Perfolio is a gold-backed lending platform. You buy gold (XAUT, where each token equals exactly 1 ounce of real physical gold stored in Swiss vaults), then borrow digital dollars (USDT, each worth exactly $1, convertible to your local currency) against your gold. No credit checks needed. No monthly EMI payments. No repayment deadlines. Your gold stays yours throughout. When you repay the loan, you get your gold back. It works like a modern digital gold pawn shop, but without the middleman, the paperwork, or the fees.

Gold (XAUT) is a digital gold token issued by Tether (the same company behind USDT stablecoins). Each gold token (XAUT) represents exactly 1 troy ounce of real physical gold, stored in LBMA-certified vaults in Switzerland. The gold reserves are independently audited every quarter by BDO Italia. Unlike gold ETFs, gold (XAUT) is redeemable for actual physical gold bars. Think of it as a digital certificate of ownership for gold in a vault: you own the gold, XAUT is your proof.

How does borrowing work?

Borrowing on Perfolio works in four simple steps. First, you buy gold (XAUT tokens) through the Perfolio app using your bank transfer or existing digital dollars (USDT). Second, you deposit your gold (XAUT) into the lending vault; think of this as locking your gold as security. Third, you receive digital dollars (USDT, worth $1 each) instantly, up to 77% of your gold's value. Fourth, you convert those digital dollars to your local currency (Indian Rupees, UAE Dirhams, Euros, etc.) and withdraw to your bank account. Your gold remains safely locked in the vault throughout. When you repay the loan, your gold is returned to you.

What interest rate will I pay?

Perfolio charges a variable interest rate starting from approximately 3% per year (APR, or Annual Percentage Rate). This means if you borrow $1,000 for a full year, you would pay about $30 in interest. The rate is not fixed; it goes up or down based on supply and demand in the lending market. You can see your current rate at any time in your Perfolio dashboard. There are no fixed monthly payments; interest accrues daily on whatever amount you have borrowed.

Are there repayment deadlines?

No. There are no repayment deadlines, no EMIs (equated monthly installments), and no fixed repayment schedule. You repay on your own terms, partially or fully, whenever you choose. You could repay after one week, one month, or one year. The only ongoing cost is interest, which accrues daily on your outstanding loan balance. Your gold collateral is returned to you as soon as the full loan amount plus accrued interest is repaid.

Where is my gold stored?

Your gold (XAUT tokens) represents physical gold bars stored in LBMA-certified (London Bullion Market Association) vaults in Switzerland. These are professional-grade precious metals storage facilities, the same standard used by central banks and institutional investors. The gold is fully insured. Tether, the issuer of XAUT, publishes independently audited reserve reports every quarter, conducted by BDO Italia, confirming that every gold token (XAUT) in circulation is backed by a real ounce of physical gold.

What fees does Perfolio charge?

Perfolio charges interest only on the amount you have borrowed, nothing else. There are no origination fees (fees for creating the loan), no account maintenance fees, no deposit fees, no withdrawal fees, and no hidden charges of any kind. You pay interest daily on your outstanding loan balance at the variable market rate, which starts from approximately 3% APR. If you borrow $1,000 for 30 days at 3% APR, you pay roughly $2.50 in total interest.

Is the lending protocol secure?

Perfolio uses an independently audited smart contract as its lending infrastructure. It is a non-custodial lending protocol deployed on Ethereum, one of the most widely used and tested blockchain networks in the world. Non-custodial means no single company (including Perfolio) can access or freeze your funds. The protocol has been independently audited by multiple leading security firms and handles billions of dollars in assets. All transactions are recorded publicly on the Ethereum blockchain, meaning you can verify every deposit, loan, and repayment yourself.

Is Perfolio a cryptocurrency app?

No. Perfolio is a gold lending platform that uses blockchain technology under the hood, similar to how Uber uses GPS technology, but you don't need to understand GPS to take a ride. You interact with gold and money, not with cryptocurrency. The blockchain ensures your transactions are transparent, secure, and instant.

What is USDT and how do I use it?

USDT (Tether USD) is a digital currency worth exactly $1. Think of it as digital dollars that you can send anywhere instantly. When you borrow on Perfolio, you receive USDT. You can then convert USDT to your local currency (Indian Rupees, UAE Dirhams, Euros, British Pounds, and more) through Perfolio's licensed payment provider and withdraw to your bank account.

What does 'digital gold' mean?

Digital gold means you own a token that represents real physical gold stored in a vault. Instead of keeping gold bars at home or in a bank locker, you hold a digital certificate (XAUT token) that proves you own that gold. The advantage: you can buy fractional amounts (as little as $10 worth), trade 24/7, and use your gold as collateral for instant loans. These are things you can't do with physical gold.

How does the lending technology work?

