Why invest in real assets?
Real assets offer many pitfalls and often require a lot of expertiseto be able to really consider them as an investment. Many people are aware that an everyday car cannot usually be seen as a tangible asset. A luxury watch that one wears from time to time may look different. But why invest in tangible assets at all?
We have answered this question in detail here, but we would like to go into the topic again briefly. Particularly in uncertain times, tangible assets offer an stable value retention and are intended to protect against inflation. With expertise and patience, tangible assets can even prove to be more than just investment goods that retain value. Rather, one can Achieve respectable returns with tangible assetsalthough a layman should of course be cautious here. But this is where Splint Invest comes into play as an intermediary.
I notice the following: "Our research team .... assumes the role of external appraiser (for the initial purchase)." The annual audit is also carried out in-house and the company is apparently not regulated either? I don't want to insinuate anything, but I would definitely not invest under these circumstances. Better safe than sorry.
Thanks for your input.
Cases such as Wirecard and the like have shown that even our large, renowned auditing firms (such as EY) sometimes sign off on financial statements that are missing billions 😀
There is always a residual risk, otherwise your own cellar will have to be converted into a warehouse 🙂
Dear Michael - thank you very much for your comment. How did you come to the conclusion that the annual audit is done by yourself?
The audit of our company is carried out annually by BDO (https://www.bdo.ch/de-ch/home-de). Furthermore, we (i.e. MARK Investment Holding AG) are a regulated financial institution and a member of the VQF (https://www.vqf.ch/de/). In addition, the existence of the investments is also audited annually by an external company (SME audits: https://www.kmurevisionen.ch/).
I would like to understand how you drew all your conclusions from one sentence.
Best regards
Aurelio (CEO & Co-founder of Splint Invest)
On 16 July 2026, I noticed that the projected returns on all my investments with Splint Invest had been significantly reduced, without any explanation that I could identify. I currently hold more than 100 investments on the platform. Until then, most of them had shown expected returns of approximately 13–14%. Following the update, the projected returns were reduced to around 5% across virtually all of my investments.
This substantial and simultaneous adjustment came as a surprise to me. As I am not aware of any significant market events that would reasonably explain such a broad change, I found the lack of a clear explanation disappointing.
Furthermore, I have noticed that some works of art which were previously presented with projected returns of up to 30% or more are now valued at more than 50% below their original purchase price. As an investor, this represents a dramatic change. Investments that initially appeared to offer the prospect of substantial positive returns are now shown to have lost more than half of their purchase value.
I understand that all investments involve risk, that valuations may change over time, and that projected returns are not guaranteed. Nevertheless, I have found it difficult to understand such a significant and simultaneous downward revision of both projected returns and asset valuations, particularly in the absence of a detailed explanation.
As a result, I have come to the personal conclusion that the return projections originally presented may have been overly optimistic. I would like to emphasise that this is my personal opinion, based solely on my own experience, and should not be interpreted as a statement of fact.
As an investor, I am disappointed by this development and would greatly appreciate a transparent and detailed explanation from Splint Invest regarding the methodology and reasons behind these substantial adjustments. Transparency is essential for maintaining investors‘ confidence and enabling them to make informed investment decisions.
An expected return of around 5% can also be achieved through other investment opportunities, in some cases with a lower level of risk. This is why I believe that clear communication and transparency are particularly important.
I sincerely hope that Splint Invest will provide its investors with a comprehensive explanation of these changes and the valuation methodology used, so that confidence in the platform can be maintained.
Hi Karla
Thank you for taking the time to set this out in such detail. Your request for a clear explanation of the valuation methodology is entirely reasonable.
I can’t speak on behalf of Splint Invest, so I’d suggest asking them directly in writing. I’ll get in touch with them as well and ask for a statement. Hopefully they’ll reply here so that everyone reading this can see it.
Dear Karla
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns.
We have reviewed the points raised, but we have been unable to identify a Splint Invest user with the name associated with this review. Some of the details described also seem unusual to us and do not fully correspond with how information is presented or updated on our platform. It is therefore possible that this review relates to a different platform, a different account name, or that certain figures have been misunderstood.
Projected returns are estimates rather than guaranteed outcomes. They may change when underlying assumptions, market data, holding periods, expected costs or valuation inputs are updated. A change in the projected return does not mean that a corresponding loss has been realised.
