abrdn Platinum ETF Trust 10-K

Item 1A. Risk Factors Shareholders should consider carefully the risks described below before making an investment decision. Shareholders should also refer to the other information included in this report, including the Trust’s financial statements and the related notes. RISKS RELATED TO PLATINUM The price of platinum may be affected by the sale of ETVs tracking platinum markets. To the extent existing exchange traded vehicles (“ETVs”) tracking platinum markets represent a significant proportion of demand for physical platinum bullion; large redemptions of the securities of these ETVs could negatively affect physical platinum bullion prices and the price and NAV of the Shares. Crises may motivate large-scale sales of platinum which could decrease the price of platinum and adversely affect an investment in the Shares. The possibility of large-scale distress sales of platinum in times of crisis may have a short-term negative impact on the price of platinum and adversely affect an investment in the Shares. For example, the 2008 financial credit crisis resulted in significantly depressed prices of platinum largely due to forced sales and deleveraging from institutional investors such as hedge funds and pension funds. Crises in the future may impair platinum’s price performance which would, in turn, adversely affect an investment in the Shares. Several factors may have the effect of causing a decline in the prices of platinum and a corresponding decline in the price of Shares. Among them: ● A significant increase in platinum hedging activity by platinum producers. Should there be an increase in the level of hedge activity of platinum producing companies, it could cause a decline in world platinum prices, adversely affecting the price of the Shares. ● A significant change in the attitude of speculators, investors and central banks towards platinum. Should the speculative community take a negative view towards platinum or central banking authorities determine to sell national platinum reserves, either event could cause a decline in world platinum prices, negatively impacting the price of the Shares. ● A widening of interest rate differentials between the cost of money and the cost of platinum could negatively affect the price of platinum which, in turn, could negatively affect the price of the Shares. ● A combination of rising money interest rates and a continuation of the current low cost of borrowing platinum could improve the economics of selling platinum forward. This could result in an increase in hedging by platinum mining companies and short selling by speculative interests, which would negatively affect the price of platinum. Under such circumstances, the price of the Shares would be similarly affected. ● Autocatalysts, automobile components that use platinum, accounted for approximately 47% of the net global demand in platinum in 2019. While the automotive sector in China and the US is showing signs of recovery, the European market is currently experiencing declining demand and, in certain cases, solvency concerns. Reduced automotive industry sales in Europe may result in a decline in autocatalyst demand. ● A decline in the global automotive industry may impact the price of platinum and affect the price of the Shares. A decline in the automobile industry or a shift from gasoline-powered to electric vehicles may have the effect of causing a decline in the prices of platinum and a corresponding decline in the price of Shares. Autocatalysts, automobile components for emissions control that use platinum, accounted for approximately 39% of the global demand in platinum in 2019. Reduced automotive industry sales or a shift from gasoline-powered to electric vehicles may result in a decline in autocatalyst demand. A contraction in the global automotive industry or more widespread acceptance of electric vehicles may impact the price of platinum and affect the price of the Shares. The value of the Shares relates directly to the value of the platinum held by the Trust and fluctuations in the price of platinum could materially adversely affect an investment in the Shares. The Shares are designed to mirror as closely as possible the performance of the price of platinum bullion, and the value of the Shares relates directly to the value of the platinum held by the Trust, less the Trust’s liabilities (including estimated accrued but unpaid expenses). The price of platinum has fluctuated widely over the past several years. Several factors may affect the price of platinum, including: Global platinum supply, which is influenced by such factors as production and cost levels in major platinum-producing countries such as South Africa. Recycling, autocatalyst demand, industrial demand, jewelry demand and investment demand are also important drivers of platinum supply and demand; ● Investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation; ● Currency exchange rates; ● Interest rates; ● Investment and trading activities of hedge funds and commodity funds; and ● Global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations. In addition, investors should be aware that there is no assurance that platinum will maintain its long-term value in terms of purchasing power in the future. In the event that the price of platinum declines, the Sponsor expects the value of an investment in the Shares to decline proportionately. RISKS RELATED TO THE SHARES The sale of the Trust’s platinum to pay expenses not assumed by the Sponsor at a time of low platinum prices could adversely affect the value of the Shares. The Trustee sells platinum held by the Trust to pay Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor on an as-needed basis irrespective of then-current platinum prices. The Trust is not actively managed and no attempt will be made to buy or sell platinum to protect against or to take advantage of