How to buy and invest in silver

Why do people buy and invest in silver?

Silver is often viewed as a way to gain exposure to precious metals, but it tends to behave differently from other precious metals, including gold. Because it has significant industrial demand (e.g., electronics and solar panels), silver may be more sensitive to economic growth, manufacturing trends and changes in supply.

Some investors use silver as a diversification asset, especially alongside stocks and bonds. Others are drawn to it because it’s generally lower-priced than gold, which can make it feel more accessible for smaller allocations.

That said, silver isn’t a stable or income-producing asset. Prices can move sharply and returns depend entirely on market performance rather than dividends or interest.

What silver can and can’t do in a portfolio

• May provide diversification alongside traditional assets.
• Often more volatile than gold, with larger price swings.
• Doesn’t generate income like dividend stocks, for example.
• Influenced by industrial demand as well as investor sentiment.
• Returns depend entirely on price movements and product structure.

Ways to get exposure to silver

How to move your investments to Crypto.com Stocks

1. Physical silver (coins and bars)

Physical silver includes bullion products like bars and coins that you can buy and store yourself. Coins are often produced by government mints, while bars may come from private refiners.

Direct ownership appeals to some investors, but it also introduces practical considerations. You need to think about secure storage, insurance and how you would eventually sell the asset. 

2. Paper silver (ETFs, trusts and funds)

Silver ETFs provide exposure without requiring investors to handle physical metal. Many physically backed silver ETFs hold bullion in vaults and issue shares that trade on stock exchanges.

Because they trade like stocks, ETFs are often easier to buy and sell than physical bullion. They may also offer tighter pricing, though expense ratios and bid-ask spreads still apply. Other products gain exposure through silver futures instead of stored bullion. These can behave differently over time due to contract rolling mechanics.

Learn how to buy ETFs at 0% commissions

How to buy and invest in silver

The best approach depends on whether you want direct ownership or liquid exchange-traded access.

Which silver exposure type fits your goal?

Practical considerations include:

• Time horizon: Short-term silver prices can be highly volatile.
• Liquidity needs: Exchange-traded products can be sold quickly.
• Complexity tolerance: Futures-based vehicles require deeper understanding.
• Custody preferences: Physical storage vs. third-party structures.

Metal ETFs explained

Metal ETFs provide exposure to silver or other precious metals through shares traded on stock exchanges. Some hold physical bullion in custody, while others use futures contracts to track prices synthetically.

Silver-focused ETFs may track spot silver directly, while broader precious metals ETFs may include gold, platinum, etc.

Eligible users can access US-listed metal ETFs through Crypto.com Stocks.

Silver ETFs explained

Silver ETFs are popular because they provide liquid access without requiring physical storage. Many are structured as trusts holding vaulted bullion, though retail investors typically don’t have claim to specific bars.

Tracking errors can occur due to fund fees and trading spreads. Futures-based silver funds may diverge further over time because contracts must be rolled forward.

Eligible US users may access silver-related ETFs through Crypto.com Stocks.

How to buy a metal or silver ETF 

1. Open the Crypto.com App and tap ‘Stocks’.
2. Use ‘Search’ to find a silver or metals ETF.
3. Review the ETF’s price chart and key details.
4. Choose ‘Buy’ and enter an amount or share quantity.
5. Review order type (market or limit, if available).
6. Confirm and monitor the position in your portfolio

How the silver price is quoted

Silver is quoted using the spot price, which reflects the current market price for immediate delivery. Like gold, silver is priced per troy ounce.

Retail buyers often pay above spot price due to fabrication costs and dealer premiums. ETFs may track spot prices more closely, but expense ratios and bid-ask spreads can still reduce returns over time.

What to know before buying and investing in silver

Silver comes with a few practical quirks that don’t always show up in headline price charts. It often trades with larger retail premiums, especially on smaller products, which can widen the gap between spot price and purchase price.

Silver markets can also be very reactive. Prices tend to swing more sharply and liquidity can vary depending on the product – especially during periods of market stress. For investors, that makes it especially important to understand how closely an ETF tracks spot silver, what costs apply when trading and how easily you can exit a position if conditions change.

Before choosing any approach, it can be helpful to ask:

• What do I actually own and who controls custody?
• What costs apply when buying or selling?
• How easily can I exit if markets move quickly?
• Does the structure introduce tracking or counterparty risk?
• Could taxes apply differently depending on the product type?

Invest in paper silver with Crypto.com Stocks

Explore ways to get exposure to silver through US-listed ETFs. You can track and manage your portfolio on our easy-to-use App.

1. Download the Crypto.com App and create a Crypto.com Stocks account.
2. Verify your identity and add funds to your account.
3. Explore a variety of precious metal ETFs.

FAQs about buying and investing in silver

Is buying physical silver better than a silver ETF?

Neither option is inherently better. Physical silver offers direct ownership, but storage and resale logistics matter. Silver ETFs provide easier trading and liquidity, though fees and tracking differences apply.

Do silver ETFs pay dividends?

Most silver ETFs don’t pay dividends because silver doesn’t generate income like stocks or bonds. Returns typically come from changes in the silver price rather than cash distributions.

What does spot price mean?

Spot price refers to the current market price of silver for immediate delivery. Retail buyers may pay more than spot due to premiums, fabrication costs and trading spreads.

What is a troy ounce?

A troy ounce is the standard unit used to measure precious metals, equal to about 31.1 grams. Like gold, silver prices are typically quoted per troy ounce.

This is informational content sponsored by Crypto.com and should not be considered as investment advice.

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All investments involve risk, and not all risks are suitable for every investor. The value of securities may fluctuate and as a result, clients may lose more than their original investment. The past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Keep in mind that while diversification may help spread risk, it does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a down market. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities or other financial products. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing.