Invest smarter this Akshaya Tritiya with digital gold! While physical gold has always been a popular choice on this auspicious day, digital gold is emerging as a strong contender. It offers a plethora of benefits that cater to the modern investor.
This article explores why digital gold might be the perfect pick for your Akshaya Tritiya investment in 2024.
Traditionally seen as a hedge against inflation, gold has witnessed a remarkable rise in price over the past decade. The Economic Times reports a 19% annual return on gold purchased on Akshaya Tritiya over the last 10 years.
However, with rising domestic gold prices, physically buying gold might not be the most economical option.
This is where digital gold shines. It offers fractional shares, allowing you to start your investment journey with as little as ₹10. Moreover, secure storage with insured custodians and real-time price tracking empower you to make informed decisions.
So, ditch the crowded jewelers and embrace the convenience of digital gold this Akshaya Tritiya!
Forget the days of battling crowded jewelers and spending hours finalizing a purchase. Digital gold allows you to become a gold investor from the comfort of your couch, 24/7. With a few taps on your mobile app or a quick visit to a reputable online platform, you can acquire gold instantly. This ease of purchase makes digital gold particularly appealing to the tech-savvy generation, but its reach extends far beyond.
The digital gold market is constantly innovating to make investing even more accessible. Here are some exciting new developments:
Quick Commerce Integration: Believe it or not, you can now purchase small quantities of digital gold alongside your groceries or daily essentials on popular quick commerce platforms! This seamless integration allows you to make impulsive yet smart investment decisions while fulfilling your everyday needs.
Voice-Activated Investing: Imagine saying, "Hey smart speaker, buy me ₹100 worth of digital gold," and your investment is complete. Voice-activated assistants are being integrated with some online platforms, paving the way for a future where gold purchases are as effortless as checking the weather.
While digital gold thrives on convenience, some investors still value a physical connection. To bridge this gap, some platforms offer a "phygital" experience. You can invest in digital gold online and then redeem it for physical coins or bars at select partner stores. This allows you to enjoy the ease of digital purchase with the option to hold a tangible asset.
Digital gold removes the traditional barriers to gold investment. Whether you're a tech-savvy millennial or someone who prefers a physical touchpoint, the market offers convenient options to suit your preferences. From quick mobile app purchases to voice-activated investing and "phygital" redemption options, digital gold is making gold ownership truly accessible for everyone.
Forget the days of wading through mounds of paperwork and enduring lengthy bank queues. Buying digital gold is a breath of fresh air compared to traditional investment methods. Here's how it streamlines the process:
Gone are the days of physical forms and endless signatures. Digital gold platforms leverage electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) processes for quick and secure account creation. This eliminates the need for physical documents and expedites the onboarding process.
Gone are the hassle of cash or bank transfers. Most reputable digital gold platforms integrate seamlessly with Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India's popular real-time payment system. This allows for instant and secure fund transfers directly from your bank account using your UPI PIN, eliminating the need to enter lengthy bank details every time you invest.
While UPI is a popular choice, digital gold platforms often offer a variety of payment options to cater to diverse preferences. These may include debit cards, credit cards, net banking, and even digital wallets like Paytm or Google Pay. This flexibility ensures you can choose the payment method that best suits your needs.
Unlike traditional investments where confirmation may take days, digital gold offers instant gratification. You receive real-time updates on your order status and immediate confirmation upon successful investment. This transparency and instant feedback provide peace of mind throughout the transaction process.
Some platforms offer the option to set up automated recurring investments in digital gold. This allows you to invest a fixed amount at regular intervals (daily, weekly, monthly) according to your investment goals. This "set it and forget it" approach is ideal for disciplined and long-term investors who want to build their gold portfolio gradually.
By leveraging these advancements, digital gold platforms offer a seamless and hassle-free investment experience. Gone are the days of complex procedures and wasted time. Now, investing in gold is as simple and convenient as using your smartphone.
Gone are the days of relying on hearsay or opaque pricing structures. Reputable digital gold platforms provide a wealth of information to empower you to make informed investment decisions:
Forget relying on outdated newspaper quotes or phone calls to a jeweler. Digital gold platforms offer live gold price updates, allowing you to track market fluctuations in real-time. This empowers you to identify opportune moments to buy or sell your digital gold holdings, potentially maximizing your returns.
Some platforms provide clear explanations of the difference between the live spot gold price and their own selling price. This transparency allows you to understand any potential margins or fees associated with your investment.
Also Read: Gold Loan: Unlocking Financial Opportunities with Ease
Certain platforms go the extra mile by offering historical price charts and even basic market analysis tools. This empowers you to analyze past price trends and make more informed decisions based on your investment goals and risk tolerance.
Unlike physical gold, where the minimum investment amount can be a significant barrier, digital gold allows for much greater flexibility:
Fractional Shares: A Game-Changer: Digital gold platforms allow you to invest in fractional shares of a gram. This means you can start your gold ownership journey with as little as ₹10, making it an incredibly accessible investment option, especially for young investors or those with limited budgets.
Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) for Building Wealth Gradually: Similar to mutual funds, some platforms offer Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) for digital gold. This allows you to invest a fixed amount at regular intervals (daily, weekly, monthly). This "pay as you go" approach is a fantastic way to build your gold portfolio gradually and benefit from rupee-cost averaging, a strategy that helps mitigate the impact of market volatility over the long term.
By offering real-time pricing information, flexible investment options, and potential wealth-building tools, digital gold platforms empower you to become a more informed and engaged investor. You can now make smarter investment decisions tailored to your individual financial goals.
Unlike physical gold, where there's always a lingering concern about purity and potential damage during storage, digital gold offers complete peace of mind:
Secure Storage with Reputable Custodians: Your digital gold is not stashed away in your home, vulnerable to theft or loss. It's securely vaulted with trusted and insured custodian partners. These partners are typically reputed financial institutions or security deposit vaults that meet stringent safety and security standards.
Regular Audits and Insurance for Added Protection: To ensure complete transparency and accountability, custodians undergo regular audits by independent third-party firms. Additionally, the stored gold is often insured, providing an extra layer of protection against unforeseen circumstances.
Transparent Ownership with Traceable Records: Digital gold platforms maintain detailed and transparent records of your holdings. These records include the weight, purity, and current market value of your gold. This transparency ensures you have complete ownership and traceability of your investment.
24K, 99.9% Pure Gold with Certification: Unlike physical gold, where evaluating purity can be challenging for the average investor, digital gold eliminates this concern. You are guaranteed to be investing in genuine 24K gold, with a purity of 99.9%, accompanied by proper certification from recognized bodies.
Digital gold offers undeniable advantages, but a well-rounded investment strategy requires considering all aspects. Here's a balanced view of gold as an investment option:
Hedge Against Inflation: Gold has a long history of holding its value against inflation. As the cost of living rises, the price of gold tends to follow suit, potentially protecting your investment's purchasing power over time.
Safe Haven Asset: During periods of economic uncertainty or market volatility, gold is often seen as a safe haven asset. Investors flock to gold as a perceived store of value, potentially mitigating losses in other parts of your portfolio.
High Liquidity: Digital gold offers high liquidity. You can easily buy and sell your holdings on the platform, often within minutes, providing quick access to your invested capital when needed.
Low Maintenance: Unlike physical gold, which requires secure storage and insurance, digital gold eliminates these concerns. The custodian partner handles the safekeeping, saving you time, money, and hassle.
Limited Income Potential: Unlike stocks that pay dividends or bonds that generate interest, gold itself doesn't produce any income. Its value appreciation is the primary driver of returns.
Market Volatility: While gold can be a hedge against some forms of volatility, the gold market itself can experience price fluctuations. Understanding your risk tolerance is crucial before investing.
Storage Costs (Physical Gold Only): If you choose to convert your digital gold to physical form, there might be associated storage locker fees or bank locker charges.
By carefully considering these pros and cons, and understanding your own financial goals and risk tolerance, you can determine if digital gold is a suitable addition to your investment portfolio.
Tax treatment on gold investments varies depending on the form you choose. Popular options include physical gold, digital gold, gold bonds, and gold ETFs. Each has its own tax structure.
Physical Gold: A 3% GST is levied on the purchase price of physical gold jewelry, coins, or ornaments. When selling physical gold held for more than 3 years, a Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax of 20.8% applies, with indexation benefits to account for inflation. Selling within 3 years results in Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) tax based on your income tax slab.
Digital Gold: Taxation for digital gold mirrors that of physical gold. LTCG tax of 20.8% applies when selling digital gold held for over 36 months.
Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs): Tax rules differ for SGBs as they offer a fixed interest rate of 2.5% per annum. You pay tax on the interest income based on your tax slab. The gains at maturity are exempt from LTCG tax.
Here are the top 5 Banks/NBFCs offering Gold Loan in India:
They are one of the biggest financiers of gold loans in India.
They are another major player in the gold loan market in India.
SBI is one of the largest public sector banks in India and offers gold loans through its vast network of branches.
HDFC Bank is one of the leading private sector banks in India and offers gold loans through its branches.
ICICI Bank is another leading private sector bank in India that offers gold loans.
Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing a gold loan provider:
Interest rates: Compare the interest rates offered by different lenders before making a decision.
Loan-to-value ratio: The LTV ratio is the percentage of the gold's value that you can borrow. A higher LTV ratio means you can borrow more money.
Repayment options: Choose a lender that offers flexible repayment options that suit your needs.
Processing fees: Some lenders charge processing fees for gold loans. Be sure to factor in these fees when comparing interest rates.
Investing in digital gold on Akshaya Tritiya presents a compelling opportunity. It offers convenience, affordability, transparency, and cost-effective investment options. By considering your investment goals and risk tolerance, digital gold can be a valuable addition to your diversified portfolio.
Disclaimer: The information provided on Think With Niche Platform is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice. We recommend that you consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. The content is based on information obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but Think With Niche does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Investing involves risks, including the potential for loss of principal.