MEDIA COVERAGE SUMMARY. January October 2016

Transcription

1 MEDIA COVERAGE SUMMARY January October

2 Publication Date Title Hedge September Diamonds are for Everyone 2016 CTRM Centre 16 September SDiX partner with Kynetix to use Sentinel as strategic platform for growth 2016 Bob s Guide 16 September SDiX partner with Kynetix to use Sentinel as strategic platform for growth 2016 Fintech Finance 16 September SDiX partner with Kynetix to use Sentinel as strategic platform for growth 2016 Commoditas Partners 15 September SDiX partner with Kynetix to use Sentinel as strategic platform for growth 2016 Rapaport- 1 September Volumes Rise on SDiX Diamond Exchange Diamonds.net 2016 The Wall Street 19 August 2016 Singapore Diamond Exchange Hopes to Add Sparkle to Portfolios Journal Modern Bride 25 July 2016 THE INDEX Column - 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SdiX) 指定 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团成为其钻石鉴定合作伙伴 Vogue Chinese 21 July 2016 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SdiX) 指定 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团成为其钻石鉴定合作伙伴 FengShang.TV 21 July 2016 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SdiX) 指定 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团成为其钻石鉴定合作伙伴 Diamondworld.net 18 July 2016 SDiX appoints De Beers as Diamond verification partner Wealth Monitor 15 July 2016 SDiX appoints De Beers as Diamond verification partner Wealth Monitor 14 June 2016 SDiX is first of its kind in the world Barron s Asia 3 June 2016 Singapore Just Made Trading Diamonds Easier CCTV 27 May 2016 biznews 033 SINGAPORE DIAMONDS The Edge Malaysia 23 May 2016 An efficient way of Investing in diamonds The Edge Markets 20 May 2016 Local broker diversifies into diamonds MOEA 10 May 2016 新加坡鑽石投資交易所 (Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, SDiX) 推出全球首個實物結算鑽石交易所於本 (2016) 年 5 月 5 日開業 Better Diamond 9 May 2016 Diamond deals start warming up Initiative The Brunei Times 9 May 2016 Diamond trading shines bright for investors GJEPC India 9 May 2016 Trading Begins At Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Israel Diamond 9 May 2016 SDIX LAUNCHES COMMODITY EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALLY SETTLED DIAMONDS Institute Nikkei Asian Review 9 May 2016 Singapore adds diamonds to its trading repertoire 2

3 Commoditas Partners 8 May 2016 SDIX LAUNCHES WORLD S FIRST COMMODITY EXCHANGE TRADING PHYSICALLY SETTLED DIAMONDS IDEX 8 May 2016 SDiX Launches World s First Commodity Exchange Trading Physically Settled Diamonds Al Jazeera 7 May 2016 Diamonds: Bringing clarity to an opaque industry Gems2jewellery 7 May 2016 Singapore Diamond Investment Exch. Launched Nanyang.com 7 May 2016 实物钻石交易所狮城开跑 Archy World News 6 May 2016 Singapore based diamond exchange AsiaOne 6 May 2016 Diamond trading shines bright for investors Dan Tri 6 May 2016 Singapore ra mắt sàn giao dịch kim cương đầu tiên trên thế giới Frankfurter 6 May 2016 Singapur gründet Diamantenbörse Allgemeine Lianhe Zaobao 6 May 2016 全球首个实物结算钻石交易所我国开业 (online) Lianhe Zaobao 6 May 2016 全球首个实物结算钻石交易所我国开业 Nation Multimedia 6 May 2016 Trade begins on Singapore s electronic diamond exchange NHK World 6 May 2016 Singapore launches online diamond exchange Singapore FOZL 6 May 2016 全球首个实物结算钻石交易所在新加坡开业 Group Pte Ltd The Straits Times 6 May 2016 Diamond trading shines bright for investors (online) The Straits Times 6 May 2016 Diamond trading shines bright for investors Tricity Jewellers 6 May 2016 World s first diamond trading exchange going live from today The Wealth Insider 6 May 2016 New Diamond Exchange is Now Open for Business Wealth-Monitor 6 May 2016 World s first commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds launched Bloomberg News 5 May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Kicks Off Bloomberg Terminal 5 May 2016 SINGAPORE DIAMOND INVESTMENT EXCHANGE TO LAUNCH THURSDAY Business Standard 5 May 2016 World's first diamond trading exchange going live from today The Business Times 5 May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Kicks Off BTInvest 5 May 2016 Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade kicks off Channel 8 News 5 May 2016 新加坡钻石投资交易所 : 今天开市交易 CNBC SquawkBox Asia 5 May 2016 Singapore launches a very shiny commodity exchange Commodities Now 5 May 2016 Trading begins on the world s first commodity exchange for diamonds Deal Street Asia 5 May 2016 Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade kicks off The Diamond Loupe 5 May 2016 World s First Diamond Trading Exchange Set to Launch The Edge Markets 5 May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Kicks Off 3

4 Finance Magnates 5 May 2016 SDiX Launches World s First Diamond Exchange Finews.Asia 5 May 2016 New Exchange Goes Live Global Capital 5 May 2016 Derivs rock: Diamond exchange augurs sophisticated trading Global Investor 5 May 2016 UK broker takes a shine to new diamond exchange Hedgeweek 5 May 2016 SDiX launches world s first commodity exchange trading physically settled diamonds Malay Mail Online 5 May 2016 Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade begins My Informs 5 May 2016 SDIX LAUNCHES WORLD S FIRST COMMODITY EXCHANGE TRADING PHYSICALLY SETTLED DIAMONDS My Stock May 2016 Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade begins Press Reader 5 May 2016 World s first diamond trading exchange going live from today Rapaport- 5 May 2016 Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Launches Diamonds.net Rediff 5 May 2016 World s first diamond trading exchange going live from today Rough & Polished 5 May 2016 SDiX on Thursday Began its Work (translated from Russian) Smart Investor.in 5 May 2016 World s First Diamond Trading Exchange Going Live From Today South China Morning 5 May 2016 Launch of Singapore diamond exchange a wake-up call for Hong Kong Post SwissInfo.ch 5 May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Kicks Off Toggle 5 May 2016 新加坡钻石投资交易所 : 今天开市交易 The Art of Jewellery 5 May 2016 World's first diamond trading exchange going live from today The Straits Times 5 May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trading Kicks Off The Straits Times 5 May 2016 Trade begins on Singapore s electronic diamond exchange The Washington Post 5 May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Begins WealthBuilder 5 May 2016 World s First Diamond Trading Exchange Going Live From Today Fintech Finance 8 April 2016 Linear Investments Joins Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange As Pioneer London Broker Member Finews.asia 6 April 2016 Singapore Diamond Exchange Announces London Broker Global Investor 5 April 2016 UK broker takes a shine to new diamond exchange The Middle Ground 23 March 2016 Why the sudden interest in diamond investing? The Business Times 11 March 2016 UOB KayHian joins S'pore diamond exchange as its first broker AsiaOne 11 March 2016 UOB KayHian joins Singapore diamond exchange as its first broker Lianhe Zaobao 11 March 2016 大华继显成为新钻所首个交易经纪伙伴 The Straits Times 10 March 2016 UOB KayHian joins platform of Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange as broker Ming Pao 10 February 2016 星洲鑽石交易平台季內面世 4

5 Hedge Date: September 2016 Diamonds are for Everyone Link: 5

6 CTRM Centre Date: 16 th September 2016 SDiX partner with Kynetix to use Sentinel as strategic platform for growth SDiX partner with Kynetix to use Sentinel as strategic platform for growth Having successfully launched the world s first and only electronic commodities exchange trading physically settled diamonds earlier this year, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) has announced it has selected Kynetix s Sentinel platform as the strategic solution to support the launch of new products and functionality over the next 10 years. Kynetix has unique experience providing inventory and physical delivery platforms to global commodity exchanges such as the LME and the Intercontinental Exchange whose respective LMEsword, LMEshield and ICE Guardian platforms underpin the global trade and financing of base metals, coffee, cocoa, sugar, wheat and gold. Sentinel, Kynetix s flagship market infrastructure platform connects the physical economy with financial markets and enables the effective management of records of title, ownership, rent and storage charges plus management of depository processes for commodities. This presents opportunities to unlock collateral, streamline settlement and further enhance the trust and transparency of physical commodity markets. With proven exchange technology and a unique settlement infrastructure, SDiX provides end-to-end trading for global participants, and price discovery in both immobilised single stones and baskets, which are fungible collections of investment-grade diamonds. Both single stones and baskets can be traded electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market and buyers can place indicative price bids by diamond category. Alain Vandenborre, Executive Chairman and Founder of Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange commented: With trading on the Exchange successfully underway, SDiX is looking beyond the development of a vibrant spot trading market for diamonds towards the creation of more sophisticated investment products such as derivatives. As we continue building liquidity, develop plans to implement a unified, global electronic depositary system and a fully warranted physically delivered diamond futures contract with multiple points of delivery, we are confident that this new partnership with Kynetix s Sentinel platform will provide the robust foundation to support our growth and the ongoing development and diversification of our product offering. SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Early investors include Jim Rogers, Hsieh Fu Hua, Sun Tongyu, and Cai Wensheng. We re extremely proud to be collaborating with such an innovative exchange who like us are looking to bring fresh thinking to long-established, traditional commodity markets. Having worked with some of the oldest establishments in commodities trading, we understand the multi-faceted challenges in driving liquidity and transparency to commodity contracts through the adoption of new technology said Guillaume Kendall, Head of Business Development at Kynetix. Link: 6

7 Bob s Guide Date: 16 th September 2016 SDiX partner with Kynetix to use Sentinel as strategic platform for growth SDiX partner with Kynetix to use Sentinel as strategic platform for growth Having successfully launched the world's first and only electronic commodities exchange trading physically settled diamonds earlier this year, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) has announced it has selected Kynetix s Sentinel platform as the strategic solution to support the launch of new products and functionality over the next 10 years. Kynetix has unique experience providing inventory and physical delivery platforms to global commodity exchanges such as the LME and the Intercontinental Exchange whose respective LMEsword, LMEshield and ICE Guardian platforms underpin the global trade and financing of base metals, coffee, cocoa, sugar, wheat and gold. Sentinel, Kynetix s flagship market infrastructure platform connects the physical economy with financial markets and enables the effective management of records of title, ownership, rent and storage charges plus management of depository processes for commodities. This presents opportunities to unlock collateral, streamline settlement and further enhance the trust and transparency of physical commodity markets. With proven exchange technology and a unique settlement infrastructure, SDiX provides end-to-end trading for global participants, and price discovery in both immobilised single stones and baskets, which are fungible collections of investment-grade diamonds. Both single stones and baskets can be traded electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market and buyers can place indicative price bids by diamond category. Alain Vandenborre, Executive Chairman and Founder of Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange commented: With trading on the Exchange successfully underway, SDiX is looking beyond the development of a vibrant spot trading market for diamonds towards the creation of more sophisticated investment products such as derivatives. As we continue building liquidity, develop plans to implement a unified, global electronic depositary system and a fully warranted physically delivered diamond futures contract with multiple points of delivery, we are confident that this new partnership with Kynetix s Sentinel platform will provide the robust foundation to support our growth and the ongoing development and diversification of our product offering. SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Early investors include Jim Rogers, Hsieh Fu Hua, Sun Tongyu, and Cai Wensheng. We re extremely proud to be collaborating with such an innovative exchange who like us are looking to bring fresh thinking to long-established, traditional commodity markets. Having worked with some of the oldest establishments in commodities trading, we understand the multi-faceted challenges in driving liquidity and transparency to commodity contracts through the adoption of new technology said Guillaume Kendall, Head of Business Development at Kynetix. Link: 7

8 Fintech Finance Date: 16 th September 2016 SDiX partner with Kynetix to use Sentinel as strategic platform for growth SDiX partner with Kynetix to use Sentinel as strategic platform for growth Having successfully launched the world s first and only electronic commodities exchange trading physically settled diamonds earlier this year, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) has announced it has selected Kynetix s Sentinel platform as the strategic solution to support the launch of new products and functionality over the next 10 years. Kynetix has unique experience providing inventory and physical delivery platforms to global commodity exchanges such as the LME and the Intercontinental Exchange whose respective LMEsword, LMEshield and ICE Guardian platforms underpin the global trade and financing of base metals, coffee, cocoa, sugar, wheat and gold. Sentinel, Kynetix s flagship market infrastructure platform connects the physical economy with financial markets and enables the effective management of records of title, ownership, rent and storage charges plus management of depository processes for commodities. This presents opportunities to unlock collateral, streamline settlement and further enhance the trust and transparency of physical commodity markets. With proven exchange technology and a unique settlement infrastructure, SDiX provides end-to-end trading for global participants, and price discovery in both immobilised single stones and baskets, which are fungible collections of investment-grade diamonds. Both single stones and baskets can be traded electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market and buyers can place indicative price bids by diamond category. Alain Vandenborre, Executive Chairman and Founder of Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange commented: With trading on the Exchange successfully underway, SDiX is looking beyond the development of a vibrant spot trading market for diamonds towards the creation of more sophisticated investment products such as derivatives. As we continue building liquidity, develop plans to implement a unified, global electronic depositary system and a fully warranted physically delivered diamond futures contract with multiple points of delivery, we are confident that this new partnership with Kynetix s Sentinel platform will provide the robust foundation to support our growth and the ongoing development and diversification of our product offering. SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Early investors include Jim Rogers, Hsieh Fu Hua, Sun Tongyu, and Cai Wensheng. We re extremely proud to be collaborating with such an innovative exchange who like us are looking to bring fresh thinking to long-established, traditional commodity markets. Having worked with some of the oldest establishments in commodities trading, we understand the multi-faceted challenges in driving liquidity and transparency to commodity contracts through the adoption of new technology said Guillaume Kendall, Head of Business Development at Kynetix. Link: 8

9 Commoditas Partners Date: 15 th September 2016 SDiX partner with Kynetix to use Sentinel as strategic platform for growth SDIX PARTNER WITH KYNETIX TO USE SENTINEL AS STRATEGIC PLATFORM FOR GROWTH Having successfully launched the world s first and only electronic commodities exchange trading physically settled diamonds earlier this year, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) has announced it has selected Kynetix s Sentinel platform as the strategic solution to support the launch of new products and functionality over the next 10 years. Kynetix has unique experience providing inventory and physical delivery platforms to global commodity exchanges such as the LME and the Intercontinental Exchange whose respective LMEsword, LMEshield and ICE Guardian platforms underpin the global trade and financing of base metals, coffee, cocoa, sugar, wheat and gold. Sentinel, Kynetix s flagship market infrastructure platform connects the physical economy with financial markets and enables the effective management of records of title, ownership, rent and storage charges plus management of depository processes for commodities. This presents opportunities to unlock collateral, streamline settlement and further enhance the trust and transparency of physical commodity markets. With proven exchange technology and a unique settlement infrastructure, SDiX provides end-to-end trading for global participants, and price discovery in both immobilised single stones and baskets, which are fungible collections of investment-grade diamonds. Both single stones and baskets can be traded electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market and buyers Link: 9

10 Rapaport-Diamonds.net Date: 1 st September 2016 Volumes Rise on SDiX Diamond Exchange Volumes Rise on SDiX Diamond Exchange Trading on the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) jumped to $6.7 million in August, from the inaugural month of May. Trading grew from $1.1 million in May to $3.1 million in both June and July, according to a spokesperson for SDiX. The turnover in August for the first 26 days of the month increased gross volume for the year to almost $14 million. The exchange was set up May 5, with backing from Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings and its subsidiary Vertex Venture Holdings, as well as veteran investor Jim Rogers and Sun Tongyu, a founder of ecommerce group Alibaba. SDiX is the first commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds, the bourse claimed. Link: nd+exchange~ 10