fluctuations in the price of platinum. Consequently, the Trust’s platinum may be sold at a time when the platinum price is low, resulting in a negative effect on the value of the Shares. The value of the Shares will be adversely affected if the Trust is required to indemnify the Sponsor or the Trustee under the Trust Agreement. Under the Trust Agreement, each of the Sponsor and the Trustee has a right to be indemnified from the Trust for any liability or expense it incurs without gross negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct, willful malfeasance or reckless disregard on its part. That means the Sponsor or the Trustee may require the assets of the Trust to be sold in order to cover losses or liability suffered by it. Any sale of that kind would reduce the NAV of the Trust and the value of the Shares. The Shares may trade at a price which is at, above or below the NAV per Share and any discount or premium in the trading price relative to the NAV per Share may widen as a result of non-concurrent trading hours between the NYSE Arca and London, Zurich and COMEX. The Shares may trade at, above or below the NAV per Share. The NAV per Share fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Trust’s assets. The trading price of the Shares fluctuates in accordance with changes in the NAV per Share as well as market supply and demand. The amount of the discount or premium in the trading price relative to the NAV per Share may be influenced by non-concurrent trading hours between the NYSE Arca and the major platinum markets. While the Shares trade on the NYSE Arca until 4:00 p.m. New York time, liquidity in the market for platinum is reduced after the close of the major world platinum markets, including London, Zurich and the COMEX. As a result, during this time, trading spreads, and the resulting premium or discount on the Shares, may widen. A possible “short squeeze” due to a sudden increase in demand of Shares that largely exceeds supply may lead to price volatility in the Shares. Investors may purchase Shares to hedge existing platinum exposure or to speculate on the price of platinum. Speculation on the price of platinum may involve long and short exposures. To the extent aggregate short exposure exceeds the number of Shares available for purchase (for example, in the event that large redemption requests by Authorized Participants dramatically affect Share liquidity), investors with short exposure may have to pay a premium to repurchase Shares for delivery to Share lenders. Those repurchases may in turn, dramatically increase the price of the Shares until additional Shares are created through the creation process. This is often referred to as a “short squeeze.” A short squeeze could lead to volatile price movements in Shares that are not directly correlated to the price of platinum. Purchasing activity in the platinum market associated with Basket creations or selling activity following Basket redemptions may affect the price of platinum and Share trading prices. These price changes may adversely affect an investment in the Shares. 18 Purchasing activity associated with acquiring the platinum required for deposit into the Trust in connection with the creation of Baskets may increase the market price of platinum, which will result in higher prices for the Shares. Increases in the market price of platinum may also occur as a result of the purchasing activity of other market participants. Other market participants may attempt to benefit from an increase in the market price of platinum that may result from increased purchasing activity of platinum connected with the issuance of Baskets. Consequently, the market price of platinum may decline immediately after Baskets are created. If the price of platinum declines, the trading price of the Shares will also decline. Selling activity associated with sales of platinum withdrawn from the Trust in connection with the redemption of Baskets may decrease the market price of platinum, which will result in lower prices for the Shares. Decreases in the market price of platinum may also occur as a result of the selling activity of other market participants. If the price of platinum declines, the trading price of the Shares will also decline. The Sponsor is unable to ascertain whether the platinum price movements since the commencement of the Trust’s initial public offering on January 8, 2010 were attributable to the Trust’s Basket creation and redemption process or independent metal market forces or both. Nevertheless, the Trust and the Sponsor cannot provide assurance that future Basket creations or redemptions will have no effect on the platinum metal prices and, consequently, Share trading prices . Since there is no limit on the amount of platinum that the Trust may acquire, the Trust, as it grows, may have an impact on the supply and demand of platinum that ultimately may affect the price of the Shares in a manner unrelated to other factors affecting the global market for platinum. The Trust Agreement places no limit on the amount of platinum the Trust may hold. Moreover, the Trust may issue an unlimited number of Shares, subject to registration requirements, and thereby acquire an unlimited amount of platinum. The global market for platinum is characterized by supply and demand constraints that are generally not present in the markets for other precious metals such as gold and silver. From 2015 to 2019, world platinum mine supply averaged 6.1 million ounces, while world demand averaged 10.1 million ounces. If the amount of platinum acquired by the Trust is large enough in relation to global platinum supply and demand, further in-kind creations and redemptions of Shares could have an impact on the supply and demand of platinum unrelated to other factors affecting the global market for platinum. Such an impact could affect the price for platinum that would directly affect the price at which Shares are traded on the Exchange or the price of future Baskets created or redeemed by the Trust. The Trust and the Sponsor cannot provide Shareholders any assurance that increased metal holdings by the Trust in the future will have no such long-term metal price impact thereby affecting Share trading prices. The Shares and their value could decrease if unanticipated operational or trading problems arise. There may be unanticipated problems or issues with respect to the mechanics of the Trust’s operations and the trading of the Shares that could have a material adverse effect on an investment in the Shares. In addition, although the Trust is not actively “managed” by traditional methods, to the extent that unanticipated operational or trading problems or issues arise, the Sponsor’s past experience and qualifications may not be suitable for solving these problems or issues. Discrepancies, disruptions or unreliability of the LME PM Fix could impact the value of the Trust’s platinum and the market price of the Shares. The Trustee values the Trust’s platinum pursuant to the LME PM Fix. In the event that the LME PM Fix proves to be an inaccurate benchmark, or the LME PM Fix varies materially from the prices determined by other mechanisms for valuing platinum, the value of the Trust’s platinum and the market price of the Shares could be adversely impacted. Any future developments in the LME PM Fix, to the extent it has a material impact on the LME PM Fix, could adversely impact the value of the Trust’s platinum and the market price of the Shares. It is possible that electronic failures or other unanticipated events may occur that could result in delays in the announcement of, or the inability of the benchmark to produce, the LME PM Fix on any given date. Furthermore, any actual or perceived disruptions that result in the perception that the LME PM Fix is vulnerable to actual or attempted manipulation could adversely affect the behavior of market participants, which may have an effect on the price of platinum. If the LME PM Fix is unreliable for any reason, the price of platinum and the market price for the Shares may decline or be subject to greater volatility. 19 If the process of creation and redemption of Baskets encounters any unanticipated difficulties, the possibility for arbitrage transactions the effect of which would be to keep the price of the Shares closely linked to the price of platinum by allowing the market participants to profit from divergences, may not exist and, as a result, the price of the Shares may fall. If the processes of creation and redemption of Shares (which depend on timely transfers of platinum to and by the Custodian) encounter any unanticipated difficulties, potential market participants who would otherwise be willing to purchase or redeem Baskets to take advantage of any arbitrage opportunity arising from discrepancies between the price of the Shares and the price of the underlying platinum may not take the risk that, as a result of those difficulties, they may not be able to realize the profit they expect. If this is the case, the liquidity of Shares may decline and the price of the Shares may fluctuate independently of the price of platinum and may fall. Additionally, redemptions could be suspended for any period during which (1) the NYSE Arca is closed (other than customary weekend or holiday closings) or trading on the NYSE Arca is suspended or restricted, or (2) an emergency exists as a result of which delivery, disposal or evaluation of the platinum is not reasonably practicable. The liquidity of the Shares may be affected by the withdrawal from participation of one or more Authorized Participants. In the event that one or more Authorized Participants having substantial interests in Shares or otherwise responsible for a significant portion of the Shares’ daily trading volume on the Exchange withdraw from participation, the liquidity of the Shares will likely decrease which could adversely affect the market price of the Shares and result in Shareholders incurring a loss on their investment. Shareholders do not have the protections associated with ownership of shares in an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the protections afforded by the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). The Trust is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is not required to register under such act. Consequently, Shareholders do not have the regulatory protections provided to investors in investment companies. The Trust does and will not hold or trade in commodity futures contracts, “commodity interests” or any other instruments regulated by the CEA, as administered by the CFTC and the NFA. Furthermore, the Trust is not a commodity pool for purposes of the CEA and the Shares are not “commodity interests”, and neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee is subject to regulation by the CFTC as a commodity pool operator or a commodity trading advisor in connection with the Trust or the Shares. Consequently, Shareholders do not have the regulatory protections provided to investors in CEA-regulated instruments or commodity pools operated by registered commodity pool operators or advised by commodity trading advisors. The Trust may be required to terminate and liquidate at a time that is disadvantageous to Shareholders. If the Trust is required to terminate and liquidate, such termination and liquidation could occur at a time which is disadvantageous to Shareholders, such as when platinum prices are lower than the platinum prices at the time when Shareholders purchased their Shares. In such a case, when the Trust’s platinum is sold as part of the Trust’s liquidation, the resulting proceeds distributed to Shareholders will be less than if platinum prices were higher at the time of sale. The lack of an active trading market for the