How to Invest in Zimbabwe's Gold-Backed Digital Token and the Mosi-oa-Tunya Gold Coin

If you’re interested in Zimbabwe’s gold-backed investment options, there are two main choices: the Gold-Backed Digital Token (GBDT) and the Mosi-oa-Tunya gold coin. To purchase GBDT, you need to go through a participating bank in Zimbabwe. 

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe issues these tokens on a “tap basis,” meaning they’re available as applications come in. Once you apply through your bank and complete the required identity and funds verification, you’ll be issued the tokens in an electronic gold wallet. Banks also provide payment cards tied to these wallets, which let you spend or transfer the tokens both online and offline. In simple terms, GBDT works like a digital currency backed by real gold, and acquiring it is as straightforward as applying through an authorized bank.

You cannot purchase or invest in the Zimbabwe ZiG at this time. The currency itself is used in day-to-day transactions, only in the country of Zimbabwe.  Scroll to the bottom of this article to view a chart on which currency categories investors can invest in.

The Mosi-oa-Tunya gold coin is a more traditional option. These coins, each containing one troy ounce of 22-carat gold, are sold by commercial banks and other authorized agents of the central bank. You can pay for them using Zimbabwean dollars, U.S. dollars, or other foreign currencies such as pounds, euros, or rand. Buyers must provide standard identification and show the source of their funds, since the central bank requires full compliance with financial rules. After purchase, you can either take the coin home or leave it in safe custody with the bank. Each coin comes with a certificate for authenticity and security. If you decide later that you’d like to cash it in, you can redeem the coin after a 180-day waiting period for either U.S. dollars or Zimbabwean dollars at the current gold price. Non-residents and exporters are also allowed to take coins out of the country, provided the certificate travels with it.

Summary Table

Instrument	What It Is	Can You Invest?	Notes
Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)	Official gold-backed currency	No (not an investment)	Used for transactions; still volatile
GBDT (digital token)	Gold-backed digital token	Yes	Closest to an investment with gold backing
Mosi-oa-Tunya coin	Gold coin legal tender	Yes (physical)	Tangible and based on international gold price