Security companies build new vaults as physical gold demand from wealthy investors surges
High-net-worth individuals are increasingly opting to buy gold bullion instead of funds and store it in private vaults, prompting companies to prepare new storage facilities.
As gold prices approach new highs, a significant shift is taking place in how wealthy investors access gold. Preferring to purchase physical bullion directly rather than using financial instruments and store it in private vaults, billionaires are driving security companies to open new storage facilities.
Expansion Plans of Private Vault Companies
The surging and intense interest in physical gold has begun to strain private vault operators, which have long avoided capacity issues.
While London-based Sharps Pixley has begun searching for a new facility, Swiss Gold Safe plans to expand all its vault centers.
The Trend Toward Individually Allocated Vaults
According to information shared by vault companies, the trend toward physical gold has gained momentum especially over the past 12 to 18 months.
While investors used to keep their gold in commingled pools, they now prefer to store it in individual vaults allocated in their own names.
Global Research and Bank Data
According to research conducted by HSBC, 52 percent of participants plan to increase their gold investments during 2026.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Singapore reported that its clients' physical gold holdings have increased by more than 40 percent since the end of 2025.
Demand Growth Globally and in Turkey
According to World Gold Council data, bar and coin investments rose by 21 percent year-on-year in the first six months of 2026, reaching 784 tons.
In Turkey, the amount of bars and coins purchased for investment purposes increased by 29 percent in the first quarter of 2026, hitting the highest level of the last seven quarters.