Shares may result in losses on investment at the time of disposition of the Shares. Although Shares are listed for trading on the NYSE Arca, it cannot be assumed that an active trading market for the Shares will develop or be maintained. If an investor needs to sell Shares at a time when no active market for Shares exists, such lack of an active market will most likely adversely affect the price the investor receives for the Shares (assuming the investor is able to sell them). Shareholders do not have the rights enjoyed by investors in certain other vehicles. As interests in an investment trust, the Shares have none of the statutory rights normally associated with the ownership of shares of a corporation (including, for example, the right to bring “oppression” or “derivative” actions). In addition, the Shares have limited voting and distribution rights (for example, Shareholders do not have the right to elect directors or approve amendments to the Trust Agreement and do not receive dividends). 20 An investment in the Shares may be adversely affected by competition from other methods of investing in platinum. The Trust competes with other financial vehicles, including traditional debt and equity securities issued by companies in the platinum industry and other securities backed by or linked to platinum, direct investments in platinum and investment vehicles similar to the Trust. Market and financial conditions, and other conditions beyond the Sponsor’s control, may make it more attractive to invest in other financial vehicles or to invest in platinum directly, which could limit the market for the Shares and reduce the liquidity of the Shares. 21 The amount of platinum represented by each Share will decrease over the life of the Trust due to the recurring deliveries of platinum necessary to pay the Sponsor’s Fee in-kind and potential sales of platinum to pay in cash the Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor. Without increases in the price of platinum sufficient to compensate for that decrease, the price of the Shares will also decline proportionately over the life of the Trust. The amount of platinum represented by each Share decreases each day by the Sponsor’s Fee. In addition, although the Sponsor has agreed to assume all organizational and certain administrative and marketing expenses incurred by the Trust (the Trustee’s monthly fee and out-of-pocket expenses, the Custodian’s fee and reimbursement of the Custodian’s expenses under the Custody Agreements, Exchange listing fees, SEC registration fees, printing and mailing costs, audit fees and up to $100,000 per annum in legal expenses), in exceptional cases certain Trust expenses may need to be paid by the Trust. Because the Trust does not have any income, it must either make payments in-kind by deliveries of platinum (as is the case with the Sponsor’s Fee) or it must sell platinum to obtain cash (as in the case of any exceptional expenses). The result of these sales of platinum and recurring deliveries of platinum to pay the Sponsor’s Fee in-kind is a decrease in the amount of platinum represented by each Share. New deposits of platinum, received in exchange for new Shares issued by the Trust, will not reverse this trend. A decrease in the amount of platinum represented by each Share results in a decrease in each Share’s price even if the price of platinum bullion does not change. To retain the Share’s original price, the price of platinum must increase. Without that increase, the lesser amount of platinum represented by the Share will have a correspondingly lower price. If this increase does not occur, or is not sufficient to counter the lesser amount of platinum represented by each Share, Shareholders will sustain losses on their investment in Shares. An increase in Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor, or the existence of unexpected liabilities affecting the Trust, will require the Trustee to sell larger amounts of platinum, and will result in a more rapid decrease of the amount of platinum represented by each Share and a corresponding decrease in its value. RISKS RELATED TO THE CUSTODY OF PLATINUM The Trust’s platinum may be subject to loss, damage, theft or restriction on access. There is a risk that part or all of the Trust’s platinum could be lost, damaged or stolen. Access to the Trust’s platinum could also be restricted by natural events (such as an earthquake) or human actions (such as a terrorist attack). Any of these events may adversely affect the operations of the Trust and, consequently, an investment in the Shares. The Trust’s lack of insurance protection and the Shareholders’ limited rights of legal recourse against the Trust, the Trustee, the Sponsor, the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodian and any other sub-custodian exposes the Trust and its Shareholders to the risk of loss of the Trust’s platinum for which no person is liable. The Trust does not insure its platinum. The Custodian maintains insurance with regard to its business on such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate in connection with its custodial obligations and is responsible for all costs, fees and expenses arising from the insurance policy or policies. The Trust is not a beneficiary of any such insurance and does not have the ability to dictate the existence, nature or amount of coverage. Therefore, Shareholders cannot be assured that the Custodian maintains adequate insurance or any insurance with respect to the platinum held by the Custodian on behalf of the Trust. In addition, the Custodian and the Trustee do not require the Zurich Sub-Custodian or any other direct or indirect sub-custodians to be insured or bonded with respect to their custodial activities or in respect of the platinum held by them on behalf of the Trust. Further, Shareholders’ recourse against the Trust, the Trustee and the Sponsor under New York law, the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodian and any other sub-custodian under English law, and any other sub-custodian under the law governing their custody operations is limited. Consequently, a loss may be suffered with respect to the Trust’s platinum which is not covered by insurance and for which no person is liable in damages. 