International News
94 tonnes of tokenized gold moved instantly for 0.0016% in fees
94 tonnes of tokenized gold ( XAUt ) was moved instantly for 0.0016% in fees over the last 6 months – while central banks spend millions of dollars to move their bullion
That comparison, recently highlighted by Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino in February 2026, perfectly captures the “analog vs. digital” divide in modern finance.
Moving 94 tonnes of physical gold is a logistical nightmare involving armored convoys, specialized aircraft, and massive insurance premiums. Doing the same with Tether Gold (XAUt) is essentially just updating a ledger on a blockchain.
While the efficiency is undeniable, it is worth noting that central banks aren’t switching to XAUt just yet for one primary reason: Sovereignty. Central banks move gold to ensure they have physical possession within their own borders during geopolitical crises. For them, the “millions spent” is an insurance policy against systemic collapse. However, for every other use case—trading, hedging, and payments—the 0.0016% fee makes a very compelling argument for tokenization.
The efficiency gap between tokenized assets and legacy bullion logistics is most evident when comparing the movement of 94 tonnes of gold. Over the last six months, Tether Gold (XAUt) facilitated this massive transfer of value with a total fee of just 0.0016%, a figure that stands in stark contrast to the millions of dollars central banks must spend on armored transport, international security, and insurance for physical repatriation.
While physical gold movement is a sluggish process—often taking weeks or months to navigate the complexities of global logistics—tokenized gold operates with near-instant finality on the blockchain. Furthermore, the digital format allows for extreme utility; XAUt is divisible down to 0.000001 troy oz, whereas central banks are restricted to handling physical bars and coins, which are difficult to move, store, and fractionally trade.
International News
SIJE 2026 To Host 450+ Global Brands As Singapore Welcomes Back The World Diamond Congress After 38 Years
The Largest Edition In The Expo’s History Will Coincide With The Inaugural Singapore Diamond & Jewellery Week From 9–15 July 2026.
Singapore International Jewellery Expo (SIJE) 2026 is set to stage its largest-ever edition, bringing together more than 450 brands and exhibitors from 26 countries across 10,000 square metres at Marina Bay Sands from 9 to 12 July 2026.
The event will be officially inaugurated by Alvin Tan, Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade & Industry and the Ministry of National Development, Singapore, and is expected to attract around 18,000 trade buyers and consumers over four days.
A major highlight of this year’s edition is Singapore hosting the 41st World Diamond Congress for the first time since 1988, marking the prestigious event’s return to the city-state after 38 years. The Congress, scheduled from 12 to 15 July at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, will bring together global leaders from across the diamond value chain, including miners, manufacturers, traders, retailers and industry associations.
SIJE 2026 also forms one of the two pillars of the inaugural Singapore Diamond & Jewellery Week (SDJW), a week-long celebration running from 9 to 15 July 2026 that will feature retail experiences, industry events, promotions and international showcases across the island nation.
Despite ongoing global economic uncertainties, SIJE 2026 has recorded its strongest international participation to date, underlining confidence in Singapore’s position as a trusted hub for jewellery, luxury retail, gemstones and high-value trade.
The exhibition will feature prominent country pavilions and exhibitors from Italy, Hong Kong and Uzbekistan, alongside leading jewellers, gemstone dealers, luxury watchmakers, designers and manufacturers from around the world.
One of the unique attractions this year will be the display of a replica of the historic Crown of Carlo di Borbone at the Diamond Exchange of Singapore (DES) Pavilion. The crown, originally created in the 18th century for Charles III of Spain, has been reconstructed from historical records and is linked to the legendary “Perfect Colour of Violet” diamond
Organised by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) Asia, SIJE continues to strengthen Singapore’s role as a gateway to the rapidly expanding markets of Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Industry observers note that the scale of SIJE 2026, coupled with the return of the World Diamond Congress, reflects growing momentum in the regional luxury market and reinforces Singapore’s standing as one of the world’s most important centres for jewellery trade, craftsmanship, innovation and international business exchange.
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