11 The Wall Street Journal Date: 19 th August 2016 Singapore Diamond Exchange Hopes to Add Sparkle to Portfolios Singapore Diamond Exchange Hopes to Add Sparkle to Portfolios A new exchange offering diamonds seeks to gain volumes and establish a benchmark price By JAKE MAXWELL WATTS A new exchange offering diamonds as an asset class is off to a quick but small start in Singapore, as it seeks to create an investment market and benchmark price for the precious stones. The company, Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Pte. Ltd., or SDiX, is about 20% owned by a unit of Singapore s state-investment fund Temasek Holdings Pte. Ltd., and is looking to fill what it says is a hole in the publicly traded market. Diamonds are overwhelmingly traded around the world only as a retail product in a market that operates largely behind closed doors. Turnover on the new exchange was a little more than $3.4 million in the first two weeks of August, according to data provided by SDiX, up from $1 million in May, the first month of trading. That equates to a total of around 1,500 stones traded in the first half of August, compared with 274 in the whole of May. While the pace of growth is fast, volume remains minuscule compared with global diamond demand worth more than $80 billion as of 2014, the vast majority of which is for jewelry, according to diamond giant De Beers, a unit of Anglo American PLC. However, analysts familiar with the industry say diamonds could help investors diversify away from traditional equities and bonds into a commodity whose prices are little correlated with other asset classes. The industry has been trying to find out how to create meaningful investment demand for diamonds, said Olya Linde, a partner at Bain & Co. in Russia, which publishes an annual report on the global diamond industry. As of 2014, only 5% of the global diamond trade was for investment purposes rather than destined for retail sale, according to Bain estimates. Although the precise dollar value of that proportion is difficult to estimate, it compares with around 20% for gold and 18% for silver. SDiX says diamonds are a way of hedging market risk, much like gold, but that right now there isn t the ability to find out exactly what the price is of diamonds, according to Linus Koh, chief executive of SDiX. If the exchange is to grow its modest volumes, it must overcome several hurdles, not least that it is seeking to operate in an industry dominated by a few large players. The top five companies in the rough diamond market, led by PAO Alrosa and De Beers, control approximately 70% of sales, Bain statistics show. Then there is the issue of how to price diamonds, which are all individual, unlike gold bullion, for example, which can be divided up into varying quantities and valued by weight. Even then, analysts say, a market for diamonds would only be useful if it was representative of the global market for the precious stones, which, due to its lack of transparency, would be difficult to measure. SDiX says it is able to get around the individuality issue by packaging a large, fixed number of very similar diamonds together. The physical diamonds remain in storage in a free port in Singapore, or in Mumbai, India. 11

12 Alain Vandenborre, founder and chairman of SDiX, is also the co-founder and a shareholder of Le Freeport Management Pte. Ltd., the operator of Singapore s tax-exempt free port. Yet even if it manages to overcome these hurdles, the exchange must try to convince asset managers that diamonds are a valuable addition to their portfolios. Diamonds fit the general thesis around physical assets, which are a hedge against massive currency depreciation, said David Pinkerton, chief investment officer at Switzerland-based Falcon Private Bank Ltd. I would be much more drawn to other precious stones that have much less availability rather than diamonds, he said, noting that he isn t aware of any clients making specific queries about diamond investments. Some companies have tried to offer investment options for diamonds, such as Dallas-based Provident Precious Metals, LLC. Others such as Rapaport Group track diamond prices based on reported deals, or match buyers and sellers. But to date, none have established themselves as a fully-regulated exchange capable of generating a benchmark price. Link:

13 Modern Bride Date: 25 th July 2016 THE INDEX Column 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SdiX) 指定 DeBeers 戴比尔斯集团成为其 钻石鉴定合作伙伴 13

14 Vogue Chinese Date: 21 st July 2016 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SdiX) 指定 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团成为其钻石鉴定合作伙伴 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SdiX) 指定 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团成为其钻石鉴定合作伙伴 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SDiX) 是世界首个 也是唯一的实物钻石结算交易所 SDiX 今日宣布, 与 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团旗下的 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构建立伙伴关系, 由其鉴定交易所平台上交易的钻石 风尚中国, 迪拜消息 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SDiX) 是世界首个 也是唯一的实物钻石结算交易所 SDiX 今日宣布, 与 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团旗下的 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构建立伙伴关系, 由其鉴定交易所平台上交易的钻石 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构将借助 De Beers 戴比尔斯在钻石行业的专业知识, 使用行业领先的专利技术, 独立鉴定由美国宝石学院 (GIA) 分级的钻石包或单颗钻石 经鉴定之后, 这些钻石才能在 SDiX 平台上交易 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构负责核查 GIA 的分级结果是否精确, 确保分级证书的内容与钻石质量一致, 为新交所的投资者提供额外的质量保证 单颗钻石买家可直接通过 SDiX 平台查验 GIA 出具的证书 ; 在所有钻石包中, 钻石的数量和总重量相同, 切工 净度和颜色等级也相同 SDiX 的创办人兼主席阿拉因 范登伯 Alain Vandenborre 先生表示 : 我们很高兴与 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构建立合作关系, 欢迎其为 SDiX 平台上的钻石提供鉴定服务 这一合作关系表明, 我们致力于确保 SDiX 平台交易产品的完整性与一致性 ; 同时也表明, 为确保透明度并保护投资者利益, 我们一直在不懈努力 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构主席乔纳森 甘德尔 Jonathan Kendall 先生表示 : SDiX 指定我们作为合作伙伴, 为其平台上交易的钻石提供鉴定服务, 必将为交易参与者带来更大的安全感 我们 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构是 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团新成立的钻石分级机构, 专注于向业界提供精确 一致的分级服务 我们使用世界一流的颜色和净度分级技术, 鉴定 SDiX 平台上的钻石, 因此,SDiX 及其成员可以完全相信交易钻石的质量与真实性 新加坡钻石投资交易 (SdiX) 所是世界唯一以透明的价格机制提供钻石交易服务的平台, 为银行 金融企业和投资者提供评估钻石资产的基准价格 其目标是让全球资产级钻石交易实现标准化, 为全球投资者创造新的投资机遇 该交易所已具备全面整合的生态系统, 包括已指定一家受托银行负责钻石的实物结算, 并建立了全球合作伙伴网络, 这些合作伙伴分工明确 业务专注, 包括分级 储藏 结算和物流 SDiX 获得了多家全球领先投资者的投资, 其中包括 Vertex Venture Holdings, 该公司是亚洲运营历史最悠久的风险投资公司之一, 也是新加坡主权基金淡马锡控股旗下的全资子公司 Link: 14

15 FengShang.TV Date: 21 st July 2016 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SdiX) 指定 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团成为其钻石鉴定合作伙伴 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SdiX) 指定 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团成为其钻石鉴定合作伙伴 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SDiX) 是世界首个 也是唯一的实物钻石结算交易所 SDiX 今日宣布, 与 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团旗下的 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构建立伙伴关系, 由其鉴定交易所平台上交易的钻石 风尚中国, 迪拜消息 新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SDiX) 是世界首个 也是唯一的实物钻石结算交易所 SDiX 今日宣布, 与 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团旗下的 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构建立伙伴关系, 由其鉴定交易所平台上交易的钻石 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构将借助 De Beers 戴比尔斯在钻石行业的专业知识, 使用行业领先的专利技术, 独立鉴定由美国宝石学院 (GIA) 分级的钻石包或单颗钻石 经鉴定之后, 这些钻石才能在 SDiX 平台上交易 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构负责核查 GIA 的分级结果是否精确, 确保分级证书的内容与钻石质量一致, 为新交所的投资者提供额外的质量保证 单颗钻石买家可直接通过 SDiX 平台查验 GIA 出具的证书 ; 在所有钻石包中, 钻石的数量和总重量相同, 切工 净度和颜色等级也相同 SDiX 的创办人兼主席阿拉因 范登伯 Alain Vandenborre 先生表示 : 我们很高兴与 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构建立合作关系, 欢迎其为 SDiX 平台上的钻石提供鉴定服务 这一合作关系表明, 我们致力于确保 SDiX 平台交易产品的完整性与一致性 ; 同时也表明, 为确保透明度并保护投资者利益, 我们一直在不懈努力 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构主席乔纳森 甘德尔 Jonathan Kendall 先生表示 : SDiX 指定我们作为合作伙伴, 为其平台上交易的钻石提供鉴定服务, 必将为交易参与者带来更大的安全感 我们 IIDGR 国际钻石分级与研究机构是 De Beers 戴比尔斯集团新成立的钻石分级机构, 专注于向业界提供精确 一致的分级服务 我们使用世界一流的颜色和净度分级技术, 鉴定 SDiX 平台上的钻石, 因此,SDiX 及其成员可以完全相信交易钻石的质量与真实性 新加坡钻石投资交易 (SdiX) 所是世界唯一以透明的价格机制提供钻石交易服务的平台, 为银行 金融企业和投资者提供评估钻石资产的基准价格 其目标是让全球资产级钻石交易实现标准化, 为全球投资者创造新的投资机遇 该交易所已具备全面整合的生态系统, 包括已指定一家受托银行负责钻石的实物结算, 并建立了全球合作伙伴网络, 这些合作伙伴分工明确 业务专注, 包括分级 储藏 结算和物流 SDiX 获得了多家全球领先投资者的投资, 其中包括 Vertex Venture Holdings, 该公司是亚洲运营历史最悠久的风险投资公司之一, 也是新加坡主权基金淡马锡控股旗下的全资子公司 Link: 15

16 Diamondworld.net Date: 18 th July 2016 SDiX appoints De Beers as Diamond verification partner SDiX appoints De Beers as Diamond verification partner IIDGR, established by The De Beers Group, as its partner will verify the stones listed on the Exchange platform The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange ( SDiX ) announced that it has appointed The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research ( IIDGR ), established by The De Beers Group, as its partner to verify the stones listed on the Exchange platform. IIDGR will use its industry-leading, proprietary technologies, supported by The De Beers Group s expertise in the diamond industry, to independently verify diamond baskets and individual stones graded by the Gemological Institute of America ( GIA ) before they are accepted onto the SDiX platform. IIDGR is responsible for checking that the GIA grades are accurate and the correct diamond is with the correct certificate, which offers investors on the platform an additional level of assurance. Buyers of single stones can examine GIA certifications directly through the SDiX platform, and all baskets have an identical number of stones and total weight, and contain stones of identical cut, clarity and colour. Alain Vandenborre, Chairman and Founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, commented: We are pleased to welcome IIDGR as an additional verification partner for diamonds traded on the SDiX platform. This partnership is an example of SDiX s commitment to ensuring the integrity and consistency of the products offered on our platform, and is a demonstration of our ongoing dedication to transparency and investor protection. Jonathan Kendall, President of IIDGR, said: The appointment of IIDGR to provide verification services to SDiX for diamonds traded on the platform enables greater security for participants on the SDiX platform. IIDGR is The De Beers Group s new grading business, focused on providing accurate and consistent grading to the industry. By using world class colour and clarity technology to verify the diamonds that sit on the Exchange, SDiX and its members can have full confidence in the quality and authenticity of the stones they are trading. SDiX has been established to provide the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial firms and investors a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset. Its objective is to standardize global trading in diamonds as an asset class and to unlock new investment opportunities for global investors. The Exchange is supported by a fully integrated ecosystem, including a depository that enables the physical settlement of diamonds, and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Link: 16

17 Wealth Monitor Date: 15 th July 2016 SDiX appoints De Beers as Diamond verification partner SDiX appoints De Beers as Diamond verification partner The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange ( SDiX ), the world s first and only commodity exchange trading in physically settled diamonds, today announced that it has appointed The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research ( IIDGR ), established by The De Beers Group, as its partner to verify the stones listed on the Exchange platform. IIDGR will use its industry-leading, proprietary technologies, supported by The De Beers Group s expertise in the diamond industry, to independently verify diamond baskets and individual stones graded by the Gemological Institute of America ( GIA ) before they are accepted onto the SDiX platform. IIDGR is responsible for checking that the GIA grades are accurate and the correct diamond is with the correct certificate, which offers investors on the platform an additional level of assurance. Buyers of single stones can examine GIA certifications directly through the SDiX platform, and all baskets have an identical number of stones and total weight, and contain stones of identical cut, clarity and colour. Alain Vandenborre, Chairman and Founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, commented: We are pleased to welcome IIDGR as an additional verification partner for diamonds traded on the SDiX platform. This partnership is an example of SDiX s commitment to ensuring the integrity and consistency of the products offered on our platform, and is a demonstration of our ongoing dedication to transparency and investor protection. Jonathan Kendall, President of IIDGR, said: The appointment of IIDGR to provide verification services to SDiX for diamonds traded on the platform enables greater security for participants on the SDiX platform. IIDGR is The De Beers Group s new grading business, focused on providing accurate and consistent grading to the industry. By using world class colour and clarity technology to verify the diamonds that sit on the Exchange, SDiX and its members can have full confidence in the quality and authenticity of the stones they are trading. SDiX has been established to provide the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial firms and investors a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset. Its objective is to standardize global trading in diamonds as an asset class and to unlock new investment opportunities for global investors. The Exchange is supported by a fully integrated ecosystem, including a depository that enables the physical settlement of diamonds, and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Link: 17

18 Wealth Monitor Date: 14 th June 2016 SDiX is first of its kind in the world 18

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21 Barron s Asia Date: 3 rd June 2016 Singapore Just Made Trading Diamonds Easier Singapore Just Made Trading Diamonds Easier The new Singapore Diamond Exchange wants investors to view the precious stones as a store of wealth. They say diamonds are a girl s best friend, but could they be an investor s? Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange has popped that very question with the launch of the world s first electronic trading platform for the precious gems. The founders hope the exchange will bring some sparkle to the traditionally cloak-and-dagger world of diamond trading. For hundreds of years the stones have been priced and sold based on individual contracts at so-called bourses in hubs like Antwerp, Tel Aviv and Mumbai. None are bought for investment, either: Nearly all of the diamonds that flow through these deal houses end up in jewelry stores. By bringing real-time pricing and liquidity to this market, the new Singapore exchange could change that. Waning demand for luxury goods and a lack of investor know-how in this market threatens to dull that shine, though. The exchange s founders include Alain Vandenborre and Linus Koh, while the platform has backing from an arm of sovereign fund Temasek. Chairman Vandenborre previously set up a maximum security free-trade zone at Changi Airport. CEO Koh is a former finance chief at the Singapore stock exchange. The objective s to open up a new market and have diamonds recognized as a commodity, Vandenborre tells Barron s Asia. Investors can trade the stones through registered brokers in locations including Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai, he says. All trades are physically backed by diamonds stored in vaults. Investors can pay the exchange to store gems, or withdraw them, although the second option can in some cases attract levies that arguably kill the investment case altogether. After extraction from mines in places like Namibia and Botswana, diamonds go through a transformation from a cloudy blob into a glittering, chiseled rock. The Singapore exchange only trades in these polished stones. Vandenborre says yearly production of polished diamonds is worth $25 billion, of which only 3% is bought as investment. He compares this to physical gold, of which closer to half of all production is bought with the purpose of generating returns. Diamonds aren t gold, though. For one, the diamond investment market is mostly restricted to big, unique stones sold for millions of dollars at auction. More importantly, how diamonds are priced is peculiar. Take this example: you have one diamond whose weight is 0.9 carat, and another that s 1.0 carat. So the former stone on paper s worth 10% less, right? Wrong. The second diamond commands a disproportionally higher premium than the first one. That s a simple, emotional quirk. There s just less demand for gems with a decimal mark slapped in the middle. Not all diamonds are created equal, either. Color, clarity and quality of cut all have big heft in determining value. Vandenborre and Koh think they ve come up with a solution to this puzzle of what they call fungibility. The exchange trades diamonds in baskets of three, six or 10 stones with a total weight of 3.1 carats per basket. Each only contains what Koh describes as investment-grade diamonds, which are those that fall in the top five grades of color and clarity. The exchange doesn t mix-and-match the color and clarity of stones in each basket, apart from small variations in weight. Each basket also comes sealed with certificates of authenticity from the Gemological Institute of America. For the novice diamond investor, however, it admittedly sounds complicated. 21

22 The intention is to make liquid, benchmark products, sort of like the Brent or West Texas Intermediate of diamond trading, says Koh. This extends to real-time price benchmarks that can be used by the industry. At the moment, pricing data for diamond trading is only produced every week and often there s inaccuracies, Koh adds. Sales in diamond jewelry have been clobbered by a perfect storm of wilting demand from China, as well as falling oil prices which have hurt sales in big luxury markets like the Persian Gulf and Russia. Understandably, that s made suppliers eager to open up new sales channels like financial investors. And Koh thinks diamonds can dazzle investors. It s a very efficient way of diversifying your portfolio, he argues, adding that diamonds have low or in some cases negative correlation with other assets. That throws up more questions, though. Stock, bond and other commodity prices have big, obvious drivers like macro-economics and geo-politics, as well as the money managers and analysts who pump out research and views on these. Diamond prices on the other hand are generally dictated by simpler considerations, like how much disposable income consumers have to splash on shiny, expensive stones, or how and to what extent big miners like De Beers are currently managing supply. Diamonds can also be a volatile business: pricing data from the exchange s website suggests daily rises and falls of 30% aren t uncommon so far. Vandenborre and Koh certainly don t encourage speculation: they pitch diamonds instead as a store of wealth. But they do argue in favor of positive fundamentals like rising incomes, particularly in emerging markets, and a dearth of new mine discoveries. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange has been live since the start of May and total trading volumes so far are well on their way to $1 million, says Vandenborre. That doesn t sound like an awful lot, but he says it s still early days. Volumes could get a boost from a planned tie-up with a broker in Shanghai, as well as an exotic-sounding proposal to launch a diamond derivatives market at some point. That second idea s dependent on getting a separate license from Singapore s regulator. Still, there s probably more polished ways to extract cash out of any diamond rally in the short-term at least. They may lack the glitz of the real thing, but shares in Anglo American (ticker: AAL.UK ) - parent company of diamond giant De Beers - are up almost 100% this year, although that surge is more down to rising prices of iron ore and gold. Petra Diamonds ( PDL.UK ), which mines in South Africa and Botswana, is up 33% this year. Russia s Alrosa (ALRS. RU), the world s second-biggest diamond miner, has risen 25% since New Year. Link: 22

