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Does Physical Gold Have Counterparty Risk? The Facts

Does Physical Gold Have Counterparty Risk? The Facts

When you deposit money at a bank, you are not storing it. You are lending it. Physical gold counterparty risk is zero because allocated metal is not a claim on any institution — it cannot be frozen, diluted, or devalued by policy. This explainer covers the mechanism and how to structure both approaches correctly.

The Gold Market Is Mostly Paper. Dubai Disagrees.

Three allocated gold bars stamped A15846, A15847, and A15848 — each marked 999.9 fine gold — stacked on a vault shelf, illustrating the difference between allocated vs unallocated gold ownership.

Most gold doesn’t move when it’s “traded” — it changes hands as a ledger entry in an unallocated account. A new report shows Dubai is building a different system entirely, where ownership means a specific bar, not a claim on a pool. Here’s what the difference means for your portfolio.

GoldSilver: Home Storage and Vault in One Account

Stack of gold coins on a dark cloth beside a laptop showing a portfolio dashboard — store gold at home or vault with GoldSilver's InstaVault

Most investors think about diversification in terms of asset classes. Fewer think about custody diversification — deliberately splitting how and where their physical gold and silver is held. GoldSilver removes that friction.

Digital Gold vs Physical Gold: What Do You Actually Own? 

Digital Gold vs Physical Gold

Not all gold investments are created equal. Whether you’re buying bullion or investing through an app, understanding what you actually own — and what risks come with it — is the first step to making the right choice for your portfolio.

Gold IRA vs Physical Gold: Which is Best for Your Portfolio? 

Gold IRA vs Physical Gold

Choosing between a Gold IRA and physical gold ownership? Understanding the key differences in tax treatment, storage requirements, costs, and liquidity is essential for making the right investment decision. A Gold IRA offers tax-deferred growth and professional storage within a retirement framework, while physical gold provides immediate control and access without age restrictions. Discover which option—or combination of both—aligns with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment timeline to build a resilient precious metals strategy.

Mary

Samantha is wonderful. I was nervous about spending a chunk of money. I asked her to `hold my hand’ and walk me through making my purchase.  
She laughed and guided me through, step by step. She was so helpful in explaining everything... 

A. Howard

Travis was amazing! I was having difficulty with a wire transfer of my life’s savings, and I was very worried that I might not be able to receive it all. My husband just passed away and I’ve been worried about these funds along with grieving for 8 months. As soon as I got connected with Travis, my concerns were immediately addressed and he put me at ease. The issue was resolved within days. He even called me back with updates to keep me in the loop about what was going on with the funds. I am so grateful for a customer representative like Travis. He really cares for his clients.

Sam was also very helpful! I called and was connected to Sam within 30 seconds. She helped me with a fee that was charged to my account. She had a great attitude and took care of the fee quickly.

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    Michael G.

    Outstanding quality and customer service. I first discovered Mike Maloney through his “Secrets of Money” video series. It was an excellent precious metals education. I was a financial advisor and it really helped me learn more about wealth protection. I used this knowledge to help protect my clients retirements. I purchase my precious metals through goldsilver.com. It is easy, fast and convenient. I also invested my IRA’s and utilize their excellent storage options. Bottom line, Mike and his team have earned my trust. I continue to invest in wealth protection and my own education. I give back and help others see the opportunities to invest in precious metals. Thank you.