About VaultChain™
Kitco VaultChain™ allows you to digitally buy & sell physical gold and silver. VaultChain™ represents fine gold & silver held physically at the Royal Canadian Mint, and uses a blockchain distributed ledger for data accuracy, real-time tracking and transparent auditability. Combining the latest technology with old-school trading, VaultChain™ is an easy way to build your precious metals holdings.
Find out moreGold & Silver: insurance for your portfolio
Precious metals, particularly silver and gold, represent peace of mind and the best insurance that money can buy. In your portfolio, they represent diversification and for many investors, a strategy to hedge against stock market volatility, currency instability, and geo-political risk.
Build your portfolio… one gold ounce at a time…
The revolution of Physical Gold & Silver Investing has begun. Be part of it now.
VaultChain™ is not a security, derivative, future or another financial contract. It is investment grade physical gold & silver vaulted with the Royal Canadian Mint.
About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation of the Government of Canada responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins.
An ISO 9001-2008 certified corporation, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high-quality coinage products and related services on an international scale.
The mint also designs and manufactures precious and base metal collector coins.
About Kitco
Established in 1977 and based in Montreal, Kitco has earned a reputation as one of the world's premier retailers of precious metals. Kitco offers a complete line of the highest quality bullion bars and coins for investors, storage and refining services for the jewelry manufacturing industry.
Kitco's website (www.kitco.com) is visited daily by close to a million people around the world. The company has earned a solid reputation for itself as a leading innovator in the industry, being the first precious metals company to carry out its activities online and to create real-time market information, news, analysis and applications for smartphones.
About Tradewind
Tradewind has built a technology platform for digitizing the trading, settlement, and ownership of precious metals. The Tradewind solution combines world-class exchange technology with VaultChain™, Tradewind's blockchain technology tailored for precious metals.
Tradewind was formed in 2016 and is managed by a team of professionals with extensive experience in electronic trading, market structure, silver investment management, market operations, cryptography, and blockchain technology.
Why Kitco VaultChain™
Your trusted bullion dealer since 1977
VaultChain™ is a convenient and cost-efficient way to buy, hold and trade gold & silver via a secure electronic platform that runs on blockchain technology. The physical bullion is held in world-class storage facilities at the Royal Canadian Mint.
You own 100% of the gold and silver in your account, with the Royal Canadian Mint acting solely as a sub-custodian. Your holdings are validated using a blockchain distributed ledger that ensures data accuracy, high grade encryption, real-time tracking, and transparent auditability. You may convert to physical gold & silver or sell your holding at any time in a matter of minutes!
This revolutionary platform offers 1:1 direct ownership of fine silver & gold, stored securely within the Royal Canadian Mint's vault and allocated exclusively for Kitco VaultChain™ holders. As an owner of VaultChain™, you have full title to your holdings at all times, plus the flexibility to buy, sell, hold or request physical delivery of your precious metals. Ideal for any investor would that be small, medium or institutional.
Using blockchain technology, an efficient, direct and safe storage solution, we reduce costs and pass on the savings directly to our clients. Reduced capital charges and increased operational efficiency through automation can reduce costs that will make a difference on your return on investment. Unlike an ETF, VaultChain™ has no on-going management fees. With the efficiencies of the state-of-the-art digital trading platform, VaultChain™ provides one of the lowest costs and most flexible forms of direct precious metals ownership.
Kitco's VaultChain™ is held, secured and audited at the Royal Canadian Mint's vault, a highly secure, world-class storage facility.
As a VaultChain™ holder, you have full title to your holdings at all times with the title managed by a cryptographically, secure blockchain database. Investors can independently verify ownership and instruct physical delivery.
As a VaultChain™ holder, you can request physical delivery of your VaultChain gold & silver. Our online store has many options to choose from.
** Subject to certain requirements. Fabrication and delivery fees apply based on the products requested.VaultChain™ trades real-time spot prices 24/7, 365 days a year, in the cash market. With simple and transparent exchange fee structures and public order book trading, account holders have access to the full depth of liquidity and price information.
Holding physical gold and silver? You can easily convert your bars and coins that are in your possession to your VaultChain™ account to get all the benefits of the user-friendly, platform. Turn your physical ounces into digital gold & silver. We make the process seamless and will guide you from start to finish!
