Knowledge Center

Answers to the questions we receive most often about physical gold, custody in Switzerland, certified ownership, and managing your holdings over time.

Physical gold

What you buy, its purity, and the quantities available.

You buy investment-grade physical gold with a purity of 999.9/1000, refined in Switzerland. This is not synthetic exposure to the price of the metal: every purchase corresponds to physical gold stored in Switzerland and linked to your holding through the digital certificate issued to you.

Switzerland refines around 70% of the world's gold and is home to three of the four leading international refineries, with some of the world's strictest purity-control standards. Excelior works with gold refined and stored in Switzerland, in accordance with ethical sourcing criteria.

It depends on the plan you choose. With X-One, you make a single purchase starting from 100 grams, in increments of 50 grams. With X-Plan, you build your holding gradually through monthly payments starting from CHF 100, accumulating gold over time rather than purchasing it all at once.

The gold physically exists and is kept in secure vaults. The blockchain does not replace the metal: it provides a verifiable and tamper-resistant record of the purchase and the associated ownership. The token is therefore the digital representation of a real asset already held in custody, rather than a purely digital product.

Yes.Yes. Both X-One and X-Plan allow you to pay in cryptocurrency. This option is designed for those who wish to convert digital assets into physical gold stored in Switzerland. The accepted currencies and the relevant procedure are specified during the purchase process.

No. Excelior's plans involve the purchase of physical gold and do not constitute financial instruments or investment advice. The value of gold varies over time according to market conditions, and no return is expected or guaranteed. For tax or wealth-planning matters, you should consult a professional adviser of your choice.

Custody

Where your gold is stored, for how long, and how you can access it.

The gold is stored in a high-security vault in Lugano, Switzerland, in accordance with Swiss security standards. Excelior selects internationally recognised custody facilities, so the metal remains in Switzerland for the entire duration of the plan you have chosen.

Yes. Access to the vault is available by appointment for both plans. This option is intended to make the custody arrangement tangible and verifiable: anyone who wishes to do so can see in person where the metal is stored, subject to arranging the date and details of the visit in advance.

The duration depends on the plan and the bar size. With X-One, custody is for five years for bars weighing less than one kilogram, while larger bars are available with custody periods of 1, 5 or 10 years. With X-Plan, the duration is determined by the accumulation plan selected.

Professional custody avoids the risks and costs associated with storing gold at home and keeps the metal in a controlled environment meeting Swiss security standards. It also preserves the integrity and traceability of the bars, which are important when the gold needs to be transferred or delivered.

Yes. Custody in Switzerland is handled with due regard for client confidentiality: information relating to your holding is not public. Information shared with third parties is limited to what is required by applicable legal obligations and the identification procedures carried out when you enter into the agreement.

At the end of the custody period, you decide whether to extend the custody arrangement, withdraw the metal or sell it. There is no automatic liquidation and, unless you give us other instructions, the gold remains your property and stays in the vault. The available options and applicable terms are set out in the contractual documentation.

Ownership

What exactly you own and how your ownership is attested.

Yes. When you purchase the gold, you become the owner of physical gold, which is then stored in a vault on your behalf. Custody is a service: it does not transfer ownership of the metal, which remains yours and is evidenced by the contractual documentation and the digital certificate issued at the time of purchase.

Every purchase is recorded on the blockchain. The record creates a tamper-resistant digital proof linking your holding to the gold purchased and stored in custody. This is supplemented by the signed contractual documentation, which sets out in detail your rights, the custody period and the applicable terms.

It makes proof of ownership verifiable and tamper-resistant over time, without relying on a single paper record. This is how Excelior combines the tangible nature of precious metal with the transparency of technology: every purchase leaves a traceable record that corresponds to the gold held in custody.

No. The certificate evidences ownership of gold that physically exists and is stored in Switzerland. It is neither a standalone security nor a financial product: without the corresponding metal held in custody, it would have no underlying asset. The metal and the certificate therefore remain linked throughout the duration of the plan.

The terms governing assignment, transfer and succession are set out in the signed contract and its annexes. Before proceeding, you should check the provisions applicable to your chosen plan and agree the procedure with Excelior, which will provide details of the steps to follow and the documentation required.

You receive the contract and its annexes when you enter into the agreement, together with the digital purchase certificate. We recommend keeping these documents and reading them carefully before proceeding, as they set out the terms relating to custody, duration and ownership. If you have any questions, you can contact us at info@excelior.ch.

