The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a consultation paper proposing draft regulations for exchanges that permit trading in gold. It has proposed an elaborate framework wherein one can convert physical gold into ‘Electronic Gold Receipts’ and even convert those back into physical gold.
Here is all you need to know about how the proposed gold exchange market would function. Note though that SEBI would issue final regulations after considering public feedback.
What is a gold exchange?
As the name suggests, this bourse would offer trading facilities in the precious metal. Entities like retail investors, banks, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), jewellers and bullion dealers among others would be allowed to trade on the exchange. While there are existing commodity exchanges that offer trading in gold contracts, those are derivative instruments while the proposed gold exchange would allow trading akin to the spot market.
Also Read: Sovereign gold bonds open for subscription: Should you invest?
This move assumes significance as India is the second-largest consumer of gold – after China – with an annual demand of around 800-900 tonnes. According to SEBI, the proposed exchange would bring in more transparency in the gold trading market in terms of spot price discovery, quality of the gold and enable greater integration with the financial markets.
What are the ways in which one can invest in gold now?
Currently, there are quite a few ways in which an investor can buy gold. For those wanting to buy physical gold, a visit to the neighbourhood jeweller would suffice. Meanwhile, there are online platforms such as Paytm, Kuvera and Indiagold among others that allow an individual to buy gold in digital form. The advantage of buying gold in digital form is that one can put in a very small amount as well with some platforms allowing a minimum investment of just Rs 100. Digital gold products have become quite popular among millennials. Then there are sovereign gold bonds issued by the government. One can even look at Gold ETFs or gold funds by mutual funds. Even gold derivative contracts traded on the exchanges have the option of physical settlement, which means investors can get physical delivery of gold.
How can one trade on a gold exchange?
The capital market regulator has proposed an instrument called ‘Electronic Gold Receipt’, or EGR. The gold exchange, along with intermediaries like the vault manager and the clearing corporation, would facilitate the creation of EGR and its trading. So, participants can convert their physical gold into EGR, which can then be bought or sold on the exchange like any normal equity share of a listed company. The EGR can even be converted back into physical gold. As part of the draft regulations, SEBI has proposed three denominations of EGR – one kilogram, 100 grams and 50 grams. It has, however, added that EGRs of five grams or 10 grams can also be allowed for trading to increase the liquidity of the market and attract more participants.
How can one convert physical gold into EGRs?
An entity that intends to convert physical gold into EGR will have to go to a ‘Vault Manager’. According to the proposed framework, any entity registered in India and with a net worth of at least Rs 50 crore can apply to become a vault manager. After the receipt of the gold, the vault manager would create an EGR for which the depository will assign an International Securities Identification Number, or ISIN, which is a unique code to identify the specific security. Once the ISIN is issued, the EGR can be traded on the gold exchange just like any other tradable security.
Can EGRs be again converted into physical gold?
Yes. To convert an EGR into physical gold, the owner of the EGR will have to surrender the EGR to the vault manager who will deliver the gold and extinguish the electronic receipt. Considering the logistics and delivery challenges, it has been proposed that conversion of an EGR into physical gold should be allowed only if a minimum of 50 grams of gold has been accumulated in electronic form.
Will there be dedicated gold exchanges or one can trade EGRs on existing ones like BSE, NSE, MCX or NCDEX?
It is not clear at this stage and the capital market regulator has sought public feedback on this issue. In October 2018, SEBI introduced the concept of a ‘Universal Exchange’ in India, which basically means that every exchange can offer trading facilities in all asset classes like equity, commodities, interest rates and currencies among other instruments. Since the provision is already there, it is likely that existing bourses can launch a gold exchange as well. Also, a new exchange would entail additional net worth commitment and registration process, which would be time consuming while increasing the compliance costs.
What are the key issues on which SEBI needs public feedback?
Firstly, taxation is a key issue. Since the EGRs would be traded on an exchange, Securities Transaction Tax (STT) would be levied. Also, GST would be applicable when EGRs are converted into physical gold for withdrawal. If in case the buyer and seller are from different states then levying state GST could be cumbersome. SEBI is mulling if only IGST or Integrated Goods and Services Tax can be levied to resolve this issue.
SEBI has also sought public feedback on the kind of incentives or waivers that should be sought from the government to make the segment more investor-friendly. Further, it wants suggestions on what should be the smallest denomination for conversion of EGR into physical gold, whether storage and delivery charges should be levied and the validity of EGRs in terms of tenure.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
