Bitcoin and Gold ETFs Surpass $500B in Combined Assets, Signaling a New Era for Commodity Investing
The combined assets under management (AUM) for gold and bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have crossed the $500 billion threshold for the first time, according to data from the Bold Report, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of institutional investment.
Gold ETFs continue to lead with approximately $325 billion in AUM, maintaining their long-standing dominance in the commodities space. However, bitcoin ETFs are rapidly gaining ground, with assets climbing to $162 billion—up more than 8x since the approval of spot bitcoin ETFs in the U.S.
Before the U.S. greenlight, global bitcoin ETF assets hovered around just $20 billion. Since then, institutional interest has surged, driving a dramatic reallocation toward digital assets. Gold, too, has benefited from the broader macro narrative, with its ETF assets nearly doubling from $170 billion during the same stretch.
Charts tracking five years of ETF growth show a steady ascent for gold and a parabolic surge for bitcoin in recent months.
Price performance reflects these shifts. Since the debut of U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs, BTC has risen approximately 175%, outpacing gold’s 66% gain over the same period. The data highlights bitcoin’s greater volatility and upside potential—factors increasingly attractive to investors looking beyond traditional hedges.
As the combined $500 billion mark is breached, the message is clear: gold may still be king, but bitcoin is no longer a niche allocation. Together, they’re shaping the future of alternative asset investing.
