Before you chase returns, ask who is holding your money

Digital financial products have made access easier. The harder question is what sits behind the screen: where the money is held, who is allowed to manage it, what the fund can invest in, and what protections exist before a single EGP or USD is deployed.

That is the point many people miss when they compare returns alone. In Egypt, licensed fund structures are built around separation. Client assets are held by a custodian in the fund’s name, while the fund manager operates within the boundaries of an FRA-approved prospectus. The management company can issue investment instructions, but it does not hold client money.

The gatekeeping starts before a fund reaches investors. Fund managers must meet regulatory requirements, including a minimum capital of EGP 50 mn, at least three years of operating history, and FRA approval at each licensing stage. Once operational, funds are monitored by multiple independent parties, including a custodian, administrator, external auditor, legal counsel, and a supervisory committee representing unit holders.

GRANITE builds on that institutional base through a fully digital Money Market Account. Users get access to a licensed fund investing in short-term Egyptian government securities, known as Treasury bills. Once funds are transferred, the money is automatically invested, balances are updated daily based on the fund’s Net Asset Value, and performance can be tracked in real time through the app or corporate dashboard.

The practical value is in keeping access and return in the same place. The account is built for individuals and businesses that want their money to remain accessible and keep earning while they decide on a larger investment, meet a near-term expense, or manage short-term liquidity. Additions and withdrawals are typically processed within the same business day when submitted before 2pm. There are no lock-ups, no withdrawal penalties, no branch visits, and no paperwork. For corporate users, returns are also tax-free.

That combination works because of the regulated structure underneath it. Daily compounding, liquidity, and digital are supported by custodial separation, FRA oversight, and exposure to short-term Egyptian government securities. For anyone managing short-term capital, returns matter. But the more useful question comes first: who is holding your money, and what protections sit behind the screen?