Novem Gold

Novem Gold is a Liechtenstein-based project created to reform how individuals and institutions interact with physical gold. The initiative combines traditional gold trading practices with blockchain-based systems to offer a secure, digitised form of gold ownership. The project's central aim is to make gold more accessible by lowering entry barriers such as transportation, insurance, and storage, which typically affect physical gold investors. To do this, Novem Gold planned to operate a hybrid system: a digital gold-backed token infrastructure supported by a network of physical stores across Europe.

The founders developed Novem Gold in response to a lack of transparency and trust within the conventional precious metals industry. Drawing on their experience in international trade, they sought to build a model that adheres to high regulatory standards, ensures ethical sourcing, and uses technology to increase accountability. The project positions itself not just as a token issuer but as an active gold trading company with an established revenue stream from buying, refining, and selling scrap gold. This business model supports both its digital products and in-store offerings.

In addition to its blockchain infrastructure, Novem Gold emphasises physical security and regulatory clarity. Gold reserves linked to the token are held in high-security vaults, initially in Frankfurt, then in Liechtenstein, and currently in Austria. Regular third-party audits have been part of the project's transparency strategy, with plans to store audit data on decentralised systems such as NeoFS. These elements support the project's stated goal of offering an accountable and verifiable link between tokenised assets and real-world reserves.

The NNN token is a blockchain-based asset designed to represent direct ownership of physical gold. Initially launched on the NEO blockchain, NNN was later issued on Binance Smart Chain and Ethereum, enhancing its availability as a BEP-20 and ERC-20 token. This multi-chain deployment supports accessibility and integration across decentralised exchanges and platforms.

Each NNN token corresponds to one gram of LBMA-certified gold. This represents a shift from the project's earlier tokenomics, where 100 NNN equated to one gram. The change to a 1:1 model was likely implemented to simplify valuation and make the token more intuitive to users. Minting occurs only when new gold is added to Novem’s reserves, and burning mechanisms ensure the token supply adjusts when gold is withdrawn. This framework is intended to maintain a direct relationship between the digital supply and physical inventory.

The NNN token facilitates global peer-to-peer transfers without the need for intermediaries. A 0.25% fee is applied to transfers to cover storage, insurance, and administrative costs. Part of this fee also supports the burn mechanism for Novem’s utility token, NVM. Due to its gold backing and audit process, the token is positioned as a stable-value digital asset. It is intended as an alternative to traditional gold ownership, exchange-traded funds, and commodity-based derivatives.

The NNN token functions as a digital representation of gold ownership, aiming to provide a stable and accessible investment vehicle. Its primary uses include:

• Holding gold in a tokenised form, eliminating the need for users to manage physical custody
• Facilitating direct gold transfers between individuals, globally and without intermediaries
• Redeeming tokens for physical gold through Novem’s redemption process
• Using NNN for purchases in Novem Gold’s physical retail stores, which accept both fiat and token payments

The system also enables fractional ownership, removing traditional minimum purchase limits often associated with gold. By handling all storage, security, and insurance requirements, Novem Gold reduces friction in the investment process. The project aims to appeal to both retail investors looking for inflation hedges and institutional participants seeking digitised precious metal exposure.

Novem Gold was founded by Wolfgang Schmid (Founder & CEO) and Mario Schober (Founder & CTO), both of whom have longstanding experience in the trade of precious metals and gemstones across Europe and the Middle East. The project was born out of their observation of systemic inefficiencies in the traditional gold market, particularly concerning trust, pricing, and secure ownership.

Technical development was led by Christoph Klocker, a blockchain developer active since 2012 and involved in the NEO ecosystem. Other figures who have played roles in the project’s evolution include Andreas Kalteis (CEO in 2019), Lisa-Marie Pillichshammer (current CEO), Eicke Peters (COO), and Benjamin Mörtzschky (CHRO).

The leadership team blends traditional industry knowledge with experience in blockchain-based systems. This combination influenced the project’s dual strategy: to use blockchain for transparent, secure asset tokenisation while maintaining a physical footprint via gold stores to engage users more familiar with conventional investment methods.