Co. Unleashes Gold-Backed Digital Art on Bitcoin Network

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Bitcoin ecosystem company Matador Technologies Inc. (MATA:TSX.V; MATAF:OTCQB) on Tuesday announced the unveiling of its Digital Asset Platform, which allows for the creation of distinctive digital art pieces that can be permanently marked onto 1 gram of physical gold.

The cutting-edge platform merges the world of precious metal art with blockchain technology, leveraging protocols from the Bitcoin Network. The debut was expected to occur exclusively on Trio (@trio_xyz), with whitelist access starting at 11a.m. EST followed by a public launch at 12 p.m. EST.

The first offering, "Grammies," are digital designs recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain that collectors can own, imprint on gold, and showcase digitally, pushing the boundaries of how art can be both timeless and contemporary. These collectibles are compatible with various Bitcoin-friendly wallets and can be transformed into physical gold items.

Some highlights of the Grammies are:

• Each Grammie can be etched onto a gram of gold and delivered directly to collectors.
• The initial series includes a limited edition of 1,000 unique artworks, crafted in partnership with the acclaimed artist dxxmsdxy.
• Additionally, the Grammies feature inscriptions on a range of satoshis — from standard to rare and legacy sats — providing collectors with a spectrum of unique digital assets.
• Each piece of art is algorithmically created, complete with its own serial number and narrative, the company said.

Grammies merge digital innovation with physical value, with each collectible uniquely recorded on the Bitcoin Blockchain, ensuring both scarcity and authenticity. With the current gold price around USD $3,300 an ounce, this initiative opens new avenues for art collectors and precious metal aficionados looking for diverse investment opportunities.

Each artwork is unique and securely documented on the Bitcoin blockchain, among the most secure blockchains globally, Matador holds a substantial amount of gold, securely stored and audited at the Royal Canadian Mint, as reflected in the company’s audited financial statements.

'An Important Milestone' For Co.

Last week, Matador announced it had received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange to complete its previously announced change of business (COB) and it also increased its Bitcoin holdings.

The COB, which the company expects to complete around July 4, transitions Matador to a hybrid technology/investment entity as categorized by TSX-V regulations.

Matador will have the opportunity to broaden its business model to include activities that align with its investment strategy and TSX-V standards, including the procurement and management of Bitcoin, as well as investments in Bitcoin-related technologies and infrastructure.

This new framework grants the firm enhanced operational flexibility within the digital asset landscape.

"This marks an important milestone on our journey," Chief Executive Officer Deven Soni said. "With conditional approval in place, we are one step closer to advancing our Bitcoin treasury strategy and supporting Bitcoin-native innovation globally, subject to final TSX-V approval."

Matador announced that it had purchased an additional 8.4 Bitcoins for CA$1.2 million (US$878,763), bringing Matador's total Bitcoin holdings to roughly 77 Bitcoins (and Bitcoin equivalents), reinforcing its goal of diversifying its treasury with long-term reserve assets. The company maintains a debt-free status, with all Bitcoins (and Bitcoin equivalents) fully owned.

Additionally, the company retains cash reserves of about CA$5.3 million and possesses 2 kilograms of physical gold (valued at approximately CA$323,000).

The company said it also recently established a strategic advisory board featuring industry pioneers with extensive knowledge in Bitcoin, gold, and global capital markets. Members include David Bailey, the CEO of BTC Inc., general partner at UTXO Management LLC, and a founding member of Bitcoin-centric holding company Nakamoto; Brad Mills, a Bitcoin entrepreneur and investor celebrated for his involvement in early-stage Bitcoin infrastructure and investments in digital assets; and Dave Forestell, a legal and regulatory expert with considerable experience in natural resources, public markets, and policy.

These advisors equip Matador with a distinctive combination of strategic perspectives, merging institutional knowledge of Bitcoin capital markets, traditional gold infrastructure, and international regulatory landscapes.

The Catalyst: A Surge in Tokenized Gold Trading Volume

So far this year, the trading volume of tokenized gold has exceeded US$19 billion, surpassing many well-known gold ETFs, according to a report by David Marsanic for Crypto.news on Tuesday.

Tokenized assets are increasingly being recognized as a practical alternative to conventional investment vehicles. A report from CEX.io dated July 8 highlights that tokenized gold is becoming more popular than several gold ETFs. This year, the asset class has seen US$19 billion in trading volume, outstripping numerous smaller gold ETFs, although it still falls behind giants like SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). However, it has managed to exceed the trading volumes of SGOL, AAAU, IAUM, and OUNZ.

The surge in tokenized gold trading volume has notably eclipsed that of all gold ETFs this year. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, the trading volume for this asset class jumped from US$2.4 billion to US$19.2 billion, an eightfold increase. This growth is part of a larger pattern where tokenized gold has consistently outstripped gold ETFs in terms of trading volume growth for four straight quarters.

The CEX.io report indicates that this superior performance suggests a shift of capital from traditional gold ETFs to tokenized gold assets, Marsanic wrote.

The report also notes that the increase in trading volume for tokenized gold is primarily fueled by retail and crypto-native investors, while institutional investors still predominantly engage with traditional gold ETFs. Remarkably, the number of PAXG holders increased by 25%, and XAUT holders saw a 151% rise, signaling a substantial influx of new traders into the market.

Despite these advances, tokenized gold still lags behind ETFs in market capitalization. For example, while GLD’s total market cap increased by 36%, the market cap for tokenized gold grew by only 29%. This suggests that tokenized gold is not yet widely regarded as a long-term store of value; instead, most traders currently utilize it as a utility asset within the DeFi ecosystem.

Analysts from prominent institutions like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, along with other financial analysts on Wall Street, predict that gold could hit the US$4,000 mark by mid-2026, reported Juan Carlos Arancibia for Investor's Business Daily on Monday.

Ownership and Share Structure

According to the company, 65% is owned by management and insiders, including Founder and Director Donato Sferra, Vice President of Finance Geoff St. Clair, Director Richard Murphy, Soni, a strategic investor (through UTXO Management, LLC and 210K Capital, LP), Director Tyler Evans (through UTXO Management, LLC and 210K Capital, LP), and Founder Trevor Koverko, among others. 

The rest, about 35%, is retail, and includes Hive Digital with 3%, Kitco Metals with 1%, and Gold Fields Ltd. with 4%, the company said.

It has about 105.94 million shares outstanding and has a market cap of CA$99.09 million. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.11 and CA$2.02.