Gold ETF vs. gold IRA vs. physical gold: What you're actually buying

The article explains the practical differences between three ways to gain exposure to gold: a gold ETF, a gold IRA, and physical gold. The main market takeaway is that these are not interchangeable assets because ownership structure affects liquidity, storage, fees, and taxes. Gold ETFs offer the easiest trading and the lowest entry point because they trade like stocks in a brokerage account and do not require personal storage. Gold IRAs hold physical metal inside a retirement account, adding custodial and depository requirements. Physical gold gives direct ownership but places storage, security, and resale responsibilities on the investor. The piece is educational rather than market-moving, but it reinforces why investors may choose gold exposure based on convenience, retirement goals, or direct possession rather than price speculation.