Bitcoin supporters are warning holders not to rush to buy gold from Bitcoin, even if the metal trades above $4,000 an ounce. Bitcoin's ease of transfer, clear supply rules, and divisibility make it a stronger long-term store of value than gold, according to market educator Matthew Clutter.
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Concerns about gold supply
Clutter points out that the supply of gold has been steadily increasing, estimating it has increased by about 1% to 2% annually for several decades. Based on that rate, supply doubles approximately every 47 years.
That steady growth, he says, could be amplified by new large-scale discoveries on land, or potentially off-planet, that could flood the market and push prices down after a surge.
The report found that the sudden influx of precious metals reshaped the economy, citing how the arrival of New World gold in Europe in the 1500s contributed to massive inflation and the collapse of Spain's power.
Practical limits of gold
The physical nature of gold creates limits to the world of moving value across networks. Moving large quantities is expensive and carries risks. Clutter argued that tokenized gold (digital tokens that claim to represent physical reserves) poses counterparty risk, with issuers potentially minting more tokens than they have, refusing to redeem them, or having their reserves seized.
These concerns are prompting some buyers to seek assets that are easier to move and verify online, according to reports from market watchers.
Catching up with industrial metals
Industrial metals also recorded strong gains in 2025, according to the report, with copper, lithium, aluminum and steel performing as well as gold in many markets during the year.
Demand from AI data centers, electric vehicles and clean energy projects boosted consumption. At the same time, supply problems such as mine shutdowns and increased inventories occurred, and the market became tight. The combination of strong demand and unstable supply contributed to the overall price increase.
Tariffs and trade rush
Trade policy is heating up even more. Traders and buyers rushed to ship and stockpiled supplies after U.S. President Donald Trump announced 50% tariffs on certain copper, steel and aluminum products.
BTCUSD is trading at $87,915 on 24-hour chart: TradingView
This act of front-loading temporarily depleted available inventory and caused prices to fluctuate. Traders told reporters that even the threat of short-term tariffs could trigger big moves, as companies seek to avoid future costs by buying early.
Where Bitcoin fits
The debate between gold and Bitcoin is still active. Bitcoin proponents emphasize scarcity (fixed BTC supply rules) and transfer speed. Gold supporters argue that gold has been used as money for centuries and that Bitcoin's volatility remains an obstacle for some investors.
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The rise of industrial metals adds a third element. In other words, these materials are not just leaked to a safe location, but are linked to real economic activity.
Analysts say investors need to weigh various risks. Gold acts as a hedge in turbulent times, but steady mine production and big discoveries can change the long-term calculus. Industrial metals could continue to rise if demand for energy and technology holds.
And Bitcoin's proponents argue that its digital nature makes it well-suited for a world that values fast, verifiable transfers.
Featured images from Gemini, charts from TradingView