Digital certificate

What the token associated with your gold is, and what it is actually for.

It is evidence of your ownership of the gold you have purchased. Each gram is associated with a unique digital token recorded on the blockchain, which serves as a permanent record and cannot be altered or falsified. The certificate does not replace the gold; it represents it. The metal remains physically yours and is stored in Switzerland.

No. The token serves solely as a means of certifying ownership: it evidences that a specified quantity of physical gold belongs to you. It is not a digital currency intended for trading or a financial instrument, and Excelior's plans do not constitute investment advice. The asset you own is the physical gold itself.

The blockchain is a distributed ledger designed to provide a permanent, tamper-resistant record: once recorded, data cannot be unilaterally altered or deleted. Every transaction relating to your gold remains traceable and verifiable over time. A paper document can be lost, forged or disputed; blockchain registration reduces these vulnerabilities.

Ownership is registered in your name and linked to the identity verified when your holding was opened. Losing your login credentials does not mean losing your gold: by contacting Excelior and completing the required identity checks, you can restore access to your private account.

Yes. From your private account, you can check your gold holding and the relevant blockchain certification references at any time. Verification does not depend on the opening hours or processing times of a banking intermediary: the record can be accessed and independently verified.

Yes. The certification evidences actual ownership, not a claim against a third party: you can request delivery of the gold or visit the vault by appointment to see the metal you own. The procedure and timescales are agreed with Excelior based on the plan you have selected and the quantity held.

Operational procedures

How to open a holding, make payments, and manage your plan.

You open your holding through the secure Excelior platform. You register your profile, complete the identity verification required under KYC/AML procedures and choose the plan that best suits you, either a one-off purchase or a recurring plan. Once the purchase has been completed, the gold is allocated to your holding and certified in your name on the blockchain.

Excelior operates in accordance with KYC/AML requirements. Before you can transact, you must verify your identity using a valid identity document and provide the required personal and contact details. In some cases, additional documents may be requested to confirm the information provided. The specific requirements are set out during registration.

costruire la posizione progressivamente.
With X-One, you make a one-off purchase starting from 100 grams, in increments of 50 grams. With X-Plan, you accumulate gold over time through monthly payments starting from CHF 100 per month. The former is designed for those who already have the capital available, while the latter allows you to build your holding progressively.

Payments are made through your private account, where you specify the instalment amount and the number of instalments to be paid. In addition to traditional payment methods, you can also pay in cryptocurrency, with the amount converted into physical gold. The applicable transaction costs and terms are shown to you before confirmation.

Yes. X-Plan allows you to suspend instalments for up to 36 months without penalties. The holding you have already accumulated remains yours, and payments can resume at a later date. This flexibility is designed to accommodate changes in income or temporary circumstances without affecting the gold you have already acquired.

X-Plan provides for a gold bonus upon completion of the plan you have selected. The amount and conditions of the bonus depend on the plan chosen and are set out in the contractual documentation you receive before entering into the agreement. Your Excelior adviser can explain the conditions applicable to your plan in detail.

Excelior does not provide tax advice: here you will find the general principles and guidance on who to consult.

Reporting obligations depend on the country in which you are tax resident and on your personal circumstances. Excelior does not provide tax advice. Your gold holding is documented and traceable, so that you can provide the relevant information to your accountant or tax adviser, who is the appropriate person to assess what you need to declare and how.

The tax treatment of a sale varies depending on your tax residence, the nature of the transaction and the legislation in force in your country. For this reason, we do not provide generalised guidance. We recommend checking your position with your tax adviser before proceeding, so that you have an accurate and up-to-date understanding of the applicable rules.

Custody in Switzerland relates to the security and quality of the metal's storage, not to your tax position, which remains determined by the country in which you are resident for tax purposes. Excelior operates in accordance with KYC/AML requirements and keeps your holding properly documented. For tax reporting matters, your tax adviser is the appropriate point of reference.

The gold is your property and, like any other asset you own, forms part of your estate in accordance with the applicable inheritance rules. Blockchain certification and the documentation relating to your holding make it easier to establish precisely the quantity and ownership, helping to simplify the obligations of your heirs.

Your heirs must contact Excelior and provide documentation establishing their entitlement under the applicable law. Once their entitlement has been verified, the holding is transferred or liquidated in accordance with their instructions. Registered and certified ownership helps avoid ambiguity as to what was purchased and in what quantity.

The distribution of your assets is determined through the succession arrangements available under the law applicable to you, which should be put in place with a notary or solicitor. Excelior does not replace these legal arrangements, but provides clear documentation of your holding, which can be useful to those assisting you with estate planning. Excelior advisers can provide the necessary documentation.

Risks

What the service is not, and which risks remain your responsibility.

Yes. The price of gold is determined by the international market and can fluctuate significantly, including downwards, over the short term. Excelior does not guarantee any return or repayment of the amount paid. What remains certain is the quantity of 999.9-purity physical gold you own; its value in Swiss francs, however, follows the market price.

No. Excelior's plans involve the purchase of physical gold and do not constitute financial instruments. They are not deposit accounts, funds, insurance policies or capital-guaranteed products, and Excelior does not provide financial or tax advice. To assess whether gold is suitable for your circumstances, we recommend consulting an independent adviser.

You own physical gold. The digital token associated with each gram is the instrument used to certify ownership uniquely and immutably on the blockchain: it is the proof of ownership, not the asset itself. The metal physically exists, is refined to a purity of 999.9 and is stored in a vault in Lugano. The certificate provides a verifiable record of ownership and movements.

The gold you purchase is your property, and blockchain certification, together with the contractual documentation, is intended to make your ownership independently demonstrable. That said, there remains counterparty risk associated with the operation of the service and the custody arrangements. The applicable terms are set out in the contract you receive before entering into the agreement.

The gold is held in a vault in Lugano that operates in accordance with Swiss security standards for precious metals. The insurance cover applicable to the custody arrangement, together with any limits and exclusions, is set out in the contractual documentation in force when you enter into the agreement. We recommend reading this documentation or requesting a copy before proceeding.

Converting cryptocurrency into physical gold can reduce your exposure to the volatility of digital assets. The specific risk arises at the conversion stage: the amount of gold received depends on the exchange rate applied at the time of the transaction. You also remain responsible for technical risks associated with the originating wallet. Every transaction is subject to KYC/AML checks.

Excelior operates under KYC/AML procedures. Identifying clients and verifying the source of funds are compliance requirements for a Swiss precious-metals operator. The verification process also protects you by linking ownership of the gold to a verified identity and helping to establish the ownership recorded in the certification. The purchase cannot be completed until the verification process has been successfully completed.

Sale and delivery

How to sell your gold, withdraw the metal and close your holding.

Yes. The platform is designed to allow you to buy, sell and transfer physical gold quickly, without some of the constraints associated with traditional channels. You can submit a sale request through your private account. The amount you receive depends on the gold price at the time of the transaction and the financial terms set out in the contract.

Yes. The gold is yours and can be withdrawn. Withdrawal is subject to the quantity accumulated corresponding to available bar sizes and the agreed custody period having been completed. Customer service will guide you through the process, verifying your identity and ownership before delivery. The procedure and any applicable costs will be communicated when you submit your request.

Delivery of the precious metal is carried out by specialist valuables carriers, with tracking and verification of the recipient's identity. Delivery times, costs and countries served depend on the destination and quantity, and will be confirmed to you in writing before the shipment is authorised. Alternatively, you can collect your holding from the vault in Lugano by appointment.

The timescale depends on the option selected and the checks required. Vault collection is arranged by appointment; shipping also requires time for the valuables carrier and, where applicable, customs formalities. Rather than giving a standard timeframe, we provide a timescale specific to your circumstances when you submit your request.

Sales are carried out in accordance with the financial terms set out in the contract, which take into account the spread between the purchase price and the sale price. Physical withdrawal and delivery may involve costs relating to recasting into different bar sizes, insured transport and customs formalities. The costs applicable to your holding will be provided to you in advance, before any charge is made.

With X-Plan, you can suspend payments for up to 36 months without incurring penalties. The gold you have already accumulated remains yours in all cases. If you decide not to resume payments, your holding is closed based on the grams actually purchased and you will not receive the gold bonus provided for upon completion of the plan. The detailed terms are set out in the contract.

You can close your holding by requesting the sale of the accumulated gold, the physical withdrawal of the bars, or a combination of the two. The request is submitted through your private account and processed once ownership has been verified. The blockchain certification is updated to reflect the transfer or sale, ensuring that the records remain consistent with the actual position.