Redeemable Asset
Real-World Assets • Bullion • Physical Collateral
real-world claim
A redeemable asset is a token or financial instrument that can be exchanged for a real-world item of value — such as gold, silver, cash, or goods. In blockchain systems, redeemable assets bridge the digital and physical worlds by allowing holders to claim what’s backing the token, often through a trusted issuer or vaulting service. Examples include KAG (redeemable for allocated silver), USDC (redeemable for fiat), or tokenized commodities with physical delivery options. Redeemability adds transparency, accountability, and real-world utility to digital assets.
Use Case: Redeemable assets like KAU and KAG allow users to claim and physically receive the precious metals backing their digital holdings — restoring trust and tangible value in Web3 finance.
Key Concepts:
- Physical Claim — Legal right to redeem the token for real-world assets like bullion
- Audited Reserves — Backing is verified and stored in insured, third-party vaults
- Transparency — Holders can verify supply and redemption processes on-chain
- Counterparty Risk Reduction — Direct ownership minimizes reliance on custodians or intermediaries
- Token Redemption — Process of exchanging tokens for the underlying asset
- Physical Collateral — Real-world assets backing each token in custody
- Allocated Storage — Segregated vault storage with auditable proof of reserves
- Asset-Backed Supply Model — Supply minted only when physical collateral is deposited
- Metal-Backed Tokens — Digital assets collateralized by gold, silver, or other metals
- Digital Bullion — Tokenized representation of physical precious metals
- Bullion Vault — Secure storage facility for precious metal reserves
Summary: Redeemable assets represent a return to real value in finance. By combining blockchain utility with physical settlement, they give users direct access to wealth they can hold, spend, or withdraw — bridging sound money and decentralized finance.
Redeemability Spectrum
not all “redeemable” claims are equal
Redeemability Trust Checklist
verify before you trust the claim
Redeemable vs Paper Claims
ownership you can prove vs promises on paper
1:1 allocated backing
Your name on specific bars
Physical delivery available
Audited and insured
You can walk away with metal
Examples: $KAG, $KAU, PaxG
Pooled or fractional backing
No specific allocation
Redemption impractical or impossible
Trust the institution
You own a certificate, not metal
Examples: GLD, SLV, COMEX futures