Trading
August 3, 2021
 • 
4 Min

Gold Trading: Primary supply over the counter

Written by
Coinful Capital

The two primary forms of gold trading in the wholesale market are over-the-counter (OTC) and on exchange. Most of the OTC market that most are aware of has historically been structured around London whereas exchanges offering both gold spot and futures trading can be found in various market centres most prominently NewYork.

As in most asset classes, there is a symbiotic relationship between OTC and on-exchange gold trading.

OTC markets are characterised by market participants trading directly with each other. The two counter parties to a trade bilaterally agree a price and have obligations to settle the transaction (exchange of cash for gold) with each other. This form of principal-to-principal gold trading is typically less regulated than trading on an exchange and is how most of the market has functioned historically. Often cited advantages for the OTC model are that it provides market participants with a high degree of flexibility(i.e. to customise transactions).

London became the primary center for the OTC model of gold trading and over time theOTC gold trading model required to become more regulated and transparent. Hence the formation of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) creating a closed, by-invitation-only private group marketplace for the trading of gold OTC under particular rules and regulations which every participant must adhere to.Fifteen selected traders participate on a twice daily gold trading exercise between one another under specific rules in relation to product, price, delivery and other variables.

There is however many other OTC gold trading markets around the world which also are very important to the gold trading industry as a whole.

Virtually every gold producing country has brokers and/or refineries, and every region where these gold producing countries are located have at least one or even multipleOTC gold trading markets. Just like the LBMA, these markets are not open to just anyone; participants must be gold producers, brokers or refineries in the region and meet certain requirements and procedures, albeit informal or customary. These OTC marketplaces is where the gold supply chain begins, and one may argue to define them as Primary OTC Gold Trading Marketplaces making the LBMA a Secondary OTC Gold Trading Marketplace.

All of these ‘Primary OTC Gold Trading Marketplaces’ have different customs, rules or requirements as to who may participate, and like the LBMA about product and delivery more often informal. Some impose selling quotas to brokers or refineries, effectively forcing smaller producers to sell to intermediaries(often other brokers or even informal intermediaries) who amalgamate the gold to meet such quotas. Other requirements could be in relation to the type of product traded, quality, form, etc.

These‘Primary OTC Gold Trading Marketplaces’ feed into brokers and refineries that are part of the LMBA or supply the jewelry industry or other industries that consume gold such as the semiconductor industry.

As these marketplaces are informal it is very difficult to penetrate them and become a significant participant, especially for highly regulated financial traders like hedge funds which would entail having to formalize these marketplaces to bring the necessary transparency required to meet regulatory compliance. Moreover, these OTC markets may be so inefficient that significant slippage or costs in the supply chain may make it un enticing to these financial traders who then have no option but to trade on exchanges having no access to more regulated marketplaces like the LBMA. The gold trading industry outside of the LBMA and similar OTC trading marketplaces is very technological backwards and has substantial legacy procedures that also makes them inefficient.

This also makes these marketplaces ripe for opportunity. From disrupting the process to formalize it to applying technology to make it more efficient, reduce cost and maximize profit. This is what Coinful Capital’s PIERCE 50 has done in theSub-Sharan Africa region, particularly focusing or small and medium sized producers and formalizing the supply chain process to reduce cost. This has enabled PIERCE 50 to become a significant player in the regional Sub-SaharanOTC gold trading marketplaces and being able to provide investor access to a market they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

Providing exceptional lifetime total net return of over 46% and an average monthly net return of over 3% since inception just 15 months ago, with over 8% net yield in the first quarter of 2021 alone; PIERCE 50 gives investors exposure to physical gold as an underlying asset while providing a relative high degree of liquidity in an actively managed, risk adverse strategy into a niche opportunity with restricted access and a high barrier to entry.

On exchange gold trading products such as ETFs or derivatives do not necessarily give direct exposure to the underlying physical asset and these trading products could also display a high degree of volatility. Trading what we call a ‘Primary OTC Gold Trading Marketplace’ allow for a true hedge to traditional assets given not only the safe haven gold provides but also the OTC price (particularly at this level) is totally uncorrelated to on-exchange products.

