Jieworui Jewelry Photo: VCG

Several gold trading mini programs on WeChat have recently been suspended following a redemption crisis involving Shenzhen-based platform Jieworui Jewelry, which local authorities updated Saturday has initiated redemption under supervision.  

The latest developments draw market attention to the risks associated with so-called "pre-priced gold" trading models.

The Luohu District task force in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, issued an update on Saturday, saying that it has been continuously involved in addressing the operational irregularities of Shenzhen Jieworui Jewelry. Under the task force's supervision, Jieworui has been disposing of assets and raising funds, and has now initiated the redemption process, according to local media outlet Shenzhen News. 

Jieworui Jewelry, a company based in Shenzhen's Shuibei market - one of China's largest gold and jewelry trading hubs, with dense retail and wholesale activity- has recently become deeply entangled in a redemption crisis, against the backdrop of a recent surge in gold prices and purchase maze.  

The company, once known locally for gold recycling and low-fee jewelry sales, expanded into "pre-priced gold" trading through its mini-program. Under this model - similar to options trading - users can pay only a small deposit to lock in the right to buy or sell in the future, effectively betting on price movements. Media analysts noted this model resembles speculative betting rather than traditional gold investment, accumulating significant risks.

Reports indicate that investors are calling for the platform to return their funds. According to a video report by Paper.cn, the amount pending redemption has already exceeded 10 billion yuan. 

Also on Saturday, several gold trading mini programs on WeChat, including Yundiandang, and Baoma Buying Gold, have suspended operations after peer platform Jieworui Jewelry failed to fulfill user withdrawal requests and suspended its own mini program, financial media outlet ce.cn reported on Saturday.

A Global Times reporter found that searches for "Yundiandang" and "Baoma Maijin" on WeChat yielded no results, while the mini program of a similar platform, Rong Tong Gold, continues to operate normally.

Regulatory warnings have intensified in recent months. In January, the Shenzhen branch of the Agricultural Bank of China published an article titled "Beware of the 'Pre-Priced Gold' Trap - Guard Against Gambling and Fraud Schemes," warning that some illegal platforms promote "gold investment" or "pre-priced gold" through social networks, often advertising "low thresholds, high returns, and quick payouts." The bank emphasized that such schemes are effectively gambling disguised as gold trading.

Global Times