Perfolio's loans are powered by an audited smart contract, which is automated banking software that runs on the Ethereum blockchain. Instead of a bank officer processing your loan (which takes days and involves paperwork), the smart contract processes it in seconds with no human intervention. The protocol has been independently audited by multiple leading security firms and handles billions of dollars in loans.

What is LTV (Loan-to-Value)?

LTV stands for Loan-to-Value ratio. It's how much you can borrow relative to your gold's value. Perfolio allows up to 77% LTV. Example: if your gold is worth $10,000, you can borrow up to $7,700. The remaining $2,300 acts as a safety buffer in case gold price drops. A lower LTV means a safer position.

What happens if gold price drops while I have a loan?

If gold price drops significantly, your loan may become under-collateralized (meaning your gold is no longer worth enough to back your loan). In this case, the lending protocol may automatically sell some of your gold to repay part of the loan. This is called liquidation. Perfolio shows your 'health factor' in real-time so you can take action before this happens: either add more gold collateral or repay part of your loan.

Do I need to understand blockchain or crypto to use Perfolio?

Not at all. Perfolio is designed for people who want to use gold as a financial tool, not for crypto experts. You buy gold, you borrow money, you repay when you want. The blockchain technology works in the background to make everything faster, cheaper, and more transparent, but you never need to interact with it directly.

Gold-Backed Lending for Singapore Residents: Complete Guide 2026

Singapore residents can borrow against physical gold at under 5% APR through Perfolio, receiving USDT converted to SGD via a MAS-licensed partner and withdrawn directly to a DBS, OCBC, or UOB account. Singapore's zero capital-gains tax for individual long-term holders, GST exemption on investment-grade bullion since October 2012, and MAS regulatory clarity make it one of the world's most favourable jurisdictions for gold-backed lending in 2026.

Why Singapore Is Asia's Premier Gold Hub

Singapore sits at the crossroads of Asian gold demand and Western financial infrastructure, making it uniquely suited to gold-backed borrowing. The Singapore Bullion Market Association (SBMA) counts more than 170 corporate members spanning refiners, banks, vault operators, and trading firms. The city-state vaults an estimated 1,500 tonnes of gold on behalf of central banks, sovereign wealth funds, and private investors, ranking it among the top five global bullion storage centres.

MAS-regulated bullion vaults such as Brinks Singapore, Malca-Amit, and Le Freeport operate under strict inspection regimes, providing the institutional-grade custody that underpins gold lending at scale. The SBMA's Good Delivery Standard aligns with the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) framework, ensuring that Singapore-held gold is accepted as collateral by global counterparties. If you already hold physical gold in a Singapore vault or a gold savings account at DBS, OCBC, or UOB, that gold is already sitting inside one of the world's most liquid bullion markets.

Singapore's Tax Advantages for Gold Holders

Three tax features combine to make Singapore one of the world's top jurisdictions for individual gold investors and borrowers.

No capital gains tax. Singapore does not impose capital gains tax on individual investors, including gains from gold held as a long-term investment. When you sell physical gold or gold (XAUT) tokens after a period of holding, your profit is not taxable income for individuals (though businesses trading gold as a core activity may face income tax treatment).

GST exemption on investment-grade bullion. Since October 2012, Singapore has exempted investment-grade gold, silver, and platinum from Goods and Services Tax. To qualify, gold must be at least 99.5% pure. This exemption means you pay no GST when buying bullion bars, coins, or digital gold tokens backed by qualifying physical gold. On a SGD 100,000 gold purchase, that exemption saves you SGD 9,000 at the current 9% GST rate.

No inheritance tax. Singapore abolished estate duty in 2008. Gold held in Singapore, whether physical or tokenised, passes to heirs with no estate-duty liability. For family-office clients structuring multi-generational wealth, this is a significant structural advantage over jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom or the United States, where inheritance taxes can reach 40%.

Corporate gold holders face a flat 17% corporate tax rate, the lowest among major financial centres. Combined, these features make borrowing against gold in Singapore a tax-efficient strategy compared with selling gold outright, because a loan is not a disposal event and therefore triggers no income or capital-gains consequences for individual holders.

Traditional Gold Lending Options in Singapore

Gold bar in foreground against Marina Bay Sands Singapore skyline at dusk — Singapore's MAS framework positions it as Southeast Asia's most regulatory-ready hub for gold-backed lending products.

Singapore's major banks offer gold-backed credit facilities, though typically only to high-net-worth and private-banking clients.