The same applies to asset valuations. Estimated values can fluctuate significantly, particularly in illiquid markets such as art and other collectables, where pricing is based on a limited number of comparable transactions, current demand, expert assessments and actual offers received. A valuation shown is therefore a current estimate, not a guaranteed sale price.
That said, a simultaneous change affecting more than 100 investments would understandably raise questions. Transparency is important to us, and we would be happy to look into the specific account and explain any relevant changes in detail.
We would therefore ask you to contact our support team using the email address linked to the alleged Splint Invest account. This will enable us to verify whether the review relates to our platform, examine the individual investments mentioned, and provide a factual explanation.
Projected returns are projections, valuations are estimates, and neither should be confused with actual performance. But before discussing the figures, we first need to establish that they actually come from Splint Invest.
Interesting possibilities.
But - is it also suitable for small investors?
Assumption:
- I have invested €50 each in all investment categories (3)
- I am charged €3 per year for each investment category
- after an average investment period of 5 years, my €50 will still be worth €35 (!) (even less if the investment period is 8-10 years)
- This cannot be profitable for a small investor, or have I misunderstood something?
Hello Heinz, yes you have misunderstood. The research contribution of 3 EUR per asset class is only charged once if you remain inactive and simply hold your investments as in your example.
More about this directly at Splint in the FAQ.
Love!
Dear Heinz - thank you very much for your question. For your information: we have abolished the research contribution in the meantime.
Best regards, Aurelio
Interesting, may I ask if Splintinvest is registered with Finma
is regulated?
Not as far as I know. However, Splint Invest will certainly be able to tell you more about regulations etc.
Best regards 🙂
Dear Sabine - we are not directly regulated by FINMA, but by the VQF. The VQF is then regulated by FINMA. I hope I have been able to help you.
Kind regards
Aurelio
Thank you for your additions, Aurelio!
Two questions:
- Is the holding period of the investments fixed in advance or is the time horizon "forever"?
- How is the difference between the buying and selling price calculated in the trade? As Splint itself is neither a fine drinks nor a watch dealer, the help of appropriate professionals must be called upon. But these professionals also want to make a (good) living.
If Splint buys a Rolex today for 10,000 and it has a "market value" of 20,000 in 10 years' time, a watch dealer might pay 50% for it, i.e. 10,000. An auction house will take up to 25% commission (plus VAT) from the buyer and seller.
In both cases, the proceeds will be significantly below the "market value". Will this expected discount be continuously factored in or will the last splint-er simply bite the dogs?
Hello Alain,
You can see the holding period directly in the app for the respective splint. It's best to download it once and get your own impression if the topic is exciting for you.
Hello, Eric,
- Unfortunately, your answer only relates to Alain Surlemur's first question.
- Please also comment on his EXTREMELY IMPORTANT second question.
I am a very interested potential new customer and your opinion is very relevant for my final decision...
Thanks and greetings to Switzerland
Hello Socratino,
as I can imagine that this depends on the asset class (and I don't know), I am happy to pass the question on to Splint Invest.
They will post the answer here.
Dear Alain, dear Socratino
Thank you for your questions. I am happy to help.
Over the last three years, we have built up a network of partners in order to purchase assets at attractive prices and, together with our partners, to sell them at exciting prices when the time comes. We only work with validated experts in both buying and selling, thus avoiding scenarios like the one described above. You can see for yourself in the app: we have already successfully sold 5 investments and distributed the profits to our customers.
Kind regards
Aurelio
This is really interesting. I didn't know there was an app for these investments. I always thought it was out of reach for normal people. With a little bit of money, I will certainly give it a try. Thanks!
Good post, I was happy to see that there is finally a Swiss version of Timeless Investment. However, I wonder why the shares in the Swiss app are sold in euros.
Good question Andreas, I suspect this is due to the many investments on the other side in euros - this can save exchange rate fees. But I'm happy to pass the question on to Aurelio.
Hi Andreas - Eric has already answered that correctly. We buy virtually all assets in EUR. At the moment we are working on a solution so that every investor can pay in their own national currency without conversion losses. Payments in CHF will then be possible. Perhaps as an addition: compared to Timeless, we are focussing on investment-grade assets and less on collector's items that are currently in vogue (e.g. on StockX).