SEC clarifies inclusion of GoldBod in virtual asset regulatory sandbox
11th March 2026
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has explained why the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) is included in its newly launched Virtual Asset Regulatory Sandbox, amid questions over its presence alongside cryptocurrency and fintech firms.
According to the Commission, GoldBod’s participation is linked to ongoing work on innovative financial products related to gold, including gold-backed securities, derivatives, and the potential tokenisation of gold within Ghana’s capital market framework.
“The GoldBod Act monopolises the trading, export, and custody of gold in Ghana with GoldBod. The framework that we are currently working on will see GoldBod as the sole custodian of all gold-backed securities in Ghana in compliance with the GoldBod Act,” said Mensah Thompson in a Facebook post on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
He added that GoldBod will be responsible for assaying, verification, and vaulting of all gold underlying these securities and will issue periodic reports to the SEC as specified in the framework.
The clarification follows the official admission of 11 companies into the regulatory sandbox, which allows participants to pilot digital asset and fintech products under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025. The sandbox programme will run for 12 months, providing a controlled environment for testing services while the SEC evaluates operational risks and finalises licensing regulations for the sector.
Participating companies include Africoin, Blu Penguin, GoldBod, HanyPay, Hyro Exchange GH Ltd, HSB Global, KoinKoin, Whitebit, Vaulta, XChain, and BSystem Ltd.
Under the framework, GoldBod is expected to pilot a gold tokenisation programme through a special purpose vehicle while also serving as the custodian of the physical gold underpinning these securities.
The initiative is intended to help the SEC develop comprehensive guidelines for gold-backed securities and tokenised gold assets in Ghana, ensuring that innovations in the sector comply with existing regulatory and legal frameworks.