22 The Custodian’s limited liability under the Custody Agreements and English law may impair the ability of the Trust to recover losses concerning its platinum and any recovery may be limited, even in the event of fraud, to the market value of the platinum at the time the fraud is discovered. The liability of the Custodian is limited under the Custody Agreements. Under the Custody Agreements between the Trustee and the Custodian which establish the Trust’s unallocated platinum account (“Unallocated Account”) and the Trust’s allocated platinum account (“Allocated Account”), the Custodian is only liable for losses that are the direct result of its own negligence, fraud or willful default in the performance of its duties. Any such liability is further limited to the market value of the platinum lost or damaged at the time such negligence, fraud or willful default is discovered by the Custodian provided the Custodian notifies the Trust and the Trustee promptly after the discovery of the loss or damage. Under each Authorized Participant Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement (between the Custodian and an Authorized Participant establishing an Authorized Participant Unallocated Account), the Custodian is not contractually or otherwise liable for any losses suffered by any Authorized Participant or Shareholder that are not the direct result of its own gross negligence, fraud or willful default in the performance of its duties under such agreement, and in no event will its liability exceed the market value of the balance in the Authorized Participant Unallocated Account at the time such gross negligence, fraud or willful default is discovered by the Custodian. For any Authorized Participant Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement between an Authorized Participant and another platinum clearing bank, the liability of the platinum clearing bank to the Authorized Participant may be greater or lesser than the Custodian’s liability to the Authorized Participant described in the preceding sentence, depending on the terms of the agreement. In addition, the Custodian will not be liable for any delay in performance or any non-performance of any of its obligations under the Allocated Account Agreement, the Unallocated Account Agreement or the Authorized Participant Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement by reason of any cause beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, war or terrorism. As a result, the recourse of the Trustee or a Shareholder, under English law, is limited. Furthermore, under English common law, the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodian, or any other sub-custodian will not be liable for any delay in the performance or any non-performance of its custodial obligations by reason of any cause beyond its reasonable control. The obligations of the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodian and any other sub-custodians are governed by English law, which may frustrate the Trust in attempting to seek legal redress against the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodian or any other sub-custodian concerning its platinum. The obligations of the Custodian under the Custody Agreements are, and the Authorized Participant Unallocated Bullion Account Agreements may be, governed by English law. The Custodian has entered into arrangements with the Zurich Sub-Custodian and may enter into arrangements with any other sub-custodians for the custody or temporary holding of the Trust’s platinum, which arrangements may also be governed by English law. The Trust is a New York common law trust. Any United States, New York or other court situated in the United States may have difficulty interpreting English law (which, insofar as it relates to custody arrangements, is largely derived from court rulings rather than statute), LPPM rules or the customs and practices in the London custody market. It may be difficult or impossible for the Trust to sue the Zurich Sub-Custodian or any other sub-custodian in a United States, New York or other court situated in the United States. In addition, it may be difficult, time consuming and/or expensive for the Trust to enforce in a foreign court a judgment rendered by a United States, New York or other court situated in the United States. Although the relationship between the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodian concerning the Trust’s allocated platinum is expressly governed by English law, a court hearing any legal dispute concerning their arrangement may disregard that choice of law and apply Swiss law, in which case the ability of the Trust to seek legal redress against the Zurich Sub-Custodian may be frustrated. The obligations of the Zurich Sub-Custodian under its arrangement with the Custodian with respect to the Trust’s allocated platinum is expressly governed by English law. Nevertheless, a court in the United States, England or Switzerland may determine that English law should not apply and, instead, apply Swiss law to that arrangement. Not only might it be difficult or impossible for a United States or English court to apply Swiss law to the Zurich Sub-Custodian's arrangement, but application of Swiss law may, among other things, alter the relative rights and obligations of the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodian to the extent that a loss to the Trust’s platinum may not have adequate or any legal redress. Further, the ability of the Trust to seek legal redress against the Zurich