Gold Rush 2.0: Why the Ultra-Rich Are Stashing Their Shiny Booty in Singapore (And Why You Should Too… If You Could Afford It)

The Reserve: Where Fort Knox Meets the 23rd Century

Let me tell you something folks. When I need to keep my nunchucks safe I don't just leave them under the bed. No way. The ultra rich? They're not dummies either. They know the world's gone crazier than a badger in a bagpipe factory. So they're doing what any self respecting gold hoarding ninja would do: they're stashing their gold in Singapore. I heard about this place called 'The Reserve'. Six stories of onyx clad fortress tighter security than my handshake and more gold and silver bars than you can shake a roundhouse kick at about $1.5 billion worth. It is located not far from the Singapore airport. From January to April the repository received an 88% increase in gold and silver storage. Now I could kick down those steel doors but even I know that’s just bad manners. Besides they probably have motion sensors… and I’m always watching.

Singapore: The Geneva of the East (But With Better Food)

Singapore's getting all the VIPs in the gold game. They call it the 'Geneva of the East'. I call it smart. Singapore is viewed as the safest and most stable jurisdiction in the region. When the world’s wobblier than a newborn giraffe on roller skates you want your assets somewhere solid. I'm talking political stability economic stability and the kind of security that makes a Swiss watch look like a rusty spoon. Gregor Gregersen founder of 'The Reserve,' says high net worth clients are nervous about tariffs global changes and potential geopolitical instabilities. Ninety percent of the orders at The Reserve are from outside Singapore. They're putting physical metal in Singapore. Trust me if Chuck Norris trusts it it's probably safer than a nunnery during a power outage.

From Paper Cuts to Gold Cuts: Ditching the Financial Fluff

These fat cats aren’t playing around with paper gold anymore. It is all about physical bars. They want the real deal the shiny stuff the metal that’ll still be valuable when the dollar’s worth less than a used tissue. Why? Because paper gold has risks. Counterparty risks for example. When you own the gold directly you cut out the middleman and trust me that’s always a good thing. The Silicon Valley Bank crisis woke folks up. They want their hands on actual gold bars not just a stake in some pool that could evaporate faster than my patience when someone tries to argue with me. As I always say 'Facts don't lie but lawyers do.'

Bank Distrust: A Global Epidemic (And a Good Reason to Stockpile)

World Gold Council's chief market strategist John Reade pointed out that people are wary of storing gold in banks. Some people just don't trust banks. Jeremy Savory founder of Millionaire Migrant says if you're in a country where you don’t trust the banking system – like Lebanon Egypt or Algeria – you stash your gold elsewhere. Savory's clients are moving physical gold to vaults in Switzerland Singapore and Dubai. And who can blame them? Banks can collapse governments can falter but gold? Gold is forever… unless I roundhouse kick it into a black hole.

Singapore: The Ultimate Layover for Your Loot

Now why Singapore? It’s a key transit hub. It's convenient. You can bank there store your gold and pick it up easily. This is where Switzerland is losing out. Dubai is also popular but Singapore is easier to navigate. Dubai requires more paperwork and some people don't like paperwork. Singapore's the place to be if you want your gold safe sound and ready to roll when you need it. It's the kind of place where even I could relax… for about five minutes anyway.

Don't Be a Fool Store Your Gold (If You're Not Broke)

Look I’m not saying everyone should run out and buy gold especially with spot prices near historic highs at $3,346.32 per ounce. Transaction costs for purchasing and moving physical gold are higher than that of paper gold. But if you’ve got the cash and you’re worried about the world going to pot you could do worse than following the lead of the ultra rich. Store some gold. Sleep a little easier. And remember Chuck Norris said so. That's more valuable than any gold bar.