Peter Schiff Argues Bitcoin Lacks Value as 'Digital Gold' or 'Digital Silver' Amid Gold's 2024 Surge

BY
Sean Millare
/
Sep 20, 2024

Economist and Bitcoin skeptic Peter Schiff is predicting a notable drop in Bitcoin's value as silver and gold prices continue to rise. This has sparked fresh conversations about the future of digital currencies. Recently, Schiff shared his insights on the current market trends, noting that silver prices have surged past $31, while Bitcoin has fallen below $58,000. 

This shift has only deepened his skepticism about Bitcoin. He even hinted that Bitcoin might be heading towards a retest of its longer-term support levels, potentially dropping to between $15,000 and $20,000. As the market evolves, it seems the debate surrounding the viability of cryptocurrencies is far from over.

In a recent tweet, Peter Schiff dismissed the idea that Bitcoin can be considered digital gold or even digital silver. Further, on September 13, he pointed out that gold's total market capitalization has reached an impressive $17.2 trillion, which has increased by $5.7 trillion just in 2024. 

In contrast, Bitcoin is trading at around $58,400, giving it a total market cap of only $1.1 trillion. Schiff emphasized that gold's market cap gain for 2024 alone is already five times that of Bitcoin's total market cap. This comparison highlights his skepticism about Bitcoin’s status in the precious metals market.

Further, one of Peter Schiff's followers recently shared a screenshot highlighting Schiff's previous stance on Bitcoin when its price was just $3,800. This post serves as evidence that Schiff's predictions about Bitcoin's potential have not always been accurate, prompting discussions among the cryptocurrency community about the validity of his ongoing skepticism. 

Gold vs. Bitcoin: The Ongoing Debate on Investment Reliability

Earlier this month, Peter Schiff took aim at investors who are opting for Bitcoin ETFs instead of gold ETFs, claiming they are "betting on the wrong horse." He pointed out that Bitcoin ETFs have underperformed significantly, gaining less than 17% since their launch in January. In contrast, the largest gold ETF, the SPDR Gold Trust ETF, has seen a 24% increase despite experiencing substantial outflows. This stark difference in performance further fuels Schiff's argument that gold remains a more reliable investment compared to Bitcoin.

Schiff's comments come at a time when the discussion around the value and stability of digital currencies is intensifying. Known for his skepticism towards Bitcoin, he has previously argued that the leading cryptocurrency lacks intrinsic value and is ultimately destined to fail. His perspective aligns with recent market trends, as on-chain analytics provider CryptoQuant has noted a negative correlation between Bitcoin and gold. 

While gold prices reach record highs, Bitcoin has been trending downward, suggesting that investors may be shifting their focus towards traditional safe-haven assets like gold. Although Schiff's views are often seen as controversial, they underscore the ongoing debate about the viability of digital currencies and their role in the broader investment landscape.

Sean Millare

Sean, a skilled writer, gamer, trader, and investor, with a passion for all things web3. With a practical touch, he sheds light on the evolving crypto scene, helping readers grasp blockchain intricacies and make savvy decisions in decentralized finance.

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