Bitcoin (BTC) vs Gold: Which Is Best? Historical Study

Both gold and Bitcoin (BTC) serve as excellent hedges against inflation. Mining activities and discoveries influence gold’s supply, while Bitcoin’s supply limit of 21 million coins cannot be altered. Bitcoin’s volatility is much higher than that of Gold. 

Written by: Anatol Antonovici   |  Updated April 1, 2024

Reviewed by: Mike Martin

Fact checked by: Ryan Grace

Bitcoin vs Gold: 5 Year Chart

Source: TradingView

Bitcoin and gold are robust store-of-value (SOV) assets, but which is a better investment? Let’s find out!  

Table of Contents

🍒 tasty takeaways

  • Hedge Dynamics: Both serve as hedges against inflation, but differ in stability and volatility, with gold offering long-term preservation and Bitcoin showcasing short-term gains.

  • Investment Profiles: Gold offers stability and traditional value, whereas Bitcoin appeals with high potential returns and modern utility.

  • Contrast in Legacy and Form: Gold’s timeless value and physical nature contrast with Bitcoin’s digital, innovative nature, marking a new era in assets.

  • Price action: The prices of both gold and Bitcoin hit record highs at the beginning of 2024.

Summary

Aspect Gold Bitcoin
Inflation Hedge Long-term stability Short-term responsive to inflation
Investment Profile Stability and traditional value High potential returns, modern utility
Legacy and Form Timeless value, physical Digital, innovative era
2024 Record Highs Yes Yes
Supply Influence Mining activities/discoveries Fixed limit of 21 million coins
Volatility Lower Higher

Brief History of Gold

When you think about gold, you think about wealth, power, and influence. Indeed, the precious metal has been used for centuries as a measure of wealth, although its utility has changed dramatically.

For thousands of years, gold was used as a currency across all continents, but the emergence of fiat currencies as a more convenient means of exchange has left the metal with a secondary role. In the 20th century, gold gained the status of a safe haven asset, being a good refuge during major crises and geopolitical tensions.

Is Gold a Good Hedge Against Inflation?

Contrary to popular belief, the precious metal hasn’t historically been a great inflation hedge in the short and medium term, although it can preserve wealth in the longer term.

Jason Porter, senior investment manager at Scottish Heritage SG, told Forbes

“A hedge against inflation would typically increase in value in line with the sharp rise in consumer prices. However, during some of the most recent, extreme moments of inflation in the U.S., gold has produced a negative return for investors.”

Nevertheless, the metal can store value in the long term. Since the ‘Great Inflation’ in the 1970s, the price of gold has increased from less than $80 an ounce to the current record level of over $2,200, gaining more than 2,600%. Of course of this same duration, the purchasing power of the US dollar has plummeted. 

Source: GoldPrice.org

Brief History of Bitcoin

Bitcoin (BTC) is a digital currency that leverages blockchain technology. The digital asset was unveiled in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto, a pseudonymous figure. This innovation catalyzed a $2.5 trillion sector, challenging conventional finance in its brief 15-year existence. 

Bitcoin’s application has transformed over the years. Conceived as an alternative to the US dollar, it has since emerged as a significant store of value (SOV) asset.

 

🍒 Bitcoin (BTC) Price Prediction: 2025, 2030, 2040 & 2050

Is Bitcoin a Good Hedge Against Inflation?

Source: St. Louis Fed

Given Bitcoin’s pronounced volatility, views vary regarding its value as an inflation hedge. The cryptocurrency has weathered at least two significant bubble bursts and continues its search for a stable valuation.

However, extreme volatility is normal for a new asset class representing a tech novelty. Bitcoin’s limited supply is supporting its inflation hedge potential for the short and medium term. The crypto coin’s track record is too short to prove its longer-term capabilities, but its fundamentals align with an inflation hedge asset.

The US Consumer Prices Index (CPI) has increased by a cumulative 20% since 2020, while Bitcoin has surged over 700% and is currently hovering above $70,000.

🍒 Bitcoin Adoption: Rates, Charts, and 2024 BTC Prediction

Bitcoin vs Gold: Similarities

Feature Gold Bitcoin
Scarcity Finite supply, precious Capped at 21 million coins
Inflation Rate Stable at ~1.7% About 1.7%, decreases with halving events
Stock-to-Flow Ratio 62, indicating scarcity 58, indicating high scarcity
Status as SOV Stable store of value Emerging digital SOV
Resistance to Fraud Difficult to counterfeit Cryptocurrency's blockchain security

Bitcoin vs Gold: Differences

Feature Gold Bitcoin
Tangibility Physical metal, tangible asset Digital currency, intangible
History Centuries as a measure of wealth Modern, 15 years of history
Divisibility Traditionally less divisible Each unit divisible into 100 million satoshis
Volatility Less volatile, more stable Notably higher volatility
Risks & Returns Considered low-risk with moderate returns Characterized by high risk and potential for high returns
Liability to Confiscation Can be confiscated by governments Decentralized nature reduces confiscation risk
Adoption and Growth Long-standing asset, accepted globally Quickly adopted with increasing liquidity and investment products

Bitcoin vs Gold: Volatility

As we can see from the image below, Bitcoin is much more volatile than Gold.

bitcoin vs gold: volatility

Source: Katusa

Bitcoin vs Gold: Performance

Bitcoin and gold updated their all-time high (ATH) prices at the beginning of 2024.

Since its launch, Bitcoin has skyrocketed from a few cents to over $70,000, translating into massive percentage gains. 

Gold has increased by over 110% during the same period.

Source: TradingView

Such extreme returns are normal for a new asset quickly adopted worldwide, but the growth pace is slowing down as the crypto market matures.

Here is the Bitcoin price expressed in gold ounces:

Bitcoin vs Gold: Correlation

With the introduction of Bitcoin ETFs on Wall Street, the correlation between Bitcoin and Gold is at a record high.