Tokenized Gold: What It Actually Is, and Where the “Just Like Owning Gold” Pitch Breaks Down

Tokenized gold (PAXG, XAUT) is a $5-6 billion category with $90.7B in Q1 2026 trading volume. But redemption thresholds, issuer counterparty risk, and a gap in the GENIUS Act mean holding a token is not the same as owning physical gold. Here is where the mechanics actually diverge, and what the pending CLARITY Act vote could change.
