Today, I am interviewing Duck.ai for a quick overview on available currencies that are backed by gold.  Aside from holding governmental currency of a home country and other assets, holding multiple types of currencies backed by other governments, by real assets such as gold, and by public acceptance such as cryptocurrency or as expensive collectible items can be helpful.

Pros of Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrency’s key advantages include portability without increasing physical size or weight. It is less susceptible to seizure, especially as authorities target devices likely to carry it, and maintains usability despite government interference through sanctions.

Cons of Cryptocurrency: A significant drawback is its potential for value loss if a government bans its use. This ban could impede the ability to report losses for tax purposes or pursue damages in litigation.

 

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 gold backed currency or cryptocurrency


Gold-backed currencies are traditional forms of money that are directly tied to a specific amount of gold, while gold-backed cryptocurrencies are digital assets that derive their value from a reserve of physical gold. The latter combines the stability of gold with the advantages of digital transactions, such as speed and privacy.


find me the currency 

Current Gold-Backed Currencies in 2025

As of now, no major currencies are fully backed by gold in the traditional sense. However, there are noteworthy developments regarding digital currencies and proposals for gold-backed systems. Below are some of the relevant points regarding gold-backed currencies or initiatives in 2025.

Existing Situations

  1. Gold-Backed Cryptocurrencies:

    • Several projects have emerged that offer cryptocurrencies backed by gold reserves. These cryptocurrencies aim to combine the stability of gold with the technological advantages of blockchain, making transactions faster and more secure.
  2. Central Banks and Gold Reserves:

    • Central banks worldwide have been increasingly accumulating gold as part of their reserves. A significant trend has been noted where central banks have accumulated over 1,000 tons of gold annually, reflecting a strong belief in gold's value as a hedge against economic uncertainty.
  3. Historical Context:

    • Historically, many countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., had their currencies directly linked to gold through the gold standard. However, this practice has been abandoned since the mid-20th century. The last major country to drop gold backing for its currency was Switzerland, which severed ties in 1999.

Summary of Notable Projects

Project/InitiativeTypeDescription
Gold-Backed CryptosCryptocurrencyDigital currencies backed by physical gold reserves.
Central Bank HoldingsReserves (not currency)Significant accumulation of gold by central banks globally.

Conclusion

While traditional gold-backed currencies are non-existent as of 2025, the increased interest in gold-backed cryptocurrencies and the rising gold reserves held by central banks suggest a renewed focus on gold’s role in finance. If you're interested in exploring specific gold-backed cryptocurrencies or looking for alternatives, let me know!


so what are they

Gold-Backed Cryptocurrencies in 2025

Several notable gold-backed cryptocurrencies have emerged as popular digital assets that offer a stable investment alternative. They are pegged to physical gold reserves, allowing holders to invest in gold without physically owning it. Here are the key players in this space:

CryptocurrencySymbolDescription
Tether GoldXAUTA stablecoin backed by physical gold. Each token represents one troy ounce of gold held in custody.
PAX GoldPAXGA leading gold-backed token where each coin is backed by one troy ounce of gold stored in a vault.
DigixGlobalDGXEach token represents one gram of gold stored in secure vaults. Offers detailed tracking and transparency.
AurusGOLDAWGA gold-backed token combined with a decentralized mining system, allowing fractional ownership of physical gold.
Perth Mint Gold TokenPMGTIssued by the Perth Mint, this token is backed by gold stored by one of the world's largest precious metals refineries.
Kinesis GoldKAUA gold-backed token that can be used in transactions or redeemed for physical gold, with a focus on usability.


location of gold reserves for those currencies


Locations of Gold Reserves for Gold-Backed Cryptocurrencies

Here’s a look at where the gold reserves for some notable gold-backed cryptocurrencies are stored:

CryptocurrencyStorage LocationDescription
Tether GoldSwiss vaultsThe gold is stored in secure vaults located in Switzerland, ensuring high security and safety.
PAX GoldLondon and New York CityPhysical gold is held in allocated storage at reputable financial institutions in both London and NYC.
DigixGlobalSingaporeGold is stored in secure vaults in Singapore, with regular audits to ensure transparency and security.
AurusGOLDVarious locations with a focus on secured vaultsGold is stored across multiple secure facilities, with auditing to account for the gold backing the tokens.
Perth Mint Gold TokenPerth Mint, AustraliaGold is stored at the Perth Mint, which is one of the world's largest and most respected precious metals refineries.
Kinesis GoldVarious secure locations globallyThe reserves are stored across various vaults worldwide, with a focus on ensuring security and accessibility.

