When people think of investing in precious metals, gold is usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, silver is another valuable asset that often goes overlooked.
While I personally prefer gold, I recently bought a silver ring from a Balinese silversmith—a beautiful piece featuring a bloomed Kemboja flower design for just RM85 after currency exchange.
This got me thinking about silver as an investment. It’s more affordable than gold, yet still holds value. Plus, wearing silver jewelry feels much safer compared to gold, especially when traveling.
In this guide, I’ll break down the different ways to invest in silver in Malaysia, the pros and cons, and my personal take on silver as an investment.
Why Invest in Silver?
Silver has long been considered a store of value, just like gold. Here’s why some investors include it in their portfolio:
Hedge Against Inflation – Silver maintains its value over time, making it a good asset to protect against rising costs.
Lower Entry Cost Than Gold – Silver is much more affordable, allowing investors to start with a lower budget.
Industrial Demand – Unlike gold, silver has practical uses in electronics, solar panels, and medical equipment, which helps support its price.
Diversification – Having a mix of assets reduces risk, and silver can balance out a portfolio that’s too reliant on stocks or fiat currency.
However, silver isn’t without its drawbacks.
Pros and Cons of Investing in Silver
Pros:
Hedge against inflation – Like gold, silver preserves purchasing power.
Lower entry cost – More affordable than gold, making it easier for beginners to invest.
Industrial demand – Used in various industries, helping drive long-term demand.
Cons:
Price volatility – Silver prices can be unpredictable due to supply and demand fluctuations.
Less liquidity than gold – Selling silver isn’t always as easy as selling gold.
Storage and security concerns – Physical silver requires secure storage, whether at home or in a safety deposit box.
Ready to start your gold investment journey in Malaysia? Explore the best ways to invest, from physical gold to ETFs and savings accounts. Start building your wealth today!
Ways to Invest in Silver in Malaysia
If you’re considering investing in silver, here are the main ways to do so:
Maybank Silver Investment Account (SIA)
One of the easiest ways to invest in silver without handling physical bullion is through Maybank’s Silver Investment Account (SIA).
📌 Key Features:
No need to store physical silver.
Buy and sell based on Maybank’s silver prices.
Accessible via Maybank2U.
📌 Things to Consider:
❌ You don’t own physical silver—only a silver balance in your account.
❌ Transaction fees and charges apply.
💡 Where to learn more: Maybank Silver Investment Account
Buying Physical Silver (Bullion, Coins, and Bars)
For those who prefer tangible assets, buying silver bars or coins is an option.
📌 Where to Buy:
✔ BuySilverMalaysia.com – Offers silver bars, coins, and live pricing updates.
✔ Local jewelry stores and pawnshops.
📌 Things to Consider:
✔ Full ownership—you control your silver.
✔ Can be used for gifting or resale.
❌ Requires safe storage to avoid theft or damage.
❌ Premiums above spot price—you’ll pay extra for refining, minting, and distribution.
Investing in Silver ETFs
If you don’t want the hassle of storing physical silver, Silver Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are a great option.
📌 What are Silver ETFs?
Silver ETFs track the price of silver and trade like stocks.
You don’t own physical silver, but you benefit from price movements.
Ideal for those who want quick entry and exit in silver investing.
📌 Popular Silver ETFs:
- iShares Silver Trust (SLV) – The largest silver ETF globally.
- Aberdeen Standard Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR) – Holds physical silver for investors.
- Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) – Invests in silver mining companies.
📌 Where to Buy?
✔ Through brokerage platforms like Rakuten Trade, Moomoo, or IBKR.
Here’s how the ETFs would look like on the Rakuten Trade app:
📌 Things to Consider:
✔ No storage worries—everything is digital.
✔ Easier to buy/sell compared to physical silver.
❌ ETF management fees apply.
❌ Not the same as owning physical silver.
Learning More About Silver Investments
Before jumping in, it’s always good to research the market. A great educational resource is InvestSilverMalaysia.com, which provides:
- Guides on how silver pricing works.
- Historical price trends.
- Investment strategies for Malaysian investors.
Key Considerations Before Investing
Before putting money into silver, ask yourself these questions:
What’s your investment goal?
Are you investing for long-term wealth preservation or short-term gains?
Which method suits you best?
If you don’t want storage hassles, Silver ETFs or Maybank’s SIA might be better than physical silver.
Have you researched the costs?
Premiums on silver bars/coins.
Storage options (home safe vs. bank deposit).
Brokerage fees for Silver ETFs.
Personal Experience: My Take on Silver Investment
As someone who prefers gold, silver wasn’t my first choice for investment. But after buying my Balinese silver ring for just RM85, I realized:
Silver jewelry is a stylish, affordable alternative to gold. It’s great for daily wear without worrying too much about theft.
Silver makes a meaningful gift. Whether for a loved one or as a keepsake, it carries sentimental value without being too expensive.
Silver is a fun, low-risk way to diversify. While it’s not my primary investment, I appreciate having silver in my collection, both as jewelry and a potential asset.
Conclusion
Silver is an underrated but valuable asset, offering affordability, investment potential, and industrial demand.
Whether you choose to invest in digital silver (Maybank SIA), physical bullion, or silver jewelry, it’s important to consider your goals, risk tolerance, and investment strategy.
If you’re just starting out, silver can be a great stepping stone into precious metal investing—without the high cost of gold.
Who knows? Maybe you’ll end up like me, appreciating silver’s unique beauty while still holding on to gold as a primary investment!
