Standard Chartered-Backed Libeara Launches Tokenized Gold Fund in Singapore: The New Digital Gold Rush Begins
Forget vaults and safety deposit boxes—the next gold rush is happening on-chain. Libeara, with heavyweight backing from banking giant Standard Chartered, just flipped the script in Singapore by launching a tokenized gold fund. This isn't just another crypto gimmick; it's a direct bridge between one of humanity's oldest stores of value and the blockchain's promise of frictionless finance.
Why This Cuts Through the Noise
Traditional finance loves gold but hates the hassle—storage, insurance, and illiquidity. Tokenization slashes through that red tape. Each digital token represents a direct claim on physical bullion, held securely in a vault. Investors can now buy, sell, or transfer fractions of gold with the same ease as sending an email, bypassing the old-world custodial gatekeepers. It's a move that legitimizes the asset tokenization thesis right in the heart of Asia's premier financial hub.
The Institutional Stamp of Approval
Standard Chartered's involvement is the real headline here. When a global bank with deep regulatory roots throws its weight behind a blockchain-based product, it signals a shift. This isn't fringe tech experimentation; it's a calculated entry into the future of asset management. It tells institutional money that digital ownership structures are ready for prime time—and that the yield potential extends far beyond volatile memecoins.
A Provocative New Reality
This launch quietly exposes the inefficiency of the traditional system. Why should moving physical assets be stuck in the age of paper certificates and slow settlements? The blockchain doesn't just enable new products; it makes the old way look archaic. Of course, the finance traditionalists will scoff—right up until their clients start asking why they can't get instant, transparent exposure to gold without the usual hefty fees and paperwork. One cynical jab? It's almost heartwarming to see banks finally building the rails that might one day bypass their own most profitable services.
FundBridge Says Tokenized Gold Cuts Costs While Preserving Price Exposure
FundBridge said the structure removes the traditional costs of vaulting and logistics while keeping the price exposure intact.
“FundBridge’s priority is to bridge traditional fund governance with emerging digital infrastructure,” CEO Sue Lynn Lim reportedly told Nikkie.
“We’ve worked closely with our partners to ensure the framework meets the standards of a regulated fund environment while advancing the use of real-world assets on-chain.”
The fund, named MG 999, is available exclusively to institutional and accredited participants. Unlike traditional gold funds, MG 999 does not hold physical bullion.
Instead, the tokens are engineered to mirror gold’s market performance, offering a synthetic exposure mechanism that FundBridge says targets efficiency without compromising regulatory safeguards.
𝐔𝐒$𝟏 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 in regulated assets, powered by Libeara !
We’re proud to announce that the total amount of tokenised assets powered by Libeara has officially surpassed US$1 Billion in AUM on https://t.co/ppI25aKcvh – https://t.co/G1b99JjJZC pic.twitter.com/Z1eLYXbkjZ
The MOVE extends a broader push by established financial institutions to tokenize real-world assets, bonds, funds, treasuries and now precious metals, as blockchain technology gains ground well beyond the volatile world of cryptocurrencies.
SC Ventures has been steadily expanding its digital-assets footprint in Asia. Alongside Libeara, the bank holds majority stakes in Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, both focused on institutional digital-asset services.
The latest initiative underscores how traditional finance players are leveraging their reputation to enter a sector that has struggled with trust following multiple industry blowups.
Gold Demand Surges as Institutions Seek Alternatives
The launch also comes during a renewed surge in global gold demand. Central banks have been increasing their bullion reserves this year amid ongoing concerns about the long-term dominance of the US dollar and geopolitical uncertainty.
President Donald Trump’s tariff policies have further stoked demand for safer assets.
Last month, Standard Chartered joined other financial institutions in launching a physically backed gold fund in Singapore, with the bank acting as custodian for bullion stored at the high-security Le Freeport vault NEAR Changi Airport.
That product targets investors seeking exposure to allocated metal rather than tokenized units.
MG 999 also contains a lending component aimed at Singapore’s jewelry sector. Mustafa Gold, a major retailer in the city-state, has been named the fund’s first borrower.
The structure allows Mustafa to secure credit against its gold jewelry inventory while keeping the pieces on display.
“Gold-linked tokens are quite unique and complex,” said Mustafa founder Mustaq Ahmad. “MG 999 lets retailers tap digital innovation and better manage working-capital needs.”