Sub-Custodian may be frustrated by application of Swiss law. 23 The Trust may not have adequate sources of recovery if its platinum is lost, damaged, stolen or destroyed. If the Trust’s platinum is lost, damaged, stolen or destroyed under circumstances rendering a party liable to the Trust, the responsible party may not have the financial resources sufficient to satisfy the Trust’s claim. For example, as to a particular event of loss, the only source of recovery for the Trust might be limited to the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodian or any other sub-custodian or, to the extent identifiable, other responsible third parties (e.g., a thief or terrorist), any of which may not have the financial resources (including liability insurance coverage) to satisfy a valid claim of the Trust. Shareholders and Authorized Participants lack the right under the Custody Agreements to assert claims directly against the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodian, and any other sub-custodian. Neither the Shareholders nor any Authorized Participant have a right under the Custody Agreements to assert a claim of the Trust against the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodian or any other sub-custodian. Claims under the Custody Agreements may only be asserted by the Trustee on behalf of the Trust. The Custodian is reliant on the Zurich Sub-Custodian for the safekeeping of all or a substantial portion of the Trust’s platinum. Furthermore, the Custodian has limited obligations to oversee or monitor the Zurich Sub-Custodian. As a result, failure by any Zurich Sub-Custodian to exercise due care in the safekeeping of the Trust’s platinum could result in a loss to the Trust. Platinum generally trades on a loco London or loco Zurich basis whereby the physical platinum is held in vaults located in London or Zurich or is transferred into accounts established in London or Zurich. The Custodian does not have a vault in Zurich and is reliant on the Zurich Sub-Custodian for the safekeeping of all or a substantial portion of the Trust’s allocated platinum. Other than obligations to (1) use reasonable care in appointing the Zurich Sub-Custodian, (2) require any Zurich Sub-Custodian to segregate the platinum held by it for the Trust from any other platinum held by it for the Custodian and any other customers of the Custodian by making appropriate entries in its books and records and (3) ensure that the Zurich Sub-Custodian provides confirmation to the Trustee that it has undertaken to segregate the platinum held by it for the Trust, the Custodian is not liable for the acts or omissions of the Zurich Sub-Custodian. Other than as described above, the Custodian does not undertake to monitor the performance by the Zurich Sub-Custodian of its custody functions. The Trustee’s obligation to monitor the performance of the Custodian is limited to receiving and reviewing the reports of the Custodian. The Trustee does not monitor the performance of the Zurich Sub-Custodian or any other sub-custodian. In addition, the ability of the Trustee and the Sponsor to monitor the performance of the Custodian may be limited because under the Custody Agreements, the Trustee and the Sponsor have only limited rights to visit the premises of the Custodian or the Zurich Sub-Custodian for the purpose of examining the Trust’s platinum and certain related records maintained by the Custodian or the Zurich Sub-Custodian. As a result of the above, any failure by any Zurich Sub-Custodian to exercise due care in the safekeeping of the Trust’s platinum may not be detectable or controllable by the Custodian or the Trustee and could result in a loss to the Trust. The Custodian relies on its Zurich Sub-Custodian to hold the platinum allocated to the Trust Allocated Account and used to settle redemptions. As a result, settlement of platinum in connection with redemptions loco London may require more than two days. The Custodian is reliant on its Zurich Sub-Custodian to hold the platinum allocated to the Trust Allocated Account in order to effect redemption of Shares. As a result, in the case for redemption orders electing platinum deliveries to be received loco London, it may take longer than two business days for platinum to be credited to the Authorized Participant Unallocated Account, which may result in a delay of settlement of the redemption order that is settled loco London. 24 Because the Trustee does not, and the Custodian has limited obligations to, oversee and monitor the activities of sub-custodians who may hold the Trust’s platinum, failure by the sub-custodians to exercise due care in the safekeeping of the Trust’s platinum could result in a loss to the Trust. Under the Allocated Account Agreement, the Custodian may appoint from time to time one or more sub-custodians to hold the Trust’s platinum on a temporary basis pending delivery to the Custodian. The sub-custodians which the Custodian currently uses are The Bank of Nova Scotia – ScotiaMocatta, Brinks Global Services Inc., HSBC Bank plc, ICBC Standard Bank plc, Malca-Amit UK Ltd. London, Malca-Amit SA Zurich and UBS Zurich. The Custodian has selected the Zurich Sub-Custodian, and the Zurich Sub-Custodian maintains custody of all of the Trust’s allocated platinum to be held in Zurich for the Custodian. The Custodian is required under the Allocated Account Agreement to use reasonable care in appointing the Zurich Sub-Custodian and any other sub-custodians, making the Custodian liable only for negligence or bad faith in the selection of such sub-custodians, and has an obligation to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain delivery of the Trust’s platinum from any sub-custodians appointed by the Custodian. Otherwise, the Custodian is not liable for the acts or omissions of its sub-custodians. These sub-custodians may in turn appoint further sub-custodians, but