The New York Mercantile Exchange and Commodity Exchange have received a request from Malca-Amit Armored, Inc. to remove its Wilmington, Delaware facility from the list of approved depositories, according to a regulation notice issued yesterday (Monday).

This is the kind of event that, in isolation, would normally be read as a minor administrative notice. But the broader context is different.

In gold markets, retail participation is rising. Brokers are facing hedging strain. Liquidity providers are adjusting margins. CME has revised margin formulas during the rally. Some prop firms have also restricted gold exposure.

Against this backdrop, the move can also be read as a small but tangible signal. Pressure is not limited to paper markets. It is increasingly visible in the physical layer as well.

Malca-Amit Leaves COMEX Network

CME’s announcement highlights how gold futures depend on a physical delivery system built around a small group of approved vault operators. While most contracts are cash-settled, those entering delivery must be backed by registered gold held in “regularity” depositories.

Ownership is transferred within this network through ledger updates or reallocation between approved vaults. If a vault exits the system, deliverable metal must be moved or reclassified, reducing available delivery capacity.

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The Wilmington facility is not closing but will no longer be part of the COMEX delivery system used for metals backing futures contracts. The notice confirms its withdrawal from the approved depository list.

Malca-Amit Armored, Inc. is a logistics and security firm specialising in the transport and storage of precious metals, cash, and other high-value assets. It operates vaulting facilities across major financial centres, including Wilmington, New York, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

COMEX is a division of CME Group and operates the physical settlement framework for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures.

Wilmington Vault Removed from COMEX System

The notice states that Malca-Amit has voluntarily withdrawn its Wilmington facility from that approved list. It does not provide a reason for the decision and uses standard regulatory language indicating immediate effect.

China’s central bank added 320,000 ounces of gold in May as prices edged lower, continuing steady accumulation, official data. https://t.co/SNpkqPKTB2

— Caixin Global (@caixin) June 8, 2026

The withdrawal applies only to the Wilmington site. Any gold, platinum, or palladium stored there as COMEX deliverable inventory will need to be transferred to another approved vault or reclassified outside the delivery system.

“Regularity” is a structural requirement of the COMEX physical settlement Settlement Settlement in finance refers to the process when a buyer makes payment and receives the agreed-upon services or goods. The term is used on exchanges such as New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) when security changes hands. When the asset is transferred and placed in the new buyer's name, it is considered settled. This process could take a few hours or several days after a trade is made. It depends on the clearance process. In the United States, the settlement date for marketable stocks is usually 2 Settlement in finance refers to the process when a buyer makes payment and receives the agreed-upon services or goods. The term is used on exchanges such as New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) when security changes hands. When the asset is transferred and placed in the new buyer's name, it is considered settled. This process could take a few hours or several days after a trade is made. It depends on the clearance process. In the United States, the settlement date for marketable stocks is usually 2 Read this Term system. It ensures that futures contracts remain linked to actual deliverable metal, preventing a full separation between paper pricing and physical supply.