Preferred Safe haven amid Economic Instability: Americans lean towards Cryptocurrencies over Gold
In a surprising shift, Bitcoin is increasingly being preferred by American investors over traditional assets like gold, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty and trade tariff tensions.
According to a recent study by NFT Evening, 68% of Americans now prefer investing in Bitcoin following President Donald Trump's tariff announcements. This trend continues, with 72% of Americans having increased their purchases of Bitcoin compared to gold due to the same situation.
Bitcoin, with its digital and decentralized nature, offers an attractive alternative to traditional assets. Its exponential growth over the last decade, demonstrating superior returns, further bolsters its appeal. The rise of Bitcoin is partly due to the perception that the US dollar could face inflationary pressures and devaluation.
However, investing in crypto assets is not fully regulated and may not be suitable for retail investors due to its high volatility, with a risk of losing the entire amount invested. Nevertheless, the increasing institutional adoption and the possibility of clear regulations are helping to solidify Bitcoin's perception as a safe haven.
In 2025, cryptocurrency ownership among U.S. adults stabilized at 28%, and Bitcoin is transitioning from a fringe speculative asset to a mainstream financial instrument, supported by pension fund considerations and corporate treasury adoption. Bitcoin’s market potential remains large, with price models projecting significant upside, reflecting growing confidence in its role as a monetary alternative and portfolio diversification tool.
Gold, on the other hand, continues to serve as a traditional hedge against economic uncertainty and inflation. In 2025, gold's price has surged significantly, outperforming stocks, bonds, and Bitcoin with a 28% gain year-to-date, driven by persistent inflation, geopolitical tensions, and doubts about monetary policy independence. Gold ETFs remain popular for investors seeking safety and liquidity without exposure to physical storage complexities.
Market experts and analysts commonly recommend owning both assets for balance: gold provides stability as a physical, time-tested store of value, while Bitcoin offers higher growth potential as a digital asset undergoing mainstream institutional adoption. This balanced portfolio approach is increasingly emphasized as both assets serve complementary purposes amid ongoing macroeconomic volatility and trade tensions.
In summary:
| Aspect | Bitcoin | Gold | |--------------------|----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Role | High-growth digital asset, monetary alternative, portfolio diversifier | Traditional safe haven, inflation hedge, physical store of value | | 2025 trend | Growing institutional adoption and stability, mainstreaming with supportive regulation and corporate investment | Record high prices, strong central bank demand, seen as strategic hedge | | Investor advice | Own for growth and potential upside, complement with gold to reduce volatility | Own for protection and stability, complement with Bitcoin to capture growth | | Market performance | Increasingly stable, price above $120K, growing acceptance | +28% YTD in 2025, outperforms stocks, bonds, and Bitcoin |
This dual-asset strategy reflects current American investor preferences amid economic uncertainty and trade tensions, balancing safety in gold with growth opportunity in Bitcoin. The data from the study indicates that 81% of Americans surveyed would increase their Bitcoin purchases if a strategic reserve based on this cryptocurrency is approved in the United States.
In the last year, Bitcoin has experienced a 67% increase in its value, outperforming many conventional assets, including gold. Despite gold maintaining its historical relevance, cryptocurrency offers a combination of performance, accessibility, and trust that makes it the preferred option during times of economic uncertainty. The debate between gold and Bitcoin is not just about performance, but also about trust and adaptability. Over 75% of respondents consider Bitcoin a valid option for preserving capital during uncertain times.
Bitcoin represents financial innovation that responds to the needs of a digitalized and globalized economy. Amidst economic uncertainty and trade tariff tensions, Bitcoin is emerging as an increasingly popular investment option over traditional gold.
Finance experts suggest that American investors should consider a balanced approach to markets, as both Bitcoin and gold serve distinct purposes. Sixty-eight percent of surveyed Americans prefer investing in Bitcoin following trade tariff announcements, with 72% favoring it over gold due to its potential for higher returns.
In the midst of economic uncertainty and trade tensions, Bitcoin's digital and decentralized nature has positioned it as a favored finance option, outperforming traditional assets like gold for many investors.