23 CCTV Date: 27 th May 2016 biznews: SINGAPORE DIAMONDS Link: 23

24 The Edge Malaysia Date: 23 rd May 2016 An efficient way of investing in diamonds 24

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26 The Edge Markets Date: 20 th May 2016 Local broker diversifies into diamonds 26

27 MOEA Date: 10 th May 2016 新加坡鑽石投資交易所 (Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, SDiX) 推出全球首個實 物結算鑽石交易所於本 (2016) 年 5 月 5 日開業 新加坡鑽石投資交易所推出全球首個實物結算鑽石交易所於本 (2016) 年 5 月 5 日開業 一 由 SDiX 所推出全球首個實物結算鑽石交易所於本年 5 月 5 日開業, 此將使得鑽石躍升為與其他大宗商品交易一樣的資產類別 SDiX 交易平臺將使用先進科技, 通過買賣雙方對鑽石品質和數量達成交易價格的即時機制, 創造全球性鑽石買賣場所 二 SDiX 表示, 上述交易平臺將通過獨立 電子化和符合法規的全球市場, 首次提供合格投資者 (accredited investors) 將鑽石作為資產進行交易, 銀行 金融業者和投資者, 亦能取得基準價格作為鑽石估值之用 三 SDiX 創辦人兼執行主席 Alain Vandenborre 表示,SDiX 的設計完全獨立於鑽石市場, 且合乎法規, 可讓投資者 供應商和其他業者能從透明和公正的市場中受益 SDiX 會員經紀來自新加坡 香港 倫敦和杜拜, 交易時間為下午 2 時 30 分至 6 時 30 分 近期 SDiX 將進行現貨交易, 一旦現貨交易市場趨向成熟, 計劃另提供包括掛牌基金和衍生產品等更加複雜產品, 以提高 SDiX 對全球投資者吸引力 Translation Summary The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, SDiX) launched the world's first diamond exchange of its kind on May This will allow diamonds to be traded as an asset class for the first time, like other commodities. The trading platform will use advanced technology, hosting both buyers and sellers with a real time price discovery mechanism, with details of diamond quality, quantity of deal price. The new platform is entirely independent of the diamond industry, and is regulation ready. Accredited investors will be able to trade diamonds as an asset class for the first time. The establishment of the Exchange offers banks, financial institutions and investors will for the first time have a benchmark price for diamonds. Belgian born SDiX Founder and Executive Chairman Alain Vandenborre said that SDiX has been designed to be completely independent of the diamond industry, in line with industry regulation, and fully transparent to benefit investors, suppliers and other industry players. SDiX has broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Transactions will take place between Singapore / Hong Kong time 14:30 to 6:30. This is to allow global traders to advantage of this platform. Once a spot market has been fully realized, SDiX intends to provide more complex products, such as ETFs and derivative products. Link: um_data_single=

28 Better Diamond Initiative Date: 9 th May 2016 Diamond deals start warming up Diamond deals start warming up At a time when two schools of thought exist regarding whether the diamond industry has started recuperating from its low phase or not, it has at least started to warm up again on the M&A front. Some recently announced diamond deals only indicate an increased traction in the diamonds deals and M&A space. Temasek backs Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), world s first commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds and which operationalized last week, got backed by Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings VC unit Vertex Venture Holdings. SDiX has started with spot trading and plans to enter into derivatives and exchange-traded products in future. According to a report, Vertex Ventures has a 19% stake in SDiX. After the early investors, Temasek s backing comes as an additional support to SDiX. Link: 28

29 The Brunei Times Date: 9 th May 2016 Diamond trading shines bright for investors Diamond trading shines bright for investors DIAMONDS can now be bought more cheaply and traded more easily with last week s launch of an electronic diamond exchange here, in a move set to add sparkle to Singapore s investment scene. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), which is backed by investors, including a Temasek Holdings unit, is being touted as the world s first commodity exchange in physically settled diamonds. This means that the seller must deliver actual diamonds to the buyer and not merely settle the trade in cash. On the exchange s platform, accredited investors can buy and sell diamonds at wholesale prices, its chief executive Linus Koh told The Straits Times. The exchange allows accredited investors to trade in physically settled diamonds with full price transparency in a regulated environment, for the first time, he said. The wholesale price is the price at which diamonds - freshly cut and polished from rough stone - are sold to jewellery manufacturers. Until now, to invest in diamonds, investors would usually have to buy them through a jewellery shop at retail prices - with a mark up. The opening of the exchange, based in PSA Building in Alexandra Road, represents a huge shift in the way diamonds are traded and the most significant change in modern diamond trading practices, said Alain Vandenborre, SDiX executive chairman and founder. At present, diamond trades are mostly negotiated directly between a buyer and seller. With the electronic platform, however, the highest bid price and the lowest selling price will be shown in real time. The prices of trades on the exchange will also be reported. Diamonds can be traded on the exchange from Monday to Friday between 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Investors who want more information can visit The diamonds will first be certified by the Gemological Institute of America before they are traded on SDiX, and will be stored in vaults. The exchange hopes to offer more sophisticated products down the track. Any accredited investor who has an account with a brokerage registered with the exchange can trade on it. The exchange s broker members include UOB Kay Hian, Linear Investments and Richcomm Global Services. Temasek Holdings has invested in the SDiX through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. 29

30 The pool of participants using diamonds as a trading, investment and hedging vehicle has room to grow, said Koh. Of the annual batch of freshly cut wholesale diamonds, only three per cent is bought as a collectible item or for investment. The other 97 per cent ends up in the hands of firms for processing into jewellery. In contrast, out of the US$100 billion of refined gold produced by smelters a year, 40 per cent ends up as an investment or collectibles. Also, about US$4 trillion of gold derivatives are traded a year but until now, there has never existed the potential to do this with diamonds, Koh added. Esmond Choo, senior executive director UOB Kay Hian, said he sees a high level of interest from Singapore and around the region. A spokesman for Foundation Jewellers said the launch will have some impact on the firm's diamond business. It sells rough wholesale diamonds to investors at low mark ups. Investors have to know the quality of the diamond they are buying. If it's youngsters, they'll likely go (to the exchange), she said. Link: 30

31 GJEPC India Date: 9 th May 2016 Trading Begins At Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Trading Begins At Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Trading officially began at the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), the world s first and only commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds, last week. At the launch, SDiX had broker members across Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai, the exchange said in a statement. The platform aims to bring standardisation to the global trading in diamonds as an asset class and to unlock new investment opportunities for global investors. Official trading hours are between 14:30PM SGT/ HKT and 18:30PM SGT/ HKT to facilitate the participation of global traders, the statement added. SDiX is built on a fully integrated, regulation-ready ecosystem, including an industry-leading electronic trading platform, a depository that enables the physical settlement of diamonds, and a global network of service providers that support the Exchange and its members with grading, vaulting and settlement. Its partners include GIA, Malca-Amit and Standard Chartered Bank, among others. Initially, SdiX will support a vibrant spot trading market, and as this matures the Exchange will offer more sophisticated products such as ETFs and derivatives that will further enhance the attractiveness of the platform for global investors, the Company said. Alain Vandenborre, Executive Chairman and Founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, commented: The SDiX represents a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded. By providing the first ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class. StatIng that the SDiX is entirely independent of the diamond industry, Vandenbborre said, We are fully regulation-ready, so that investors, suppliers and other industry players can benefit from a transparent and unbiased marketplace, SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Early investors include Jim Rogers, Hsieh Fu Hua, Sun Tongyu, and Cai Wensheng. Link: 31

32 Israel Diamond Institute Date: 9 th May 2016 SDIX LAUNCHES COMMODITY EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALLY SETTLED DIAMONDS SDIX LAUNCHES COMMODITY EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALLY SETTLED DIAMONDS Trading has started on the world s first and only commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds, according to the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), which aims to standardize global trading in diamonds as an asset class and to unlock new investment opportunities for global investors, reports the Diamond World News Service. SDiX, which launched with broker members across Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai, is designed to enable accredited investors to trade diamonds as an asset class by providing an independent, electronic, and regulation-ready global market that creates a transparent price discovery mechanism for diamonds, continues Diamond World. The SDiX represents a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded. By providing the first ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class. The SDiX is by design entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready, so that investors, suppliers and other industry players can benefit from a transparent and unbiased marketplace, explains Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Executive Chairman and Founder Alain Vandenborre. Link: 32

33 Nikkei Asian Review Date: 9 th May 2016 Singapore adds diamonds to its trading repertoire Singapore adds diamonds to its trading repertoire SINGAPORE -- A new electronic exchange for trading diamonds opened last week in Singapore, claiming to be the first of its kind to allow physical trading of the gems on an electronic platform. The hope is that the new exchange will be a game-changer that will bring in new traders to the traditionally closed diamond industry, and boost demand for the precious stone which is facing historically low prices amid plunging demand from big spenders such as the Chinese. Backed by Singapore's state investor Temasek Holdings and investor Jim Rogers among others, Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) utilizes an electronic platform designed by engineers who previously created systems for major stock exchanges including the Singapore Exchange. The platform matches buyers and sellers at a speed of more than 500,000 transactions per second. Live prices will be available on the exchange's website. The trading hours will be between 2.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Singapore and Hong Kong time. The diamond market has traditionally been closed, with prices based on bilateral trading between buyers and sellers within the industry. "No marketplace existed for people who were not members of the diamond trade," said Alain Vandenborre, chairman and founder of SDiX, during an interview with the Nikkei Asian Review prior to the opening of the exchange. Vandenborre hopes to break this tradition with the new exchange. "The important thing is that the baskets are standardized and fungible. It's like a gold bar; it's exchangeable for any other gold bar of the same category," Vandenborre said. Investment-grade diamonds are categorized into groups based on their quality -- based on size, color and clarity -- as well as on whether they are being sold singly or in a basket of stones. Investors do not need to understand the numerous and complex criteria diamonds are usually assessed by; SDiX will do the categorization for them, allowing the investors to be "indifferent" towards the quality of each and every stone they invest in, according to Vandenborre. By providing an exchange platform where prices will be determined on an anonymous basis, the new platform "will unlock diamonds as a financial asset," Vandenborre hopes. The idea is to attract participation from commodity traders and financial investors who can in turn provide investment products for retail investors, such as exchange-traded funds. Leading up to the launch, SDiX brought in Standard Chartered Bank to provide cash settlement services, and UOB Kay Hian as its first broker. Late last month, SDiX welcomed Dubai-based commodity broker Richcomm Global Services as a buy-side member on the platform to provide high net-worth retail investors and institutional investors across the United Arab Emirates with access to the diamond market. "We see demand from the buy-side," said Vandenborre, adding that some European brokers have "already secured commitments" for diamond investment from some of their financial investor clients. Going forward, SDiX expects more players from wealth management centers and diamond trading hubs including Switzerland, Hong Kong and Dubai. "We would like to think that the evolution of the diamond market could be similar to gold," said SDiX chief executive Linus Koh. He noted that around 40% of annual gold 33

34 production is bought for investment, with an addition of $4 trillion worth of derivatives traded. In contrast, only 3% of diamonds produced in a year are bought for investment. "So the potential appears to be rather large," said Koh. SDiX hopes to launch derivative products and open the market to retail investors in the future. Questions remain over whether now is a prime time to invest in diamonds, however. Prices for the gems have been languishing at historically low levels, as demand from wealthy Chinese slowed in line with the country's slowing economic growth. There have been signs of pick-up in recent months: major diamond miner De Beers last month reportedly upped the price of diamonds sold to manufacturers for the first time in a year, and its sales volumes have been on an upward trend since the end of last year. SDiX is optimistic on the timing of the launch. "Prices appear to have bottomed out. But they are not yet red hot. This is a good time to launch," said Vandenborre. The original plan was to launch the exchange last September, but Vandenborre said the opening was delayed as regulatory clearance took longer than anticipated. Although Singapore is not yet a hub for diamond trading, the city-state has attracted a number of high networth individuals willing to put their cash towards other glimmering options. In March, Singaporean precious metals bullion dealer GoldSilver Central announced a partnership with Australia's Perth Mint to provide an online precious metals depository program to its Southeast Asian clients. The program comes with a government-backed guarantee and lets investors trade on an online platform while reacting to live pricing of the precious metals. Link: 34

35 Commoditas Partners Date: 8 th May 2016 SDIX LAUNCHES WORLD S FIRST COMMODITY EXCHANGE TRADING PHYSICALLY SETTLED DIAMONDS SDIX LAUNCHES WORLD S FIRST COMMODITY EXCHANGE TRADING PHYSICALLY SETTLED DIAMONDS The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) recently announced that trading has started on the world s first and only commodity exchange on physically settled diamonds. The aim of the SDiX s platform is to standardize global trading in diamonds as an asset and to unlock new investment opportunities. This is performed by way of providing an independent, electronic, and regulation-ready global market that creates a transparent price discovery mechanism for diamonds. The exchange claims that the current system of diamond trading in a physical market place in existing diamond bourses provides buyers with neither transparency nor access to pricing information. The SDiX represents a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded, said SDiX executive chairman and founder Alain Vandenborre. By providing the first ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class. The SDiX is by design entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready, so that investors, suppliers and other industry players can benefit from a transparent and unbiased marketplace. Link: 35

36 IDEX Date: 8 th May 2016 SDiX Launches World s First Commodity Exchange Trading Physically Settled Diamonds SDiX Launches World s First Commodity Exchange Trading Physically Settled Diamonds The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) recently announced that trading has started on the world s first and only commodity exchange on physically settled diamonds. The aim of the SDiX s platform is to standardize global trading in diamonds as an asset and to unlock new investment opportunities. This is performed by way of providing an independent, electronic, and regulationready global market that creates a transparent price discovery mechanism for diamonds. The exchange claims that the current system of diamond trading in a physical market place in existing diamond bourses provides buyers with neither transparency nor access to pricing information. The SDiX represents a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded, said SDiX executive chairman and founder Alain Vandenborre. By providing the first ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class. The SDiX is by design entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready, so that investors, suppliers and other industry players can benefit from a transparent and unbiased marketplace. Link: 36

37 Al Jazeera Date: 7 th May 2016 Diamonds: Bringing clarity to an opaque industry Diamonds: Bringing clarity to an opaque industry As the saying goes, "diamonds are forever", yet with rising production costs and shrinking demand from China - the second largest diamond market after the United States - the industry is in the rough. Over 130 million carats or 26,000kg of diamonds are produced each year. Globally, there are natural diamond reserves - over 600m carats - to guarantee another four years of production, with Australia, Russia, DR Congo and Botswana being the world's biggest producers. Last year, the "blue moon" diamond sold for a staggering $48.8m - a record for diamond sales. Despite this, 2015 was a bad year for sales with rough diamond inventory clogging up production pipelines. We speak to Stephen Lussier, CEO of De Beers retail arm Forevermark about why 2015 was a poor year for sales, how weaker global economic growth affects the demand for luxury consumer goods - diamonds are mostly sold as jewelry - and how diamonds are getting rarer as global supply dries up. We also hear from Alain Vandenborre, founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange about the culture of trading diamonds - largely localised, manual and opaque - and an initiative to bring transparency to trading. Video coverage on SDiX: 8.06m 13.04m Link: 37

38 Gems2jewellery Date: 7 th May 2016 Singapore Diamond Investment Exch. Launched Singapore Diamond Investment Exch. Launched Singapore: Trading has started on the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), the world s first commodity exchange for physically-settled diamonds. The introduction on May 5 represents the most significant change in global diamond trading practices in hundreds of years, according to SDiX, which is backed by investors including the Singapore government s sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings. The SDiX represents a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded, said Alain Vandenborre, the platform s executive chairman and founder. By providing the first-ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class. In addition to Temasek, SDiX is backed by Vertex Venture Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek, and big-name businessmen such as veteran investor Jim Rogers and Sun Tongyu, one of the founders of Alibaba. The old-fashioned method of trading diamonds in physical bourses gives buyers no transparency on the trading process and access to pricing information, and only offers limited ability to investors who would like to participate in the market, SDiX claimed. The exchange is built on an ecosystem that includes an electronic trading platform, a depository for the physical settlement of diamonds and a global network of service providers to support it, such as the Gemological Institute of America. Standard Chartered Bank will provide banking services and facilitate the cash settlement of transactions, SDiX said. The new bourse launches with broker members across Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Trading hours are between 2.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Singapore time to allow global traders to participate. Link: 38

