For institutions holding significant amounts of precious metal, vaulting isn’t just about keeping gold safe — it’s about auditability and legal clarity. Mistakes here can weaken ownership claims or create hidden liabilities.
Large holders typically prioritise:
- Allocated ownership (no pooled risk)
- Jurisdictional safety (political and legal stability of the storage location)
- Clear exit arrangements
- Independent checks and clear records
Vaulting isn’t a back-office afterthought — it’s a front-line risk control tool.
Allocated vs. Pooled: The Non-Negotiable
Why Allocated Storage Is Essential
In pooled or “unallocated” accounts, gold is a claim on a shared reserve, not specific bars. This introduces counterparty exposure: if the custodian fails, recovery may be uncertain.
In contrast, allocated vaulting means:
- Your holding is recorded against specific bars
- Bars are identified by serial number
- Client metal is recorded separately from the provider’s own assets
For institutions subject to fiduciary duty or reporting standards (e.g., IFRS, GAAP), allocated holdings are generally easier to evidence and defend.
Jurisdiction Matters: Where Your Gold Lives
Storage Location
Institutions typically look for stable jurisdictions with transparent legal systems. With EONA:
- Dubai: Current location. All metal is stored with Loomis, an independent vault operator.
- Zurich: Planned location (coming soon). Not currently available.
- Singapore: Planned location (coming soon). Not currently available.
EONA does not currently offer delivery or collection of physical metal; holdings are realised by selling back to EONA.
Infrastructure and Oversight
Professional-Grade Vaults and Oversight
Professional vaults typically offer:
- High-security, controlled-access facilities
- Bar-level records and reconciliation
- Insurance maintained by the vault operator under its own policy
- Regular independent audits and stock checks
These features are common across professional vaulting used by large holders.
EONA stores metal with Loomis, an independent vault operator, in Dubai. The vault operator, Loomis, maintains insurance under its own policy; EONA does not promise that it covers you or your metal directly or in full.