In this article:
Overview
You can convert your digital gold holdings in a non-registered account into physical gold and have them delivered directly to you. This allows you to bridge the gap between digital convenience and physical possession of your investment.
The physical gold is currently available for delivery as limited-edition, Wealthsimple-branded Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) gold coins, which can potentially be restocked.
Available coin denominations are 1/10 ounce (oz) or 1 oz. The prices for each coin can be found in the Wealthsimple app.
Currently, you can only redeem gold from your non-registered account. We're working to expand this feature to other account types in the future.
How to request your physical gold
You can request the redemption of your gold holdings directly in the Wealthsimple app:
- Log in to the Wealthsimple app
- Navigate to the non-registered account that holds your gold
- Tap on your GOLD holdings
- On the holdings card for gold, tap Get gold coins
- Select the coin quantity and denomination (1/10 oz or 1 oz)
- Tap Review
- Review your order
- Tap Continue to shipping details
- Confirm your delivery address (Note: It must be the address on your Wealthsimple profile)
- Tap Place your order
Your digital gold holdings will be sold to fulfill the request. This transaction is considered an asset disposition and a taxable event.
Redemption details
Fees
Our service provider charges a redemption fee when you convert your digital gold holdings to physical gold. Redemption fees cover minting, insurance, and secure delivery of the metal. This fee is incorporated into the redemption price displayed to you.
| Coin Denomination | Redemption Fee |
| Wealthsimple 1/10 oz coin | 11% |
| Wealthsimple 1 oz coin | 2.25% |
Delivery and tracking
Physical gold is shipped securely via our delivery partners, and delivery is included in your redemption fee:
- Delivery time: Typically within 7–10 business days from the request date.
- Delivery location: Must be the address on your Wealthsimple profile.
- Signature required: The primary account holder must sign for the package and show ID.
- Missed delivery: The courier will leave a delivery notice with instructions on how to pick up the package from a local collections facility.
- Insurance: The parcel is fully insured during shipping, included in the redemption fee.
Track your shipment
Once your redemption order is placed, you can track its progress in the Wealthsimple app:
- Log in to the Wealthsimple app
- Tap the Activity (arrows) icon at the bottom of the screen
- Select the Gold redemption activity
- Tap Track order details to view the shipping tracker
The shipping tracker will update you on the status of your physical gold coin delivery. The order timeline may show one of the following statuses:
- In progress: We're getting your gold ready and will update the page with tracking information once it ships.
- Shipped (In transit): Your gold has shipped and is currently on its way. If your order includes multiple packages, the tracker will show the status of the slowest package. You can view the tracking web page from the courier by tapping on the link icon in the Track your gold section.
- Shipped (Out for delivery): Your gold is out for delivery today.
- Action required: There may be a problem with your order, such as a missed signature or an incorrect address. You'll need to contact our support team to resolve the issue.
- Completed: Your gold has been delivered and signed for.
Frequently asked questions
Who will handle the delivery of my physical gold?
Our delivery partners will handle the secure shipping and delivery of your physical gold.
How can I track my gold delivery?
You can track your gold delivery by selecting the Gold redemption activity in the Activity tab of the Wealthsimple app and tapping Track order details to view the shipping tracker.
Are there tax implications when I redeem my gold for physical delivery?
Yes. Redeeming gold for physical delivery is considered a withdrawal from your account and is a taxable event. You may need to report any capital gains or losses on your tax return. You'll receive the appropriate tax documentation to report the transaction.
Will Wealthsimple buy my physical gold back from me?
Once you've withdrawn your gold, Wealthsimple doesn't offer a service to buy the physical gold back.
What if the gold coins I receive are damaged?
If the package is damaged, defective, or you receive the wrong package, please contact our support team immediately. Returns are only accepted in these cases, and we'll issue a secure return label. Returns initiated through private shipping won't be honoured.
Is there a limit to the number of coins I can withdraw?
Yes. The limit is 5 oz per transaction, regardless of the number of coins.
Are there any storage fees for the gold backing my digital purchase?
No. There are no storage fees. Gold is stored in segregated storage at 0% cost to you.
Is the package insured during shipping?
Yes. Insurance is included in the redemption fee.
Does CIPF continue to cover my gold when I redeem it?
No. CIPF coverage ends when digital gold is redeemed for physical gold.
Could the gold originate from conflict-affected regions, such as Sudan or the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
No. The gold is sourced only from Canadian mines.
What's the weight of the gold in grams? Is the weight we display a troy ounce or a standard ounce?
The weight is in troy ounces. One troy ounce is approximately 31.1035 grams.
Is the price of the gold hedged against FX fluctuations between USD and CAD?
No. You'll need to be aware of and monitor both the spot price and exchange rate to hedge against FX fluctuations.
Who's the exact custodian for the physical gold holdings?
RCM and Brinks are the custodians for the gold.
At which Brinks facility is the physical gold in storage?
Gold is held at various Brinks and RCM locations.
What type of segregated storage is used at the vault?
We use segregated program-level storage. This means that all clients' precious metals are stored together. Wealthsimple maintains individual records and ownership data for each client, and those holdings are completely separated from Wealthsimple's assets.
Will I be able to redeem gold in registered accounts, such as a TFSA or RRSP?
No. We're currently focused on providing clients with the best experience when trading gold. We'll consider expanding gold redemptions to other account types in the future.
Why is the gold sent to my residential address instead of my mailing address?
For security and compliance reasons, physical gold coins must be shipped to the residential address listed on your Wealthsimple profile.
Is there a certificate or documentation I can use to show the authenticity of the physical gold if I try to sell it?
No. Certificates of authenticity aren't typically issued for standard investment-grade gold coins, including the ones we offer. This is a common practice across the precious metals industry, as most coins are authenticated through a trusted supply chain rather than individual certificates.
Your Wealthsimple gold coins are produced by the Royal Canadian Mint and sourced through secure, mint-direct channels. This mint origin, along with the coin's purity, packaging, and handling standards, is what reputable dealers rely on to verify authenticity if you ever choose to sell or trade your coin.
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