Bitcoin’s sluggish showing in 2026 has coincided with a powerful rally in metals and chipmakers, fueling concerns that the cryptocurrency could continue to lose relative ground.
The largest digital asset has dropped to 13th place in the global asset rankings after sliding to around $76,000, leaving its market capitalization at roughly $1.5 trillion. So far this year, bitcoin is down about 11%, and it has lost close to 30% over the past 12 months.
While bitcoin has struggled, capital has flowed into stronger-performing sectors. Precious metals have led the gains, with gold surging to a record $5,600 per ounce in January before retreating to about $4,486. Silver also rallied sharply, climbing to $120 per ounce at its peak and currently trading near $76.
The surge has elevated silver to the fifth-largest asset globally by market value, highlighting growing investor preference for traditional safe havens amid persistent economic uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the boom in artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks has significantly outpaced bitcoin’s returns. Large-cap tech names, often grouped as the “Magnificent Seven,” have continued their advance, with the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF posting a 33% gain over the past year.
Chipmakers have been among the biggest beneficiaries. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Broadcom have both surpassed bitcoin in market capitalization, each now valued at around $2 trillion and ranking among the world’s top assets.
Micron Technology has also crossed the $1 trillion valuation mark, while Samsung, with a market value near $1.3 trillion, now trails just behind bitcoin—underscoring the rapid shift of investor capital toward AI-driven industries.