39 Nanyang.com Date: 7 th May 2016 实物钻石交易所狮城开跑 实物钻石交易所狮城开跑 ( 新加坡 6 日 ) 全球首个实物结算钻石交易所, 昨天在新加坡正式交易, 这将使钻石跃升为跟其他大宗商品一样的资产类别 这个交易所原定在去年 9 月开跑, 却延迟到现在才启动, 比原定时间迟了八个月 推出这个交易平台的新加坡钻石投资交易所 (SDiX) 指出, 延迟是因为经纪和会员对交易所的兴趣超乎预期, 交易所须确保在让它们参与时已采取妥善及严格的条规措施 这个交易平台将使用先进科技, 通过买卖双方对钻石的质量和数量达成交易价格的实时机制, 创造全球性的钻石买卖场所 淡马锡控股旗下的创投公司祥峰投资控股是 SDiX 的投资者, 著名投资者罗杰斯 (Jim Rogers) 和大华银行主席谢福华是该公司的天使投资者 Translation Summary Real Diamond Exchange to start running the Lion City The world's first exchange for physically settled diamonds officially started trading in Singapore yesterday. This will allow diamonds to be traded as a commodity, like any other asset class. The Exchange was originally scheduled to start operations in September last year, but was delayed for eight months. The Singapore Investment Diamond Exchange (SDiX) explained this delay was due to a greater-than-expected interest from both brokers and exchange members. As such, it took longer to ensure that appropriate and stringent regulations were in place. The trading platform will use advanced technology, hosting both buyers and sellers with a real time price discovery mechanism, with details of diamond quality, quantity of deal price. Temasek's venture capital firm Vertex Venture Holdings is an investor in SDiX, as well as angel investors the Jim Rogers and UOB Chairman Hsieh Fu Hua. Link: 39

40 Archy World News Date: 6 th May 2016 Singapore based diamond exchange Singapore based diamond exchange The financial center Singapore has established probably the world s first electronic stock exchange for the physical diamond trade. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDIX) forces the seller to supply gemstones for the previously concluded contract and not a corresponding sum of money. Registered buyers and sellers can trade on the electronic platform of exchange at wholesale prices diamond. The stock market initially worked every weekday afternoon in Singapore ( We have first the physical trade in a regulated environment at transparent prices, the CEO of the Exchange, Linus Koh said at the opening. At her even the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings is involved which shows how the millionaire metropolis of Singapore supports the establishment. The tradable stones are held until the handover in large safes. The first of these tax-free safe-houses at Changi Airport led Alain Vanden Borre. He is now also the founder of SDIX and the chairman of its board of directors. The wholesale price is the one who sold to the polished stones to jewelers. Previously, you had investors in diamonds this through an intermediary, usually a jewelry merchant acquiring. This drove the price. Only about 3 percent of the world s diamonds are purchased annually by investors, the rest migrates into the jewelry production. The diamond dealers want to change that and call the gold trade as an example: 40 percent of the gold is purchased by investors. Normally, the purchase price for a diamond has been negotiated in the dialogue between buyers and sellers. But on the electronic exchange bids and sale prices for all registered users are visibly displayed. This should open the way in the investment in diamonds the stock market beginners. All stones that allow the stock market in the city state to trading shall be examined by the Gemological Institute of America for authenticity. Link: 40

41 AsiaOne Date: 6 th May 2016 Diamond trading shines bright for investors Diamond trading shines bright for investors Diamonds can now be bought more cheaply and traded more easily with the launch yesterday of an electronic diamond exchange here, in a move set to add sparkle to Singapore's investment scene. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), which is backed by investors, including a Temasek Holdings unit, is being touted as the world's first commodity exchange in physically settled diamonds. This means that the seller must deliver actual diamonds to the buyer and not merely settle the trade in cash. On the exchange's platform, accredited investors can buy and sell diamonds at wholesale prices, its chief executive Linus Koh told The Straits Times yesterday. "The exchange allows accredited investors to trade in physically settled diamonds with full price transparency in a regulated environment, for the first time," he said. The wholesale price is the price at which diamonds - freshly cut and polished from rough stone - are sold to jewellery manufacturers. Until now, to invest in diamonds, investors would usually have to buy them through a jewellery shop at retail prices - with a mark-up. The opening of the exchange, based in PSA Building in Alexandra Road, represents a huge shift in the way diamonds are traded and the most significant change in modern diamond trading practices, said Mr Alain Vandenborre, SDiX executive chairman and founder. At present, diamond trades are mostly negotiated directly between a buyer and seller. With the electronic platform, however, the highest bid price and the lowest selling price will be shown in real time. The prices of trades on the exchange will also be reported. Diamonds can be traded on the exchange from Monday to Friday between 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Investors wanting more information can visit The diamonds will first be certified by the Gemological Institute of America before they are traded on SDiX, and will be stored in vaults. The exchange hopes to offer more sophisticated products down the track. Any accredited investor who has an account with a brokerage registered with the exchange can trade on it. The exchange's broker members include UOB Kay Hian, Linear Investments and Richcomm Global Services. Temasek Holdings has invested in the SDiX through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. The pool of participants using diamonds as a trading, investment and hedging vehicle has room to grow, said Mr Koh. 41

42 Of the annual batch of freshly cut wholesale diamonds, only 3 per cent is bought as a collectible item or for investment. The other 97 per cent ends up in the hands of firms for processing into jewellery. In contrast, out of the US$100 billion of refined gold produced by smelters a year, 40 per cent ends up as an investment or collectibles. Also, about US$4 trillion of gold derivatives are traded a year but until now, there has never existed the potential to do this with diamonds, Mr Koh added. Mr Esmond Choo,senior executive director UOB Kay Hian, said he sees a high level of interest from Singapore and around the region. A spokesman for Foundation Jewellers said the launch will have some impact on the firm's diamond business. It sells rough wholesale diamonds to investors at low mark-ups. "Investors have to know the quality of the diamond they are buying. If it's youngsters, they'll likely go (to the exchange)," she said. Link: 42

43 Dan Tri Date: 6 th May 2016 Singapore ra mắt sàn giao dịch kim cương đầu tiên trên thế giới Singapore ra mắt sàn giao dịch kim cương đầu tiên trên thế giới Chiều qua (5/5), sàn giao dịch kim cương Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (viết tắt là SDiX) đã chính thức bắt đầu phiên giao dịch đầu tiên và lần đầu tiên công nhận kim cương như một loại tài sản giao dịch hợp pháp. "Sàn giao dịch công khai và ghi nhận các hoạt động trao đổi, mua bán kim cương giữa các nhà đầu tư, đồng thời đảm bảo tính minh bạch và hoạt động trong một môi trường quy chuẩn", ông Linus Koh, Giám đốc điều hành tại SDiX cho biết. Quá trình giao dịch/trao đổi kim cương trên SDiX sẽ được hỗ trợ bởi công nghệ, máy móc, cùng các quy định chặt chẽ nhằm xây dựng một hệ thống giao dịch minh bạch, chính xác. Các ngân hàng, công ty tài chính và nhà đầu tư trên thế giới cũng đang bắt đầu công nhận kim cương như một loại tài sản giao dịch hợp pháp như cổ phiếu, trái phiếu, tiền mặt hay bất động sản. Được biết từ trước tới nay, kim cương chủ yếu được giao dịch trực tiếp giữa bên bán và bên mua, hoàn toàn không có những quy định về giá quốc tế cũng như các yếu tố đánh giá độ tinh khiết của sản phẩm. Cách thức này hầu như không đảm bảo sự minh bạch về các quy trình kinh doanh cũng như chất lượng thực tế của các viên kim cương mà chủ yếu phục thuộc vào uy tín của các thương hiệu cung cấp. Tuy nhiên người đại diện của SDiX cho biết, các vấn đề này sẽ được giải quyết thông qua sàn giao dịch kim cương hợp pháp đầu tiên trên thế giới. Theo báo cáo từ SDiX, kim cương trên sàn giao dịch tại thời điểm hiện nay đều đã được chứng nhận bởi viện Gemological của Mỹ, và được lưu trữ trong một hầm chứa. Khi một giao dịch được hoàn tất, kim cương vẫn nằm trong hầm, nhưng quyền sở hữu sẽ được chuyển từ người bán sang người mua. Kim cương có thể được rút ra theo yêu cầu của chủ sở hữu, nhưng sẽ không còn được giao dịch trên sàn SDiX. Các nhà đầu tư có thể mua hoặc bán những viên kim cương theo giá niêm yết trên sàn giao dịch cùng với sự tham gia của 20 thương hiệu kim cương hàng đầu trên thế giới. Kim cương có thể được giao dịch từ 2 rưỡi chiều cho tới 6 rưỡi chiều tính theo giờ Singapore trong tất cả các ngày trong tuần trừ thứ 7 và Chủ nhật. Translation Summary Singapore Launches the World s First Diamond Exchange Yesterday afternoon (5/5), the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) officially launched the world s first regulation ready, true commodities exchange platform to trade in physically settled diamonds. "The exchange allows accredited investors to trade in physically settled diamonds with full price transparency in a regulated environment, for the first time," said Linus Koh, Managing Director operating at SDiX said. 43

44 The process of trading diamonds on the SDiX platform is be supported by exchange technology, with strict rules in order to ensure a transparent and fair trading platform. Banks, financial companies and investors around the world are beginning to recognize the diamond as a legitimate trading assets such as stocks, bonds, cash and real estate. Diamond trading until now has largely been bilateral, with no transparent pricing or standardized processes for diamond evaluation. However, SDiX spokespeople commented that these are all issues which are addressed through the world s first and only commodities exchange platform for diamonds. All diamonds traded on the SDiX platform are certified by the Gemological Institute of America, and stored in vaults. When a transaction is completed, the diamond remains in the vault, but the ownership will be transferred from the seller to the buyer. Diamonds can be drawn at the request of the owner. Investors can buy or sell the diamonds at the price listed on the exchange, and the diamonds on the Exchange are from the 20 of the world s leading suppliers. Diamonds can be traded on weekdays from 2:30pm to 6:30pm SGT. Link: htm 44

45 Frankfurter Allgemeine Date: 6 th May 2016 Singapur gründet Diamantenbörse Singapur gründet Diamantenbörse Edelsteine sollen in Singapur von Investoren zur Geldanlage entdeckt werden. Unterstützung gibt es für den Stadtstaat aus Kalifornien. Der Finanzplatz Singapur hat die wohl weltweit erste elektronische Börse für den physischen Diamantenhandel gegründet. Die Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) zwingt den Verkäufer, Edelsteine für den zuvor abgeschlossenen Kontrakt zu liefern und nicht etwa eine entsprechende Summe Geldes. Registrierte Käufer und Verkäufer können auf der elektronischen Plattform der Börse zu Großhandelspreisen Diamanten handeln. Die Börse arbeitet zunächst wochentäglich am Nachmittag in Singapur ( Wir bieten erstmals den physischen Handel in einem regulierten Umfeld zu transparenten Preisen, sagte der Vorstandsvorsitzende der Börse, Linus Koh bei deren Eröffnung. An ihr ist auch der Singapurer Staatsfonds Temasek Holdings beteiligt was zeigt, wie die Millionärsmetropole Singapur die Gründung unterstützt. Die zu handelnden Steine werden bis zur Übergabe in Großsafes verwahrt. Das erste dieser steuerfreien Safe-Häuser am Flughafen Changi führte Alain Vandenborre. Er ist nun auch der Gründer der SDiX und der Vorsitzende ihres Verwaltungsrates. Der Großhandelspreis ist derjenige, zu dem polierte Steine an Juweliere verkauft werden. Bislang mussten Investoren in Diamanten diese über einen Zwischenhändler, meistens einen Schmuckhändler, erwerben. Das trieb den Preis. Nur rund 3 Prozent der weltweiten Diamanten werden jährlich von Investoren erworben, der Rest wandert in die Schmuckfertigung. Die Diamantenhändler wollen das ändern und nennen den Goldhandel als Beispiel: 40 Prozent des Goldes wird von Investoren erworben. Normalerweise wurde der Kaufpreis für einen Diamanten auch im Zwiegespräch zwischen Käufer und Verkäufer ausgehandelt. An der elektronischen Börse aber werden die Gebote und Verkaufspreise für alle registrierten Nutzer sichtbar angezeigt. Damit soll die Börse Einsteigern den Weg in die Geldanlage in Diamanten öffnen. Alle Steine, die die Börse im Stadtstaat zum Handel zulässt, werden zuvor vom Gemological Institute of America auf ihre Echtheit geprüft. Translation Summary Singapore Launches Diamond Exchange The world s first electronic stock exchange for the physical diamond trade has been established in leading global financial center, Singapore. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDIX) offers a real time price discovery mechanism. Registered buyers and sellers can trade diamonds at wholesale prices on the electronic platform. The platform will be initially open for trading every weekday afternoon in Singapore ( For the first time, we are offering a platform to trade physically settled diamonds in a regulated environment with transparent prices, said CEO, Linus Koh. Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings is involved, highlighting their support for the Exchange. Fungible stones are held in vaults, until the owner decides to sell or draw down. The first of these tax-free vaults is located at Changi Airport, founded by Alain Vandenborre, Founder and Executive Chairman of SDiX. 45

46 Wholesale prices have previously only been available to jewelers buying polished stones from site holders. Until now, individuals could only purchase diamonds through an intermediary, usually a jewelry merchant. This increased prices. Annually only 3 percent of the world s diamonds are currently purchased for investment purposes, with the majority used in jewelry production. SDiX hopes to change this, and uses gold as an example: 40 percent of gold purchased is for investment purposes. Normally, the purchase price of a diamond requires bilateral dialogue between buyer and seller. But on the electronic exchange, bids and sale prices for all registered users are visibly displayed. This creates the opportunity to invest in diamonds as an asset class. All stones traded on the SDiX platform are graded and certified by Gemological Institute of America. Link: html 46

47 Lianhe Zaobao Date: 6 th May 2016 全球首个实物结算钻石交易所我国开业 全球首个实物结算钻石交易所我国开业 这个交易平台将使用先进科技, 通过买卖双方对钻石的质量和数量达成交易价格的实时机制, 创造全球性的钻石买卖场所 韩宝镇报道 总部位于我国的全球首个实物结算钻石交易所, 昨天开始交易, 这将使钻石跃升为跟其他大宗商品一样的资产类别 这个交易所原定在去年 9 月开跑, 却延迟到现在才启动, 比原定时间迟了八个月 在回答 联合早报 询问时, 推出这个交易平台的新加坡钻石投资交易所私人有限公司 (Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, 简称 SDiX) 说 : 延迟是因为经纪和会员对交易所的兴趣超乎预期, 以及 ( 交易所 ) 须确保在让它们参与时已采取妥善及严格的条规措施 由于超乎预期的关系, 整个过程稍微多花了一些时间 这个交易平台将使用先进科技, 通过买卖双方对钻石的质量和数量达成交易价格的实时机制, 创造全球性的钻石买卖场所 SDiX 昨天表示, 交易平台的目的是要划一钻石作为资产级别的全球交易, 为环球投资者带来新的投资机会 迄今为止, 钻石交易主要是在实体市场进行双边交易 这个拥有百年历史的交易制度, 既缺乏让买家了解交易过程的透明度, 也无法让他们接触到定价方面的信息 它指出, 新平台将通过提供独立 电子化和遵守条规的全球市场, 让合格投资者 (accredited investors ) 首次能够把钻石作为一种资产级别来进行交易 随着交易所的设立, 银行 金融公司和投资者, 将首次能够取得基准价格来为钻石估值 SDiX 的创办人兼执行主席是原籍比利时 已入籍我国的范登伯 (Alain Vandenborre) 他表示,SDiX 的设计完全独立于钻石市场, 并且合乎条规, 让投资者 供应商和其他业者能从透明和公正的市场中受益 钻石交易所列出的钻石将由 GIA 认证, 买家可以对单颗和一篮子的钻石进行电子交易, 买家也可根据钻石类别开出指标性标价 单颗钻石买家可以通过该平台检验证书, 而所有一篮子的钻石则拥有相同数目的钻石和总重量, 钻石的切割 清晰度和颜色也相同 SDiX 的经纪会员横跨我国 香港 伦敦和迪拜 交易时间介于新加坡 / 香港时间下午 2 时 30 分至 6 时 30 分之间, 以让全球交易员能善用这个平台 SDiX 在近期将进行现货交易市场, 而随着这个市场趋向成熟, 它有意提供更加复杂的产品, 例如挂牌基金和衍生产品, 提高平台对全球投资者的吸引力 47

