Physical vs. paper gold for IRA - Anyone else feel this way?

• •Been thinking a lot lately about the whole physical gold vs.
• •"paper gold" debate for IRAs, especially with all the global instability and economic jitters.
• •As a military contractor, I’ve seen enough to know that betting it all on digital assets or promises isn't always the smartest play.

Been thinking a lot lately about the whole physical gold vs. "paper gold" debate for IRAs, especially with all the global instability and economic jitters. As a military contractor, I’ve seen enough to know that betting it all on digital assets or promises isn't always the smartest play. My IRA has about a quarter-mil in it right now, and a decent chunk is in gold, but I'm trying to optimize for true security.

I went with a physical gold IRA a few years back, specifically because the idea of owning actual, tangible gold was more appealing than an ETF or a mining stock. Call me old school, but the thought of having something that is value, not just a representation of it, just sits better with me. I mean, if the grid goes down or things get really wild, how useful is a stock certificate or a digital balance? In Jacksonville, we're not exactly earthquake country, but hurricanes happen, and you never know what else could pop off. That fear of some Black Swan event wiping out my digital investments is a real motivator for a security-minded guy like me.

On the flip side, I see arguments for paper gold being more liquid, easier to trade, and not having the storage fees associated with physical assets. I pay those storage fees, and while they're not crippling, they're not zero either. Is that convenience worth the potential loss of true ownership in a worst-case scenario? I’m leaning no, but I’m always open to hearing different perspectives. For those of you who've gone the paper route, what's your rationale beyond just ease of access?

What are your thoughts on this? Am I being overly paranoid sticking with physical gold, or does the comfort of knowing I own actual bullion outweigh the perceived benefits of paper assets? Curious to hear from others in similar situations, especially those who prioritize security in their portfolio.