It all started with a simple message in our WhatsApp group. Rohan (Friend 1) dropped a bombshell: “RBI announces premature redemption of gold bonds and ETFs until September 2025.” And just like that, our casual chat turned into a full-blown discussion about gold, investments, and the mysteries of the financial world. Lucky for us, Bachat Babu (Friend 2) , the group’s resident wealth manager, was there to drop some knowledge bombs. Here’s how it went down—and what we learned about investing in gold.
The RBI Announcement: What’s the Deal?
Rohan kicked things off with the RBI news, and Bachat Babu, ever the voice of reason, chimed in: “Where do you see that news? Generally, after 5 years of SGBs, RBI provides an early redemption window. If it’s related to that, then it’s a usual thing.”
But then came the twist: “Btw, SGBs turned out to be the costliest way for the Indian government to raise funds. Most of the SGBs got issued during the COVID period.”
Rohan, clearly intrigued, asked: “Okay… is this normal or is it new?”
Bachat Babu, with the patience of a seasoned wealth manager, replied: “It’s normal. No new SGB issues are coming to the market now.”
Paper Gold vs. Physical Gold: The Eternal Debate
Rohan, always the curious one, asked: “Is it possible that paper gold prices could be below physical gold prices?”
Bachat Babu, with the confidence of someone who’s seen it all, said: “Not with SGBs. They take the one-week simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity before the redemption date.”
But then Rohan shared a LinkedIn article titled “Paper Gold Illusion: Why Physical Holds True Value.” The group went silent for a moment, pondering the age-old question: Is physical gold really the ultimate safe haven?
Bachat Babu, ever the diplomat, clarified: “SGBs were the best instrument to take exposure to gold because of their tax structure. There is no tax on SGB’s if held till maturity (8 years), although interest given on SGB’s are taxable. Other gold investment options, like mutual funds or ETFs, can have one major issue: counterparty risk. That said, our mutual fund regulations are robust enough to make them a safe option.”
The Big Players: Physical Gold and Digital Gold
Bachat Babu then dropped a gem of wisdom: “If someone has a plan to park, say, ₹5-10 crore, it makes sense to keep some amount in physical gold.”
Rohan, clearly amused, replied: “Ha ha.”
But Bachat Babu wasn’t done. He shared a fascinating story about a startup that allowed people to buy gold directly from Swiss vaults. “They’d generate a blockchain entry, send you a photo of the gold bar with its serial number, and if you visited Switzerland, they’d even let you see your gold in person. Unfortunately, they stopped their retail business.”
Ananya (Friend 3), who’d been quietly following the conversation, added: “I read that Indians used to buy a lot of physical gold, which inflated prices. To discourage this, the government introduced SGBs. But they ended up losing money, so they stopped issuing new bonds and are now allowing early redemptions.”
Bachat Babu nodded in agreement: “Yeah, that’s the original story. The government issued SGBs without any physical backing—basically. So people are comparing it with dabba trade. It’s proving very costly for govt now because of increasing prices of gold.”
The Future of Gold Investments
Vikram (Friend 4), who’d been lurking until now, asked the million-dollar question: “So, what’s the way to buy gold apart from physical gold?”
Bachat Babu, in his element, replied: “Mutual funds are good options. Digital gold is also an alternative, but it’s not regulated. And with gold prices hitting new highs every day, retail participation will increase sharply. And if this continues, the regulators might introduce guidelines.”
Vikram, summing it up perfectly, said: “So, mutual funds or physical gold.”
The Gold Monetization Scheme: A Practical Solution?
Vikram then shared an Instagram reel about the Gold Monetization Scheme and asked: “Is it even practical for banks to check the purity of gold?”
Bachat Babu, with a hint of humor, replied: “They melt the gold you give them and then check the purity.”
Key Takeaways from the Conversation
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SGBs: A solid option for gold exposure, but no new issues are coming. Early redemptions are normal after 5 years.
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Physical Gold: The ultimate safe haven, but comes with storage and purity concerns.
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Gold ETFs/Mutual Funds: Regulated and convenient, but carry counterparty risk.
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Digital Gold: Easy to buy, but not RBI-regulated. Might face stricter guidelines soon.
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Gold Monetization Scheme: A practical way to monetize idle gold, and help the country reuse that gold instead of importing more.
Why Gold Deserves a Place in Your Portfolio
Gold isn’t just a shiny metal—it’s a financial safety net. Whether you’re a conservative investor looking for stability or a savvy one aiming for diversification, gold has something to offer. It’s a hedge against inflation, a safe-haven asset during crises, and a timeless store of value.
As Bachat Babu wisely pointed out, the key is to choose the right instrument based on your goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon. Whether it’s SGBs, physical gold, or mutual funds, gold can add a layer of security and balance to your portfolio.
So, the next time you’re debating whether to buy that gold coin or invest in an ETF, remember this conversation. And if you’re still confused, just ask your friendly neighborhood Bachat Babu. He always has the answers—or at least a good story about Swiss vaults.
Final Thought: Gold isn’t just an investment; it’s a legacy. Choose wisely, and let it shine in your portfolio.
