Margaret’s role at SBMA encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities. She oversees office management, business support processes, finance, and administrative functions essential for the smooth operation of the team and management committee. Additionally, Margaret handles membership matters, member communications, and addresses public inquiries related to SBMA.

One of Margaret’s key responsibilities is coordinating with the Event Management Company for SBMA’s prestigious annual event, the Asia Pacific Precious Metals Conference. This flagship conference plays a crucial role in the industry, making her involvement pivotal in its success.

Described as resourceful and self-motivated, Margaret Wong brings a wealth of skills and experience to her role at SBMA, ensuring efficient operations and effective engagement within the precious metals community in Singapore and beyond.

SBMA-Albert-secretariat

Albert Cheng

Chief Executive Officer

Albert Cheng joined the World Gold Council in March 1993 as a Regional Manager, becoming Managing Director, Far East in 2003. He retired at the end of March 2015 and was subsequently named its Advisor. He has also been an International Advisor to the Shanghai Gold Exchange since 2002.

His marketing career began with Dentsu Young & Rubicam, Hong Kong in the early 80’s. He began gold marketing in July 1985 when he joined the Royal Canadian Mint as a Regional Manager for Southeast Asia.

He was appointed honorary CEO of SBMA in November 2015. He is responsible for the success and strategic development of SBMA, represents the interests of the Association, and is responsible for all the legal and regulatory aspects of the work of the Association. He is the primary contact for regulators and government bodies on bullion market development.

Ms Pawan Nawawattanasub

Ms Pawan Nawawattanasub

CEO
YLG Bullion Singapore Pte Ltd

Pawan is the CEO of YLG Bullion Singapore and founder of YLG Bullion International. She has almost 40 years of experience in the jewellery industry and established YLG in Thailand in 2003. In 2012, she brought YLG to Singapore. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Thailand Gold Traders Association, the Thailand Futures Exchange’s Arbitration Committee, and the Rotary Bangkok committee. She holds a master’s degree in Political Science.

SBMA-Shaokai-Fan

Mr Shaokai Fan

Head of Asia-Pacific (ex China) and Global Head of Central Banks
World Gold Council
Shaokai Fan is the Global Head of Central Banks at the World Gold Council, responsible for advising governments on gold matters, and enhancing the gold market through engagement, dialogue, and thought leadership. He works directly with central banks and sovereign wealth funds on investment considerations. Prior to this position, Shaokai held multiple roles at Standard Chartered Bank, including Director for Asia Strategic Initiatives and Associate-Director for Public Sector coverage. Shaokai holds a Masters of Public Administration from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, and an undergraduate degree in finance and economics from New York University.

SBMA-Committee-Alan-Liew

Mr Alan Liew

Head of Bullion & Commodities Trading
United Overseas Bank Limited
Alan is Head of Bullion and Commodities Trading for Group Trading in Global Markets, United Overseas Bank (UOB). Alan joined UOB and started the bank’s commodities trading business in 2014, previously he spent eight years in Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) trading both precious and base metals. During his tenure at SCB, he obtained the SGE gold trader licence and was part of the pioneering team for the SGE business and the FX quantitative trading team. Prior to trading, he worked for Monetary Authority of Singapore in the Financial Risk Management Division. He holds a BSc (Hon) in Computer Science at National University of Singapore and a MSc in Financial Engineering at Nanyang Technological University.

SBMA-Committee-Nikos

Mr Nikos Kavalis

Managing Director
Metals Focus Singapore Pte Ltd
Nikos Kavalis is a founding partner of Metals Focus. He has over 20 years of experience in precious metals, having previously worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland and GFMS. Since September 2019, Nikos has been based in Singapore, where he also runs the local subsidiary of Metals Focus.

SBMA-Committee-khun nuttapong

Mr Nuttapong Hirunyasiri

CEO
MTS Gold Global Trading Pte Ltd
Nuttapong Hirunyasiri is the CEO of MTS Gold Group, one of Thailand’s top 10 companies and top 3 bullion companies. He started MTS Gold Group’s first overseas office in Singapore and has been expanding the group business internationally. He focuses on product development and innovation for gold investment, with the aim of being a leader in providing the full suite of gold investment services in the ASEAN region.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Raman-Walia

Mr Raman Walia

Executive Director, Head of Commodities Sales – APAC
JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A.

Raman is Executive Director and Head of Commodities Sales, APAC, for J.P. Morgan. He joined JPMorgan in 2008 in New York, moved to Singapore in 2011, and helped expand the precious metals business in the region. Raman has an MBA from Cornell University, and likes to travel in his spare time.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Andrew-Clarke

Mr Andrew Clarke

Head of Brink’s Global Services
Brink’s Global Services Pte Ltd

Andrew Clarke is the Head of BGS (Brink’s Global Services) for Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. He has held various leadership positions throughout his career in secure logistics and risk management with Brink’s, which started in Hong Kong in 2010. Andrew relocated to Singapore in 2018 to expand the precious metals line of business along with Brink’s portfolio of services and industries.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Kazuya-Naoki

Mr Kazuya Naoki

Head of Metals, Asia
ICBC Standard Bank Plc, Singapore Branch

Kazuya (Kaz) Naoki is the Head of Metals, Asia of ICBC Standard Bank in Singapore and is responsible for the precious & base metals sales and trading in the region. He joined Standard Bank Plc Tokyo Branch in 2008 and was relocated to its Singapore Branch in 2013 whose controlling stake was acquired by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in 2015. Prior to joining Standard Bank, Kaz spent 11 years focusing on commodity trading and risk management with Mitsui & Co in Tokyo, Sydney and London. Kaz has been serving on the SBMA Management Committee since 2016.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Vinh-Nguyen

Mr Vinh Nguyen

Head of Precious Metals, Asia
StoneX APAC Pte Ltd

Vinh Nguyen joined StoneX Group in Singapore at the beginning of 2008 and responsible for its APAC precious metals activities since 2019 until now.

SBMA Committee-KL-Yap

Mr KL Yap

General Manager, Singapore Refining Business Unit
Metalor Technologies (Singapore) Pte Ltd
KL YAP is the General Manager of Metalor Technologies (Singapore) Pte Ltd’s Singapore Refining Business Unit. He joined Metalor in 2013, initially in Refining Sales. In 2014, he became Refining Business Unit Manager, leading the development of a new precious metal refinery. KL was Vice Chairman of SBMA from 2017 to 2021, now serving as Chairman. With a degree in business commerce, finance, and marketing, he brings prior experience from refinery and heavy industries.