ETF Securities Passes $3.5 Billion in US Assets Under Management

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ETF Securities USA LLC (ETFS) announced today that the total assets under management of its six products; ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares (SGOL), ETFS Physical Silver Shares (SIVR), ETFS Physical Platinum Shares (PPLT), ETFS Physical Palladium Shares (PALL), ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares (GLTR) & ETFS Physical White Metal Basket Shares (WITE) now exceed $3.5 Billion as of January 4th, 2010.

Commenting on this milestone for ETF Securities in the US, William Rhind, Strategic Director for ETFS Marketing LLC, commented:

“Reaching $3.5bn in AUM is fantastic news and another key milestone for our business. Investor concern over sovereign debt and deficit problems continues to be a key theme driving client demand for exposure to precious metals. To meet client demands, ETF Securities now offers diversified precious metals baskets such as GLTR and WITE in addition to the individual metals.”

For more information please contact the US marketing agent, ETFS Marketing on 212-918-4954 or visit our website: www.etfsecurities.com

ETF Securities is the first US ETF Sponsor to provide investors with access to a full suite of precious metal ETPs. Investors can now trade physically backed Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium, Precious Metals Basket and White Metals Basket ETPs from the same provider.

The six precious metal ETPs have the following key features:

Track spot price of underlying metal less associated management fees
Physically backed by underlying bullion – minimal counterparty risk
Bullion holdings audited by specialist audit firm biannually – audit reports published on the website www.etfsecurities.com
Options⁽¹⁾ are trading on ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares (SGOL) and ETFS Physical Silver Shares (SIVR).

The ETFS Gold Trust, ETFS Silver Trust, ETFS Palladium Trust, ETFS Platinum Trust , ETFS Precious Metals Basket Trust & ETFS White Metals Basket Trusts are not investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or commodity pools for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act. Shares of the Trusts are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds. These investments are not suitable for all investors. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

⁽¹⁾ Options are not suitable for all investors, please contact your financial adviser before investing.

William Rhind is a registered representative of ALPS Distributors Inc.

Risks and Important Considerations

The value of the Shares relates directly to the value of the gold, silver, palladium and platinum held by the Trusts and fluctuations in the price of gold, silver, palladium and platinum could materially adversely affect an investment in the Shares. Several factors may affect the price of gold, silver, palladium and platinum, including: A change in economic conditions, such as a recession, can adversely affect the price of gold, silver, palladium and platinum. Gold, silver, palladium and platinum are used in a wide range of industrial applications, and an economic downturn could have a negative impact on its demand and, consequently, its price and the price of the Shares; Investors' expectations with respect to the rate of inflation; Currency exchange rates; Interest rates; Investment and trading activities of hedge funds and commodity funds; and global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations. Should there be an increase in the level of hedge activity of bullion producing companies, it could cause a decline in world prices, adversely affecting the price of the Shares. Also, should the speculative community take a negative view towards bullion, it could cause a decline in world gold, silver, palladium and platinum prices, negatively impacting the price of the Shares. There is a risk that part or all of the Trust's gold, silver, palladium and platinum could be lost, damaged or stolen. Failure by the Custodian or Sub-Custodian to exercise due care in the safekeeping of the precious metal held by the Trusts could result in a loss to the Trusts. Investments in the trusts do not constitute a direct investment in the underlying metals.

The Trusts are new and have limited operating history. Commodities generally are volatile and are not suitable for all investors. Trusts focusing on a single commodity generally experience greater volatility. Since there is no limit on the amount of platinum and palladium that the Trust may acquire, the Trust, as it grows, may have an impact on the supply and demand of platinum and palladium. Please refer to the prospectus for complete information regarding all risks associated with the Trusts.

Shares in the Trusts are not FDIC insured, may lose value and have no bank guarantee.

This material must be accompanied or preceded by a prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Click here to review the prospectus.

ALPS Distributors, Inc. is the marketing agent for The ETFS White Metals Basket Trust, ETFS Precious Metals Basket Trust, ETFS Gold Trust, ETFS Silver Trust, ETFS Platinum Trust and ETFS Palladium Trust. Certain marketing services may be provided for the ETFS Trusts.

Although Shares of the Trust may be bought and sold on the exchange through any brokerage account, they are not individually redeemable directly from the Trust. Investors may acquire Shares and tender them for redemption through the Trust in Basket aggregation only. Please see the prospectus for more details.

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” with respect to results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. Statements preceded by, followed by or that include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” or similar expressions are intended to identify some of the forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are included, along with the statement, for purposes of complying with the safe harbor provisions of that Act. All statements (other than statements of historical fact) included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that will or may occurring the future, including such matters as changes in commodity prices and market conditions (for Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium and the Shares), the Trusts operations, the Sponsors plans and references to the Trusts future success and other similar matters are forward looking statements. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially.