TNG e-Mas is a digital gold platform launched by Touch ‘n Go (TNG) in partnership with CIMB Bank.
It allows users to buy, store, and sell gold directly through their Touch ‘n Go Wallet app, making gold investment more accessible and convenient than ever before.
With the increasing popularity of digital investments, TNG e-Mas taps into the growing trend of investing in gold in a modern, tech-savvy way.
In this review, we’ll explore how TNG e-Mas works, its benefits and drawbacks, and whether it’s worth considering as part of your investment strategy.
How TNG e-Mas Works
TNG e-Mas simplifies the process of buying, selling, and storing gold by leveraging the convenience of digital technology.
Here’s a quick rundown of how the platform works:
- Sign Up and Setup
To get started with TNG e-Mas, you need to have an active Touch ‘n Go (TNG) e-wallet account. If you don’t have one yet, simply download the TNG Wallet app and register.
Once your account is set up, you can access the TNG e-Mas feature directly within the app under the Investment section.
- Buying Gold
After logging into the TNG Wallet app, you can purchase gold using your e-wallet balance.
The gold is bought in fractional units, meaning you don’t need to buy an entire gram or ounce.
You can start investing with as little as RM10 worth of gold, making it accessible for even small investors.
The app’s real-time gold prices allow you to purchase gold at the market rate whenever you choose.
- Storing Gold Digitally
Once you purchase gold, it’s stored digitally in your TNG e-Mas account.
The gold you own is backed by physical gold stored in a secure vault, ensuring that your digital holdings represent actual gold reserves.
You don’t need to worry about safekeeping the physical gold, as everything is managed digitally through the app.
- Selling Gold
If you want to sell your gold, simply open the TNG e-Mas feature in the app and choose the amount you wish to sell.
You can sell your gold for ringgit and the proceeds from the sale will be credited back to your e-wallet balance, which you can use for other transactions.
- Gold Price Tracking and Updates
The TNG e-Mas app continuously updates the price of gold based on market fluctuations, so you can keep an eye on your investment’s value.
The app also provides detailed transaction history and insights into your gold holdings, allowing you to monitor your progress over time.
Pros of TNG e-Mas
1. Accessibility and Convenience
One of the biggest advantages of TNG e-Mas is its accessibility.
With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can easily buy, store, and sell gold directly within the Touch ‘n Go Wallet app.
Everything is done digitally, making it incredibly convenient for anyone with a smartphone and a TNG Wallet account.
2. Low Minimum Investment
TNG e-Mas allows you to invest in gold with as little as RM10, making it an affordable option for beginners or those who want to test the waters of gold investment without committing large amounts of money.
This low entry barrier opens up opportunities for a broader audience to diversify their portfolios.
3. No Physical Gold Handling
Unlike traditional gold investing, where you need to physically store your gold, TNG e-Mas eliminates the need for you to worry about security or safekeeping.
The gold you purchase is stored digitally, but it is backed by physical gold kept in a secure vault.
This gives you the benefit of owning real gold without the hassle of managing it physically.
4. Real-Time Price Tracking
TNG e-Mas provides real-time updates on the price of gold, giving you up-to-date information to help make informed investment decisions.
This transparency ensures you can track the value of your gold holdings at any time, helping you stay on top of market movements and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
5. Seamless Integration with TNG Wallet
Since TNG e-Mas is integrated with the Touch ‘n Go Wallet app, you can easily use your e-wallet balance to buy gold and manage your funds all in one place.
The integration provides a seamless user experience, and you don’t have to switch between different apps or platforms to manage your digital gold and everyday transactions.
6. Liquidity and Flexibility
Selling your gold is straightforward—if you need cash, you can sell your gold and have the proceeds deposited into your TNG Wallet account almost immediately.
This liquidity makes TNG e-Mas a flexible investment option, especially if you want to convert your gold holdings back into cash quickly.
7. No Need for Physical Visits
With TNG e-Mas, you don’t need to visit a physical store to buy or sell gold, which saves both time and effort.
This is particularly beneficial for those who live in areas where gold shops are not easily accessible or prefer managing their investments remotely.
8. No Fees
There are absolutely no fees or charges for buying or selling gold through TNG eWallet!
Cons of TNG e-Mas
1. Limited Physical Gold Withdrawal
While TNG e-Mas allows you to invest in digital gold, one significant drawback is that you cannot convert your digital gold value into physical gold.
This limitation could be a downside for those who prefer to own tangible assets.
2. Gold Price Volatility
Like any form of investment tied to commodities, the value of gold can fluctuate based on market conditions.
While gold is often seen as a safe-haven asset, its price can still experience significant short-term volatility, which may affect your investment’s value.
TNG e-Mas users need to be mindful of these fluctuations and be prepared for potential price swings.
3. Not Covered by Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM)
PIDM primarily protects depositors by insuring deposits in member banks, such as savings and fixed accounts, up to a certain limit. However, it does not cover investments like gold, unit trust, stocks, bonds, or any other non-deposit products.
This means that while your bank deposits are safeguarded against the unlikely scenario of your bank winding down, all investments carry risks associated with market fluctuations and are not eligible for PIDM protection.
It’s important to be aware of these distinctions when considering your investment options!
4. Dependence on TNG Wallet
Since TNG e-Mas is integrated with the Touch ‘n Go Wallet, you’re required to have an active TNG Wallet account to use the platform.
If you don’t already use TNG Wallet for your daily transactions or don’t prefer the app’s interface, you might find this integration less appealing.
Additionally, if there are any issues with the TNG Wallet app, it could impact your access to your gold holdings.
5. Not Shariah-Compliant
TNG e-Mas is currently available in digital gold format only hence is not Shariah-compliant.
One of the requirements for Shariah-compliant gold investment is that the product needs to be fully allocated physical gold.
TNG is working closely with CIMB to explore offering Shariah-compliant gold investment options in the future.
Read my guide on how to invest in gold in Malaysia!
Conclusion
TNG e-Mas offers a convenient, accessible, and secure way for Malaysians to invest in gold, especially for those who may not have the time, resources, or inclination to deal with physical gold or traditional brokers.
With low minimum investments, real-time price tracking, and seamless integration with the Touch ‘n Go Wallet app, it provides a streamlined digital experience for those looking to diversify their portfolios with gold.
Have you tried using TNG e-Mas? Or are you thinking about starting? I’d love to hear about your experiences and any questions you may have!
Drop a comment below to share your thoughts, or feel free to reach out directly to me via email [email protected]
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