48 交易所的钻石由全球财富管理物流公司马尔卡 阿米特环球公司 (Malca-Amit) 负责保管 渣打银行是为 SDiX 提供结算服务的银行, 而大华继显是它的首个交易经纪伙伴 淡马锡控股旗下的创投公司祥峰投资控股 (Vertex Venture) 是 SDiX 的投资者, 著名投资家罗杰斯 (Jim Rogers) 和大华银行主席谢福华是该公司的天使投资者 Translation Summary The World's First Exchange for Physically Settled Diamonds Launches The trading platform will use advanced technology, to connect buyers and sellers in real time with details of diamond quality, quantity and deal price, to create the first true global diamond exchange. The world's exchange for physically settled diamonds launched yesterday in Singapore. This will allow diamonds to be traded as an asset class for the first time, like other commodities. The Exchange was initially scheduled to start operation in September last year, but was delayed for eight months. In response to "Lianhe Zaobao, the Singapore Diamond Exchange Investment Pte Ltd (SDiX) said: "The delay was due to the greater-than-expected interest from brokers and members of the Exchange, and the need for the (Exchange) to take appropriate measures to ensure that strict regulations were in place. As such, the whole process took longer than expected. " The trading platform will use advanced technology and connect buyers and sellers in real time with details of diamond quality, quantity and deal price. SDiX said yesterday that the exchange has been developed to provide a standardized model to allow diamonds to be traded globally as an asset class, offering new investment opportunities for investors. Diamonds trading until now has been largely bilateral in physical market places. This century-old trading system provides no trading or price transparency. The new platform is entirely independent of the diamond industry, and is regulation ready. Accredited investors will be able to trade diamonds as an asset class for the first time. The establishment of the Exchange offers banks, financial institutions and investors will for the first time have a benchmark price for diamonds. Belgian born SDiX Founder and Executive Chairman Alain Vandenborre said that SDiX has been designed to be completely independent of the diamond industry, in line with industry regulation, and fully transparent to benefit investors, suppliers and other industry players. Diamonds listed on the Diamond Exchange are GIA certified, and buyers can purchase either fungible single diamonds or baskets of diamonds. The price index is based on the diamond category. All diamonds purchased on the SDiX platform are GIA certified, and basket are arranged by diamonds of the same number, weight, cut, clarity and color. SDiX has broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Transactions will take place between Singapore / Hong Kong time 14:30 to 6:30. This is to allow global traders to advantage of this platform. Once a 48

49 spot market has been fully realized, SDiX intends to provide more complex products, such as ETFs and derivative products. The global wealth management logistics companies Malca - Amit Universal (Malca-Amit) is responsible for the custody of all the Exchange s fungible diamonds. Standard Chartered Bank provides settlement services for SDiX as the bank for the Exchange, and UOB Kay Hian was the pioneer broker member of the Exchange. Investors in SDiX include Temasek's venture capital firm Vertex Venture Holdings (Vertex Venture), and angel investors Jim Rogers and UOB Chairman Hsieh Fu Hua. Link: 49

50 Lianhe Zaobao Date: 6 th May 2016 全球首个实物结算钻石交易所我国开业 50

51 Nation Multimedia Date: 6 th May 2016 Trade begins on Singapore's electronic diamond exchange Trade begins on Singapore's electronic diamond exchange Diamonds can now be bought more cheaply and traded more easily, as trading on a Singapore-based electronic diamond exchange started on Thursday. On the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange s (SDIX) platform, accredited investors can buy diamonds at wholesale prices, Mr Linus Koh, chief executive of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, told the Straits Times. "The exchange allows accredited investors to trade in physically settled diamonds with full price transparency in a regulated environment, for the first time," he said. The wholesale prices refer to prices at which diamonds - freshly cut and polished from rough stone - are sold to jewellery manufacturers. In the past, to invest in diamonds individuals would usually have to buy them through a jewellery shop at a retail prices that had a mark up. The opening of the exchange represents a huge shift in the way diamonds are currently traded and the most significant change in the diamond trading practice in years, noted Mr Alain Vandenborre, SDIX executive chairman and founder. At present, diamond trades are mostly negotiated bilaterally, between a buyer and seller. With the electronic platform, however, the highest bid price and the lowest selling price will be shown in real time. The prices of trades on the exchange will also be reported. "This gives the market much more transparency and information," said Mr Koh. Investors can buy diamonds at such prices on the exchange because the top 20 companies which process the rough stone will sell their diamonds on the exchange. Diamonds can be traded on the exchange from Monday to Friday between 2.30 and 6.30 in the afternoon. Investors who wish to obtain more information can visit The diamonds will first be certified by the Gemological Institute of America before they are traded on the exchange, and will be stored in vaults. When a trade occurs, the diamond remains in the vault but ownership is transferred from the seller to the buyer. It can remain in the vault or be retrieved by buyers. The exchange hopes to offer more sophisticated products like exchange traded funds and derivatives.any accredited investor worldwide with an account with a brokerage registered with the exchange can trade on it. Temasek Holdings has thrown its weight behind the exchange, backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Link: html# 51

52 NHK World Date: 6 th May 2016 Singapore launches online diamond exchange Singapore launches online diamond exchange Trading has begun in Singapore on the world's first online diamond exchange. Investors began trading diamonds electronically on the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, or SDiX, on Thursday at 2:30 pm local time. Dealers use a private system capable of processing more than 500,000 transactions per second. Unlike gold or platinum, the color and transparency of diamonds need to be physically judged one by one by experts. Because of this, diamonds have been considered unfit for online trading. But diamonds smaller than 1 carat have little difference in quality and so can be traded on the new exchange, without having to be examined physically. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange was established with funding from a Singapore state investment company. SDiX Chairman Alain Vandenborre has expressed the hope that diamonds, rather than gold, will be bought as investments, as they are a freely-traded commodity. However, some dealers are concerned the new system may bring excessive price volatility. Diamond prices have been declining for several years due to falling consumption in China. Link: 52

53 Singapore FOZL Group Pte Ltd Date: 6 th May 2016 全球首个实物结算钻石交易所在新加坡开业 全球首个实物结算钻石交易所在新加坡开业 新加坡钻石投资交易所私人有限公司 (Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, 简称 SDiX) 表示, 交易平台的目的是要划一钻石作为资产级别的全球交易, 为环球投资者带来新的投资机会 迄今为止, 钻石交易主要是在实体市场进行双边交易 这个拥有百年历史的交易制度, 既缺乏让买家了解交易过程的透明度, 也无法让他们接触到定价方面的信息 它指出, 新平台将通过提供独立 电子化和遵守条规的全球市场, 让合格投资者 (accredited investors ) 首次能够把钻石作为一种资产级别来进行交易 随着交易所的设立, 银行 金融公司和投资者, 将首次能够取得基准价格来为钻石估值 SDiX 的创办人兼执行主席是原籍比利时 已入籍新加坡的范登伯 (Alain Vandenborre) 他表示,SDiX 的设计完全独立于钻石市场, 并且合乎条规, 让投资者 供应商和其他业者能从透明和公正的市场中受益 钻石交易所列出的钻石将由 GIA 认证, 买家可以对单颗和一篮子的钻石进行电子交易, 买家也可根据钻石类别开出指标性标价 单颗钻石买家可以通过该平台检验证书, 而所有一篮子的钻石则拥有相同数目的钻石和总重量, 钻石的切割 清晰度和颜色也相同 SDiX 的经纪会员横跨新加坡 香港 伦敦和迪拜 交易时间介于新加坡 / 香港时间下午 2 时 30 分至 6 时 30 分之间, 以让全球交易员能善用这个平台 SDiX 在近期将进行现货交易市场, 而随着这个市场趋向成熟, 它有意提供更加复杂的产品, 例如挂牌基金和衍生产品, 提高平台对全球投资者的吸引力 交易所的钻石由全球财富管理物流公司马尔卡 阿米特环球公司 (Malca-Amit) 负责保管 渣打银行是为 SDiX 提供结算服务的银行, 而大华继显是它的首个交易经纪伙伴 淡马锡控股旗下的创投公司祥峰投资控股 (Vertex Venture) 是 SDiX 的投资者, 著名投资家罗杰斯 (Jim Rogers) 和大华银行主席谢福华是该公司的天使投资者 Translation Summary The World's First Exchange for Physically Settled Diamonds Launches The trading platform will use advanced technology, to connect buyers and sellers in real time with details of diamond quality, quantity and deal price, to create the first true global diamond exchange. The world's exchange for physically settled diamonds launched yesterday in Singapore. This will allow diamonds to be traded as an asset class for the first time, like other commodities. 53

54 The trading platform will use advanced technology and connect buyers and sellers in real time with details of diamond quality, quantity and deal price. SDiX said yesterday that the exchange has been developed to provide a standardized model to allow diamonds to be traded globally as an asset class, offering new investment opportunities for investors. Diamonds trading until now has been largely bilateral in physical market places. This century-old trading system provides no trading or price transparency. The new platform is entirely independent of the diamond industry, and is regulation ready. Accredited investors will be able to trade diamonds as an asset class for the first time. The establishment of the Exchange offers banks, financial institutions and investors will for the first time have a benchmark price for diamonds. Belgian born SDiX Founder and Executive Chairman Alain Vandenborre said that SDiX has been designed to be completely independent of the diamond industry, in line with industry regulation, and fully transparent to benefit investors, suppliers and other industry players. Diamonds listed on the Diamond Exchange are GIA certified, and buyers can purchase either fungible single diamonds or baskets of diamonds. The price index is based on the diamond category. All diamonds purchased on the SDiX platform are GIA certified, and basket are arranged by diamonds of the same number, weight, cut, clarity and color. SDiX has broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Transactions will take place between Singapore / Hong Kong time 14:30 to 6:30. This is to allow global traders to advantage of this platform. Once a spot market has been fully realized, SDiX intends to provide more complex products, such as ETFs and derivative products. The global wealth management logistics companies Malca - Amit Universal (Malca-Amit) is responsible for the custody of all the Exchange s fungible diamonds. Standard Chartered Bank provides settlement services for SDiX as the bank for the Exchange, and UOB Kay Hian was the pioneer broker member of the Exchange. Investors in SDiX include Temasek's venture capital firm Vertex Venture Holdings (Vertex Venture), and angel investors Jim Rogers and UOB Chairman Hsieh Fu Hua. Link: 54

55 The Straits Times Date: 6 th May 2016 Diamond trading shines bright for investors Diamond trading shines bright for investors Launch of new electronic exchange allows trading of gemstones at wholesale prices in regulated environment Diamonds can now be bought more cheaply and traded more easily with the launch yesterday of an electronic diamond exchange here, in a move set to add sparkle to Singapore's investment scene. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), which is backed by investors, including a Temasek Holdings unit, is being touted as the world's first commodity exchange in physically settled diamonds. This means that the seller must deliver actual diamonds to the buyer and not merely settle the trade in cash. On the exchange's platform, accredited investors can buy and sell diamonds at wholesale prices, its chief executive Linus Koh told The Straits Times yesterday. "The exchange allows accredited investors to trade in physically settled diamonds with full price transparency in a regulated environment, for the first time," he said. The wholesale price is the price at which diamonds - freshly cut and polished from rough stone - are sold to jewellery manufacturers. Until now, to invest in diamonds, investors would usually have to buy them through a jewellery shop at retail prices - with a mark-up. The opening of the exchange, based in PSA Building in Alexandra Road, represents a huge shift in the way diamonds are traded and the most significant change in modern diamond trading practices, said Mr Alain Vandenborre, SDiX executive chairman and founder. The diamonds will first be certified by the Gemological Institute of America before they are traded on SDiX, and will be stored in vaults. At present, diamond trades are mostly negotiated directly between a buyer and seller. With the electronic platform, however, the highest bid price and the lowest selling price will be shown in real time. The prices of trades on the exchange will also be reported. Diamonds can be traded on the exchange from Monday to Friday between 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Investors wanting more information can visit The diamonds will first be certified by the Gemological Institute of America before they are traded on SDiX, and will be stored in vaults. The exchange hopes to offer more sophisticated products down the track. Any accredited investor who has an account with a brokerage registered with the exchange can trade on it. The exchange's broker members include UOB Kay Hian, Linear Investments and Richcomm Global Services. Temasek Holdings has invested in the SDiX through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. 55

56 The pool of participants using diamonds as a trading, investment and hedging vehicle has room to grow, said Mr Koh. Of the annual batch of freshly cut wholesale diamonds, only 3 per cent is bought as a collectible item or for investment. The other 97 per cent ends up in the hands of firms for processing into jewellery. In contrast, out of the US$100 billion of refined gold produced by smelters a year, 40 per cent ends up as an investment or collectibles. Also, about US$4 trillion of gold derivatives are traded a year but until now, there has never existed the potential to do this with diamonds, Mr Koh added. Mr Esmond Choo,senior executive director UOB Kay Hian, said he sees a high level of interest from Singapore and around the region. A spokesman for Foundation Jewellers said the launch will have some impact on the firm's diamond business. It sells rough wholesale diamonds to investors at low mark-ups. "Investors have to know the quality of the diamond they are buying. If it's youngsters, they'll likely go (to the exchange)," she said. Link: 56

57 The Straits Times Date: 6 th May 2016 Diamond trading shines bright for investors 57

58 Tricity Jewellers Date: 6 th May 2016 World s first diamond trading exchange going live from today World s first diamond trading exchange going live from today The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), the world s first and only commodity exchange trading in physically settled diamonds, is going live from Thursday. This could change the way diamonds are traded. At present, trading is done after viewing diamonds and usually one on one. Once the exchange picks up, it will be portal-based and with transparent pricing. This could also bring investors into diamonds. India has a major share in cutting and polishing of diamonds, with 90 per cent of the global work. Several diamond processors and exporters have taken membership of the Singapore exchange. One of them explained, SDiX offers a platform to trade diamonds electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market and buyers can place indicative price bids by diamond category. All stones traded on SDiX are Gemological Institute of America (GIA)-graded and buyers of single stones can examine certifications directly through the platform. Custodial services are by Malca-Amit, a global wealth management logistics company. The benefit of graded diamonds makes these reliable and pricing would be transparent. Investors not conversant with the product would find it interesting when it is graded and certified, apart from transparent pricing. The exchange s website said the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange has been established to provide the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial entities and investors a benchmark price. The exchange is supported by a fully integrated system, including a depository that enables physical settlement and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. SDiX is backed by leading global investors, including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. The process will be such that a seller will have to deposit diamonds according to standardised lots, after being graded and certified by the GIA, in dedicated physical vaults one operated by Malca-Amit in Singapore and the second one operated by Malca-Amit within the Bharat Diamond Bourse at Mumbai. Brokers will have to keep security deposits, based on which their trading limits will be decided. They will also have to collect money from buyers and deposit it with the exchange. Trade will be settled in a T+3 cycle (three business days after the transaction date). Link: 58

59 The Wealth Insider Date: 6 th May 2016 New Diamond Exchange is Now Open for Business New Diamond Exchange is Now Open for Business The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange is now open for business. The exchange is backed by several investors including Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, and Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman of United Overseas Bank Ltd., a former head of Singapore Exchange Ltd. and a former president of Temasek. Investors can now trade single stones as well as so called baskets of investment grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement ~ Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Investors can now trade single stones as well as so called baskets of investment grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange said in a statement. At first, the exchange aims to support spot trading, followed by plans for derivatives and exchange traded products. About Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), headquartered in Singapore, is the world s first commodity exchange in physically settled diamonds. The Exchange platform, the first of its kind globally, will utilize proven exchange technology to create a new marketplace for the global diamond trade. By bringing commodity exchange technology to the diamond market, SDiX is creating a true price discovery mechanism with increased liquidity, allowing diamonds to be traded as a commodity. Link: 59

60 Wealth-Monitor Date: 6 th May 2016 World s first commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds launched World s first commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds launched The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange ( SDiX ) has announced that trading has started on the world s first and only commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds. - The SDiX platform aims to standardize global trading in diamonds as an asset class and to unlock new investment opportunities for global investors. - The platform is designed to enable accredited investors to trade diamonds as an asset class for the first time. Link: 60

61 Bloomberg News Date: 5 th May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Begins Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Begins Vertex Venture Holdings among backers of Singapore project `We may expect volatility in coming days,' chairman says Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings Pte is throwing its weight behind a diamond exchange that began trading in the city-state on Thursday, backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Investors can trade single stones as well as so-called baskets of investment-grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange said in a statement. At first, the bourse aims to support spot trading, with plans for derivatives and exchange-traded products. The move signals a shift away from a centuries-old system where diamonds are largely traded manually and bilaterally in marketplace-style bourses, according to the exchange. Investors with little access to pricing information in the past will now have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset, it said, adding that Vertex Venture is among the backers. We may expect volatility in the coming days because it s the first time in the world that a commodity exchange opens for diamonds, Alain Vandenborre, executive chairman and founder of the SDiX, said in a phone interview. In a few weeks, the price will stabilize and we will reach a benchmark price. It will be a consensus in the market. Other early investors include Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, and Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman of United Overseas Bank Ltd., a former head of Singapore Exchange Ltd. and a former president of Temasek. Trading hours are from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Vertex has a 19 percent stake, according to Vandenborre. By providing the first ever transparent and open price-discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class, Vandenborre said in the statement. The bourse is entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready. Link: 61

