Dubai launches world’s largest tokenised silver bar weighing 1,971kg
Eligible investors can acquire fractional interests linked to the physical precious metal
DUBAI – Dubai has launched the world’s largest silver bar as the first tokenised commodity asset under the DMCC-VARA tokenisation framework.
The move allows eligible investors to acquire fractional digital interests linked to the 1,971kg Guinness World Record asset. The initiative brings together Dubai’s established precious metals infrastructure, regulated virtual asset market and blockchain technology in a project designed to connect a physical commodity with digital ownership.
Tokinvest, a Dubai-based virtual asset platform regulated by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), will issue the fractional interests as an Asset-Referenced Virtual Asset (ARVA). The tokens will be deployed on BNB Chain, while regulated secondary-market trading is scheduled to follow the initial issuance, subject to applicable regulatory and platform requirements.
Eligible investors, including retail investors, can access the Silver Bar ARVA through Tokinvest from today (Monday). The digital structure allows investors to obtain fractional interests in the physical asset rather than requiring ownership of the entire silver bar.
Record asset
The launch fulfils plans announced at the Dubai Precious Metals Conference in November 2025, when the 1,971kg silver bar was unveiled after receiving official recognition from Guinness World Records.
Manufactured in the UAE by SAM Precious Metals, the bar is made from 99.9 percent pure silver and was created to commemorate 1971, the founding year of the United Arab Emirates. Its weight reflects the year in which the country was established, giving the physical asset a direct link to the UAE’s history while also making it a distinctive precious metals holding.
The tokenisation project links the physical bar to Dubai’s existing commodities registration infrastructure. The asset is registered and verified through DMCC Tradeflow, a platform used to record possession and ownership of commodities stored in UAE-based facilities.
Brink’s is providing secure custody and logistics for the physical silver bar. Its role covers the physical security infrastructure supporting the asset, including secure transportation, vault storage and ongoing custody.
Tokinvest will oversee the regulated issuance and distribution of the digital interests, as well as subsequent secondary-market trading. The arrangement brings together the manufacturer of the physical asset, the commodities registration system, institutional custody and the regulated virtual asset platform.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, said the launch delivers on the ambition set out when the silver bar was unveiled at the Dubai Precious Metals Conference.
He said the project demonstrates Dubai’s ability to connect established commodities infrastructure with digital technology and specialist expertise. Through DMCC Tradeflow and its work with VARA and industry partners, DMCC is creating routes for physical assets to enter the digital economy while maintaining a connection with the underlying commodity.
Regulated access
Paul Boots, Senior Director and Head of Sector Development at VARA, described the Silver Bar ARVA as an important milestone as the first tokenised commodity asset issued under the DMCC-VARA framework.
He said the project brings together established commodities infrastructure, regulated virtual asset issuance, institutional custody and blockchain technology, turning tokenisation into a practical investable product.
Scott Thiel, Co-Founder and CEO of Tokinvest, said the structure gives investors access to fractional interests in what is described as a one-of-one physical asset.
According to Thiel, eligible investors, including retail investors, can access the Silver Bar ARVA through Tokinvest from September 7. He added that regulated secondary-market trading is expected to open soon after the initial issuance, subject to the relevant requirements.
The tokenised structure changes how investors can participate in ownership of the physical asset. Instead of acquiring the entire 1,971kg bar, eligible investors can hold a fractional digital interest linked to it through the regulated framework.
Sami Abu Ahmad, Principal CEO of SAM Precious Metals, said the bar was created to represent the strength of the UAE’s precious metals industry as well as the significance of 1971.
He said its record-breaking status and UAE manufacture made it a unique physical asset, while the tokenisation provides a new model for participation in its ownership. The project also demonstrates how established precious metals infrastructure can connect with newer investment and ownership structures.
Nader Antar, Executive Vice President and President of Brink’s Rest of World and Brink’s Global Services (BGS), highlighted the importance of physical security and custody in supporting confidence in tokenised assets.
Brink’s is responsible for the physical foundation supporting the digital interests, with its services spanning secure transportation, vault storage and ongoing custody of high-value commodities and assets.
Dubai ecosystem
The silver bar launch forms part of DMCC’s broader strategy to connect commodities, capital and technology through market infrastructure and digital initiatives.
DMCC is home to more than 1,500 companies operating across gold and precious metals. The ecosystem is supported by specialist services covering commodities trading, storage, finance and the registration of ownership.
Its technology ecosystem includes more than 4,000 companies, with more than 750 members at the DMCC Crypto Centre. The centre is part of the wider technology and virtual asset infrastructure being developed within the business district.
DMCC FinX is also developing opportunities around digital trade, tokenised real-world assets and next-generation trade finance. The initiative adds a financial technology component to DMCC’s established commodities activities and its growing focus on digital markets.
The tokenisation of the 1,971kg silver bar therefore places a physical precious metals asset within a regulated digital framework, combining its registration through DMCC Tradeflow with custody by Brink’s, issuance by Tokinvest and blockchain deployment on BNB Chain.
The initial issuance is now open to eligible investors through Tokinvest, while regulated secondary-market trading is expected to follow, subject to applicable regulatory and platform requirements.