Gold vs Bitcoin: What If You’d Invested Five Years Ago?

In an age marked by economic uncertainty and fluctuating global markets, both gold and Bitcoin have carved out reputations as go-to investment options. Five years ago, if you had taken a leap of faith and invested in either asset, you'd be looking at some impressive gains in 2025.

Both gold and Bitcoin have been labelled "safe-haven" assets, especially during inflationary periods. Notably, Robert Kiyosaki, author of the best-selling financial book Rich Dad Poor Dad, has publicly endorsed both assets for their resilience against inflation. But how have they actually performed?

A Look at the Numbers

In 2025, both assets have hit all-time highs. In Indonesia, gold reached a record price of IDR 2,027,000 per gram, while Bitcoin soared to an eye-watering US$111,000 per coin — roughly IDR 1.8 billion.

What makes this particularly interesting is Bitcoin’s meteoric rise. Despite being the newer player in the investment game, Bitcoin has gained a staggering 2.35 times more in value than gold over the same period. Five years ago, Bitcoin was trading at around US$9,400. Today, it's more than ten times that amount.

Gold, meanwhile, has maintained its traditional role as a store of value. Though its price has also increased steadily, its growth appears more modest compared to the explosive gains seen in the crypto market.

Stability vs Growth Potential

Even with Bitcoin’s impressive performance, gold remains the preferred asset for many conservative investors. One high-profile example is Goldman Sachs, the global investment bank. Analysts at Goldman continue to favour gold over Bitcoin, citing its stability, lower volatility, and historically weak correlation with the stock market.

Gold’s appeal lies in its consistency. It doesn’t swing wildly like crypto, and for many institutional investors, that predictability is worth more than fast gains. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is often seen as a high-risk, high-reward asset—capable of delivering exponential returns, but just as capable of brutal corrections.

Which Should You Have Chosen?

The answer largely depends on your risk tolerance and investment horizon. If you were comfortable with high risk and volatility, Bitcoin clearly outperformed. But if you preferred a steady and reliable store of value, gold still delivered strong returns — just without the drama.

As we look ahead to the next five years, one thing is clear: diversification might still be the smartest strategy. Both assets have shown their strengths in different ways, and having a mix of stability and growth in your portfolio could offer the best of both worlds.

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