SEC Includes GoldBod in Ghana’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Sandbox to Pilot Gold-Backed Innovations
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Ghana has clarified the inclusion of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) in its newly launched Virtual Asset Regulatory Sandbox, addressing public questions about why the state gold trading body is listed alongside cryptocurrency and fintech companies. This move signals Ghana’s push to integrate traditional commodities like gold into the country’s emerging digital financial landscape.
GoldBod’s participation is focused on innovative financial products linked to gold, including gold-backed securities, derivatives, and the potential tokenisation of gold within Ghana’s capital market framework. The SEC emphasized that this integration aligns with national regulations while promoting innovation in financial services.
“The GoldBod Act monopolizes the trading, export, and custody of gold in Ghana under GoldBod. Under the framework we are developing, GoldBod will serve as the sole custodian of all gold-backed securities, handling assaying, verification, and vaulting of the physical gold,” explained Mensah Thompson, Deputy Director of the SEC, in a March 11, 2026, Facebook post.
Alongside GoldBod, 11 companies were admitted to the sandbox to pilot digital asset and fintech solutions under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025. Participants include Africoin, Blu Penguin, HanyPay, Hyro Exchange GH Ltd, HSB Global, KoinKoin, Whitebit, Vaulta, XChain, and BSystem Ltd. The programme will operate for 12 months, providing a controlled environment for testing while the SEC finalizes licensing and regulatory standards.
GoldBod is expected to pilot a gold tokenisation programme through a special purpose vehicle, acting as custodian of the physical gold backing these securities. The initiative will help the SEC establish robust guidelines for gold-backed and tokenised assets, bridging Ghana’s traditional commodity market with its growing digital asset sector.
source: citi newsroom