Research Shows Young People Are Investing In Bitcoin Over Gold

This article is for information only and does not constitute investment advice.

 

According to Central Banking, Central banks have been stashing away gold faster than ever before over the past three years.

World Gold Council data shows central banks bought 1,082 tonnes of gold in 2022, 1,037 tonnes in 2023 and 1,044 in 2024, with prices up by over 40% since January 2024.

But when it comes to personal investments, a different story is emerging. According to data by deVere Group, 73% of young investors now favour Bitcoin over the precious metal as a long-term investment, and this could have huge implications for the cryptocurrency industry.

 

The Great Wealth Transfer

 

According to analysts, Millennials and Gen Z are expected to inherit an estimated $84 trillion over the next 20-30 years from parents and grandparents.

According to a Bank of America study cited by VanEck’s Matthew Sigel, this wealth transfer could funnel around $6 trillion into crypto by 2045, continuing to drive it up as a valuable commodity. (Droom Droom).

 

Crypto As An Added Asset

 

Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, commented on how young people’s investments seem to be strategic, prioritising both growth and stability:

“Gold is stability. Bitcoin is growth. If you want to build and protect wealth over the long term, you should be holding both.”

And it’s not surprising that so many young people believe in Bitcoin. With its first significant price surge in 2013, many Millennial and Gen Zs have seen this asset rise quickly, many times out performing traditional stocks and shares.

But whilst Bitcoin has certainly generated great returns over the last 10 years, Green also talks about the importance of balancing traditional assets alongside riskier investments.

“The world’s most powerful institutions are increasing their gold reserves. That tells you everything. They don’t do this on a whim…diversification is timeless. Having uncorrelated assets in your portfolio is how you build true resilience. Gold and Bitcoin together offer that balance.”

 

 

Bitcoin’s Journey To A $100,000 Asset

 

Bitcoin has been on quite the journey, going from a worthless asset to one worth over $100,000 per coin over just 17 years.

Here’s a brief history of Bitcoin, according to Wikipedia.

2009: Bitcoin launched by Satoshi Nakamoto, worth basically nothing.

2010: BTC worth less than $0.01.

2011: Bitcoin hit 1:1 with the U.S. dollar.

2013: Bitcoin’s first ‘bull run’ with coin value peaking at $100.

2017: Bitcoin reached nearly $20,000 by the end of the year.

2021: Bitcoin was accepted as legal tender in El Salvador, with many other countries rushing to adopt regulations around its usage.

2024: Bitcoin hit $100,000 after the Bitcoin halving event.

Today: Bitcoin is now becoming a mainstream asset, especially amongst young people.

 

Gold As A Safe Haven

 

But it’s not just Bitcoin that is increasing in value. Gold reached all time highs in April 2025 when it hit a price of $3,500 per ounce.

In fact, in times of economic turbulence, the price of gold actually increases, as it’s an asset that isn’t affected by global affairs and currency fluctuations.

For many, gold has always been a way to hedge against inflation, regularly being seen as a safe asset – especially during times of economic uncertainty.

 

Young Investors: What’s Next?

 

As young investors look for more ways to grow their wealth, it’s no surprise that Bitcoin and gold – two assets that aren’t tied to any specific government or intuition, are reigning supreme.

Whilst gold provides safe, consistent growth, Bitcoin is now seen as a way to increase wealth quickly.

As Nigel Green puts it “It’s not about choosing sides”

Because of this, it may not be Bitcoin vs. Gold, but Bitcoin and Gold that play a central role the next era of wealth.