62 Bloomberg Terminal Date: 5 th May 2016 SINGAPORE DIAMOND INVESTMENT EXCHANGE TO LAUNCH THURSDAY SINGAPORE DIAMOND INVESTMENT EXCHANGE TO LAUNCH THURSDAY Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Starts Trade Trading on world s first commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds has begun, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange says in Thursday statement. * Platform to let accredited investors trade diamonds as an asset class by providing independent, electronic, and regulation-ready global market with a transparent price discovery mechanism: statement * Trading hours between 2:30 PM SGT/HKT and 6:30PM SGT/HKT * Exchange is backed by investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings Link to Company News:{TMSK SP <Equity> CN <GO>} Link to Company News:{ Z IT <Equity> CN <GO>} 62

63 Business Standard Date: 5 th May 2016 World's first diamond trading exchange going live from today World's first diamond trading exchange going live from today The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), the world s first and only commodity exchange trading in physically settled diamonds, is going live from Thursday. This could change the way diamonds are traded. At present, trading is done after viewing diamonds and usually one on one. Once the exchange picks up, it will be portal-based and with transparent pricing. This could also bring investors into diamonds. India has a major share in cutting and polishing of diamonds, with 90 per cent of the global work. Several diamond processors and exporters have taken membership of the Singapore exchange. One of them explained, SDiX offers a platform to trade diamonds electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market and buyers can place indicative price bids by diamond category. All stones traded on SDiX are Gemological Institute of America (GIA)-graded and buyers of single stones can examine certifications directly through the platform. Custodial services are by Malca-Amit, a global wealth management logistics company. The benefit of graded diamonds makes these reliable and pricing would be transparent. Investors not conversant with the product would find it interesting when it is graded and certified, apart from transparent pricing. Richcomm Global Services, a Dubai-based international commodity services company and leading independent broker and clearing member of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, has been approved as a pioneer member of the SDiX to offer clients the opportunity to invest in diamonds as an asset class. The exchange s website said the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange has been established to provide the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial entities and investors a benchmark price. The exchange is supported by a fully integrated system, including a depository that enables physical settlement and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. SDiX is backed by leading global investors, including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Last year, Latika Kundu, chief operating officer of SDIX, had told this newspaper: "We conservatively estimate that in the first year (2016), the turnover would be $250 million, which will include basket lots and single diamonds." And, that the target was to double that figure in "Two years down the line, SDIX plans to launch forward trading and futures trading in diamonds," she had said. The process will be such that a seller will have to deposit diamonds according to standardised lots, after being graded and certified by the GIA, in dedicated physical vaults one operated by Malca-Amit in 63

64 Singapore and the second one operated by Malca-Amit within the Bharat Diamond Bourse at Mumbai. Brokers will have to keep security deposits, based on which their trading limits will be decided. They will also have to collect money from buyers and deposit it with the exchange. Trade will be settled in a T+3 cycle (three business days after the transaction date). Link: 64

65 The Business Times Date: 5 th May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Kicks Off Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Kicks Off Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings is throwing its weight behind a diamond exchange that began trading in the city-state on Thursday, backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Investors can trade single stones as well as so-called baskets of investment-grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange said in a statement. At first, the exchange aims to support spot trading, with plans for derivatives and exchange-traded products. The move signals a shift away from a centuries-old system where diamonds are largely traded manually and bilaterally in marketplace-style bourses, according to the exchange. Investors with little access to pricing information in the past will now have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset, it said. Vertex Venture, a wholly owned unit of Temasek, is among the backers, it said, without giving details. "By providing the first ever transparent and open price- discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class," said Alain Vandenborre, executive chairman and founder of the SDiX. The bourse is "entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready." Other early investors include Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, and Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman of United Overseas Bank Ltd and a former president of Temasek. Trading hours are from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm in Singapore, with broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Link: 65

66 BT Invest Date: 5 th May 2016 Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade kicks off Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade kicks off Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings is throwing its weight behind a diamond exchange that began trading in the city-state on Thursday, backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Investors can trade single stones as well as so-called baskets of investment-grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange said in a statement. At first, the exchange aims to support spot trading, with plans for derivatives and exchange-traded products. *Full story available at Link: 66

67 Channel8news Date: 5 th May 2016 新加坡钻石投资交易所 : 今天开市交易 新加坡钻石投资交易所 : 今天开市交易 全球第一所, 也是唯一一所钻石商品交易所 : 新加坡钻石投资交易所今天起开市交易 交易所成员包括来自本地 香港 伦敦 以及迪拜的交易商 交易日交易时间从下午 2 点半到傍晚 6 点半 交易所希望通过实时价格交易平台, 推动钻石市场的价格透明度和流通性, 并让投资者可以把钻石当做商品一样投资 交易所近期的主要目标是发展一个蓬勃的现货市场, 未来则会推出指数基金和期货等衍生产品 - 958/CA Translation Summary Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Launches The world's first and only commodity exchange for trading diamonds, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange launched its platform for trading today. Broker members of the Exchange are currently from Singapore, Hong Kong, London, and Dubai. The trading hours are from 14:30PM to 18:30PM SGT. SDiX hopes that by offering real-time prices, greater transparency and liquidity for diamonds, this will allow financial market participants the opportunity to invest in diamonds as a commodity. The Exchange s primary goal is to develop a thriving spot market, and later introduce products such as ETFs, futures and derivatives. Link: 67

68 CNBC; SquawkBox Asia Date: 5 th May 2016 Singapore launches a very shiny commodity exchange Singapore launches a very shiny commodity exchange Alain Vandenborre, chairman and founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDIX), explains how the exchange runs and why diamonds as an asset class. Link: 68

69 Commodities Now Date: 5 th May 2016 Trading begins on the world s first commodity exchange for diamonds Trading begins on the world s first commodity exchange for diamonds The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange ( SDiX ), today announced that trading has started on the world s first and only commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds. The SDiX platform aims to standardize global trading in diamonds as an asset class and to unlock new investment opportunities for global investors. The launch of the exchange represents the most significant change in global diamond trading practices in hundreds of years. The platform is designed to enable accredited investors to trade diamonds as an asset class for the first time by providing an independent, electronic, and regulation-ready global market that creates a transparent price discovery mechanism for diamonds. As a result, banks, financial firms and investors will for the first time have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset. Until now, diamond trading has been dominated by manual bilateral trading in physical marketplace style bourses. This centuries-old trading system gives buyers no transparency on the trading process and no access to pricing information, meaning that investors have not been able to engage in this market. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange is built on a fully integrated, regulation-ready ecosystem, including an industry-leading electronic trading platform, a depository that enables the physical settlement of diamonds, and a global network of service providers that support the Exchange and its members with grading, vaulting and settlement. These include some of the leaders in the global diamond trading industry: GIA, the renowned diamond grading institute; leading vaulting and logistics provider Malca-Amit; and Standard Chartered Bank, which will provide banking services and facilitate the cash settlement of transactions. SDiX launches with broker members across Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Trading hours are between 14:30PM SGT/ HKT and 18:30PM SGT/ HKT to allow global traders to take advantage of the SDiX platform. In the near term, the Exchange aims to support a vibrant spot trading market, and as this matures the Exchange will offer more sophisticated products such as ETFs and derivatives that will further enhance the attractiveness of the platform for global investors. SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Early investors include Jim Rogers, Hsieh Fu Hua, Sun Tongyu, and Cai Wensheng. Alain Vandenborre, Executive Chairman and Founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, commented: The SDiX represents a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded. By providing the first ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class. The SDiX is by design entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready, so that investors, suppliers and other industry players can benefit from a transparent and unbiased marketplace. 69

70 We would like to thank our global service providers and pioneer supplier and broker members for their support and confidence in embarking on this exciting journey with us, and look forward to welcoming a wider community of international investors to the platform as members. With proven exchange technology and a unique settlement infrastructure SDiX provides end-to-end trading for global participants, and price discovery in both immobilized single stones and baskets, which are fungible collections of investment-grade diamonds. Both single stones and baskets can be traded electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market, and buyers can place indicative price bids by diamond category. All stones traded on SDiX are GIA-graded and buyers of single stones can examine certifications directly through the platform. All baskets have an identical number of stones and total weight, and contain stones of identical cut, clarity and colour. The Exchange is regulation-ready, having been designed to meet the global regulatory standards for commodities exchanges, and uses superior trading technology and a risk management framework that is in line with global best practices for commodity exchanges. Link: 70

71 Deal Street Asia Date: 5 th May 2016 Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade kicks off Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade kicks off Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings Pte is throwing its weight behind a diamond exchange that began trading in the city-state on Thursday, backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Investors can trade single stones as well as so-called baskets of investment-grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange said in a statement. At first, the exchange aims to support spot trading, with plans for derivatives and exchange-traded products. The move signals a shift away from a centuries-old system where diamonds are largely traded manually and bilaterally in marketplace-style bourses, according to the exchange. Investors with little access to pricing information in the past will now have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset, it said. Vertex Venture, a wholly owned unit of Temasek, is among the backers, it said, without giving details. By providing the first ever transparent and open price-discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class, said Alain Vandenborre, executive chairman and founder of the SDiX. The bourse is entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready. Other early investors include Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, and Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman of United Overseas Bank Ltd. and a former head of Singapore Exchange Ltd. and former president of Temasek. Trading hours are from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Singapore, with broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Link: / 71

72 The Diamond Loupe Date: 5 th May 2016 World's First Diamond Trading Exchange Set to Launch World's First Diamond Trading Exchange Set to Launch The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), the world's first and only commodity exchange trading in physically settled diamonds, is going live from Thursday. Once business takes off at the exchange, it will be portal-based and with transparent pricing. This could also bring investors into diamonds. All stones traded on SDiX are Gemological Institute of America (GIA)-graded and buyers of single stones can examine certificates directly via the platform, according to the report. The exchange's website said the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange has been established to provide the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial entities and investors a benchmark price, the exchange said. The exchange is supported by a fully integrated system, including a depository that enables physical settlement and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. The SDIX estimates that in the first year turnover could be $250 million, with that figure doubling in Link: 72

73 The Edge Markets Date: 5 th May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Kicks Off Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Kicks Off Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings is throwing its weight behind a diamond exchange that began trading in the city-state on Thursday, backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Investors can trade single stones as well as so-called baskets of investment-grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange said in a statement. At first, the exchange aims to support spot trading, with plans for derivatives and exchange-traded products. The move signals a shift away from a centuries-old system where diamonds are largely traded manually and bilaterally in marketplace-style bourses, according to the exchange. Investors with little access to pricing information in the past will now have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset, it said. Vertex Venture, a wholly owned unit of Temasek, is among the backers, it said, without giving details. By providing the first ever transparent and open price-discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class, said Alain Vandenborre, executive chairman and founder of the SDiX. The bourse is entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready. Other early investors include Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, and Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman of United Overseas Bank Ltd and a former head of Singapore Exchange Ltd and former president of Temasek. Trading hours are from 2.30pm to 6.30pm in Singapore, with broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Link: 73

74 Finance Magnates Date: 5 th May 2016 SDiX Launches World s First Diamond Exchange SDiX Launches World s First Diamond Exchange SDiX has launched the world s first diamond exchange aiming to standardise global trading in diamonds as an asset class. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) has announced the launch of the world s first commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds, aiming to standardise global trading in diamonds as an asset class. The move represents the most significant change in global diamond trading practices for centuries. Diamonds have until now been largely traded manually and bilaterally in marketplace-style bourses but as an antiquated trading system, buyers have no transparency on the trading process or access to pricing information and have therefore not been able to properly engage in the market. How the SDiX Platform Works The platform has been designed to enable accredited investors to trade diamonds as an asset class for the first time by providing an independent, electronic, and regulation-ready global market that creates a transparent price discovery mechanism for diamonds. As a result, banks, financial firms and investors will for the first time have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset. SDiX is built on a fully integrated, regulation-ready ecosystem which includes an industry-leading electronic trading platform, a depository that enables the physical settlement of diamonds and a global network of service providers that support the exchange and its members with grading, vaulting and settlement. Services Offered The bourse will initially aim to support spot trading and as this matures it will offer more sophisticated products such as ETFs and derivatives that will further enhance the benefits of the platform for global investors. SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Other early investors include Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, and Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman of United Overseas Bank Ltd., a former head of Singapore Exchange Ltd. and a former president of Temasek. Commenting on the launch of SDiX, Executive Chairman and founder Alain Vandenborre said: The SDiX represents a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded. By providing the first ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class. 74

75 Volatility Expected Vandenborre went on to explain that volatility may be expected in the coming days as it is the first time that a commodity exchange has opened for diamonds. He expects the price to stabilise in a few weeks time after which a benchmark price will be reached. The SDiX is entirely independent of the diamond industry and fully regulation-ready, so that investors, suppliers and other industry players can benefit from a transparent and unbiased marketplace. Trading hours will be from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Link: 75

76 finews.asia Date: 5 th May 2016 New Exchange Goes Live New Exchange Goes Live The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, the world s first and only commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds, has opened for business. The new exchange is backed by heavyweight investors including a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore s sovereign wealth fund and investment guru and Singapore resident, Jim Rogers. At a time when traditional financial products are treading water, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) platform aims to standardise global trading in diamonds as an asset class and to unlock new investment opportunities for global investors. In the near term, the Exchange aims to support a vibrant spot trading market, and as this matures the Exchange will offer more sophisticated products such as ETFs and derivatives that will further enhance the attractiveness of the platform for global investors. The SDiX represents a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded. By providing the first ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class,» said Alain Vandenborre, Executive Chairman and Founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange. Significant Change Until now, diamond trading has been dominated by manual bilateral trading in physical marketplace style bourses. This centuries-old trading system gives buyers no transparency on the trading process and no access to pricing information, meaning that investors have not been able to engage in this market. The launch of the exchange represents the most significant change in global diamond trading practices. The platform is designed to enable accredited investors to trade diamonds as an asset class for the first time by providing an independent, electronic, and regulation-ready global market that creates a transparent price discovery mechanism for diamonds. As a result, banks, financial firms and investors will for the first time have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset. Partners and Investors The SDiX is built on a fully integrated, regulation-ready ecosystem, and a global network of service providers that support the Exchange and its members with grading, vaulting and settlement. These include some of the leaders in the global diamond trading industry: GIA, the renowned diamond grading institute; leading vaulting and logistics provider Malca-Amit; and Standard Chartered Bank, which will provide banking services and facilitate the cash settlement of transactions. 76

77 SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Early investors include investment guru and Singapore resident, Jim Rogers. SDiX launches with broker members across Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Trading hours are between 14:30PM SGT/ HKT and 18:30PM SGT/ HKT to allow global traders to take advantage of the SDiX platform. Link: 77

78 Global Capital Date: 5 th May 2016 Derivs rock: Diamond exchange augurs sophisticated trading Derivs rock: Diamond exchange augurs sophisticated trading Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange is looking ahead to derivatives products and exchange traded funds as it opens for business as the world s first commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds. SDiX will initially support a spot trading market for diamonds, but as this matures the exchange wants to offer more sophisticated investment products tied to the commodity. SDiX hopes it will increase investment opportunities for investors globally by standardising trading in diamonds. *Full article available with subscription Link: 78

79 Global Investor Date: 5 th May 2016 UK broker takes a shine to new diamond exchange UK broker takes a shine to new diamond exchange Unlike precious metals, no spot price exists for diamonds A diamond trading platform backed by Singapore s sovereign wealth fund has signed up UK-based investment manager and prime broker Linear as a member. Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) said on Tuesday it had added Linear Investments onto its platform, opening up the opportunity UK and European firms to invest in diamonds as an asset class. Unlike precious metals, no futures or ETFs exists for diamonds and there is no easily accessible spot price or conventional market besides jewelers and pawn shops. It means would-be investors have no way to gauge the price, as prices vary from vendor to vendor. SDiX allows firms to trade in single stones and 'baskets which are fungible collections of investment-grade diamonds. These can be traded electronically and buyers can place indicative price bids and offers by diamond category. Each basket has an identical total carat weight, and, for each category, comprise an equal number of stones of identical cut, clarity and colour. The company's aim is to become the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial firms and investors a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset. "By standardizing global trading in diamonds SDiX has unlocked a new investment opportunity for our clients," said Jerry Lees, chairman of Linear, which provides tailored prime brokerage services to small and mid-size hedge funds. "With the introduction of the first regulated trading environment for diamonds, we look forward to working with SDiX to offer our investors the opportunity to diversify their portfolios to include this non-correlated, alternative asset." SDiX is supported by a depository that enables the physical settlement of diamonds, and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. Trading on the exchange is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of Backers include SDiX Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Link: 79