VaultChain™ offers you the convenience of holding physical gold & silver without any hassle of physical delivery.
*Subject to certain requirements, contact our team for details.Kitco's VaultChain™ 1:1 precious metals ownership is superior to owning ETFs or other investment vehicles.
ETF
- Each unit of an ETF represents ownership in a fund or trust that in turn holds physical precious metals with a bank or other depository.
- The fund or trust charges owners an annual fee to cover management, storage, marketing and administrative costs. Final beneficial owners do not control the underlying asset and cannot take physical delivery.
VaultChain™
- With no fabrication, management or storage fees* you can avoid the layers of expense associated with asset management products and physical bars and coins.
- VaultChain™ is physical silver & gold owned directly via a blockchain database; there is no intermediary trust or fund.
BUY VAULTCHAIN™ GOLD OR SILVER AND PAY ONE LOW ANNUAL FEE!
That's right, there are
NO transaction fees,
NO additional storage fees and
NO account opening fees.
Trade digital metals online 24/7 and enjoy unlimited transactions and ownership!
Kitco Vaultchain™ Institutional
Vaultchain™ by Kitco for Institutions, gives businesses access to digitally trade physical gold and silver. VaultChainTM represents fine gold & silver held physically at the Royal Canadian Mint. Kitco VaultChainTM is powered by the Tradewind ledger using blockchain distributed ledger technology for data accuracy, real-time tracking and transparent auditability. We help you deliver comprehensive, low-cost precious metals trading services to your clients - all while trimming costs, lowering risk, and increasing profits.
Learn moreHow to get started
Getting started only takes a few minutes. Easy and convenient process with user experience in mind.
- Create an account with Kitco
- Login to your account and visit the VaultChain™ purchase page
- Select the quantity you wish to purchase
- Add to cart
- Follow the checkout instructions
We accept
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Wire
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Check
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Bill Payment
*Only for transactions in CAD -
E-check*
*Only for transactions in USD
Didn’t find the answer to your question?
Fill out the form below or contact us via e-mail or phone.
FAQ
VaultChain™ is investment grade physical gold and silver vaulted with the Royal Canadian Mint. VaultChain™ account balances and ownership are managed on the cryptographically secure Tradewind blockchain database. You may view your holdings at anytime through the Tradewind platform and buy, sell, or take delivery through Kitco.
The VaultChain™ blockchain creates a permanent record of transactions and account balances using cryptography, meaning the records are tamper-proof through time. Transactions must be cryptographically signed by platform participants to prove their authenticity, including registration of investment grade physical gold that underlies the platform, which must be cryptographically signed by the Royal Canadian Mint.
Tradewind and the partners it appoints are responsible for adding your gold holdings to the blockchain.
The Tradewind Platform is an electronic market and blockchain technology solution that connects market participants and enables them to deal in VaultChain™.
Open your account and trade online 24/7 using our online store, or contact our customer service team to set up an account and place an order. Our customer service team is available by calling 1 877-847-9996 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, Monday to Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday.
Once your price is locked in, send Kitco your payment. Once payment has cleared, your VaultChain™ ounces will be transferred to your account using blockchain technology to confirm and store the transaction. Your holdings are trackable via the distributed ledger, which you have access to 24/7.
When you conduct a VaultChain™ transaction, it is processed via a blockchain, requiring three business days to settle.
- When you make a purchase through VaultChain™, the process begins with the receipt and clearance of your payment, followed by a three-business-day period required for blockchain processing. This sequence ensures that your transaction is securely recorded before it appears in the ledger.
- When selling, the transaction undergoes a three-business-day blockchain processing phase first. Only after this period can the payment initiation process commence.
With Kitco VaultChain™ you only pay one flat fee on an annual basis, and then you can enjoy unlimited transactions and holdings! Trade digital metals online 24/7 with no hidden fees.
The all-inclusive annual fee is paid by accounts that contain digital assets in either gold and/or silver. The fee is prorated for new accounts, and is charged at the moment of making your first transaction. This means:
- If your first transaction is done in Jan-Mar, you pay $100
- If your first transaction is done in Apr-Jun, you pay $75
- If your first transaction is done in Jul-Sep, you pay $50
- If your first transaction is done in Oct-Dec, you pay $25
After your first transaction, active accounts with gold and/or silver holdings are then charged the full annual fee every January 1st.