Gain exclusive access to our Pierce 50 Fund performance and view our robust and positive returns for investors.
Contact Us

More from our team

News
Coinful Capital Celebrates the 3rd Anniversary of Pierce 50 Fund
March 30, 2021
 • 
2 min
Business
Why Invest in Africa?
March 30, 2021
 • 
7 min
Commodities
2022 Recap: Investments in Southern Africa
May 4, 2021
 • 
7 min

Disclaimer

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use below.

Scroll Down to Accept

Scroll Down to Accept

Terms of Use

Please read this notice carefully and agree below to gain access to our website. This notice relates to our terms of use and privacy policy which we encourage you to please read fully.

Only certain eligible persons are allowed to invest in the funds described herein this website and may only be marketed to certain sophisticated investors (essentially someone who is regulated by a recognised regulatory authority, or whose shares are listed on a recognised securities exchange, is a high net worth investor or who is reasonably to be regarded as being capable of evaluating the merits of the proposed transaction and invests at least US$100,000 or its equivalent). If you are not a sophisticated investor please select ‘I Disagree’ at the bottom of this page.

Only certain eligible persons are allowed to invest in the funds described herein this website and may only be marketed to certain sophisticated investors (essentially someone who is regulated by a recognised regulatory authority, or whose shares are listed on a recognised securities exchange, is a high net worth investor or who is reasonably to be regarded as being capable of evaluating the merits of the proposed transaction and invests at least US$100,000 or its equivalent). If you are not a sophisticated investor please select ‘I Disagree’ at the bottom of this page.

The information contained in this website is for information purposes only, and should not be regarded as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be in violation of any local laws. It does not constitute a recommendation or takes into account the particular investment objectives, financial conditions, or needs of specific investors. Coinful Capital Fund SPC does not provide investment, tax, accounting, or legal advice to investors, and all investors are advised to consult with their investment, tax, accounting, or legal advisers regarding any potential investment. The information and any opinions contained in this website has been obtained from sources that we consider reliable, but we do not represent such information and opinions are accurate or complete, and thus should not be relied upon as such. Any information with respect to price and value of the investments referred to in this website and the income from such investments may fluctuate and investors may realize losses on these investments including a loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative or a guarantee of future performance.

General Fund Risk Disclosure

The funds or portfolios described in this website (each, a “fund”) may not be subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds in your jurisdiction, including mutual fund requirements to provide certain periodic and standardized  pricing and valuation information to investors. There are substantial risks in investing in a fund. Persons interested in investing in a fund should carefully note the following:

  1. A fund represents a speculative investment and involves a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial portion of his/her investment. Investors must have the financial ability, sophistication/experience and willingness to bear the risks of an investment in a fund.
  2. An investment in a fund should be discretionary capital set aside strictly for speculative purposes.
  3. The investment manager of a fund may have certain discretionary authority over the fund’s assets.
  4. An investment in a fund is not suitable or desirable for all investors. Only certain persons meeting certain eligibility criteria may invest in a fund. You must be a sophisticated investor (essentially someone who is regulated by a recognised regulatory authority, or whose shares are listed on a recognised securities exchange, is a high net worth investor or who is reasonably to be regarded as being capable of evaluating the merits of the proposed transaction and invests at least US$100,000 or its equivalent).
  5. A fund may invest in a limited number of securities or instruments, which could result in a limited degree of diversification and higher risk.
  6. A fund may employ certain investment techniques, such as leverage and other investment techniques which may result in increased volatility of the fund’s performance and increased risk of loss.
  7. A fund generally involves a complex tax structure, which should be reviewed carefully. A fund’s investment strategy may cause delays in important tax information being sent to investors.
  8. A fund may trade in commodities, futures and other derivatives, which may increase the risk of loss of the fund. Fund investments are to be considered illiquid and there are generally significant restrictions on transferring interests in a fund. There will likely be no secondary market for the interests in a fund.
  9. The fees of a fund’s investment manager may be substantial in some cases regardless of whether the fund has a positive return, and may offset the fund’s profits.
  10. A fund may have limited or no operating history.
  11. A fund may not be required by regulators to provide periodic pricing or valuation information to investors.
  12. There are likely to be a number of conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest in connection with an investment manager’s management of fund assets.

