Bitcoin ETFs Might Triple Gold ETFs, Top Analyst Predicts

As an analyst with over two decades of experience in the financial markets, I find Eric Balchunas’ prediction about Bitcoin ETFs being potentially three times larger than gold ETFs intriguing, albeit not entirely unexpected. In my career, I’ve seen the appetite for investment products that offer a degree of excitement grow exponentially. Gold, while traditionally a safe haven, has been perceived as ‘boring’ by many investors seeking ‘hot sauce spice kick.’ Bitcoin, with its volatility, seems to fit the bill perfectly.


In simple terms, Eric Balchunas, Bloomberg’s top ETF analyst, recently stated on the “Coin Stories” podcast that he expects Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to potentially grow up to three times larger than gold ETFs in the coming years.

As a researcher, I’ve found that gold is often employed by investors as a protective measure against inflation and potential dollar devaluation. However, in the words of Balchunas, it can be quite unexciting.

The expert pointed out that investors usually seek out opportunities with some level of activity or movement. He mentioned that gold, unfortunately, doesn’t provide the high returns (comparable to a spicy kick from hot sauce) that are currently in vogue among investors at this time.

Investors find themselves benefiting from two aspects when they invest in Bitcoin: firstly, the spiciness, or high volatility, and secondly, a potential for long-term growth, similar to a store. Balchunas believes that this combination makes Bitcoin more promising than gold was in the past.

US-based gold ETFs have $138.5 billion worth of assets under management across 35 products. 

As a crypto investor, I’ve learned from Dune Analytics that Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) collectively hold a staggering $67.8 billion in on-chain assets, a figure that underscores the growing influence of these investment vehicles within our digital economy.

Who’s buying Bitcoin ETFs? 

Balchunas points out that it is primarily large institutions who submit 13F forms to the SEC, leaving most ETF purchasers unidentified and making it challenging to pinpoint their specific origins, as he further stated.

According to a report by U.Today, Jim Bianco of Bianco Research has suggested that Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) focused on the spot market are drawing cryptocurrencies away from platforms specifically designed for digital assets, such as Coinbase.

As a crypto investor, I find myself agreeing with Balchunas’ perspective. Some investors might have indeed transitioned to ETFs, but I firmly believe that these products are also attracting new capital. It seems like an influx of fresh funds is inevitable, given the growing interest in cryptocurrencies. In other words, it appears as if there are plenty of newcomers joining the crypto scene, and I can’t help but think, “How could there not be?

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2024-11-05 22:59