World Gold Council Projects Digital Gold Market Growth to $280 Billion

The World Gold Council and Boston Consulting Group released a joint report estimating that the digital gold market, currently valued between $45 billion and $55 billion, could grow significantly by 2031. A base case projects the market will reach $160 billion to $170 billion, while a more optimistic scenario predicts growth to $270 billion to $280 billion if barriers regarding trust, access, utility, and cost are removed.

Research involving 12,000 retail investors identifies trust as the primary hurdle, with four in five investors prioritizing provider trust. The report suggests that addressing these obstacles could unlock up to $700 billion in latent demand, 65% of which comes from individuals who do not currently invest in gold. Tokenized gold has already shown rapid expansion, growing fivefold since late 2024 to approximately $6 billion, with first-quarter 2026 spot trading volumes exceeding $90 billion.

Adoption is highest in India, China, and Indonesia, where digital gold is integrated into banking platforms and super-apps. In contrast, awareness remains low in markets like Canada. To facilitate global growth, the World Gold Council plans to introduce Gold as a Service, a shared infrastructure for sourcing, custody, and compliance. The organization notes that digital gold serves as an entry point for younger demographics rather than cannibalizing demand for physical bullion.