Janice R. Andrews
Investors are starting to reevaluate their holdings in gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) amid a growing interest in bitcoin ETFs, indicating a subtle shift in market opinion. Though this tendency may cause some concern, fund managers and experts believe that gold will not be seriously challenged by it in the long run.
Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) give a new way for investors to protect themselves from inflation and may be a substitute for conventional gold-backed ETFs. These exchange-traded funds (ETFs) mimic different indexes, commodities, bonds, or asset baskets and function similarly to index funds, giving investors exposure to the underlying asset without requiring them to take direct ownership.
The $trillion-dollar ETF industry is expected to grow further as a result of the United States’ recent regulatory approval in January of ETFs that follow the price of bitcoin, the biggest digital asset in the world. This trend is similar to how ETFs drove up prices in the early 2000s by bringing in a large amount of new demand and inflating the gold market.
We believe that in some investor portfolios, bitcoin may be used in place of gold. Reflecting the rising enthusiasm towards cryptocurrencies as a hedge, Jason Benowitz, senior portfolio manager at CI Roosevelt, said, “It may serve a similar role as a hedge against global disorder and financial system dysfunction.”
Prominent spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) such as the iShares Bitcoin Trust and the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund have accumulated significant assets after receiving regulatory approval on January 10. As of February 14, LSEG Lipper data shows that these funds have accumulated $5.45 billion and $4.13 billion, respectively. However, over the same period, withdrawals of $768.9 million and $284.6 million were seen from gold-backed ETFs, such as New York’s SPDR Gold Trust and iShares Gold Trust, indicating a possible shift of capital.
Even still, several analysts and investment managers continue to express worries about the volatility of bitcoin ETFs despite the euphoria around them. In contrast to bitcoin’s relative youth, Bryan Armour, an ETF analyst at Morningstar, highlighted the timeless worth of gold, which is based on its millennium-long history.
Because of its inherent worth and stability, gold has historically been considered a safe haven asset during periods of political or economic turmoil. This was emphasized by Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, who pointed out that gold is more suited for preserving wealth than creating it, especially because it doesn’t offer dividends.
On the other hand, bitcoin is a riskier investment due to its speculative character and tendency for big price swings. Streeter stressed the speculative character of bitcoin investments in contrast to the more conservative approach associated with gold, warning against the attraction of rapid profits.
In the end, gold’s persistent attractiveness as a safe haven asset is unlikely to be surpassed in the near future, even though the introduction of bitcoin ETFs may represent a noteworthy advance in the investing environment. A well-rounded strategy that includes both conventional and cutting-edge assets may be the most sensible course of action for investors as they negotiate the constantly changing financial landscape.
