You’ve been following the markets since early 2026 and notice that something is off. Gold and silver are skyrocketing, with gold up more than 70% last year and silver up 238%, while Bitcoin remains relatively flat, falling 13% during the same period.
To be honest, it appears to be a classic rotation, with money flowing from riskier assets such as bitcoin into safe-haven metals amid uncertainty. But if you look deeper, you’ll notice that this shift isn’t random; it’s part of a larger pattern that frequently reverses in favor of cryptocurrency. As of January 26, with gold at $4,984 and BTC around $89,500, the difference stands out. However, history has shown that Bitcoin typically catches up quicker than anyone can imagine.
Let’s unpack why Gold surged 70% while Bitcoin lagged, newbie-style, and spot the rotation everyone’s overlooking.
1. The Stark Performance Gap between Gold, Silver and Bitcoin
First, the numbers do not lie. Over the last year, gold has risen by 80% to $4,984, while silver has increased by 238% to $103. Gold is up 15% year-to-date in 2026, silver is up 42%, and BTC is up only 0.86% at $89,496 following a 13% drop.
To explain the lagging, let’s consider macro data. In 2025, the macro mess, high inflation, and geopolitical jitters pushed investors toward physical assets such as metals. The industrial demand for silver (solar, electronics) has fueled its rise. Meanwhile, Bitcoin is experiencing corrections following its 2024 highs, with reduced momentum.
However, over the last decade, BTC has increased by 27,701%, while silver has increased by 405%. The low correlations (0.08 BTC-gold, 0.20 BTC-silver) indicate that they often dance independently, resulting in juicy rotations.
2. Macro Fears and Why Safe-Havens Won the Day
In 2025, the world felt shaky as inflation remained high, tensions rose, and economies wobbled. Gold and silver stepped up as classic hedges, attracting conservative capital. Gold broke records above $4,400 late last year due to safe-haven buying.
The “risk-off” sentiment hurt Bitcoin, which is riskier and more volatile. Metals are highlighted here, but it shines in growth modes. Despite this, Bitcoin’s digital advantage of being accessible around-the-clock and divisible sets it up for rebounds when sentiment changes. Bitcoin’s fixed 21M cap makes it scarcer eventually, but metals ramped up production in response to demand, boosting short-term gains.
3. Volatility and Trust
Gold has long been considered a reliable investment due to its low volatility. It performs better under choppy conditions. Bitcoin’s volatility can be three to five times higher, leading to both gains and losses, such as the recent lag. Yet, volatility propels disproportionate returns during bull runs, which is Bitcoin’s superpower. Accessibility is also important considering that, unlike storing physical gold, anyone can purchase fractions digitally. As institutions and ETFs gain credibility, Bitcoin frequently bounces back stronger.
4. When Gold Drops, Crypto Pumps, The Patterns to Watch
Money rotates between metals and cryptocurrency as anti-fiat hedges, which is something everyone is missing. They rally together during money supply booms, but inversely, gold peaks signal BTC catch-up (145-304% rallies in the past).
Decoupling occurred in 2025, with gold rising on the back of stress and BTC consolidating. Correlations are nearly zero right now. Gold breakouts follow BTC surges; when metals pause, crypto grabs liquidity. If risk-on (Fed cuts, stable DXY) returns in 2026, BTC may revert to $130K if history repeats itself.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the reason why gold surged 70% while Bitcoin lagged is due to macro shifts and rotations, but Bitcoin’s setup suggests a comeback. Keep track of these as you plan your next step.
Want More Free Airdrops?
Eyeing those easy airdrops to stack tokens? FreeCoins24.io has the latest, Solana gems, L2 drops, and more. Check Airdrops Now
Stay Updated
Grab instant crypto news, airdrop alerts, and market vibes:
- Twitter: @FreeCoins24 – Quick scoops and hype.
- Telegram: t.me/FreeCoins24 – Exclusive tips and chats. Join the squad—your next insight awaits!
