(Reuters) -The recent surge of interest in bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is reshaping investor strategies, leading some to reevaluate their positions in gold-backed ETFs. Analysts and fund managers, however, remain confident that these developments are unlikely to pose a long-term challenge to traditional bullion investments.
Exploring the Rise of Bitcoin ETFs
Bitcoin ETFs have emerged as a compelling alternative for investors seeking to hedge against inflation, potentially diverting attention away from gold. These ETFs, which track the performance of an index, commodities, bonds, or a basket of assets like an index fund, offer a fresh avenue for portfolio diversification.
The recent regulatory approval in the United States in January for ETFs tracking the price of the world's largest digital asset has opened up new possibilities in the trillion-dollar ETF market, paving the way for significant future gains.
Shifting Dynamics: Bitcoin vs. Gold
The introduction of ETFs in gold during the early 2000s provided crucial support to the market, creating a surge in demand and subsequently driving prices higher. Observers now anticipate that bitcoin might replace gold in some investor portfolios, playing a similar role as a hedge against global disorder and financial system dysfunction, as noted by Jason Benowitz, senior portfolio manager at CI Roosevelt.
Since the U.S. approval on January 10th, two major spot bitcoin ETFs, namely iShares Bitcoin Trust and Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, have seen substantial inflows, accumulating $5.45 billion and $4.13 billion in assets, respectively, as of February 14th, according to LSEG Lipper data. In contrast, the largest gold-backed ETF, New York's SPDR Gold Trust (P:GLD), experienced outflows of $768.9 million during the same period, while the iShares Gold Trust saw outflows of $284.6 million.
The Challenge for Gold: A Maturing Crypto Industry
This surge in interest in bitcoin ETFs aligns with the broader rally in cryptocurrency prices. Bitcoin, for instance, surged over 150% in 2023, surpassing the more modest 13% climb in gold prices during the same period.
Nicky Shiels, head of metals strategy at MKS PAMP SA, highlights the maturation of the crypto industry and its growing threat to traditional havens like gold in certain regions. However, caution is advised by some fund managers and analysts due to the inherent volatility of bitcoin.
Cautionary Notes: Bitcoin's Volatility vs. Gold's Stability
Bryan Armour, an ETF analyst at Morningstar, emphasizes the historical value of gold, which has been a trusted asset for thousands of years, contrasting it with bitcoin, still in its early stages. Gold is traditionally viewed as a safe haven during times of political or economic uncertainty, particularly in the face of rapidly rising inflation.
Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, stresses that, unlike many stocks, gold doesn't pay dividends, making it more suitable for wealth preservation than wealth generation. She cautions against the different aims of bitcoin speculators, who may be more inclined to gamble on rapid price rises in pursuit of high returns, which are by no means guaranteed.
In conclusion, the rise of bitcoin ETFs poses a significant shift in the investment landscape, challenging the dominance of gold-backed paper. While the crypto industry matures and gains regulatory approval, the debate between bitcoin's potential and gold's stability continues, urging investors to tread carefully and consider the distinctive characteristics of each asset class.