Traditional Singapore Gold Lending Snapshot (2026)
Provider	Product Type	Typical APR	Minimum Gold Value	Access
DBS Private Bank	Gold-backed credit line	4%–7%	SGD 250,000+	Private banking clients only
OCBC Premier Banking	Gold savings margin facility	4.5%–6.5%	SGD 200,000+	Premier/private clients only
UOB Private Bank	Precious metals lending	4%–6%	SGD 300,000+	Private banking clients only
Licensed Pawnshops (e.g. ValueMax, MoneyMax)	Short-term collateral loan	18%–30% (annualised)	No minimum	Walk-in, physical gold only

For most Singapore residents who are not private-banking clients, the traditional route means pawnshops, where annualised rates can reach 30% and loan terms are typically six months or less. The gap between pawnshop rates and institutional rates is significant: a SGD 50,000 gold-backed loan costs roughly SGD 15,000 per year at 30% versus SGD 2,000 per year at Perfolio's under 5% APR.

The Perfolio Approach: Deposit Gold, Borrow SGD

Perfolio bridges the gap between institutional gold lending and accessible retail finance. The core mechanic is straightforward: you deposit gold (XAUT) as collateral, borrow digital dollars (USDT) against it at up to 77% loan-to-value (LTV), and convert those digital dollars to SGD through a MAS-licensed on-ramp partner before withdrawing to your Singapore bank account.

Because XAUT is a digital gold token where each unit equals one troy ounce of physical gold held in Swiss vaults, the collateral quality is identical to holding a LBMA Good Delivery bar. There is no credit check, no income verification, and no lock-up period. The loan contract is governed by an audited automated lending contract (smart contract) recorded on a public blockchain, giving you a tamper-proof, real-time record of your collateral and outstanding balance.

The typical Singapore workflow looks like this:

Download the Perfolio app and complete KYC verification (approximately 5 minutes).
Acquire gold (XAUT) via any MAS-licensed digital asset exchange, such as Independent Reserve Singapore or Coinhako, or transfer existing XAUT from a personal wallet.
Deposit gold (XAUT) into your Perfolio borrowing vault. The vault displays your real-time collateral value in both USD and SGD (at approximately SGD 1.35 per USD).
Select your loan amount in digital dollars (USDT), up to 77% of your collateral value. On SGD 100,000 worth of gold (approximately 44 XAUT at current prices), you can borrow up to SGD 77,000 equivalent.
Route the USDT to a MAS-licensed partner exchange for SGD conversion. The conversion typically settles within one business day.
Withdraw SGD directly to your DBS, OCBC, or UOB account via FAST transfer.

You can explore the full process on the how it works page, and check live SGD-denominated gold prices on the gold price SGD tracker.

MAS Regulatory Landscape for Gold-Backed Lending

Singapore's Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has established one of the world's most comprehensive frameworks for digital asset activity through the Payment Services Act (PSA), which came into full effect in 2020 and was significantly expanded in 2023. The PSA created a licensing regime for Digital Payment Token (DPT) service providers, covering exchanges, custodians, and on-ramp operators.

Singapore consistently ranks in the top three globally for ease of doing business and regulatory clarity for digital assets. MAS has licensed or granted in-principle approval to more than 30 DPT service providers, including exchanges that support XAUT. This means every step of the Perfolio Singapore workflow, from acquiring gold (XAUT) to converting USDT to SGD, takes place within a regulated perimeter.

Key regulatory facts for Singapore-based borrowers:

MAS does not treat a gold-backed loan as a disposal of the underlying gold, so the loan draw-down itself does not create a taxable event for individual holders.
DPT service providers in Singapore must hold client assets in segregated accounts and comply with strict AML/CFT requirements.
XAUT is classified as a digital payment token rather than a security under MAS guidance, meaning it falls under the PSA framework rather than the Securities and Futures Act.
Singapore's 2024 stablecoin regulatory framework gives additional confidence to USDT on-ramps operating here.

You can review which countries and jurisdictions Perfolio supports on the country coverage page.

Popular Use Cases for Singapore Residents

Singapore's unique economic environment drives specific demand for gold-backed credit among four main groups.

Property investment. Singapore's residential property market requires substantial down payments, with Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) adding 20%–60% on top for additional properties and foreign buyers. Gold-backed loans let property investors bridge the down payment without triggering a gold disposal, preserving their long-term bullion position while accessing SGD liquidity. A resident holding 100 XAUT (approximately SGD 430,000 at current prices) could borrow up to SGD 330,000 for a property down payment at roughly SGD 9,900 per year in interest at 3% APR.

Family-office leverage. Singapore is home to more than 1,500 single-family offices, many of which hold significant allocations to precious metals as portfolio diversification. Gold-backed lending allows family offices to generate yield or fund new investments without rebalancing their gold holdings, preserving the tax-efficient structure described above.

Business growth and working capital. Singapore SME owners who hold personal gold investments can access short-term working capital without the documentation burden of traditional business lending. There is no income verification on a Perfolio gold-backed loan, making it faster than a bank revolving credit facility.