the Custodian is not responsible for the appointment of these further sub-custodians. The Custodian does not undertake to monitor the performance by sub-custodians of their custody functions or their selection of further sub-custodians. The Trustee does not monitor the performance of the Custodian other than to review the reports provided by the Custodian pursuant to the Custody Agreements and does not undertake to monitor the performance of any sub-custodian. Furthermore, except for the Zurich Sub-Custodian, the Trustee may have no right to visit the premises of any sub-custodian for the purposes of examining the Trust’s platinum or any records maintained by the sub-custodian, and no sub-custodian will be obligated to cooperate in any review the Trustee may wish to conduct of the facilities, procedures, records or creditworthiness of such sub-custodian. In addition, the ability of the Trustee to monitor the performance of the Custodian may be limited because under the Allocated Account Agreement and the Unallocated Account Agreement the Trustee has only limited rights to visit the premises of the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodian for the purpose of examining the Trust’s platinum and certain related records maintained by the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodian. The obligations of any sub-custodian of the Trust’s platinum are not determined by contractual arrangements but by LPPM rules and London platinum market customs and practices, which may prevent the Trust’s recovery of damages for losses on its platinum custodied with sub-custodians. Except for the Custodian’s arrangement with the Zurich Sub-Custodian, there are expected to be no written contractual arrangements between sub-custodians that hold the Trust’s platinum and the Trustee or the Custodian because traditionally such arrangements are based on the LPPM’s rules and on the customs and practices of the London Platinum market. In the event of a legal dispute with respect to or arising from such arrangements, it may be difficult to define such customs and practices. The LPPM’s rules may be subject to change outside the control of the Trust. Under English law, neither the Trustee nor the Custodian would have a supportable breach of contract claim against a sub-custodian for losses relating to the safekeeping of platinum. If the Trust’s platinum is lost or damaged while in the custody of a sub-custodian, the Trust may not be able to recover damages from the Custodian or the sub-custodian. Whether a sub-custodian will be liable for the failure of sub-custodians appointed by it to exercise due care in the safekeeping of the Trust’s platinum will depend on the facts and circumstances of the particular situation. Shareholders cannot be assured that the Trustee will be able to recover damages from sub-custodians whether appointed by the Custodian or by another sub-custodian for any losses relating to the safekeeping of platinum by such sub-custodians. Platinum bullion allocated to the Trust in connection with the creation of a Basket may not meet the London/Zurich Good Delivery Standards and, if a Basket is issued against such platinum, the Trust may suffer a loss. Neither the Trustee nor the Custodian independently confirms the fineness of the platinum allocated to the Trust in connection with the creation of a Basket. The platinum bullion allocated to the Trust by the Custodian may be different from the reported fineness or weight required by the LPPM’s standards for platinum plates or ingots delivered in settlement of a platinum trade (London/Zurich Good Delivery Standards), the standards required by the Trust. If the Trustee nevertheless issues a Basket against such platinum, and if the Custodian fails to satisfy its obligation to credit the Trust the amount of any deficiency, the Trust may suffer a loss. 25 Platinum held in the Trust’s unallocated platinum account and any Authorized Participant’s unallocated platinum account is not segregated from the Custodian’s assets. If the Custodian becomes insolvent, its assets may not be adequate to satisfy a claim by the Trust or any Authorized Participant. In addition, in the event of the Custodian’s insolvency, there may be a delay and costs incurred in identifying the bullion held in the Trust’s allocated platinum account. Platinum which is part of a deposit for a purchase order or part of a redemption distribution is held for a time in the Trust Unallocated Account and, previously or subsequently in, the Authorized Participant Unallocated Account of the purchasing or redeeming Authorized Participant. During those times, the Trust and the Authorized Participant, as the case may be, have no proprietary rights to any specific plates or ingots of platinum held by the Custodian and are each an unsecured creditor of the Custodian with respect to the amount of platinum held in such unallocated accounts. In addition, if the Custodian fails to allocate the Trust’s platinum in a timely manner, in the proper amounts or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the Unallocated Account Agreement, or if a sub-custodian fails to so segregate platinum held by it on behalf of the Trust, unallocated platinum will not be segregated from the Custodian’s assets, and the Trust will be an unsecured creditor of the Custodian with respect to the amount so held in the event of the insolvency of the Custodian. In the event the Custodian becomes insolvent, the Custodian’s assets might not be adequate to satisfy a claim by the Trust or the Authorized Participant for the amount of platinum held in their respective unallocated platinum accounts . In the case of the insolvency of the Custodian, a liquidator may seek to freeze access to the platinum held in all of the accounts held by the Custodian, including the Trust Allocated Account. Although the Trust would be able to claim ownership of