Gold has achieved a historic milestone, surpassing a $30 trillion market capitalization for the first time ever — reinforcing its dominance as the world’s largest asset. The surge has reignited comparisons with Bitcoin (BTC), as investors question whether the leading cryptocurrency can ever close the gap.
Gold hits record high amid global uncertainty
According to data from Companies Market Cap, gold prices climbed 1.49% in the past 24 hours, reaching $4,369 per ounce. The rally pushed the metal’s total market value above the $30 trillion threshold, driven largely by heightened demand for safe-haven assets amid global trade tensions and ongoing economic uncertainty.
Currently, gold’s valuation overshadows other major assets by a wide margin. NVIDIA ranks second at $4.4 trillion, followed by Microsoft at $3.8 trillion, and Apple at $3.6 trillion. In contrast, silver holds a modest $2.9 trillion market cap.
Bitcoin lags behind after recent market turbulence
Meanwhile, Bitcoin—the largest cryptocurrency by market cap—has struggled to maintain its footing after a week of sharp sell-offs. Following a $19 billion liquidation event on October 10, BTC’s total market value has dropped to $2.15 trillion, down by more than $200 billion in just days.
Despite previously surpassing $100,000 and setting a new all-time high (ATH) of $126,080, Bitcoin’s recent performance has been overshadowed by gold’s sustained rise. Over the past year, Bitcoin’s market value has grown by 57.3%, while gold has surged nearly 60%, strengthening its appeal as a traditional hedge against inflation and economic instability.
At press time, Bitcoin trades around $105,834, marking a 4.5% daily decline, while gold continues to climb.
Can Bitcoin ever catch gold?
The widening gap between Bitcoin and gold highlights the ongoing debate over which asset truly serves as the better store of value. Gold’s century-long reputation as a safe-haven investment continues to attract capital from both institutional and retail investors—particularly amid trade war fears following President Trump’s recent 100% tariff announcement on Chinese imports.
In contrast, Bitcoin’s volatility and market corrections have tested investor confidence. However, long-term supporters remain optimistic. Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, previously predicted that Bitcoin could one day surpass gold’s market cap, calling it the “digital gold of the future.”
At the time of her forecast, BTC was valued at $2 trillion compared to gold’s $15 trillion, but gold’s market value has since doubled while Bitcoin remains in the $2 trillion range.
Adding to the optimism, a Deutsche Bank report recently forecasted that central banks may start holding Bitcoin as reserves by 2030, potentially boosting its global credibility and value.
The bottom line
Gold’s record-breaking rally underscores its enduring dominance in global finance, while Bitcoin’s slower pace reflects both market maturity and short-term volatility. As institutional adoption of digital assets expands, the gap between traditional and digital stores of value may narrow—but for now, gold remains king of the markets.
