Bitcoin’s move into mainstream finance is accelerating far faster than gold’s, as ETF inflows signal institutional adoption surging beyond historical precedents and cementing digital assets as core portfolio holdings, according to Bitwise.
Bitwise Shows Bitcoin ETF Growth Dwarfs Gold’s Early Inflation-Adjusted Inflows
Asset management firm Bitwise shared on social media platform X on Jan. 10, 2026, a strongly bullish assessment of bitcoin’s rapid integration into traditional finance (TradFi), highlighting exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows that show bitcoin adoption dramatically outpacing gold’s early ETF era.
The company stated:
2 years ago, bitcoin officially entered the TradFi world. Since then, the growth has been nothing short of mind-blowing … Bitcoin is outpacing gold’s early adoption by 600%.
The message highlighted capital flows into regulated exchange-traded products (ETPs) as a key indicator of shifting allocator behavior, underscoring how familiar ETF structures enabled advisers, pensions, and asset managers to gain exposure to bitcoin within established compliance frameworks. The comparison positioned bitcoin ETFs as accelerating acceptance at a pace far exceeding historical precedents set by commodity-backed funds, reinforcing the view that digital assets now operate inside mainstream portfolio construction rather than on its periphery.
Read more: Bitwise Unloads 10 Predictions: ‘Bulls Will Win out’ Across Bitcoin, Altcoins, Crypto ETFs
Bitwise explained that spot bitcoin ETFs launched Jan. 11, 2024, and accumulated about $57 billion in net inflows over two years, based on data verified by Farside Investors, far surpassing the inflation-adjusted $8 billion associated with gold ETFs during their early phase, measured against the 2004–2006 SPDR Gold Trust assets under management equivalent.
Expressing a broader perspective on the shift, the asset management firm wrote:
Incredibly grateful to be a part of this community and to witness this historic shift firsthand. The ‘Digital Gold’ thesis is no longer a theory; it’s the proven global standard. – Onward.
While supporters point to fixed supply, global liquidity, continuous settlement, and deeper regulatory clarity as drivers of adoption, skeptics in replies referenced bitcoin’s volatility, including reported underperformance during 2025, illustrating that debate continues over its long-term stability relative to gold despite faster institutional uptake.
FAQ ⏰
- How do bitcoin ETF inflows compare with early gold ETFs?
Bitcoin spot ETFs drew about $57 billion in two years versus roughly $8 billion for gold ETFs in their early phase.
- Why does Bitwise say bitcoin is outpacing gold adoption?
Bitwise cited ETF inflow data showing bitcoin adoption running about 600% ahead of gold’s early trajectory.
- When did bitcoin officially enter traditional finance?
Bitwise marked January 2024, when spot bitcoin ETFs launched, as bitcoin’s entry into the TradFi system.
- What concerns do skeptics still raise about bitcoin?
Replies pointed to bitcoin’s volatility and reported underperformance during 2025 despite strong institutional uptake.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
BTC Breaks Through 71,000 USDT
Gate News bot message, Gate market display, BTC breaks through 71,000 USDT, current price 71,002.9 USDT.
CryptoRadar2m ago
Over the past 24 hours, the total liquidation across the entire network reached $337 million, with short positions accounting for 58.8% of the liquidations.
In the past 24 hours, the total liquidation amount in the cryptocurrency market reached $337 million, including $139 million in long positions and $198 million in short positions. Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced corresponding liquidations, affecting a total of 82,853 people worldwide, with the largest single liquidation amounting to $8.083 million.
GateNews3m ago
Polymarket Data: The probability of BTC dropping to $65,000 and rising to $75,000 in March is both 57%
Gate News Report, March 10 — According to the latest data from Polymarket, market bets on the BTC price trend in March are diverging: a 57% chance of dropping to $65,000, and a 57% chance of rising to $75,000; a 28% chance of dropping to $60,000, and a 28% chance of rising to $80,000. As of now, the trading volume in this prediction market has exceeded $28.27 million.
GateNews15m ago
BTC 15-minute increase of 0.70%: On-chain capital inflow and market sentiment resonate to drive price movement
From March 10, 2026, 08:00 to 08:15 (UTC), BTC achieved a +0.70% return within 15 minutes, with a price range of 70375.2 to 70926.3 USDT and an amplitude of 0.78%. This short-term fluctuation is significantly higher than the volatility of mainstream coins during the same period, attracting market attention. The increased volatility has prompted investors to closely monitor the market.
The main driver of this fluctuation is large on-chain capital inflows into mainstream trading platforms, with a surge in short-term buying activity. Additionally, some institutional or whale accounts concentrated their positions during the window period, significantly driving the price upward. Meanwhile, market exchanges BTC
GateNews19m ago