properly allocated platinum, the Trust could incur expenses in connection with asserting such claims, and the assertion of such a claim by the liquidator could delay creations and redemptions of Baskets. In issuing Baskets, the Trustee relies on certain information received from the Custodian which is subject to confirmation after the Trustee has relied on the information. If such information turns out to be incorrect, Baskets may be issued in exchange for an amount of platinum which is more or less than the amount of platinum which is required to be deposited with the Trust. The Custodian’s definitive records are prepared after the close of its business day. However, when issuing Baskets, the Trustee relies on information reporting the amount of platinum credited to the Trust’s accounts which it receives from the Custodian during the business day and which is subject to correction during the preparation of the Custodian’s definitive records after the close of business. If the information relied upon by the Trustee is incorrect, the amount of platinum actually received by the Trust may be more or less than the amount required to be deposited for the issuance of Baskets. 26 GENERAL RISKS The Trust relies on the information and technology systems of the Trustee, the Custodian, the Marketing Agent and, to a lesser degree, the Sponsor, which could be adversely affected by information systems interruptions, cybersecurity attacks or other disruptions which could have a material adverse effect on the Trust’s record keeping and operations. The Custodian, the Trustee and the Marketing Agent depend upon information technology infrastructure, including network, hardware and software systems to conduct their business as it relates to the Trust. A cybersecurity incident, or a failure to protect their computer systems, networks and information against cybersecurity threats, could result in a loss of information and adversely impact their ability to conduct their business, including their business on behalf of the Trust. Despite implementation of network and other cybersecurity measures, their security measures may not be adequate to protect against all cybersecurity threats. Uncertainty regarding the effects of Brexit could adversely affect the price of the Shares. The United Kingdom left the European Union (the “EU”) (“Brexit”) on January 31, 2020, subject to a transitional period which ended December 31, 2020. During the transitional period, although the United Kingdom was no longer a member state of the EU, it remained subject to EU law and regulations as if it were still a member state. The United Kingdom and the EU were to negotiate the terms of their future trading relationship during the transitional period. On December 24, 2020, negotiators representing the United Kingdom and the EU came to a preliminary trade agreement, which was subsequently ratified by the UK Parliament. The trade agreement must also be ratified by the European Parliament. The unavoidable uncertainties and events related to Brexit could increase taxes and costs of business and cause volatility in currency exchange rates and interest rates. Brexit could adversely affect the performance of contracts in existence at the date of Brexit and European, United Kingdom or worldwide political, regulatory, economic or market conditions and could contribute to instability in political institutions, regulatory agencies and financial markets. Brexit could also lead to legal uncertainty and politically divergent national laws and regulations as a new relationship between the United Kingdom and EU is defined and the United Kingdom determines which EU laws to replace or replicate. Any of these effects of Brexit, and others that cannot be anticipated, could adversely affect the price of the Shares. In addition, the risk that Standard Life Aberdeen plc, the parent of the Sponsor and which is headquartered in the United Kingdom, failed to adequately prepare for the end of Brexit’s transitional period could have significant customer, reputation and capital impacts for Standard Life Aberdeen plc and its subsidiaries, including those providing services to the Trust; however, Standard Life Aberdeen plc and its subsidiaries have detailed contingency planning in place to seek to manage the consequences of Brexit to the Trust and to avoid any disruption on the Trust and to the services they provide. Given the fluidity and complexity of the situation, we cannot provide assurance that the Trust will not be adversely impacted despite these preparations. The Trust as well as the Sponsor and its service providers are vulnerable to the effects of public health crises, including the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. The respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by a novel coronavirus has resulted in a global pandemic and major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some interest rates are very low and in some cases yields are negative. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Trust's investments. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, including the Trust and its service providers, are not known. The information technology and other operational systems upon which the Trust’s service providers rely could be impaired and the ability of employees of the Trust’s service providers to perform essential tasks on behalf of the Trust could be disrupted. Governments and central banks, including the Federal Reserve in the U.S., have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. The impact of these measures, and whether they will be effective to mitigate the economic and market disruption, will not be known for some time. 27 Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments None. Item 2. Properties Not applicable. Item 3. Legal Proceedings None Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. PART II