Gold Tops Safe Haven Assets, According To Bank Of America—Can Bitcoin Compete?

bitcoinistОпубликовано 2024-10-19Обновлено 2024-10-19

Введение

For years, the financial community has debated on the best and safest investment during uncertain times. For most conservative traders...

For years, the financial community has debated on the best and safest investment during uncertain times. For most conservative traders and investors, bonds are an obvious choice. But for the younger set and tech-savvy individuals, Bitcoin is a better option. Despite fiscal challenges and current global economic trends, gold remains the best bet for analysts at Bank of America.

According to Bank of America, gold remains solid, regardless of falling or even higher interest rates. Interestingly, the bank is silent on Bitcoin’s role in the financial markets. However, many leading American banks are starting to get friendly, with Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo offering Bitcoin ETFs to their eligible clients.

Bank Of America: Gold A Better Hedge Against Inflation

Bank of America analysts say gold remains a prime choice in the current economic landscape. While the bank includes Bitcoin and the blockchain in conversations, it remains cautious. The bank adds that gold is a logical choice for investors and central banks, while gold is a better hedge against inflation and highly volatile currencies.

Also, gold is seen as a better investment than Bitcoin since many expect crypto to potentially fall, especially due to the reported US PPI inflation of 1.8%, which is up from the expected 1.6%. An increase in PPI means that inflation will put pressure on the economy, which in turn may motivate the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates. Since there are still economic uncertainties, gold has become a reliable investment.

Bitcoin is now trading at $67,755. Chart: TradingView

Gold Seen To Hit $3,000 Level

Bank of America estimates that gold prices can reach the $3,000 level. This prediction is backed by the planned policies of the two US presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Both candidates support fiscal expansion, thus boosting spending.

The bank estimates that spending can grow 7 to 8% annually by 2030 due to the candidates’ pledges to support defense, climate, and demographic policies. And if the market continues to assume more debt, an increased market volatility can push more investors into gold.

Image: Deutsche Digital Assets

Many central banks are also diversifying and boosting their reserves. Reserves have increased from 3% to 10% over the decade, and demand from Western investors has risen recently. In short, the Bank of America sees gold as a better long-term safe investment.

BoFA Remains Cautious On Blockchain & Bitcoin

Like many financial institutions, Bank of America is slowly embracing blockchain’s potential. Bitcoin is being recognized as another alternative to gold as a hedge against inflation. Blockchain’s decentralization and capped supply also make it an ideal investment vehicle.

Now that Bitcoin and altcoins are growing in popularity, it’s only a matter of time before top banks like Bank of America include them in their investment strategies.

Featured image from CryptoTab Browser, chart from TradingView

Christian Encila

Christian Encila

Christian, a journalist and editor with leadership roles in Philippine and Canadian media, is fueled by his love for writing and cryptocurrency. Off-screen, he's a cook and cinephile who's constantly intrigued by the size of the universe.

Похожее

South Korea's Financial Turmoil: Samsung Strike, AI Communism, and Crypto Market Bleeding Out

The South Korean financial market is facing a turbulent period marked by a triple threat: labor unrest at Samsung Electronics, controversial government proposals for redistributing AI profits, and a severe downturn in the cryptocurrency sector. The stability of the "Korean stock market bellwether," Samsung Electronics, is under threat as its largest union plans to strike on May 21st despite a partial court injunction. The government warns a prolonged strike could cause catastrophic losses, highlighting the high stakes for Korea's critical semiconductor industry. Simultaneously, a proposal by a presidential policy chief to redistribute "AI citizen dividends" from excess corporate taxes triggered significant foreign capital outflow and market volatility last week. While clarified as not a direct tax on company profits, the discussion underscores intense debates over wealth distribution in the AI era, where profits are concentrated in a few chip giants like Samsung and SK Hynix. In stark contrast to the booming AI-driven stock market, Korea's cryptocurrency sector is experiencing a dramatic collapse. Major exchanges Upbit and Bithumb reported steep declines in revenue and profits for Q1 2026. The overall crypto market valuation has nearly halved since early 2025, with trading volumes plummeting 74%. This is exacerbated by tightening regulations, including impending crypto taxes, strict anti-money laundering rules, and frozen assets from defunct exchanges affecting nearly 200,000 users. While regulators are tightening risk controls on financial institutions, the situation presents a new era of financial instability for Korea, caught between AI-fueled growth, social equity debates, and a crumbling crypto market.

Odaily星球日报5 мин. назад

South Korea's Financial Turmoil: Samsung Strike, AI Communism, and Crypto Market Bleeding Out

Odaily星球日报5 мин. назад

Nvidia's Wednesday Earnings Night: The Battle That Decides the Fate of the AI Bull Market is Here