80 HedgeWeek Date: 5 th May 2016 SDiX launches world s first commodity exchange trading physically settled diamonds SDiX launches world s first commodity exchange trading physically settled diamonds The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) has launched the world s first commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds. The SDiX platform aims to standardsze global trading in diamonds as an asset class. The launch of the exchange represents the most significant change in global diamond trading practices in hundreds of years. The platform is designed to enable accredited investors to trade diamonds as an asset class for the first time by providing an independent, electronic, and regulation-ready global market that creates a transparent price discovery mechanism for diamonds. As a result, banks, financial firms and investors will for the first time have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset. Until now, diamond trading has been dominated by manual bilateral trading in physical marketplace style bourses. This centuries-old trading system gives buyers no transparency on the trading process and no access to pricing information, meaning that investors have not been able to engage in this market. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange is built on a fully integrated, regulation-ready ecosystem, including an industry-leading electronic trading platform, a depository that enables the physical settlement of diamonds, and a global network of service providers that support the Exchange and its members with grading, vaulting and settlement. These include some of the leaders in the global diamond trading industry: GIA, the renowned diamond grading institute; leading vaulting and logistics provider Malca-Amit; and Standard Chartered Bank, which will provide banking services and facilitate the cash settlement of transactions. SDiX launches with broker members across Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Trading hours are between 14:30PM SGT/ HKT and 18:30PM SGT/ HKT to allow global traders to take advantage of the SDiX platform. In the near term, the Exchange aims to support a vibrant spot trading market, and as this matures the Exchange will offer more sophisticated products such as ETFs and derivatives that will further enhance the attractiveness of the platform for global investors. SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Early investors include Jim Rogers, Hsieh Fu Hua, Sun Tongyu, and Cai Wensheng. Alain Vandenborre, Executive Chairman and Founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, says: The SDiX represents a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded. By providing the first ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class. The SDiX is by design entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready, so that investors, suppliers and other industry players can benefit from a transparent and unbiased marketplace. 80

81 We would like to thank our global service providers and pioneer supplier and broker members for their support and confidence in embarking on this exciting journey with us, and look forward to welcoming a wider community of international investors to the platform as members. With proven exchange technology and a unique settlement infrastructure SDiX provides end-to-end trading for global participants, and price discovery in both immobilised single stones and baskets, which are fungible collections of investment-grade diamonds. Both single stones and baskets can be traded electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market, and buyers can place indicative price bids by diamond category. All stones traded on SDiX are GIA-graded and buyers of single stones can examine certifications directly through the platform. All baskets have an identical number of stones and total weight, and contain stones of identical cut, clarity and colour. The Exchange is regulation-ready, having been designed to meet the global regulatory standards for commodities exchanges, and uses superior trading technology and a risk management framework that is in line with global best practices for commodity exchanges. Link: s-first-commodity-exchangetrading-physically-settled-diamonds 81

82 Malay Mail Online Date: 5 th May 2016 Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade begins Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade begins Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings Pte is throwing its weight behind a diamond exchange that began trading in the city-state today, backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Investors can trade single stones as well as so-called baskets of investment-grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange said in a statement. At first, the bourse aims to support spot trading, with plans for derivatives and exchange-traded products. The move signals a shift away from a centuries-old system where diamonds are largely traded manually and bilaterally in marketplace-style bourses, according to the exchange. Investors with little access to pricing information in the past will now have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset, it said, adding that Vertex Venture is among the backers. We may expect volatility in the coming days because it s the first time in the world that a commodity exchange opens for diamonds, Alain Vandenborre, executive chairman and founder of the SDiX, said in a phone interview. In a few weeks, the price will stabilise and we will reach a benchmark price. It will be a consensus in the market. Other early investors include Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, and Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman of United Overseas Bank Ltd, a former head of Singapore Exchange Ltd. and a former president of Temasek. Trading hours are from 2:30pm to 6:30pm, with broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Vertex has a 19 per cent stake, according to Vandenborre. By providing the first ever transparent and open price-discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class, Vandenborre said in the statement. The bourse is entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready. Link: 82

83 My Informs Date: 5 th May 2016 SDIX LAUNCHES WORLD S FIRST COMMODITY EXCHANGE TRADING PHYSICALLY SETTLED DIAMONDS SDIX LAUNCHES WORLD S FIRST COMMODITY EXCHANGE TRADING PHYSICALLY SETTLED DIAMONDS The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) has launched the world s first commodity exchange for physically settled diamonds. The SDiX platform aims to standardsze global trading in diamonds as an asset class. The launch of the exchange represents the most significant change in global diamond trading practices in hundreds of years. The platform is designed to enable accredited investors to trade diamonds as an asset class for the first time by providing an independent, electronic, and regulation-ready global market that creates a transparent price discovery mechanism for diamonds. As a result, banks, financial firms and investors will for the first time have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset. Until now, diamond trading has been dominated by manual bilateral trading in physical marketplace style bourses. This centuries-old trading system gives buyers no transparency on the trading process and no access to pricing information, meaning that investors have not been able to engage in this market. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange is built on a fully integrated, regulation-ready ecosystem, including an industry-leading electronic trading platform, a depository that enables the physical settlement of diamonds, and a global network of service providers that support the Exchange and its members with grading, vaulting and settlement. These include some of the leaders in the global diamond trading industry: GIA, the renowned diamond grading institute; leading vaulting and logistics provider Malca-Amit; and Standard Chartered Bank, which will provide banking services and facilitate the cash settlement of transactions. SDiX launches with broker members across Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Trading hours are between 14:30PM SGT/ HKT and 18:30PM SGT/ HKT to allow global traders to take advantage of the SDiX platform. In the near term, the Exchange aims to support a vibrant spot trading market, and as this matures the Exchange will offer more sophisticated products such as ETFs and derivatives that will further enhance the attractiveness of the platform for global investors. SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Early investors include Jim Rogers, Hsieh Fu Hua, Sun Tongyu, and Cai Wensheng. Alain Vandenborre, Executive Chairman and Founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, says: SDiX represents a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded. By providing the first ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class. The SDiX is by design entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready, so that investors, suppliers and other industry players can benefit from a transparent and unbiased marketplace 83

84 *Full article available at s-firstcommodity-exchange-trading-physically-settled-diamonds) Link: 84

85 My Stock 118 Date: 5 th May 2016 Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade begins Temasek unit backs startup diamond exchange as trade begins Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings Pte is throwing its weight behind a diamond exchange that began trading in the city-state today, backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Investors can trade single stones as well as so-called baskets of investment-grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange said in a statement. At first, the bourse aims to support spot trading, with plans for derivatives and exchange-traded products. The move signals a shift away from a centuries-old system where diamonds are largely traded manually and bilaterally in marketplace-style bourses, according to the exchange. Investors with little access to pricing information in the past will now have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset, it said, adding that Vertex Venture is among the backers. We may expect volatility in the coming days because it s the first time in the world that a commodity exchange opens for diamonds, Alain Vandenborre, executive chairman and founder of the SDiX, said in a phone interview. In a few weeks, the price will stabilise and we will reach a benchmark price. It will be a consensus in the market. Other early investors include Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, and Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman of United Overseas Bank Ltd, a former head of Singapore Exchange Ltd. and a former president of Temasek. Trading hours are from 2:30pm to 6:30pm, with broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Vertex has a 19 per cent stake, according to Vandenborre. By providing the first ever transparent and open price-discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class, Vandenborre said in the statement. The bourse is entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready. Link: 85

86 Press Reader Date: 5 th May 2016 World s first diamond trading exchange going live from today Link: 86

87 Rapaport-Diamonds.net Date: 5 th May 2016 Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Launches Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Launches Trading has started on the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), the world s first commodity exchange for physically-settled diamonds. The introduction on May 5 represents the most significant change in global diamond trading practices in hundreds of years, according to SDiX, which is backed by investors including the Singapore government s sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings. The SDiX represents a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded, said Alain Vandenborre, the platform's executive chairman and founder. By providing the first-ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class. In addition to Temasek, SDiX is backed by Vertex Venture Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek, and big-name businessmen such as veteran investor Jim Rogers and Sun Tongyu, one of the founders of Alibaba. The old-fashioned method of trading diamonds in physical bourses gives buyers no transparency on the trading process and access to pricing information, and only offers limited ability to investors who would like to participate in the market, SDiX claimed. The exchange is built on an ecosystem that includes an electronic trading platform, a depository for the physical settlement of diamonds and a global network of service providers to support it, such as the Gemological Institute of America. Standard Chartered Bank will provide banking services and facilitate the cash settlement of transactions, SDiX said. The new bourse launches with broker members across Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Trading hours are between 2.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Singapore time to allow global traders to participate. Link: t+exchange+launches 87

88 Rediff Date: 5 th May 2016 World's first diamond trading exchange going live from today World's first diamond trading exchange going live from today The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, world s first and only commodity exchange trading in physically settled diamonds, is going live from Thursday. This could change the way diamonds are traded. At present, trading is done after viewing diamonds and usually one on one. Once the exchange picks up, it will be portal-based and with transparent pricing. This could also bring investors into diamonds. India has a major share in cutting and polishing of diamonds, with 90 per cent of the global work. Several diamond processors and exporters have taken membership of the Singapore exchange. One of them explained, SDiX offers a platform to trade diamonds electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market and buyers can place indicative price bids by diamond category. All stones traded on SDiX are Gemological Institute of America (GIA)-graded and buyers of single stones can examine certifications directly through the platform. Custodial services are by Malca-Amit, a global wealth management logistics company. The benefit of graded diamonds makes these reliable and pricing would be transparent. Investors not conversant with the product would find it interesting when it is graded and certified, apart from transparent pricing. Richcomm Global Services, a Dubai-based international commodity services company and leading independent broker and clearing member of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, has been approved as a pioneer member of the SDiX to offer clients the opportunity to invest in diamonds as an asset class. The exchange s website said the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange has been established to provide the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial entities and investors a benchmark price. The exchange is supported by a fully integrated system, including a depository that enables physical settlement and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. SDiX is backed by leading global investors, including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. 88

89 Last year, Latika Kundu, chief operating officer of SDIX, had told this newspaper: "We conservatively estimate that in the first year (2016), the turnover would be $250 million, which will include basket lots and single diamonds." And, that the target was to double that figure in "Two years down the line, SDIX plans to launch forward trading and futures trading in diamonds," she had said. The process will be such that a seller will have to deposit diamonds according to standardised lots, after being graded and certified by the GIA, in dedicated physical vaults -- one operated by Malca-Amit in Singapore and the second one operated by Malca-Amit within the Bharat Diamond Bourse at Mumbai. Brokers will have to keep security deposits, based on which their trading limits will be decided. They will also have to collect money from buyers and deposit it with the exchange. Trade will be settled in a T+3 cycle (three business days after the transaction date). Link: 89

90 Rough Polished Date: 5 th May 2016 SDiX on Thursday began its work SDiX on Thursday began its work Singapore Diamond Exchange Investment (Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, SDiX), the first and only commodity exchange in which diamonds are traded on the basis of physical calculations, began its trading on May 5, According to the web site of the Exchange, SDIX has been created to provide a single transparent price discovery mechanism in world trade segment diamonds. It will provide reference prices to banks, financial institutions and investors. Exchange supports a fully integrated system, which includes physical storage, allowing direct contracts, as well as evaluation, storage, registration and logistics operations with precious stones. Diamond Traders will need to make the stones on deposits as part of the standard parties after GIA certification. Diamonds will be kept in special physical stores located in Singapore and in the Indian Diamond Exchange (Bharat Diamond Bourse, BDB) in Mumbai, both owned logistics company Malca-Amit. Bankers have stored will be necessary to create deposits on the basis of which will be determined by the possible limits of their trade. They will also need to take customer funds and submit them for exchange. Trading will be conducted in the cycle T + 3 (three working days after the transaction). Link: 90

91 Smart Investor.in Date: 5 th May 2016 World's first diamond trading exchange going live from today World's first diamond trading exchange going live from today The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), the world s first and only commodity exchange trading in physically settled diamonds, is going live from Thursday. This could change the way diamonds are traded. At present, trading is done after viewing diamonds and usually one on one. Once the exchange picks up, it will be portal-based and with transparent pricing. This could also bring investors into diamonds. India has a major share in cutting and polishing of diamonds, with 90 per cent of the global work. Several diamond processors and exporters have taken membership of the Singapore exchange. One of them explained, SDiX offers a platform to trade diamonds electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market and buyers can place indicative price bids by diamond category. All stones traded on SDiX are Gemological Institute of America (GIA)-graded and buyers of single stones can examine certifications directly through the platform." Custodial services are by Malca-Amit, a global wealth management logistics company. The benefit of graded diamonds makes these reliable and pricing would be transparent. Investors not conversant with the product would find it interesting when it is graded and certified, apart from transparent pricing. Richcomm Global Services, a Dubai-based international commodity services company and leading independent broker and clearing member of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, has been approved as a pioneer member of the SDiX to offer clients the opportunity to invest in diamonds as an asset class. The exchange s website said the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange has been established to provide the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial entities and investors a benchmark price. The exchange is supported by a fully integrated system, including a depository that enables physical settlement and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. SDiX is backed by leading global investors, including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Last year, Latika Kundu, chief operating officer of SDIX, had told this newspaper: "We conservatively estimate that in the first year (2016), the turnover would be $250 million, which will include basket lots and single diamonds." And, that the target was to double that figure in "Two years down the line, SDIX plans to launch forward trading and futures trading in diamonds," she had said. The process will be such that a seller will have to deposit diamonds according to standardised lots, after being graded and certified by the GIA, in dedicated physical vaults one operated by Malca-Amit in Singapore and the second one operated by Malca-Amit within the Bharat Diamond Bourse at Mumbai. Brokers will have to keep security deposits, based on which their trading limits will be decided. They will also have to collect money 91

92 from buyers and deposit it with the exchange. Trade will be settled in a T+3 cycle (three business days after the transaction date). Link: Worlds_first_diamond_trading_exchange_going_live_from_today.htm 92

93 South China Morning Post Date: 5 th May 2016 Launch of Singapore diamond exchange a wake-up call for Hong Kong Launch of Singapore diamond exchange a wake-up call for Hong Kong Head of new exchange says it offers first transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds Diamond may be a girl s best friend, but they are also an important rising commodity and one where Hong Kong is now losing out to Singapore in terms of exchange traded business. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, which is backed by Singapore s Temasek sovereign wealth fund, venture capital firm Vertex Venture and others, started offering electronic trading of diamonds for its brokers members on Thursday. Alain Vandenborre, executive chairman and founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, said the new exchangere represented a tectonic shift in how diamonds are traded. Up until now, diamonds have mainly been traded bilaterally by buyers and sellers, with no international price or transparency. We should always consider if there is a need for any new markets or new trading system to promote commodities and precious metal trading HAYWOOD CHEUNG, CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY By providing the first ever transparent and open price discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class, Vandenborre said. The new diamond exchange is independent of the diamond industry and has regulations to ensure investors and other industry players trading on the electronic platform do so in a transparent way. The exchange has banking and depository services for cash and physical settlement and may introduce exchange traded fund or other derivatives products related to diamonds in the future. Analysts say the Singapore move is a wake-up call for the Hong Kong government to take a more active role to promote the city s commodities and jewellery business. Hong Kong has a very strong gold trading exchange while we also have a strong stock market. But now Singapore is moving faster than us to launch a diamond exchange, said Haywood Cheung Tak-hay, permanent honorary president of Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society, which is used by many jewellery manufactures and retailers in Hong Kong. The government should take this as a lesson. We should always consider if there is a need for any new markets or new trading system to promote commodities and precious metal trading. If we do not act quickly to launch new markets, we may lag behind of other cities such as Singapore. Cheung said while the new diamond exchange in Singapore would add transparency in diamond trading, he believed it would not take much diamond or jewellery trading business from Hong Kong. 93

94 Traditionally, Hong Kong customers focus on gold jewellery as well as jade, he said. Diamonds are getting more and more popular but are still not the mainstream in the Hong Kong jewellery sector. Chinese tradition requires gold jewellery for the bride s dowry or as gift for weddings, newborn babies or retired workers, and China is the world s largest gold consumer. In addition, the traditional way to trade diamonds has lasted for decades. This won t be easily changed in a short period of time. It will take time for people to get used to using an electronic platform to trade, Cheung said. Link: 94

95 swissinfo.ch Date: 5 th May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Kicks Off Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Kicks Off Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings Pte is throwing its weight behind a diamond exchange that began trading in the city-state on Thursday, backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Investors can trade single stones as well as so-called baskets of investment-grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange said in a statement. At first, the exchange aims to support spot trading, with plans for derivatives and exchange-traded products. The move signals a shift away from a centuries-old system where diamonds are largely traded manually and bilaterally in marketplace-style bourses, according to the exchange. Investors with little access to pricing information in the past will now have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset, it said. Vertex Venture, a wholly owned unit of Temasek, is among the backers, it said, without giving details. By providing the first ever transparent and open price-discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class, said Alain Vandenborre, executive chairman and founder of the SDiX. The bourse is entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready. Other early investors include Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, and Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman of United Overseas Bank Ltd. and a former head of Singapore Exchange Ltd. and former president of Temasek. Trading hours are from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Singapore, with broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Link: 95

