OWNERSHIP & CUSTODY
Product form, legal title, vault location and the right to withdraw are different parts of the same decision.
| Arrangement | What to establish | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Personal possession | You arrange safekeeping and any insurance. | How is authenticity checked? Are loss and theft covered? How will a sale be completed? |
| Allocated custody | The agreement identifies metal held for you; read the exact title and segregation terms. | Is there a bar or product record? Who reconciles it? Can metal be lent or pledged? |
| Unallocated account | Your claim is generally against the provider rather than specific identified bars; terms determine rights. | What credit exposure exists? What happens if the provider fails? How can allocation occur? |
Review the custody agreement, reconciliation process, insurance scope, independent inspection arrangements and access rights. A recognised storage location does not by itself answer these questions.
Check the entity you contract with, governing law, withdrawal minimums, delivery charges and settlement times. Do not assume that insurance covers every event or that custody eliminates counterparty exposure.
Model storage charges ↗These providers describe different ownership models. Their statements are provider disclosures, not independent endorsements.
BullionVault: ownership and audit information ↗GoldCore: product and storage approach ↗GOLD AVENUE: ownership and storage approach ↗