Tokenized Silver Drives Record Metals Volume on BTCC

Trading activity in tokenized precious metals surged on BTCC Exchange last week as market volatility pushed traders toward defensive assets. On January 27, 2026, the exchange recorded $301.7 million in daily volume across its tokenized metals futures — the highest level since the products were launched.

Silver accounted for the majority of that activity, overtaking gold as the preferred exposure for traders positioning around macro risk.

What happened

BTCC said tokenized silver futures (SILVERUSDT) generated $245 million in volume on the day, representing more than 81% of total precious metals trading. Tokenized gold contracts — including PAXGUSDT, XAUTUSDT, and GOLDUSDT — added a combined $56.7 million.

The $301.7 million total marked a new single-day record for precious metals trading on the platform. Volumes rose sharply as geopolitical developments, currency moves, and uneven equity performance increased demand for traditional hedges.

While gold remains a core defensive asset, silver drew heavier flows. Traders pointed to its sensitivity to both inflation expectations and industrial demand as reasons for the shift.

Why silver, and why now?

The spike highlights how crypto traders are increasingly expressing macro views without leaving crypto-native platforms. Instead of moving capital into traditional brokerage accounts, many are reallocating within exchanges via tokenized versions of real-world assets.

Silver’s appeal is partly structural. Unlike gold, silver straddles monetary and industrial use cases. Demand from renewable energy, electronics manufacturing, and infrastructure has kept it closely tied to economic growth expectations, even as it functions as a hedge during periods of stress.

At the same time, tokenized futures provide features that traditional commodity markets do not. Products trade nearly around the clock, settle quickly, and are directly paired with stablecoins. For short-term traders, that flexibility matters.

Investor Takeaway

Part of a larger RWA push

The record metals volume follows a strong year for BTCC’s real-world asset products. In 2025, the exchange reported $53.1 billion in futures volume tied to RWAs, spanning commodities and equities. Quarterly RWA volume increased 18 times from the first quarter to the fourth.

Gold and silver were among BTCC’s most traded instruments last year, alongside stocks such as NVIDIA and Tesla. The overlap reflects growing interest in accessing traditional markets through crypto infrastructure.

Across the industry, tokenized RWAs have moved beyond experimentation. While tokenized government bonds and yield products have drawn institutional attention, commodities are emerging as a high-activity segment driven by trader demand.

Compared with ETFs and traditional futures, tokenized contracts offer smaller position sizing, global access, and fewer operational barriers. Those features continue to attract digitally native traders.

Investor Takeaway

What BTCC is building next

BTCC plans to expand that approach in 2026 with the launch of its TradFi offering. The product is expected to allow users to trade stocks, commodities, indices, and forex alongside cryptocurrencies from a single account.

The move aligns with a broader trend toward convergence between traditional finance and digital asset platforms. Rather than acting as isolated crypto venues, exchanges are positioning themselves as multi-asset trading hubs.

As BTCC marks its 15th year in operation, the surge in tokenized metals trading highlights how trader behavior is changing. In uncertain markets, demand is rising for platforms that allow fast rotation between risk assets and defensive exposure without friction.