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Market Intelligence › Basic Terminologies
Calculation of all three according to custody, charges and liquidity
Published by The Retail Trader · AUG 06, 2026 · AIF, PE & Alternates
There are many ways to get gold today and its return is almost related to one thing. The difference is not in return, but in custody, charges and exit.
You have physical gold. Along with that come making charges, purity issues and storage expenses, and the buyer's own deduction at the time of selling.
Gold ETF is a listed fund which holds gold. Its units are demat and sold at exchange par, with an expense ratio.
Digital gold is a product of a platform where gold is kept in your name. Here the most important question is of custody and regulation.
These four questions make the decision clear:
• Do you want to wear gold or want its exposure?
• For how many years to keep it – The effect of charges increases on duration.
• When and how soon may exit be required?
• Who has custody and under what rules?
It is common to keep jewelery as an investment, but its making charge at entry is a big loss which is never seen in returns. Keeping investment and consumption separate is the simplest solution to this confusion.
This article is for educational purposes only. It is not a buy or sell recommendation, a claim of guaranteed returns, or advisory guidance. Exchanges, SEBI and RBI change rules, rates and procedures from time to time, so verify every figure with your broker or an official source.