Store-of-value season: is BTC next?

 

Amid ongoing market volatility, gold has surged to a new record high above the $3,400 threshold, fueled by growing demand for safe-haven assets. With a YTD performance that places it as the top-performing major asset class, gold has benefitted from concerns over inflation, macro uncertainty, and a weakening US dollar. Investors have sought protection in stores of value, driving strong inflows into gold despite mixed equity performance and sluggish economic indicators. This shift reflects a broader trend that began in 2023, when both gold and bitcoin started showing strong price momentum amid rising global instability.

As digital assets continue to gain legitimacy in global finance, bitcoin increasingly stands alongside gold as a modern alternative store of value. Given gold’s significantly larger market cap, it’s reasonable to expect that fundamentals-driven triggers—such as the opening of the US institutional market and the establishment of a BTC strategic reserve—could have an even more pronounced impact on bitcoin’s price trajectory. With the same macro tailwinds now propelling gold, BTC may be poised for an outsized rally in the coming months as investors seek resilient, decentralized hedges against systemic risk.

 

^{Source: Hashdex Research with data from CF Benchmarks and Bloomberg (from Dec 31, 2022, to April 20, 2025). The last price for bitcoin and gold is from April 20 as the month is not closed yet.}

 

2. MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

 

Apr 14 2025 - Apr 20 2025

 

Powell signals easing of crypto rules for banks

 

• Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled the potential easing of crypto-related regulations applicable to banks.

• Such a shift could facilitate greater institutional adoption of digital assets globally, as cryptocurrencies become more closely integrated into the traditional financial system of the world’s largest economy.

 

Arizona advances crypto reserve legislation

 

• Arizona’s Senate Bill 1373, which seeks to establish a state-managed digital asset reserve, has passed a House committee.

• This development positions Arizona as a leader in state-level crypto initiatives and may set a precedent for other states to follow.