World Gold Council Reports Digital Gold Market Growth
The digital gold market could reach 170 billion dollars by 2031 as interest grows among younger, tech-savvy retail investors.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Investing
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The World Gold Council reports that the digital gold market is currently valued between 45 billion and 55 billion dollars. Projections suggest the sector could expand to 170 billion dollars by 2031 with an annual growth rate of about 27 percent.
Why it matters
Trust, access via mainstream financial apps, and competitive pricing remain the primary drivers for adoption. Addressing these barriers could unlock up to 700 billion dollars in latent demand for gold-backed digital assets.
Tokenised gold reached 90 billion dollars in cumulative spot trading volumes during the first quarter of 2026 alone. Survey data shows digital gold awareness is 50 percent among investors aged 25 to 34, compared to 23 percent for those 55 and older.
The players
World Gold Council
The World Gold Council is the market development organization for the gold industry that works to stimulate and sustain demand for gold.
The details
The report, based on insights from 12,000 retail investors and 20 industry experts, highlights that digital gold currently represents less than one percent of the total physical investment gold market. Integration into banking and financial super-apps is identified as a critical catalyst for increasing accessibility to these products.
Timeline
Q1 2026: Tokenised gold generated 90 billion dollars in trading volume.
2031: The projected target date for the digital gold market to reach 170 billion dollars.
Market Dynamics
The rise of digital gold follows the broader trend of asset tokenization within traditional financial infrastructure. This shift mirrors the transition toward digitized commodities, as institutions and retail investors increasingly prioritize accessible, app-based platforms over physical bullion storage.
Investors may see increased access to gold-backed assets as banks and financial super-apps continue integrating digital products. However, investors are advised that provider trust remains the primary factor for decision-making when selecting platforms.
The takeaway
Digital gold is gaining significant traction among younger demographics through digital-first financial platforms. Prospective investors should prioritize vetting the security and reliability of digital gold providers before committing capital.
Further reading
For additional context on market trends, visit the Investing section.
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Would you consider investing in tokenised digital gold as part of your financial portfolio?
