Gold may be outperforming Bitcoin in price this year, but institutional investors are doubling down on BTC. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has already attracted nearly $7 billion in inflows in 2025, surpassing the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), the world’s largest gold ETF.
This growing interest signals a powerful shift: institutions are betting on Bitcoin’s long-term growth, regardless of short-term volatility.
Gold vs. Bitcoin: 2025 Performance Breakdown
Gold has been on a winning streak in 2025, delivering strong monthly gains:
- January: +6.59%
- February: +2.02%
- March: +8.72%
- April: +5.22%
- April 8–21 alone: +14.83%
- May (so far): +4%
Total YTD Growth: +30.33%
Meanwhile, Bitcoin has had a choppy ride:
- January: +9.54%
- February: -17.5%
- March: -2.19%
- April: +14.2%
- May (so far): +3.04%
Total YTD Growth: +3.84%
Clearly, gold is outperforming Bitcoin in terms of price this year. But the ETF inflow data tells a different story.
Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) vs. Gold ETF (GLD): Where the Money Is Going
Despite Bitcoin’s slower price gains, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has pulled in $6.96 billion in inflows this year. In contrast, SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) attracted $6.5 billion.
Investors are increasingly viewing Bitcoin ETFs as a long-term growth vehicle, favoring them over traditional safe-haven assets like gold.
Bitcoin ETFs Could Eclipse Gold
ETF analyst Eric Balchunas said this trend is only just beginning. He believes Bitcoin ETFs may triple the assets under management of gold ETFs within the next 3–5 years, driven by institutional demand and evolving market confidence.While gold leads in performance, Bitcoin is winning institutional trust. The rising capital inflows into BTC ETFs suggest that Bitcoin is no longer a fringe asset — it’s being cemented as a mainstream financial instrument.
