Dubai lets investors buy a share of world’s largest silver bar weighing 1,971kg

Dubai launches tokenised investment in the world’s largest silver bar, allowing eligible investors to acquire fractional interests in the 1,971kg asset.

Dubai has launched a new way for eligible investors to acquire fractional digital interests linked to the world’s largest silver bar, a 1,971kg Guinness World Record asset manufactured in the UAE.

DMCC has launched the bar as the first tokenised commodity asset under the DMCC-VARA tokenisation framework, with eligible investors, including retail investors, able to access the Silver Bar Asset-Referenced Virtual Asset (ARVA) through Tokinvest from September 7.

Tokinvest, a Dubai-based platform regulated by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), will issue fractional digital interests in the silver bar as an ARVA.

The tokens are deployed on BNB Chain, with regulated secondary-market trading scheduled to follow the initial issuance, subject to applicable regulatory and platform requirements.

The 1,971kg bar was unveiled at the Dubai Precious Metals Conference in November 2025 following recognition by Guinness World Records.

Tokenised investment in Dubai

Manufactured in the UAE by SAM Precious Metals from 99.9 per cent pure silver, the bar commemorates 1971, the UAE’s founding year.

The physical bar is registered and verified through DMCC Tradeflow, which records possession and ownership of commodities stored in UAE-based facilities, and is securely held by Brink’s.

Tokinvest will manage the regulated issuance and distribution of the digital interests as well as subsequent secondary-market trading.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, said: “This launch demonstrates Dubai’s ability to connect established commodities infrastructure with digital technology and specialist expertise.”

He added that DMCC’s work with VARA and industry partners creates practical routes for physical assets to enter the digital economy while retaining a clear connection to the underlying commodity.

Eligible retail investors gain access

Scott Thiel, Co-Founder and CEO of Tokinvest, said eligible investors, including retail investors, could access the Silver Bar ARVA through the platform from September 7, with secondary-market trading expected after issuance.

Tokenisation broadens access to fractional interests in the unique physical asset, supported by Dubai’s regulatory framework.

Paul Boots, Senior Director and Head of Sector Development at VARA, said, “The Silver Bar ARVA marks an important milestone as the first tokenised commodity asset issued under the DMCC-VARA framework.”

He said the project brings together commodities infrastructure, regulated issuance, institutional custody and blockchain technology to turn tokenisation into an investable product.

Sami Abu Ahmad, Principal CEO of SAM Precious Metals, said the bar reflects the strength of the UAE’s precious metals industry and the significance of 1971.

Its tokenisation demonstrates how established infrastructure can support new investment and ownership models, he added.

Nader Antar, Executive Vice President and President of Brink’s Rest of World and Brink’s Global Services (BGS), highlighted the importance of secure transportation, vault storage and ongoing custody in protecting the physical asset and supporting confidence in tokenisation.

DMCC expands tokenised asset strategy

The launch forms part of DMCC’s strategy to connect commodities, capital and technology.

Its business district hosts more than 1,500 gold and precious metals companies, supported by trading, storage, finance and ownership registration services.

The DMCC Tech ecosystem includes more than 4,000 companies, with over 750 members at the DMCC Crypto Centre.

These activities are complemented by DMCC FinX, which is developing opportunities across digital trade, tokenised real-world assets and trade finance.