Funding Anglo university education. With annual fees at UK and Australian universities reaching SGD 40,000–80,000, many Singapore families use gold savings accumulated over years to fund children's overseas education. A gold-backed loan preserves the gold holding while making tuition payments in stages, avoiding the cost of selling gold at a potentially unfavourable price.

Cost Comparison: Traditional Singapore Banks vs Perfolio

Gold-Backed Loan Cost Comparison (Singapore, 2026)
Feature	DBS / OCBC / UOB (Private Banking)	Perfolio
Typical APR	4%–7%	~3%
Minimum collateral	SGD 200,000–300,000	No minimum
Access requirement	Private banking relationship	Open to all KYC-verified users
Loan currency	SGD	USDT, convertible to SGD
Processing time	3–10 business days	Under 24 hours
Credit check required	Yes	No
Maximum LTV	50%–60% (typical)	Up to 77%
Repayment schedule	Monthly interest, principal on demand	No fixed schedule; repay when ready
Collateral type	Physical gold / gold savings account	gold (XAUT) tokens
SGD withdrawal	Direct credit to bank account	Via MAS-licensed on-ramp to DBS/OCBC/UOB

For a SGD 100,000 loan over 12 months, the interest cost difference is material: approximately SGD 5,500 at a 5.5% bank rate versus SGD 3,000 at Perfolio's under 5% APR, saving SGD 2,500 per year. On larger facilities of SGD 500,000, the annual saving exceeds SGD 12,500.

Learn more about the specific mechanics of gold-backed loans and how they compare with other forms of credit, or visit the Singapore gold loan page for SGD-denominated loan scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Perfolio licensed by MAS to operate in Singapore?

Perfolio facilitates gold-backed lending using gold (XAUT) as collateral. The SGD conversion step is handled by a MAS-licensed DPT service provider operating under the Payment Services Act. You should verify the current licensing status of any service provider on the MAS Financial Institutions Directory before transacting. Perfolio's own regulatory status and partner disclosures are listed on the platform's terms page.

Do I pay GST on the gold (XAUT) I deposit as collateral?

Investment-grade gold in Singapore has been GST-exempt since October 2012, provided the gold is at least 99.5% pure. XAUT tokens are backed by LBMA-accredited gold bars meeting that purity standard. However, GST treatment of digital tokens can depend on the specific transaction structure, and you should confirm with a Singapore tax adviser whether the GST exemption applies to your particular acquisition method.

Is there capital gains tax on gold in Singapore for individuals?

Singapore does not have a capital gains tax for individuals. Gains made by individual investors on the disposal of gold, including tokenised gold such as XAUT, are generally not taxable. If you are holding gold as part of a business or as a trader, IRAS may treat profits as income. For long-term individual holders, no capital gains tax applies. Always consult a Singapore-qualified tax adviser for your specific situation.

How do I withdraw SGD to my DBS, OCBC, or UOB account?

After drawing down your loan in digital dollars (USDT) via Perfolio, you transfer the USDT to a MAS-licensed on-ramp exchange (such as Independent Reserve Singapore or Coinhako). The exchange converts USDT to SGD and credits the amount via FAST transfer to your nominated Singapore bank account, typically settling within one business day. The exchange will require completed KYC verification matching your Perfolio account details.

Can a Singapore family office use Perfolio for gold-backed leverage?

Yes. Family offices that hold gold (XAUT) as part of a diversified portfolio can use Perfolio to generate SGD liquidity without disposing of their gold position. Because a loan is not a disposal event, the long-term holding structure and its associated tax treatment are preserved. Family offices should review the corporate lending terms and ensure their investment policy statement permits tokenised gold collateral. Perfolio's team can assist with due-diligence documentation for institutional clients.

What happens if the gold price falls after I take out a loan?

Your loan is secured by your gold (XAUT) collateral at up to 77% LTV. If the gold price falls and your LTV approaches the liquidation threshold, Perfolio sends alerts prompting you to add more collateral or repay part of the loan. If the LTV reaches the liquidation level, the automated lending contract will partially repay your loan using your collateral to protect both you and the protocol. You retain any collateral remaining after the repayment. The support FAQ contains a detailed worked example with SGD figures.

What is the current SGD value of 1 XAUT?

1 XAUT equals 1 troy ounce of physical gold. At the time of publication, gold trades at approximately USD 3,200 per troy ounce, which equals approximately SGD 4,320 at the current SGD/USD exchange rate of approximately 1.35. Because gold prices change daily, visit the live SGD gold price page for the current rate before calculating your borrowing capacity.

Is there a minimum loan amount for Singapore residents?

Perfolio has no minimum loan amount. You can deposit as little as one XAUT token and borrow up to 77% of its SGD-equivalent value. This makes the product accessible to individual savers as well as high-net-worth clients who would qualify for bank private lending. There is no origination fee and no prepayment penalty.