When institutions hold physical gold, custody risk becomes a primary concern. Unlike paper gold, allocated metal must be verifiably stored and securely protected — not just by reputation, but by independent third parties.
Independent Audits: Proof Over Promises
Institutions require more than a monthly statement. They need verifiable, third-party confirmation that their assets exist, are segregated, and match exactly what’s reported.
Independent audits are conducted by established firms — typically global accounting or logistics specialists — who cross-check bar serial numbers, weights, and locations against the custodian’s records. These audits:
- Ensure 1:1 asset matching
- Confirm segregation (no pooling or rehypothecation)
- Detect discrepancies early
- Enable regulatory and internal reporting with confidence
At Eona, vault holdings are subject to quarterly audits by independent verification agents. Every bar is tracked and visible — and investors can match reports with their own records at any time.
Comprehensive Insurance: Covering the Unthinkable
Even the most secure vaults face rare but real risks: natural disasters, theft, political unrest. For institutions, even a remote loss must be quantifiable — and recoverable.
That’s where insurance steps in.
Eona partners with leading global underwriters, including Lloyd’s of London, to insure all client holdings against physical loss, theft, and damage. Coverage is all-risk, meaning it's not limited to specific events.
Critically, insurance covers the full replacement value of your metal — not just the purchase price. This distinction matters when gold prices move.
Institutions should verify:
- Policy scope (theft, fire, political unrest, transit)
- Coverage level (per vault, per client, per event)
- Claims process and timeline
At Eona, insurance is included by default for every gram stored — no opt-in needed, and no additional cost.
Compliance and Transparency
Both independent audits and insurance are core to financial compliance — especially under IFRS and national standards that require transparent asset recognition.
For institutional clients with fiduciary responsibilities, these protections aren’t optional. They’re required.
Summary for Boards and Risk Committees
When evaluating a storage provider, ask:
- Who conducts audits? How often? Are results published?
- What is the insurance structure? Is it global or vault-specific?
- Are there caps, exclusions, or delays in claim resolution?
- Can I independently verify holdings and insurance at any time?
- With Eona, the answer is yes — and you never need to ask twice.