NVIDIA is set to report its quarterly earnings after the U.S. market closes on Wednesday, May 20. This event is widely seen as a crucial test for the current AI-driven bull market. The semiconductor sector is exhibiting severe technical overbought conditions, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) trading approximately 60% above its 200-day moving average—the most extreme deviation since the dot-com bubble peak of 1999/2000. Market sentiment is highly concentrated on a few AI-related stocks, raising concerns about overall market breadth. Analysts highlight a key contradiction: while fundamentals for AI and semiconductors remain strong, significant technical pressures are building. Option market activity reflects this tension. Positions are heavily skewed towards bullish calls, yet there is also notable hedging activity through put options on broad indices and sector ETFs, signaling preparation for potential downside volatility. An unusual pattern of rising stock prices alongside rising implied volatility further underscores the market's expectation for a major move. For NVIDIA specifically, the market's primary focus will be on its forward guidance for the next quarter, which is deemed more critical than the immediate earnings results. Despite a recent seven-day rally adding roughly $1.7 trillion in market cap, historical data shows NVIDIA's stock has often declined the day after its past five earnings reports. The outcome of this report is expected to have a significant ripple effect across the broader technology and semiconductor markets, given NVIDIA's pivotal role.

marsbit28 мин. назад

Nvidia's Wednesday Earnings Night: The Battle That Decides the Fate of the AI Bull Market is Here

marsbit28 мин. назад

Harvard University May Have Lost $150 Million in Cryptocurrency Trading! Has Liquidated Ethereum and Significantly Reduced Bitcoin ETF Positions

Harvard University's endowment fund, managed by Harvard Management Company (HMC), recently disclosed significant reductions in its cryptocurrency holdings. According to its latest 13F filing, HMC sold its entire position in the BlackRock Ethereum Spot ETF (ETHA) and reduced its stake in the BlackRock Bitcoin Spot ETF (IBIT) by 43% in Q1 2026. This marks a sharp reversal from its peak holdings of $443 million in crypto assets just two quarters prior, bringing the current value to approximately $117 million. Analysis suggests these sales likely resulted in substantial losses. Estimates indicate HMC's Bitcoin ETF trades incurred a roughly 28% loss (over $100 million), while its brief Ethereum position fell about 35% (over $30 million), totaling potential losses exceeding $150 million. The timing of HMC's trades—aggressively adding to Bitcoin near its all-time high in late 2025 and buying Ethereum just before a market downturn—has drawn criticism as potential "buying high and selling low." However, the context points to broader pressures. Harvard faced a $113 million operating deficit in FY2025 due to cuts in federal research funding and a significant tax increase on endowment income. With much of its portfolio locked in illiquid private equity and hedge funds, the highly liquid crypto ETFs presented the most straightforward assets to sell for liquidity and risk management. Furthermore, HMC's Bitcoin ETF holding had grown to 20% of its public portfolio by Q3 2025, prompting necessary rebalancing. The move contrasts with other institutions like Mubadala (increasing Bitcoin ETF holdings) and Dartmouth College (maintaining and diversifying crypto exposure). Ultimately, Harvard's actions appear driven by a confluence of fiscal stress, liquidity needs, and portfolio risk control rather than a simple market-timing strategy, highlighting how traditional institutional risk calculus applies even to volatile crypto assets.

marsbit40 мин. назад

Harvard University May Have Lost $150 Million in Cryptocurrency Trading! Has Liquidated Ethereum and Significantly Reduced Bitcoin ETF Positions

marsbit40 мин. назад

Harvard University May Have Lost $150 Million in Cryptocurrency Trading! Has Liquidated Ethereum and Significantly Reduced Bitcoin ETF Holdings

Harvard University's endowment fund, Harvard Management Company (HMC), significantly reduced its cryptocurrency holdings in Q1 2026, reportedly incurring substantial losses. According to its latest 13F filing, HMC completely sold off its position in the BlackRock Ethereum ETF (ETHA) and cut its BlackRock Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) holdings by 43%, leaving a position worth approximately $117 million. This marks a sharp decline from a peak public crypto allocation of $443 million just two quarters prior. Analysis suggests these trades resulted in estimated losses exceeding $150 million, with Bitcoin positions sold at an average loss of around 28% and Ethereum positions at roughly 35%. The moves have sparked debate on whether HMC engaged in counterproductive "buy high, sell low" behavior. The article contextualizes HMC's crypto journey, beginning with its initial disclosed investment in IBIT and gold ETF GLD in Q2 2025 as an "inflation hedge." Aggressive buying in Q3 2025 made IBIT its largest single public holding at 20% of the portfolio, coinciding with Bitcoin nearing all-time highs. Subsequent trimming began in Q4 2025, with an initial foray into ETHA. Explanations for the recent drastic cuts extend beyond market timing. Harvard faces significant financial pressure, including an annual operating deficit and a major increase in endowment tax rates. With illiquid assets like private equity dominating the portfolio, the highly liquid crypto ETFs became the most practical source for necessary portfolio rebalancing and liquidity. Furthermore, the impending retirement of HMC's CEO adds a layer of reputational risk to holding volatile assets. The article contrasts Harvard's retreat with other institutions, such as Mubadala's continued accumulation of Bitcoin ETFs and Dartmouth's expansion into staking-oriented crypto products. It concludes that HMC's actions reflect a complex interplay of fiscal needs, risk management, and institutional constraints rather than simple speculative trading, highlighting how traditional finance logic applies to crypto within large endowment portfolios.

链捕手46 мин. назад

Harvard University May Have Lost $150 Million in Cryptocurrency Trading! Has Liquidated Ethereum and Significantly Reduced Bitcoin ETF Holdings

链捕手46 мин. назад

Торговля

Спот
Фьючерсы
活动图片