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Commodities, Investing, Alternative Investments

Invest in Commodities: Energy

Published: October 14, 2025
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Earn money through one of the world’s most powerful investments

If you are looking for an investment that will stick around and protect against inflation, try investing in a commodity. One very powerful and highly lucrative commodity is energy. Homes and businesses, cars and other transportation products, and many other life needs are powered by energy. Energy will never go away and there are so many ways to invest in this sector, whether you want to invest in oil directly or invest in companies dedicated to clean energy, you can make an impact in the world’s energy production and make yourself some hefty money. Before exploring the world of energy, let’s see why you should be thinking about commodities as your next investment. Through oil, natural gas, renewable energy, and more, you can earn great returns and make an impact on energy around the world. Investing in commodities Commodity investing involves putting your money into raw materials that are either consumed directly, like food, or used to create other products, like precious metals. Energy sources and natural resources like are considered commodities. Interested investors can invest in commodities in many different ways, like in physical raw form or using future contracts of ETPs that track a commodity index. Mutual funds are also a viable way to invest in commodities. Buying shares of a company that profits from the value of a natural resource is a great way to invest in a commodity. Commodities can be utilized for diversification, to hedge against inflation, gain returns, and more. Why invest in energy? Energy is one of the largest and most valuable markets today at around $7 trillion globally. In 2016, oil companies produced 96 million barrels of crude oil a day around the world. At around $50 per barrel, that’s more than $1.7 trillion dollars in crude oil alone. That’s more than metal and mining combined. This is before adding in other energy such as natural gas, coal, and electricity. The energy sector is so large, making for endless opportunities to invest, ranging from oil and gas companies to renewable power providers. The size of the market is one of the biggest draws to the sector. Another draw is the future growth of energy. The International Energy Agency predicts the sector will increase by more than 30% by 2035, thanks to growing nations like China, India, and the Middle East. These countries are set to account for two-thirds of that growth. The future isn’t the only reason people are investing in energy. Recent returns are also very appealing. For decades, investments in the energy sector have provided higher-than-average returns. ExxonMobil returned 140% between 2003 and 2017. There are so many avenues to choose from, whether it’s the highly popular crude oil or electricity, solar power, or wind energy. The market is so big that you can even diversify your energy investments. Other energy outlets include gas, coal, nuclear energy, and biofuels. Where to invest As just stated, there are many different choices for your energy investment. Let’s dive a little deeper into some of the options. Oil Like water, oil is a highly necessary commodity for sustaining human life. Because of supply and demand, gasoline prices are high and continue to rise. With growth in large countries, like China, world demand for oil sits at around 100 million barrels a day. Oil need goes beyond gasoline. Many plastics, medicines, linoleum, shingles, cosmetics, and many more products, are made from petroleum. Sustainable energy In 2018, the renewable energy sector reached a milestone, hitting 1 terawatt of energy. Through solar and wind energy, the global capacity was hit and the next terawatt won’t be far away. It’s predicted by Bloomberg New Energy Finance that the second terawatt will be reached in 2023 at 46% less expensive. Renewable energy is growing in acceptance and diversity. Investment opportunities are expanding beyond solar panels and wind turbine manufacturers. Electricity Through an investment in coal or nuclear power, you can make an impact in electricity production. You can also invest directly in the power industry by way of electricity futures or electrical utilities. Electrical utilities are companies that provide electricity to homes around the world. Families and businesses everywhere need electricity to live, making this investment opportunity lucrative and promising high returns. Natural gas As a major source of power generation, used to power gas turbines, create steam power, and used within heating and cooling systems, natural gas is a popular investment. How to invest in energy There are a few different routes to invest in commodities like energy including futures, stocks, ETFs, and mutual and index funds. There are many commodity exchanges all over the globe, some of which carry multiple commodities, while others specialize in a single material. Alpen Partners International and Commodities Alpen Partners International, the sister company of Alpen Partners, is now a registered investment advisor at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Together with our partner Swiss private banks, our company can now offer the full Swiss private banking experience to American clients, both resident and non-resident. In order to be an SEC-registered advisor, Alpen Partners International had to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment advisor. We had to pass an exam on uniform investment advisor law that covers federal securities laws and other topics related to investment advising. If you are interested in investing in other commodities, read this article where you can discover what other commodities can make an impact on your portfolio. In terms of precious metals, Alpen Partners International has connections with some of the most prestigious banks in Switzerland that have trustworthy reputations for managing wealth and holding your gold. Connect with us if you have any questions about gold as an investment or need a bank to hold your gold. If you want to explore the power of investing in water, Alpen Partners International has developed an extensive network of specialists focusing on the theme of water investing. Our goal is to find the best investment opportunity for you, whether it’s in water or otherwise. All investments involve certain risks. All investments carry the potential for financial loss, including the loss of the principal amount invested. Past performance should not be viewed as an indicator of future results. Market conditions and broader economic factors can significantly impact the value of investments. Investments in international markets are subject to additional risks, such as currency exchange fluctuations, political or economic instability, and variations in accounting practices. Alternative investments, including but not limited to hedge funds, private equity, and real estate, may be illiquid, speculative, and are not suitable for all investors. The above information should be considered before making any investment decisions. All posts and publications are for your information only and are not intended as an offer, promotion, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument or perform any other financial transactions. All information and opinions expressed in posts and publications reflect our current views as of the date of the publication and may be liable to change without notice.

