Gold Is Having A Moment—Here’s How Singaporeans Can Get In, No Physical Bullion Required

From stocks and bonds to crypto, investors today have endless choices. Yet in 2026, one of the world’s oldest assets is making a modern comeback: gold. Once viewed as a safe haven for the wealthy or a family heirloom, gold is now drawing in younger, digital-first investors who see it as a practical way to diversify and protect their portfolios in uncertain times.

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Gold’s not just for ‘old money’ anymore

Gold prices surged around 65% in 2025, reaching a record of over US$4,300 per ounce in December. In the first half of 2025 alone, it delivered over 25% returns—far ahead of the S&P 500’s 5.5% gain. And now in Jan 2026, it's made history by crossing $5,000 for the first time ever.

This momentum has reached Singapore’s shores. Local gold bar and coin demand rose 35% year-on-year in Q1 2025, the strongest first-quarter showing since 2010. At OCBC, the number of gold investors more than doubled in April, with 90% made up of everyday retail clients.

Gold is no longer just an heirloom or a symbol of old wealth. It’s becoming a modern diversification tool—investment in gold is accessible using digital precious metals accounts via mobile apps, and in small incremental amounts—redefining how the next generation builds and protects their wealth.

Why gold is trending in 2026 (yes, even among younger investors)

Gold has long symbolised wealth and stability, but this year, its appeal has broadened. Prices are up nearly 30% year-to-date, breaking multiple records and reaffirming gold’s role as a safe-haven asset when markets get shaky.

What’s different this time is who’s buying. Beyond central banks and seasoned investors, younger, digital-first investors are now turning to gold as a way to balance risk, diversifying beyond volatile assets like stocks and crypto.

So, what’s driving this renewed interest?

1. Inflation is still around. 

Global inflation was projected at around 4.5% in 2025, while Singapore’s stays modest at 0.5–1.5%. Yet, rising energy costs and ongoing supply chain pressures keep prices unpredictable. Gold helps preserve purchasing power, acting as a stabiliser when currencies weaken.

2. Geopolitics remain uncertain.

From U.S.–China tariffs to the prolonged Russia–Ukraine conflict, global events continue to shake markets. When new U.S. tariffs were announced earlier in 2025, gold prices surged over 3% in a single day, crossing over US$3,300.

3. Central banks are buying more.

Collectively, they’re expected to add around 1,000 tonnes of gold in 2025—over 20% of total global demand—as countries like China and Poland diversify away from the U.S. dollar.

For Singaporeans, these global forces are shaping new investment habits. Market volatility over the past few years has prompted younger investors to look beyond growth-driven assets. Gold offers a way to cushion those risks—bringing balance and stability to an otherwise fast-moving portfolio.

Physical gold? No thanks. Here’s what’s easier

Even as more investors turn their attention to gold, many still picture it as something tangible and traditional—heavy bars or intricate jewellery meant to be stored, not actively managed. 

Yet physical gold comes with practical challenges: a single 100g bar now costs over S$20,000, storage and insurance can add up. Reselling quickly isn’t always straightforward.

Some investors turn to Gold ETFs as an alternative

However, these options only provide indirect exposure—you’re essentially buying shares in a fund that mirrors gold’s price, not the metal itself, and paying management fees in the process. 

Digital gold accounts like OCBC’s Precious Metals Account* have changed that. They allow investors to:

• Start small: Buy fractional amounts from as little as 0.01 oz, priced at under S$65 (as of 2 Jan 2026).
• Save more: No storage or custody fees to worry about.
• Stay flexible: Buy, sell, and monitor prices anytime through the OCBC Digital app.

The Precious metal purchased with OCBC is considered as paper trades and has direct exposure to the precious metal, which references to the spot price. However, these cannot be exchanged to physical gold and will have to trade via OCBC if the customer wishes to sell.

*Terms & conditions apply.

For newer or younger investors, this turns gold from a traditional, static asset into a simple and approachable way to diversify, no vaults or paperwork required.

The cool part? Silver is riding its own wave

Think about the everyday technologies shaping our world today—solar panels on HDB rooftops, the growing fleet of electric cars on Singapore roads, and the 5G networks powering our devices. Behind all of them is one quiet constant: silver.

Silver’s forging its own rally. Prices have climbed nearly 50% since early 2024, reaching about US$36–37 per ounce, the highest in more than a decade. Global demand continues to outpace supply, keeping the market in deficit for the fifth straight year.

Unlike gold, silver’s value isn’t largely driven by sentiment alone. Its critical role in clean energy, EVs, and advanced electronics means it benefits from both industrial growth and safe-haven demand. For investors, that dual identity—part commodity, part hedge—makes silver an intriguing complement to gold in a well-balanced commodities portfolio.

Here’s where the demand is coming from:

For investors, silver serves a distinct purpose beyond gold. It bridges 2 worlds—valued as a precious metal for wealth preservation, yet indispensable to industries like solar energy, electric vehicles, and electronics. This balance of utility and stability makes silver a versatile addition to modern portfolios.

Start from anywhere, monitor anytime

Investing in gold or silver sounds straightforward until you realise the complexities. High minimum investments, stacks of paperwork, and the question of where to store physical bars often make people hesitate. That’s where the OCBC Precious Metals Account takes the complexity out of the process; letting you buy, sell, and monitor gold or silver directly from your phone—no vaults or voluminous paperwork needed.

Here’s how it works in practice:

1. Direct in-app access: 

Trade gold and silver instantly through the OCBC Digital app. No appointments, no forms, just a few taps.

2. Low entry point: 

Start from just 0.01 oz (under S$65 at current prices*) and build your holdings gradually over time.

*as of 2 Jan 2026

3. Transparent costs: 

No hidden storage or custody fees that you have to pay for when holding the precious metal. 

4. Real-time tracking: 

View live market prices and make purchases whenever it suits your budget or strategy.

5. Multi-currency options: 

Buy and sell in SGD, USD, AUD, or EUR and more for added diversification.

By removing barriers like high entry costs and complicated procedures, OCBC makes precious metal investing accessible, flexible, and built for the everyday investor.

Final words

Building wealth with gold and silver is about consistency, not timing. Think of it like planting seeds—steady, small steps today can grow into something resilient enough to withstand future uncertainty.

Tip: Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment to invest. Setting aside a small amount each month, just like regular savings, helps smooth out market ups and downs over time. With the OCBC Precious Metals Account*, it’s easy to turn that habit into action—all it takes is a few taps on your phone.

*Terms & conditions apply.

This post was written in collaboration with OCBC. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective lens. We are committed to providing the best information in order for you to make personal financial decisions with confidence.

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