Compliance & Legal Framework
Legal and Compliance Scope
Golden Ark Reserve operates under Golden Ark General Trading (FZC) LLC, registered in the Sohar Free Zone, Sultanate of Oman.
The company applies documented legal and compliance frameworks across institutional gold purchase, settlement, custody, delivery, and withdrawal workflows.
All transactions are governed by enforceable agreements and subject to counterparty due diligence, AML/KYC procedures, data protection controls, and verification requirements supporting documented ownership and regulated settlement.
Compliance controls are applied on an event-based basis aligned with transaction and custody stages, rather than as continuous monitoring outside defined contractual workflows.
LSEG
Refinitiv PermID: 5097108870
Global unique identifier system issued and maintained by London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) through its Refinitiv division to reliably identify companies, financial instruments, and market participants across datasets.
Legal Entity Identifier
LEI: 98450040E688696D1C47
Issued and maintained within the Global LEI System under the oversight of the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF).
It provides a globally recognized standard for identifying legal entities in financial transactions, introduced by the G20 to enhance transparency, trust, and regulatory oversight.
SNP CIQ
S&P Capital IQ Company Identifier: 1975094363
Corporate Accreditation
Legal Entity: Golden Ark General Trading (FZC) LLC Trade Name: Golden Ark Reserve Registration: Sohar Free Zone, Sultanate of Oman LEI: 98450040E688696D1C47 Business Scope: Institutional gold custody, settlement, and ownership structuring Client Type: Institutional and corporate counterparties
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Transaction & Ownership Compliance Framework
This framework defines the legal and compliance controls governing institutional gold transactions from counterparty onboarding through ownership transfer and settlement completion.
It establishes how legal title to physical gold is created, documented, transferred, and recorded under enforceable agreements, supported by regulatory due diligence, allocation records, and transaction reporting.
The framework applies to institutional gold purchase and settlement workflows and operates independently from custody and storage arrangements.
Counterparty Due Diligence (AML/KYC)
All transaction counterparties are subject to documented due diligence procedures prior to any purchase or settlement activity. The process includes identity verification, corporate structure review, beneficial ownership disclosure, and transaction screening in accordance with applicable AML/KYC requirements. Transaction execution is conditional upon successful completion of onboarding and compliance clearance.
Purchase & Settlement Agreements
Gold transactions are governed by enforceable purchase and settlement agreements defining pricing methodology, settlement terms, ownership transfer conditions, and applicable delivery or withdrawal instructions. These agreements establish the legal basis for title transfer and define the obligations of the parties throughout the transaction lifecycle. Settlement is executed only under documented contractual terms.
Ownership Allocation & Records
Upon settlement confirmation, ownership of physical gold is documented through allocation records specifying bar identification, quantity, and ownership attribution. Allocation records serve as the primary evidence of legal title and are maintained independently from custody arrangements. Ownership documentation supports subsequent delivery, withdrawal, or custody instructions.
Transaction Reporting & Controls
Reporting includes settlement confirmations, ownership records, and compliance logs retained under documented record-keeping requirements. Each transaction generates a documented audit trail including settlement confirmations, ownership records, and compliance logs. Reporting mechanisms support internal controls, regulatory review, and client verification of transaction completion. Transaction data is retained in accordance with data protection and record-keeping requirements.
Custody and Storage Compliance Framework
Custody Agreements
Custody relationships are governed by enforceable custody agreements defining storage conditions, reporting obligations, insurance coverage parameters, and client instruction rights. These agreements establish the legal responsibilities of custody providers and the operational scope of storage services. Custody agreements do not alter ownership and apply only after ownership allocation is completed.
Vaulting & Physical Controls
Stored gold is subject to documented physical security controls including controlled access procedures, vault operations protocols, and asset handling standards. Physical controls are designed to protect stored assets and support verifiable inventory management. Storage arrangements may support segregated or non-segregated configurations as defined by custody agreements.
Verification & Reporting
Custody operations generate periodic inventory reports and custody statements documenting stored assets and reconciliation status. Reporting supports client verification, internal controls, and readiness for independent inspection where applicable. Verification procedures operate within the scope defined by custody and reporting agreements.
Risk Management & Insurance
Custody services operate under documented risk management controls addressing operational, security, and procedural risks associated with stored assets. Insurance arrangements are structured to cover custody-related risks in accordance with custody agreements and applicable policies. Risk controls and insurance do not substitute for ownership documentation or transaction compliance.
How Compliance Is Applied Across Gold Transactions
This section explains how legal and compliance controls are operationally applied across institutional gold transactions at each stage of execution. It focuses on the interaction between compliance procedures, contractual documentation, and transaction workflows, rather than restating regulatory scope or custody frameworks. The application of compliance varies by transaction stage and is tied to specific legal documents, controls, and verification steps.
Compliance at Onboarding and Pre-Transaction Stage
- Compliance is applied prior to any transaction through counterparty onboarding and due diligence procedures.
- Onboarding establishes eligibility to transact by verifying identity, corporate structure, and beneficial ownership.
- Counterparties are screened against applicable AML and compliance requirements before transaction access is granted.
- No transaction instructions are accepted before onboarding and compliance clearance are completed.
Compliance During Transaction Execution and Settlement
- During transaction execution, compliance controls are embedded in contractual documentation and settlement workflows.
- Purchase and settlement agreements define permissible transaction parameters, pricing references, and settlement conditions.
- Compliance checks ensure transaction execution aligns with documented contractual terms.
- Settlement confirmation marks the completion of the compliance-controlled transaction stage.
Compliance at Ownership Allocation and Record Creation
- Following settlement, compliance controls apply to the creation and maintenance of ownership records.
- Ownership allocation includes documented attribution, bar identification, and quantity records.
- Ownership records are retained under documented procedures supporting traceability and legal consistency.
- Post-settlement ownership controls support subsequent instructions without re-opening transaction compliance.
Compliance Interaction with Custody and Storage (Boundary Definition)
- Where custody services are selected, compliance interacts with custody operations through custody agreements and reporting obligations.
- Custody-related compliance applies only after ownership allocation is completed.
- Custody compliance does not modify transaction compliance outcomes or ownership records.
- Where custody is not selected, transaction compliance concludes at ownership allocation.
Frequently asked questions
Institutional-Grade Security
How are AML and KYC requirements applied to counterparties?
All counterparties are subject to documented AML and KYC procedures prior to entering into any gold transaction or custody arrangement.
The process includes identity verification, corporate structure review, beneficial ownership disclosure, and compliance screening in accordance with applicable requirements.
Reference:
→ https://goldenarkreserve.com/compliance-amp-legal/aml-amp-kyc-requirements/
The process includes identity verification, corporate structure review, beneficial ownership disclosure, and compliance screening in accordance with applicable requirements.
Reference:
→ https://goldenarkreserve.com/compliance-amp-legal/aml-amp-kyc-requirements/
Which legal agreements govern gold custody services?
How is ownership of stored gold legally protected?
Does Golden Ark Reserve act as a retail gold dealer or broker?