96 Toggle Date: 5 th May 2016 新加坡钻石投资交易所 : 今天开市交易 新加坡钻石投资交易所 : 今天开市交易 全球第一所, 也是唯一一所钻石商品交易所 : 新加坡钻石投资交易所今天起开市交易 交易所成员包括来自本地 香港 伦敦 以及迪拜的交易商 交易日交易时间从下午 2 点半到傍晚 6 点半 交易所希望通过实时价格交易平台, 推动钻石市场的价格透明度和流通性, 并让投资者可以把钻石当做商品一样投资 交易所近期的主要目标是发展一个蓬勃的现货市场, 未来则会推出指数基金和期货等衍生产品 Translation Summary Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange Launches The world's first and only commodity exchange for trading diamonds, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange launched its platform for trading today. Broker members of the Exchange are currently from Singapore, Hong Kong, London, and Dubai. The trading hours are from 14:30PM to 18:30PM SGT. SDiX hopes that by offering real-time prices, greater transparency and liquidity for diamonds, this will allow financial market participants the opportunity to invest in diamonds as a commodity. The Exchange s primary goal is to develop a thriving spot market, and later introduce products such as ETFs, futures and derivatives. Link: 96

97 The Art of Jewellery Date: 5 th May 2016 World's first diamond trading exchange going live from today World's first diamond trading exchange going live from today The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), the world s first and only commodity exchange trading in physically settled diamonds, is going live from Thursday. This could change the way diamonds are traded. At present, trading is done after viewing diamonds and usually one on one. Once the exchange picks up, it will be portal-based and with transparent pricing. This could also bring investors into diamonds. India has a major share in cutting and polishing of diamonds, with 90 per cent of the global work. Several diamond processors and exporters have taken membership of the Singapore exchange. One of them explained, SDiX offers a platform to trade diamonds electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market and buyers can place indicative price bids by diamond category. All stones traded on SDiX are Gemological Institute of America (GIA)-graded and buyers of single stones can examine certifications directly through the platform. Custodial services are by Malca-Amit, a global wealth management logistics company. The benefit of graded diamonds makes these reliable and pricing would be transparent. Investors not conversant with the product would find it interesting when it is graded and certified, apart from transparent pricing. The exchange s website said the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange has been established to provide the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial entities and investors a benchmark price. The exchange is supported by a fully integrated system, including a depository that enables physical settlement and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. SDiX is backed by leading global investors, including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. The process will be such that a seller will have to deposit diamonds according to standardised lots, after being graded and certified by the GIA, in dedicated physical vaults one operated by Malca-Amit in Singapore and the second one operated by Malca-Amit within the Bharat Diamond Bourse at Mumbai. Brokers will have to keep security deposits, based on which their trading limits will be decided. They will also have to collect money from buyers and deposit it with the exchange. Trade will be settled in a T+3 cycle (three business days after the transaction date). Link: 97

98 The Straits Times Date: 5 th May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trading Kicks Off Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trading Kicks Off Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings is throwing its weight behind a diamond exchange that began trading here on Thursday (May 5), backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Investors can trade single stones as well as so-called baskets of investment-grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange said in a statement. At first, the exchange aims to support spot trading, with plans for derivatives and exchange-traded products. The move signals a shift away from a centuries-old system where diamonds are largely traded manually and bilaterally in marketplace-style bourses, according to the exchange. Investors with little access to pricing information in the past will now have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset, it said. Vertex Venture, a wholly owned unit of Temasek, is among the backers, it said, without giving details. "By providing the first ever transparent and open price- discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class," said Alain Vandenborre, executive chairman and founder of the SDiX. The bourse is "entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready." Other early investors include Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, and Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman of United Overseas Bank and a former head of Singapore Exchange and former president of Temasek. Trading hours are from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm in Singapore, with broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Link: 98

99 The Straits Times Date: 5 th May 2016 Trade begins on Singapore's electronic diamond exchange Trade begins on Singapore's electronic diamond exchange Diamonds can now be bought more cheaply and traded more easily, as trading on a Singapore-based electronic diamond exchange started on Thursday. On the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange's (SDIX) platform, accredited investors can buy diamonds at wholesale prices, Mr Linus Koh, chief executive of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, told the Straits Times. "The exchange allows accredited investors to trade in physically settled diamonds with full price transparency in a regulated environment, for the first time," he said. The wholesale prices refer to prices at which diamonds - freshly cut and polished from rough stone - are sold to jewellery manufacturers. In the past, to invest in diamonds individuals would usually have to buy them through a jewellery shop at a retail prices that had a mark up. The opening of the exchange represents a huge shift in the way diamonds are currently traded and the most significant change in the diamond trading practice in years, noted Mr Alain Vandenborre, SDIX executive chairman and founder. At present, diamond trades are mostly negotiated bilaterally, between a buyer and seller. With the electronic platform, however, the highest bid price and the lowest selling price will be shown in real time. The prices of trades on the exchange will also be reported. "This gives the market much more transparency and information," said Mr Koh. Investors can buy diamonds at such prices on the exchange because the top 20 companies which process the rough stone will sell their diamonds on the exchange. Diamonds can be traded on the exchange from Monday to Friday between 2.30 and 6.30 in the afternoon. Investors who wish to obtain more information can visit The diamonds will first be certified by the Gemological Institute of America before they are traded on the exchange, and will be stored in vaults. When a trade occurs, the diamond remains in the vault but ownership is transferred from the seller to the buyer. It can remain in the vault or be retrieved by buyers. The exchange hopes to offer more sophisticated products like exchange traded funds and derivatives.any accredited investor worldwide with an account with a brokerage registered with the exchange can trade on it. Temasek Holdings has thrown its weight behind the exchange, backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Link: 99

100 The Washington Post Date: 5 th May 2016 Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Begins (1) Temasek Unit Backs Startup Diamond Exchange as Trade Begins (1) Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings Pte is throwing its weight behind a diamond exchange that began trading in the city-state on Thursday, backing the project through venture-capital unit Vertex Venture Holdings. Investors can trade single stones as well as so-called baskets of investment-grade diamonds electronically for physical settlement, the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange said in a statement. At first, the bourse aims to support spot trading, with plans for derivatives and exchange-traded products. The move signals a shift away from a centuries-old system where diamonds are largely traded manually and bilaterally in marketplace-style bourses, according to the exchange. Investors with little access to pricing information in the past will now have a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset, it said, adding that Vertex Venture is among the backers. We may expect volatility in the coming days because it s the first time in the world that a commodity exchange opens for diamonds, Alain Vandenborre, executive chairman and founder of the SDiX, said in a phone interview. In a few weeks, the price will stabilize and we will reach a benchmark price. It will be a consensus in the market. Other early investors include Jim Rogers, chairman of Rogers Holdings, and Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman of United Overseas Bank Ltd., a former head of Singapore Exchange Ltd. and a former president of Temasek. Trading hours are from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with broker members in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Dubai. Vertex has a 19 percent stake, according to Vandenborre. By providing the first ever transparent and open price-discovery mechanism for diamonds, the exchange unlocks a major opportunity for investors to trade diamonds as an asset class, Vandenborre said in the statement. The bourse is entirely independent of the diamond industry, and fully regulation-ready. Link: 100

101 Wealth Builder Date: 5 th May 2016 World s First Diamond Trading Exchange Going Live From Today World s First Diamond Trading Exchange Going Live From Today The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX), the world s first and only commodity exchange trading in physically settled diamonds, is going live from Thursday. This could change the way diamonds are traded. At present, trading is done after viewing diamonds and usually one on one. Once the exchange picks up, it will be portal-based and with transparent pricing. This could also bring investors into diamonds. India has a major share in cutting and polishing of diamonds, with 90 per cent of the global work. Several diamond processors and exporters have taken membership of the Singapore exchange. One of them explained, SDiX offers a platform to trade diamonds electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market and buyers can place indicative price bids by diamond category. All stones traded on SDiX are Gemological Institute of America (GIA)-graded and buyers of single stones can examine certifications directly through the platform. Custodial services are by Malca-Amit, a global wealth management logistics company. The benefit of graded diamonds makes these reliable and pricing would be transparent. Investors not conversant with the product would find it interesting when it is graded and certified, apart from transparent pricing. Richcomm Global Services, a Dubai-based international commodity services company and leading independent broker and clearing member of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, has been approved as a pioneer member of the SDiX to offer clients the opportunity to invest in diamonds as an asset class. The exchange s website said the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange has been established to provide the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial entities and investors a benchmark price. The exchange is supported by a fully integrated system, including a depository that enables physical settlement and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. SDiX is backed by leading global investors, including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Last year, Latika Kundu, chief operating officer of SDIX, had told this newspaper: "We conservatively estimate that in the first year (2016), the turnover would be $250 million, which will include basket lots and single diamonds." And, that the target was to double that figure in "Two years down the line, SDIX plans to launch forward trading and futures trading in diamonds," she had said. The process will be such that a seller will have to deposit diamonds according to standardised lots, after being graded and certified by the GIA, in dedicated physical vaults one operated by Malca-Amit in Singapore and the second one operated by Malca-Amit within the Bharat Diamond Bourse at Mumbai. Brokers will have to keep security deposits, based on which their trading limits will be decided. They will also have to collect money 101

102 from buyers and deposit it with the exchange. Trade will be settled in a T+3 cycle (three business days after the transaction date). Link: 102

103 Fintech Finance Date: 8 th April 2016 Linear Investments Joins Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange As Pioneer London Broker Member Linear Investments Joins Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange As Pioneer London Broker Member The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange ( SDiX ), the world s first and only commodity exchange trading in physically settled diamonds, today announced that Linear Investments Limited (UK) ( Linear ), an FCAregulated investment manager and prime broker, has joined SDiX to provide its clients the opportunity to invest in diamonds as an asset class. By bringing Linear onto the SDiX platform, SDiX will be better able to offer all UK and European investors access to trade fungible, investment grade diamonds in a regulated environment. SDiX offers new opportunities to trade in immobilized single stones and baskets which are fungible collections of investment-grade diamonds. Both single stones and baskets can be traded electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market, and buyers can place indicative price bids and offers by diamond category. All stones traded on SDiX are GIA-graded and buyers of single stones can examine certifications directly through the platform. All fungible baskets have an identical total carat weight, and, for each category, comprise an equal number of stones of identical cut, clarity and colour. Alain Vandenborre, Chairman and Founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, commented: We welcome Linear Investments as the first European broker member to the platform, offering their clients access to this new and exciting asset class on the world s first exchange for diamonds. At SDiX we are committed to stringent regulatory standards and full transparency, making FCA-regulated Linear an ideal partner for the Exchange in the European markets. Jerry Lees, Chairman of Linear, added: At Linear we are committed to offering our clients innovative financial products, and by standardizing global trading in diamonds SDiX has unlocked a new investment opportunity for our clients. With the introduction of the first regulated trading environment for diamonds, we look forward to working with SDiX to offer our investors the opportunity to diversify their portfolios to include this noncorrelated, alternative asset. SDiX has been established to provide the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial firms and investors a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset. The exchange is supported by a fully integrated ecosystem, including a depository that enables the physical settlement of diamonds, and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. Trading on the exchange is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Link: 103

104 Finews.Asia Date: 6 th April 2016 Singapore Diamond Exchange Announces London Broker Singapore Diamond Exchange Announces London Broker A month on from appointing its local pioneer broker, the world s only commodity exchange trading in physically settled diamonds, has announced further developments. The Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) has announced that Linear Investments (Linear), an FCAregulated investment manager and prime broker, has joined SDiX to provide its clients the opportunity to invest in diamonds as an asset class. The new strategic partnership will unlock investment opportunities in diamonds as an asset class for accredited investors in the United Kingdom and European Union, through Linear s electronic diamond trading arm Diamonex. European Investors: SDiX offers new opportunities to trade in immobilized single stones and baskets which are fungible collections of investment-grade diamonds. Both single stones and baskets can be traded electronically on a price/time priority in a continuous market, and buyers can place indicative price bids and offers by diamond category. The introduction of Linear onto the SDiX platform, SDiX will be better able to offer all UK and European investors access to trade fungible, investment grade diamonds in a regulated environment. All stones traded on SDiX are GIA-graded and buyers of single stones can examine certifications directly through the platform. All fungible baskets have an identical total carat weight, and, for each category, comprise an equal number of stones of identical cut, clarity and colour. Sovereign Wealth Fund: «We welcome Linear Investments as the first European broker member to the platform, offering their clients access to this new and exciting asset class on the world s first exchange for diamonds. At SDiX we are committed to stringent regulatory standards and full transparency, making FCA-regulated Linear an ideal partner for the Exchange in the European markets,» said Alain Vandenborre, Chairman and Founder of the Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange, commented: SDiX has been established to provide the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial firms and investors a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset. SDiX is backed by leading global investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Trading on the exchange is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of Link: 104

105 Global Investor Date: 5 th April 2016 UK broker takes a shine to new diamond exchange UK broker takes a shine to new diamond exchange Unlike precious metals, no spot price exists for diamonds A diamond trading platform backed by Singapore s sovereign wealth fund has signed up UK-based investment manager and prime broker Linear as a member. Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) said on Tuesday it had added Linear Investments onto its platform, opening up the opportunity UK and European firms to invest in diamonds as an asset class. Unlike precious metals, no futures or ETFs exists for diamonds and there is no easily accessible spot price or conventional market besides jewelers and pawn shops. It means would-be investors have no way to gauge the price, as prices vary from vendor to vendor. SDiX allows firms to trade in single stones and 'baskets which are fungible collections of investment-grade diamonds. These can be traded electronically and buyers can place indicative price bids and offers by diamond category. Each basket has an identical total carat weight, and, for each category, comprise an equal number of stones of identical cut, clarity and colour. The company's aim is to become the only transparent price discovery mechanism for the global diamond trade, giving banks, financial firms and investors a benchmark price to value diamonds as an asset. "By standardizing global trading in diamonds SDiX has unlocked a new investment opportunity for our clients," said Jerry Lees, chairman of Linear, which provides tailored prime brokerage services to small and mid-size hedge funds. "With the introduction of the first regulated trading environment for diamonds, we look forward to working with SDiX to offer our investors the opportunity to diversify their portfolios to include this non-correlated, alternative asset." SDiX is supported by a depository that enables the physical settlement of diamonds, and a global network of partners focused on grading, vaulting, settlement and logistics. Trading on the exchange is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of Backers include SDiX Vertex Venture Holdings, one of the longest operating venture capital firms in Asia and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, Singapore s sovereign wealth fund. Link: 105

106 The Middle Ground Date: 23 rd March 2016 Why the sudden interest in diamond investing? Why the sudden interest in diamond investing? By Ryan Ong Before the 2000s, if you talked about investing in diamonds, you d get a knowing wink. Diamonds were controlled by a monopoly back then, and people in the know realised it was a safe bet. Then in 2010, the unthinkable happened: diamond prices fell, and continued to fall until the present. That s not the puzzling part either. Despite the drop, interest over the past few years seems to be rising. Here s what s going on: Diamond investing back then As an investment, diamonds underwent a radical shift in the 2000s. And you need to understand how it used to work, or nothing about the market now will make sense. Until the late 1800s, diamonds were rare. But in 1870, British colonisers in South Africa discovered the country was loaded with diamonds. There were places along the Orange River in South Africa where you almost couldn t sip water without accidentally choking on a diamond. You could walk the riverbank with a big scoop and get bagfuls of the stuff. This caused panic in the diamond industry at that time, because diamonds got most of their value from scarcity. So in 1888, some financiers formed De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited. De Beers, a collaboration between various diamond related companies, ended up owning or controlling most of the diamond mines in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana countries where most of the world s high quality gemstones come from. Over time, De Beers also bought or formed diamond trading firms in England, Portugal, Israel, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland. By the 1980s, De Beers controlled almost 90 per cent of the world s diamond supply. They released the diamonds in small and controlled amounts, thus maintaining the illusion of scarcity. Along with that, De Beers launched several interesting marketing campaigns and invented the phrase a diamond is forever. Since they controlled the supply, De Beers could sell their diamonds however and whenever they wanted. They only dealt with invited clients and diamonds were sold 10 times a year at non-negotiable prices. Their clients then polished and cut the diamonds, and sold them to jewellers. This monopoly of diamond prices rose regardless of market conditions. As far back as the 1970s, investors in the know about the diamond business had already begun using diamonds as an alternative investment. They felt that due to De Beers control, diamonds were more reliable than stocks or bonds. 106