OCBC opens up platinum, palladium trading on its app to retail investors
The move will democratise access to assets that local banks have traditionally reserved for affluent clients.
Singapore's OCBC bank has launched the ability for retail customers to trade platinum and palladium bullion through its mobile application, starting on August 11th. The minimum investment required to begin is 0.01 ounce of each metal, which translates to approximately $23 for platinum and $18 for palladium, based on prices from August 8th. This move expands OCBC's digital trading capabilities, which have included gold and silver for retail clients since October 2021.
OCBC's analysts remain optimistic about the future of platinum and palladium, predicting spot prices to surpass $2,000 for platinum and $1,500 for palladium by the first half of 2027. These prices were $1,833 and $1,389, respectively, at the end of June 2026. Unlike gold, the value of platinum and palladium is primarily driven by industrial uses.
Platinum is essential in automobile manufacturing, industrial processes, and hydrogen fuel cell technology, while palladium is crucial for vehicle emissions-control systems. The demand for these metals is closely tied to the automotive, industrial, and clean energy sectors, leading to price movements that often diverge from gold and silver.
OCBC's strategy to introduce platinum and palladium trading aligns with a broader plan to lower entry barriers for retail investors. Tan Siew Lee, OCBC's head of group wealth management, explained that the combination of fractional investment and a digital platform helps to lower the entry threshold for all customers. Tan also pointed out that platinum and palladium are considered high-beta metals, meaning they are more volatile than other assets.
She advised that investors who are willing to handle higher volatility could use these metals to gain exposure to themes related to resource scarcity, industrial activity, and the global energy transition.
The bank reported that its digital metals platform has been well-received since its introduction. In 2025, customer investment in gold and silver through the app increased by 2.5 times compared to the previous year, with demand remaining steady even during volatile periods in 2026.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- OCBC opens up in-app platinum, palladium trading to retail investors businesstimes.com.sg
