The absence of physical settlement doesn't mean that physical settlement was impossible. Indeed, as you suggest, the contract with the exchange probably says "In the event of insolvency, the exchange will follow this procedure: blah, blah, blah." This is not evidence that there is nothing to physically deliver. Why use that procedure? I can think of good reasons. Maybe the exchange has some liability attached to delivery that could become a claim against its assets in bankruptcy; maybe they know that a lot of contract holders were just trading the contracts and don't want delivery; for all we know Chinese law says that a liquidating exchange must financially settle open positions.I think you are missing the point. Gold Futures contracts are predicated on the fact that you should be able to get settled with Physical. After all selling something you don't actually own is the definition of FRAUD. SO if they are selling you the futures, there is the expectation that you can demand delivery, that's 1/2 how futures markets work. The real facts are that you cannot demand delivery, the custodian doesn't have what he is selling and no one can demand physical, check the prospectus.
You can't get delivery on a CBOT futures contract?