The above summary is not a complete list of the risks and other important disclosures involved in investing in funds. Before making any investment in a fund, investors are advised to thoroughly and carefully review the offering documentation with their financial, legal and tax advisors to determine whether an investment is suitable.

By entering our site, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to this notice as well as our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and that you are a sophisticated/accredited investor.

Terms Of Use

‍

Coinful Capital Fund SPC Terms of Use Notice

Please read this notice carefully and agree below to gain access to our website. This notice relates to our terms of use and privacy policy which we encourage you to please read fully.

Only certain eligible persons are allowed to invest in the funds described herein this website and may only be marketed to certain sophisticated investors (essentially someone who is regulated by a recognised regulatory authority, or whose shares are listed on a recognised securities exchange, is a high net worth investor or who is reasonably to be regarded as being capable of evaluating the merits of the proposed transaction and invests at least US$100,000 or its equivalent). If you are not a sophisticated investor please select ‘I Disagree’ at the bottom of this page.

The information contained in this website is for information purposes only, and should not be regarded as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be in violation of any local laws. It does not constitute a recommendation or takes into account the particular investment objectives, financial conditions, or needs of specific investors. Coinful Capital Fund SPC does not provide investment, tax, accounting, or legal advice to investors, and all investors are advised to consult with their investment, tax, accounting, or legal advisers regarding any potential investment. The information and any opinions contained in this website has been obtained from sources that we consider reliable, but we do not represent such information and opinions are accurate or complete, and thus should not be relied upon as such. Any information with respect to price and value of the investments referred to in this website and the income from such investments may fluctuate and investors may realize losses on these investments including a loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative or a guarantee of future performance.

General Fund Risk Disclosure

The funds or portfolios described in this website (each, a “fund”) may not be subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds in your jurisdiction, including mutual fund requirements to provide certain periodic and standardized  pricing and valuation information to investors. There are substantial risks in investing in a fund. Persons interested in investing in a fund should carefully note the following:

  1. A fund represents a speculative investment and involves a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial portion of his/her investment. Investors must have the financial ability, sophistication/experience and willingness to bear the risks of an investment in a fund.
  2. An investment in a fund should be discretionary capital set aside strictly for speculative purposes.
  3. The investment manager of a fund may have certain discretionary authority over the fund’s assets.
  4. An investment in a fund is not suitable or desirable for all investors. Only certain persons meeting certain eligibility criteria may invest in a fund. You must be a sophisticated investor (essentially someone who is regulated by a recognised regulatory authority, or whose shares are listed on a recognised securities exchange, is a high net worth investor or who is reasonably to be regarded as being capable of evaluating the merits of the proposed transaction and invests at least US$100,000 or its equivalent).
  5. A fund may invest in a limited number of securities or instruments, which could result in a limited degree of diversification and higher risk.
  6. A fund may employ certain investment techniques, such as leverage and other investment techniques which may result in increased volatility of the fund’s performance and increased risk of loss.
  7. A fund generally involves a complex tax structure, which should be reviewed carefully. A fund’s investment strategy may cause delays in important tax information being sent to investors.
  8. A fund may trade in commodities, futures and other derivatives, which may increase the risk of loss of the fund. Fund investments are to be considered illiquid and there are generally significant restrictions on transferring interests in a fund. There will likely be no secondary market for the interests in a fund.
  1. The fees of a fund’s investment manager may be substantial in some cases regardless of whether the fund has a positive return, and may offset the fund’s profits.
  2. A fund may have limited or no operating history.
  3. A fund may not be required by regulators to provide periodic pricing or valuation information to investors.
  4. There are likely to be a number of conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest in connection with an investment manager’s management of fund assets.

The above summary is not a complete list of the risks and other important disclosures involved in investing in funds. Before making any investment in a fund, investors are advised to thoroughly and carefully review the offering documentation with their financial, legal and tax advisors to determine whether an investment is suitable.

By entering our site, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to this notice as well as our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and that you are a sophisticated investor.

Access to alternative assets — made easy.

Get Started
HomeCompanyPortfoliosInsightsContact
Log IneKYCTerms of UsePrivacy Policy