Please note, these amounts are plus tax. As Kitco is based in Quebec, applicable Quebec sales tax (GST & PST) applies.
You may view your VaultChain™ holdings by logging into your Kitco account where you will have access to your Tradewind digital ledger dashboard. Your dashboard contains information regarding pending and settled transactions, as well as your VaultChain™ balance.
Kitco’s regular methods of payment are accepted for all VaultChain™ transactions.
Depending on your country of residence (or the location of your principal place of business), you may choose to be paid by any of the following methods:
| Method of payment | U.S. and Canadian customers | Customers from other countries | Service fee |
| Check sent by regular mail* | ✓ | ✕ | None |
| Check sent by courier* | ✓ | ✕ | $30 |
| USD or CAD bank wire sent to a bank in the USA or Canada† | ✓ | ✓ | $40 |
| USD or CAD bank wire sent to a bank outside the USA and Canada†† | ✓ | ✓ | $60 |
| GBP or EUR bank wire‡ | ✓ | ✓ | £50/€60 |
| Bullion products normally carried by Kitco | ✓ | ✓ | None |
| Credit to the funds on your account | ✓ | ✓ | None |
| Credit to your Kitco Pool account | ✓ | ✓ | None |
*Checks can only be sent for USD or CAD payments to US/Canadian residents.
†USA and Canada - For US residents sending a wire to a Canadian bank or Canadian residents sending a wire to a US bank, international wire fees will apply as funds are being sent out of the residing country.
†Canada - In order to be compliant with new local regulations, all wire payments sent to Canada must include the full address of the beneficiary. An address with a PO Box will not be accepted. Payments may be delayed or rejected by the intermediary or beneficiary bank due to insufficient information.
††For USD or CAD bank wires sent to banks outside the USA and Canada, Kitco will pay all intermediary bank fees.
‡Payments in GBP or EUR can only be made by bank wire or credited to funds on account.
When you complete a transaction using VaultChain™, it is processed through a blockchain and takes three business days to settle. Once the transaction has settled, Kitco usually processes your payment within 24 to 48 hours. Depending on the payment method you choose, it may take up to 15 business days for you to receive your payment. Note that processing times can be delayed due to USA or Canadian statutory holidays, exceptionally high market activity, very high-value sales, or unforeseeable circumstances such as transport strikes or natural disasters.
| Method of Payment | Time Frame to Receive |
| Check sent by regular mail | 10-15 business days |
| Check sent by courier | 2-3 business days |
| Domestic Bank Wires | 1-2 business days |
| International Bank Wires | 2-5 business days |
VaultChain™ Gold is available in as little as 0.001 oz of gold.
Upon placing your first VaultChain™ Silver transaction, a minimum of 100 oz must be purchased. Subsequent transactions are available in as little as 0.01 oz of silver.
There is no maximum amount you can buy or hold, however certain collateral criteria must be met when purchasing in amounts over $50,000 USD/CAD.
Yes, Kitco would be able to trade in your physical gold to VaultChain™ holdings after testing and verification of your physical gold.
You may also exchange your VaultChain™ ounces for precious metal bullion products that Kitco has available in stock. Note that you will be charged fabrication, shipping, and insurance costs when you exchange VaultChain™ holdings for precious metal bullion products.
The Royal Canadian Mint is a Crown Corporation therefore does audits through the Auditor General. Their holdings, including those held in trust of VaultChain™ customers, are on public record.
Each unit of an ETF represents ownership in a fund or trust that in turn holds physical gold with a bank or other depository. The fund or trust charges owners an annual fee to cover various costs. Final beneficial owners do not control the underlying asset and cannot take physical delivery. VaultChain™ is physical gold owned directly via a blockchain database; there is no intermediary trust or fund, and it is deliverable in full.
No. VaultChain™ leverages elements of the same technology underpinning Bitcoin and other decentralized cryptocurrencies. However, the Tradewind Platform is a private and permissioned ecosystem limited to regulated dealers and institutions. It is backed by 100% physical gold & silver vaulted and guaranteed by the Royal Canadian Mint.
Vaultchain™ for institutions, is Kitco’s new offering for a wide range of financial institutions. It allows your customers to easily trade gold and silver using blockchain technology and benefit from low transaction costs, fast settlement times and ability to convert to physical bullion at any time.
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Montreal, Quebec H3B 1M1
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