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Wealth Management

Following the establishment of his Swiss banking structure, David required a coordinated framework to manage assets across jurisdictions while maintaining compliance with U.S. reporting obligations.

Alpen integrated his assets into a Swiss wealth management structure tailored for internationally active clients. The focus was on aligning investment strategy, currency exposure, and financial planning within a single cross-border framework.

Through Alpen’s wealth management services, David gained access to

  • Global investment advisory, allowing participation in international markets while considering U.S. regulatory requirements
  • Multi-currency portfolio management, reducing reliance on a single currency exposure
  • Cross-border financial planning, supporting his relocation and long-term wealth objectives
  • Centralized oversight of assets held with Swiss custodian banks

Switzerland’s stable political environment, strong financial sector, and long-standing expertise in wealth management provided a reliable foundation for administering David’s international assets.

Offshore Banking Structure

With the Swiss account in place, Alpen integrated it into a broader offshore banking structure designed for diversification and asset protection.

This framework allowed David to

  • Hold assets across multiple currencies
  • Access international investment opportunities
  • Diversify assets outside a single jurisdiction
  • Ensure the highest standards of financial privacy while maintaining full transparency for international reporting

The Swiss banking environment also offered political stability, robust financial regulation, and a historically strong currency base.

Relocation and Swiss Residency Path

As part of his relocation planning, David explored the process of establishing residency in Switzerland. For non-EU citizens such as U.S. nationals, residency typically requires either employment in Switzerland, the establishment of a local company, or a negotiated tax arrangement with cantonal authorities.

Working alongside local legal and tax advisors, Alpen helped David evaluate the available options and coordinate the financial aspects of the move. This included aligning banking structures, documenting international assets, and preparing financial disclosures required during the residency process.

Swiss Bank Account Setup

Opening a Swiss bank account as a U.S. client follows a defined onboarding process based on regulatory requirements and internal bank standards. This includes identity verification, source-of-wealth documentation, and alignment with international reporting frameworks. It also involves coordination with the selected institution, including the negotiation of account terms and applicable fee structures.

Alpen supported David throughout this process by coordinating each step

  • Assessing eligibility and identifying Swiss private banks experienced with U.S. clients
  • Preparing and reviewing required documentation, including passport verification, financial history, and source-of-funds evidence
  • Advising on account structures (e.g. personal vs. investment accounts) aligned with his objectives
  • Coordinating communication with the selected bank and managing the submission process

As part of the onboarding, David was required to provide detailed documentation regarding his financial background and the origin of his assets. Minimum deposit thresholds and internal bank criteria were also considered when selecting the appropriate institution.

Once all documentation was complete and approved, the account opening process typically took approximately 1–2 weeks. Alpen then coordinated the initial asset transfers and ensured a smooth transition from existing banking relationships.