Bitcoin or Gold? (Photo by Romain Costaseca / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP)
As tariff talks continue, geopolitical tensions escalate, and the global economy wavers, investors are gravitating towards store-of-value investments.
Gold, the traditional go-to during times of crisis, just breached a record $3,300 per ounce. The surge is driven by a weakening dollar and renewed U.S.-China trade friction. In 2025, a growing number of investors, from hedge funds to retirees, are beginning to question whether gold remains the best store of value.
Increasingly, the answer is Bitcoin.
Once dismissed as a speculative plaything, Bitcoin has matured into a borderless, digital alternative to gold that offers both finite scarcity and functionality. It’s divisible, portable, and most crucially, a currency.
Billionaire investor Mark Cuban agrees, “It’s easier to buy and sell,” he said. “You can fractionalize it, you can buy things, you can transfer it internationally. And so I think it has more value than gold.”
On March 7th, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced that national banks can now participate in particular crypto activities, including custody, without needing prior regulatory approval.
The OCC rolled back previous guidance from the Biden era that required banks to seek permission and demonstrate risk controls before engaging in crypto. Acting Comptroller Rodney Hood emphasized that banks must still manage risks appropriately, but the move is intended to ease regulatory burdens and create consistency.
Bitcoin can also be held on centralized exchanges, but past failures like FTX have shown the risks of trusting third parties with your assets.
For those who value direct, tangible control over their assets, much like holding physical gold bars, there are several options for maintaining full custody of their Bitcoin.
Unchained, Casa, and Onramp are among the growing number of companies in ‘cold storage’ Bitcoin custody. They make investing in Bitcoin easier, safer, and more rewarding by offering trusted, secure platforms that help minimize risk.
Self-Custody for Every Investor
Bitcoin’s decentralized nature is its strength, but it also puts responsibility entirely on the individual.
Unchained offers a solution to that challenge by providing multisignature vaults that blend personal control with institutional-grade security. These vaults require multiple keys to move funds, dramatically reducing the risk of theft, accidental loss, or single-point failure.
Unchained distinguishes itself with its Concierge Onboarding program, which guides users step by step through the self-custody process.
Designed to support everyone from first-time investors to businesses managing Bitcoin on their balance sheets, the service has proven valuable to older investors seeking long-term wealth preservation, many of whom previously turned to gold.
A Simpler Way to Hold Bitcoin Across Generations
Another company offering a straightforward and intuitive way to secure funds through multisig is Casa.
Their platform is tailored for investors who want to hold Bitcoin but avoid complex hardware wallets or opaque solutions. Casa streamlines Bitcoin custody for everyday users. It’s designed to be accessible for all ages, from Zoomers to Boomers, making Bitcoin custody simple for anyone.
The Bitcoin-Only Strategy
Unlike some fintech platforms that lump Bitcoin in with other cryptocurrencies, Onramp focuses solely on Bitcoin.
Their transparent approach appeals to advisors and institutions who want to offer Bitcoin exposure without hearing a sales pitch for other digital assets.
Onramp works directly with financial advisors and RIAs, offering tools to integrate Bitcoin into long-term portfolio strategies.
They also prioritize education, helping advisors explain Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against inflation, its function as a store of value, and its technological advantages over gold.
Why Settle for Gold When You Can Have Bitcoin?
While you decide on whether to invest in Bitcoin or gold, consider this.
Unlike gold, Bitcoin can be bought instantly, stored digitally, and sent globally. It’s programmable money, backed by a growing ecosystem of infrastructure that supports everything from everyday purchases to intergenerational wealth transfers.
It’s especially appealing to younger generations who prioritize autonomy, accessibility, and ease of use. This forward-looking approach increases Bitcoin’s value in the long term.
Gold, while still valuable, is frozen in time.
It doesn’t offer rewards, and you can’t use it to book a flight or buy groceries. Bitcoin, in contrast, is as adaptable as the internet, able to weather global instability and still function as a real currency.
Investors must no longer ask, “Is Bitcoin as good as gold?” They must ask, “Why settle for gold when you can have Bitcoin?”