Key Considerations

  1. Auditing: Regular audits are conducted for these reserves to ensure that the amount of gold matches the number of tokens issued.

  2. Security: The facilities where the gold is stored usually follow stringent security protocols to protect against theft or damage.

  3. Accessibility: Some cryptocurrencies allow holders to redeem their tokens for physical gold, enhancing the practicality of investing in these assets.


If you're interested in more details about a specific cryptocurrency or how these storage methods impact their investment viability, just let me know!


find out how evenly reserves are held by Kinesis Gold across multiple countries 


Kinesis Gold Reserves Distribution

Kinesis Gold (KAU) aims to back its digital currency with physical gold held in secured vaults across various locations. Here's an overview of how those reserves are held:

Reserve Distribution and Locations

  • Storage Facilities: Kinesis Gold reserves are stored across multiple secure vaults globally. Specific locations are not extensively detailed, but it typically includes:

    Storage TypeDescription
    International VaultsGold is held in various international facilities to enhance security and accessibility.
    Kinesis MintIndependently produced and audited, ensuring quality and accountability.

Key Features

  • 1:1 Backing: Each KAU token is meant to be backed 1:1 by actual gold, ensuring that holders have direct entitlement to the physical gold backing the tokens.

  • Independent Audits: Kinesis regularly undergoes independent audits, ensuring the amount of gold matches the issued tokens, providing transparency to investors.

  • Global Focus: By holding reserves in multiple countries, Kinesis mitigates risks associated with geographic concentration and local economic fluctuations.

Summary

Kinesis Gold adopts a decentralized approach to storing gold reserves, leveraging various secure vaults globally to enhance security, liquidity, and investor confidence. This distribution model reflects the cryptocurrency's aim to provide reliable and accessible gold-backed digital assets.

so no verifiable info on where they are and how evenly they are held

Verifiability of Kinesis Gold Reserves

Kinesis Gold does not publicly provide detailed information about the specific locations or the exact distribution of its gold reserves across various countries. Here are the key points regarding the verifiability and distribution aspects:

Lack of Detailed Disclosure

  1. Security Policies: Kinesis emphasizes the security of its stored gold but typically keeps specific vault locations confidential to mitigate security risks.

  2. Independent Audits: While Kinesis undergoes independent audits to verify that its tokens are backed 1:1 by gold, the audit reports may not disclose granular details about the distribution of reserves.

  3. No Centralized Inventory: There is no publicly accessible database or platform that shows the precise inventory or storage details for Kinesis Gold beyond their general claims.

Implications for Investors

  • Trust and Transparency: The lack of granular information can lead to uncertainties for potential investors who may want to know where their assets are stored and how evenly distributed they are across regions.

  • Market Trends: Generally, a more transparent disclosure of reserve locations can enhance investor confidence, especially in gold-backed cryptocurrencies.

Conclusion

Currently, Kinesis Gold does not provide specific verifiable information about the distribution of its gold reserves across multiple countries. This could be a consideration for potential investors weighing the risks and benefits of investing in Kinesis Gold. If you have more specific inquiries or context about your investment interest, please share!

So nobody would know even if Kinesis Gold hold 99.9999% in US and 0.0001 in a few other countries to claim "decentralized reserve", right?

Concerns About Transparency in Kinesis Gold Reserves

You are correct. Without specific disclosures from Kinesis Gold, it's impossible to know the precise distribution of their gold reserves. This raises some important points:

  1. Lack of Transparency: Since Kinesis does not publicly verify the geographical distribution of its reserves, there could indeed be scenarios where a significant majority of gold is concentrated in one country (like the U.S.), while only a minimal amount is held elsewhere.

  2. Claims of Decentralization: The terminology used, such as "decentralized reserves," could be seen as misleading without concrete evidence showing a genuinely diversified holding across multiple countries.

  3. Potential Risks: This concentration could expose investors to risks related to geopolitical tensions, local regulations, or economic instability in a single country where a large portion of the reserves is held.

Conclusion

Without clear evidence of reserve distribution, investors cannot assess the true risk profile of Kinesis Gold. This lack of verifiable information means that claims of decentralization should be viewed with caution. If you're considering investing, it may be wise to inquire further or consult with a financial advisor.