NEW YORK, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- When traditional assets become volatile or uncertain, the world's wealthiest investors quietly turn to something surprisingly simple — high-end liquor. From whiskies to wines and collectible baijiu, these seemingly everyday goods are proving to be some of the most resilient and rewarding long-term stores of wealth.

But why liquor? According to AIFIAN, a global retail platform for real asset ownership, the answer lies in a mix of transparency, accessibility, and consistent global demand.

When it comes to investing in tangible assets, not all options offer the same level of accessibility, transparency, or stability. Real estate often requires significant upfront capital and comes with low liquidity and exposure to market cycles. Fine art can be difficult to appraise, with opaque pricing and high transaction fees limiting its appeal beyond elite collectors. Gold and other precious metals, while widely traded, are heavily influenced by monetary policy and can be subject to short-term volatility. In contrast, liquor — including everyday categories such as baijiu, whisky, and wine — presents a compelling alternative: it benefits from transparent market pricing, low holding costs, consistent global demand, and an active resale ecosystem. These features make liquor a practical, inflation-resistant asset that everyday investors can understand, access, and rely on.

Recent data from Sotheby's and Christie's shows that the global market for liquor and wine has consistently outperformed traditional asset classes like gold and fine art over the past decade.

Over the last ten years, liquor has delivered annual returns of 12% to 15%, making it one of the most reliable categories of physical asset appreciation. Many high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are now allocating between 5% and 10% of their portfolios to collectible spirits and vintage wines — not only as inflation hedges, but as assets with strong resale value.

Bottles of everyday liquor are regularly setting new benchmarks at auctions around the world — reinforcing liquor's position as a credible, appreciating asset that combines accessibility, cultural relevance, and strong financial performance.

Historically, investing in liquor required deep expertise, significant capital, and access to exclusive networks — often making it inaccessible to the average investor. AIFIAN is transforming this landscape by offering a fully digital platform that simplifies and democratizes liquor investment. Through AIFIAN, users can purchase bottles individually with no minimum buy-in, eliminating traditional barriers to entry. The platform partners with trusted logistics providers to ensure climate-controlled, professional storage that preserves both product quality and long-term value. Most importantly, AIFIAN offers a built-in resale marketplace that allows users to hold or exit their positions with ease, making liquor not just a passive asset, but a liquid and dynamic one.

Once seen purely as a symbol of status and refinement, liquor is now emerging as a legitimate asset class — measurable, tradeable, and resilient against inflation. This shift reflects a broader transformation in how people think about wealth: from abstract numbers to tangible, culturally resonant value.

"At AIFIAN, we believe true assets shouldn't just belong to the elite. Anyone should be able to access and benefit from real-world value," said Yen Chang, Director of Public Relations, Asia-Pacific at AIFIAN.

While traditional physical assets like real estate and art remain out of reach for many, platforms like AIFIAN are democratizing access to tangible investments. By lowering entry barriers and digitizing the process, AIFIAN allows users — often starting with just a few dozen dollars and a smartphone — to invest in real goods with real utility.

AIFIAN is a U.S.-based retail platform helping over 800,000 users worldwide purchase, store, and manage essential physical goods—such as alcohol, agricultural commodities, and long-term consumables—from trusted sources in primary industries. AIFIAN aims to redefine asset ownership by making tangible investment easy, secure, and inclusive.