炒金路被堵？银行集体“断供”，竟是在帮普通人避坑

Core Viewpoint - Recent actions by banks to phase out personal precious metals trading are aimed at mitigating high-risk gold speculation, raising concerns among individuals interested in gold investments [1][10]. Group 1: Bank Actions - Major banks, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), are set to clear accounts with no holdings or debts, effectively shutting down personal precious metals trading by December 19, 2025 [8][10]. - This move is part of a broader industry trend, with other banks like China Construction Bank and Postal Savings Bank of China also planning to either close dormant accounts or discontinue personal precious metals trading [10]. Group 2: Investment Alternatives - The first alternative for gold investment is physical gold or accumulation plans, which involve purchasing gold bars or coins, providing a safe, non-leveraged option for long-term holders [2]. - The second alternative is gold ETFs, which allow for easy trading on stock exchanges, offering liquidity and transparency while retaining gold's investment attributes [5]. - The third alternative includes low-risk products linked to gold prices, such as structured deposits, which provide a clearer risk profile and are suitable for those averse to volatility [7]. Group 3: Regulatory Background - The recent banking actions are rooted in regulatory tightening following the 2020 "Oil Treasure" incident, which exposed risks associated with complex financial derivatives sold to ordinary investors [13][15]. - Since then, banks have progressively restricted personal derivatives business, halting new account openings and increasing trading thresholds, with the current account clean-up being the final step in managing existing business [15].