These are business fields, not five standardised investment products. The table outlines questions raised by each field. It does not rank expected returns, recommend an allocation or confirm that a particular product is available through EXAM.
Ask the same questions in each field
First identify the legal interest: a physical asset, fund unit, token, share or claim. Then ask who manages or holds it, which expenses apply and how it could be sold or redeemed. The same underlying asset can be accessed through different structures.
Table scrolls horizontally
| Field | What to distinguish | Before considering participation |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Physical metal vs a claim or security linked to gold. | Ownership, purity, storage, insurance, fees and resale conditions. |
| Funds | Fund units, underlying assets and manager authority. | Mandate, custody, total fees, valuation and redemption rules. |
| Crypto assets | Token rights, network use and contractual claims. | Key custody, access recovery, liquidity, technical and counterparty risk. |
| Diamonds | A particular stone, its quality and its ownership record. | Independent grading, provenance, custody, sale costs and buyer access. |
| AI research | Research funding, equity, IP rights and commercial revenue. | Milestones, funding needs, IP ownership, dilution, uncertainty and exit. |
Read the comparison in context
No field is risk-free. Liquidity depends on the particular instrument, market and agreement, so labels such as “gold” or “AI” cannot establish a fixed risk score or holding period. Compare actual documents before comparing advertised returns.
Further reading
These educational references do not imply that EXAM is registered with or endorsed by the source organisations.