You might have come to think about how you want to preserve your wealth because of the recession. Bitcoin and gold are considered to be the means for preserving wealth by investors. Both gold and bitcoin are store-of-value assets. Gold has been in existence for thousands of years and is globally considered a secure commodity asset and inflation hedge. However, the value of gold has been put vis-a-vis bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin has boomed in price in the past decade. Both gold and Bitcoin have various benefits but also have their disadvantages. Investment in Bitcoin happens on trading platforms such as the Bitcoin loophole website.
You should consider which financial asset you want to work with to make your diversified portfolio free from inflation and recession.
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Advantages and Disadvantage of Bitcoins
Bitcoin’s idea was to function as an electronic peer-to-peer cash system by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. This permits direct transactions between two parties without a financial intermediary.
Various factors contribute to the popularity of bitcoin. First, it can diversify the portfolio of an investor. Second, it has a maximum limit for its coins, making it valuable for an extended period, opposite to government-issued currencies regulated by central banks and not backed by a physical commodity.
Cryptocurrency has gathered a large number of followers because of its features.
Crypto enthusiasts believe the increase in prices is relatively more minor than what it could be in the future. Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Digital, predicts that cryptocurrency will exceed the gold market industry within a few years. Thus, Bitcoin has been coined “digital gold.”
However, concerns about excessive energy consumption have earned the irks of the socially responsible investing (SRI) movement. This environmental concern urged Tesla, an initial Bitcoin supporter, to reject cryptocurrency. When Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced its reversal of the decision to support Bitcoin, its price fell.
In addition, digital currency trading has concerns regarding security breaches.
Gold Advantages and Disadvantages
Gold’s store of value is considered to be prime. Generations can easily pass down this asset. Gold is a mainstream asset that allows all traders of all backgrounds to gain access. Retail investors can still purchase gold even if they do not understand cryptocurrencies. In addition,
Individuals are not the only ones investing in gold, and central banks put their faith in gold’s value to stabilise and grow the economy. Gold served as the standard by the US until the 1970s. The majority of investors believe that gold is safer because of the volatility of fiat currencies. In addition, several believe that gold’s reliability and longevity could surpass that of cryptocurrencies, as Goldex founder Sylvia Carrasco resounds. She said that several cryptocurrencies had been banned, which might also happen to bitcoin.
However, the price of gold has fluctuated through the years, and it does not produce revenues the same way other investments can.
Gold also impacts environmental conditions. When it is mined, there are risks involved like toxic emissions, water pollution, and disruption in diversity. Also, there have been links to funding armed conflict and human rights abuses.
Comparing Go
ld and Bitcoin
Gold has earned the trust of many investors. On the other hand, despite bitcoin being only a decade old, it has already attracted interest among genuine investors. Thus, here are some points on how to compare the two.
There are limits to the supply of gold and bitcoin. As of the moment, there are approximately 19 million bitcoins in circulation that eventually will hit their limit of 21 million. Gold also has a finite supply like other natural resources. Thus, if there is a high demand for such a limited supply, prices will be increased.
Security and transparency. There are fewer risks when it comes to gold as an investment. This is because the existing trading system for gold is secure and is difficult to damage. Those who trade bitcoins are secure from corruption because of their encryptions, decentralised features, and complex algorithms. However, great care should be observed to avoid cases like significant losses of Mt. Gox Demise.
High liquidity. Both gold and bitcoin have high liquidity. Gold is valued as one of the most liquid assets as there are always lineups of people who wait to buy it or sell it. Moreover, gold can be converted to cash without a significant loss in the amount. Similarly, bitcoin mostly has great liquidity as well.
Volatility. Gold is not as highly volatile compared to bitcoin. The market price of bitcoin fluctuates, which is considered the norm for cryptocurrencies. Both social and political trends influence cryptocurrency compared to gold, which makes gold a more reliable asset. For instance, the price of bitcoin ballooned from $1,000 in 2017 to $19,000, which nosedived to $8,000 by mid-2018.
Use. Gold has several uses for different industries, such as electronic manufacturing, dentistry, and jewellery. In addition, it can easily be transported and does not tarnish either. Bitcoin, on the other hand, contributes to the global applications of blockchain technology. Furthermore, bitcoin can support the unbanked population of the world.
Making the Right Decision
Portfolio diversification can reduce the risk and potential loss. Most smart investors diversify their portfolios by adding a mix of gold and bitcoin. Bitcoin is categorised as a non-correlated asset which means that it has no direct tie-ups to the stock market. Thus, mixing a small amount of bitcoin in a traditional portfolio has the possibility of gaining returns without a significant increase in overall volatility.
Gold can also secure one’s finances through diversification. It protects one’s assets over inflation or an economic crisis as gold moves south of the dollar. Investors who desire greater security usually opt for gold.
Comparing gold and bitcoin, bitcoin is considered to be riskier. Its decentralised features and instability make it prone to significant losses. Despite many investors who want to have advanced technology, individuals who wish to accept the risks linked to cryptocurrency should invest in it. Although gold also has inherent risks, it has existed for thousands of years, making investors have an easier time buying or selling it.
However, investors who want to diversify using bitcoin should be prepared for the changes that come with it. Although gold is global in scope, there are still limitations. With many countries, such as China, who banned mining bitcoins, other countries might follow this move. On the contrary, some countries recently legalised bitcoin as legal tenders, such as El Salvador.
Making a suitable investment requires strong research skills before engaging in it.