The age-old store of value meets the digital revolution. Compare characteristics, performance, and portfolio fit.
per troy ounce
≈ N/A oz gold
Smart contract platform
| Metric | 🥇 Gold | Bitcoin |
|---|---|---|
History Track record as store of value | 5,000+ years✓ | 15 years |
Volatility (30d) Price stability for preservation | ~1-2%✓ | ~40-60% |
Portability Ease of transport and transfer | Physical limits | Unlimited digital✓ |
Divisibility Ability to transact small amounts | Difficult | 8 decimal places✓ |
Scarcity Fixed supply characteristics | ~200k tons mined | 21M cap forever |
Seizure Resistance Protection from government seizure | Can be confiscated | Self-custody possible✓ |
Institutional Adoption Acceptance by major institutions | Central banks hold✓ | Growing ETFs |
Crisis Performance Behavior during market stress | Proven safe-haven✓ | Mixed results |
Gold has proven safe-haven characteristics during crises. Bitcoin is still establishing its role, sometimes correlating with risk assets.
Consider 5-10% gold for stability and 1-5% Bitcoin for growth potential. Adjust based on risk tolerance and time horizon.
Gold and Bitcoin can coexist in a portfolio. Gold provides stability while Bitcoin offers asymmetric upside potential.