Is Digital Gold Safe, What SEBI Says?

With gold prices crossing Rs 1.2 lakh per 10 grams, many people are turning to digital gold investments. However, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has warned investors not to put money into “e-gold” products offered by various online platforms. SEBI said these investments are risky as they do not come under its regulation.

Digital gold allows people to buy 24-carat gold online without physically owning it. Investors can start with as little as ₹1 and can later sell or convert it into physical gold. This easy and round-the-clock access has made digital gold popular among young investors. Unlike Gold ETFs or mutual funds, digital gold does not need a demat account or KYC verification.

People can invest in digital gold through apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or through many jewellers stores.

But Sebi clarified that digital gold is not recognized as a security or a regulated commodity. It warned that such investments can lead to losses due to counterparty or operational risks. Investors also cannot be sure whether the gold they buy is actually stored or verified.

Sebi advised people to invest safely through regulated options like Gold ETFs, gold-related mutual funds, exchange-traded commodity contracts, or Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) available on stock exchanges.