What are the Gold & Silver Standard Tokens? 

The Gold and Silver Standard tokens – AUS (gold-backed) and AGS (silver-backed) – combine the security of physical precious metals with the flexibility of blockchain technology.

How They Work

Each token is backed 1:1 by physical metal:

• 1 AUS = 1 gram of gold
• 1 AGS = 1 gram of silver

All bullion is securely vaulted in Australia, insured, and independently verified.

Token issuance (“minting”) and destruction (“burning”) are directly linked to deposits and redemptions of metal, ensuring the number of tokens in circulation always matches the amount of bullion held in storage.

AUS and AGS are ERC-20 tokens on the Ethereum blockchain, meaning they can be stored in standard crypto wallets, transferred peer-to-peer, and traded 24/7.

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Why Tokenised Precious Metals?

Tokenising gold and silver offers several advantages over traditional bullion ownership:

1. Accessibility & Fractional Ownership
   Owning physical bullion often requires larger investments, storage, and insurance. Tokenisation allows you to hold much smaller amounts — even fractions of a gram — with lower entry costs.
2. Liquidity & 24/7 Trading
   Tokens can be bought, sold, or transferred at any time via blockchain and crypto exchanges, removing the timing and logistical constraints of physical metal trading.
3. Transferability & Global Reach
   Tokens can be sent instantly across borders, swapped for other cryptocurrencies, or redeemed for physical bullion. Peer-to-peer transfer is far simpler than shipping metal.
4. Transparency & Proof of Reserve
   Minting and burning data are published on-chain, alongside independent verification of the physical holdings. This provides verifiable proof that each token is fully backed by real metal.
5. Physical Redemption
   Unlike paper-based or synthetic products, AUS and AGS tokens can be redeemed for physical gold or silver bars or coins through Ainslie Crypto.

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Key Features

• No storage or transfer fees: Vaulting costs are built into trading margins.
• Fully allocated ownership: Holders have direct legal title to specific bullion, not pooled metal.
• Public verification: Token supply, balances, and procedures are open for on-chain and independent verification.
• Physical redemption options: Available through Ainslie Crypto in Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, or via partner networks.

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Considerations

While tokenised metals offer many advantages, investors should note:

• Digital infrastructure risk: Tokens rely on blockchain, exchange, and wallet systems, each with their own security considerations.
• Redemption logistics: Physical redemption may involve minimum amounts, fees, and processing steps, as outlined in the documentation.
• Market exposure: Token values fluctuate with the underlying price of gold or silver. They are not fiat-pegged stablecoins.
• Due diligence: Proof-of-reserve data and independent verification of holdings are available, but investors should review these and be comfortable with the custodial arrangements.

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Getting Started

1. Set up a compatible wallet that supports ERC-20 tokens and ensure you control your private keys.
2. Choose how to buy: via an exchange — CoinSpot lists both AUS and AGS in Australia — or over-the-counter through Ainslie Crypto.
3. Verify contract addresses:
   • AUS: 0x171f9cfc136f2b2aaa148fcc6b660a2029bab048
   • AGS: 0x843c9af34f698618f90c898e3967278a260c8d9a
4. Review proof-of-reserve and verification information on the Gold and Silver Standard website.
5. Understand the redemption process should you wish to convert tokens into physical bullion.

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In Summary

The AUS and AGS tokens bridge the gap between traditional precious-metal investment and the digital economy. They provide allocated ownership of real bullion, combined with fractional access, global liquidity, and instant transferability, all while maintaining the ability to redeem for physical metal.

For investors seeking exposure to tangible assets with the convenience of blockchain, these tokens offer a secure and transparent way to hold gold and silver in the modern era.