Could Tokenized Gold Become the Next Standard in Stablecoins?

Tokenized gold is gaining momentum as geopolitical uncertainty and rising gold prices weaken trust in fiat-backed assets. Major institutions and sovereign actors are launching or expanding gold-backed tokens. 

This shift suggests tokenized gold may soon move beyond its niche role amd become a credible next-generation, stable, and globally usable digital value.

A Five-Year Flight to Safety

The turbulence of the past few months has reinforced the role of gold as a safe-haven asset. It was only two months ago that the metal’s price hit a record, surpassing $4,000 per ounce. 

This isn’t only a recent phenomenon. Between 2020 and 2025, the price of gold more than doubled, reflecting a wider flight to safety as global markets confronted a pandemic, inflation, wars, sanctions, and persistent geopolitical tensions. 

At the same time, advances in blockchain technology have transformed the use of gold. Tokenization, instant settlement, and 24/7 global liquidity now make a traditionally static asset far more flexible in digital form.

Several developments show how quickly the trend is gaining traction across both crypto and traditional finance.

Institutional Gold Tokens on the Rise

Last month, Swiss metals giant MKS PAMP, one of the world’s largest gold refiners and a major supplier of precious metals to global markets, relaunched DGLD, a gold-backed token designed for institutional investors.

In the crypto space, Tether Gold (XAUt) continues to see steady growth. Pax Gold (PAXG), launched by New York–regulated blockchain firm Paxos, is also expanding. Together, their market caps now exceed $3 billion, making them the most widely used gold-backed digital assets available to the public.

Traditional banking players are also testing the waters. HSBC, one of the largest multinational banks and a major custodian of physical gold through its London vaults, is experimenting with its own gold token for clients.

While these digital gold products are still relatively small compared to the market value of gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs), their expansion signals a growing confidence that blockchain-based gold is becoming a credible financial instrument.

In fact, the movement is not even limited to the private sector. 

In November, Kyrgyzstan launched USDKG, the first gold-backed stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. Backed by the country’s national gold reserves, it offers a sanction-resistant tool for cross-border payments and trade. Kyrgyzstan’s approach could also encourage other, larger nations to follow suit. 

Still, some challenges remain. 

Regulators Stay Wary

Gold-backed tokens still have no clear industry standard, which makes it harder for users to compare their reliability. 

Transparency also varies. Some issuers publish regular third-party audits, while others offer limited details about their vaults or redemption processes. Regulations differ widely across countries, adding another layer of uncertainty for consumers and businesses. 

These gaps explain why many governments remain cautious. 

Officials worry that freely circulating gold-backed assets could weaken confidence in national currencies and complicate monetary policy. They also fear that digital gold could facilitate the movement of money outside traditional banking controls.

Even so, momentum is unmistakable. 

If clearer rules and rising geopolitical pressures push the industry forward, tokenized gold could move from the margins to become a core pillar of stable, globally usable digital money.