Crypto’s ‘Digital Gold’ Myth Exposed as Traders Pivot to Metals

Jan. 29, 2026, 12:30 PM UTC

Bitcoin’s “digital gold” promise is unraveling as traders forgo the token for surging metals, hurting a narrative that once defined the asset’s macro appeal.

The shift is visible not just in asset moves, but in where capital is moving — from traditional funds to blockchain-based trading venues. Over the past week, precious metal funds soaked up $1.4 billion in fresh cash while Bitcoin-linked funds saw roughly $300 million in withdrawals as the token slumped to almost $86,000. At the same time, spot gold surged past $5,500, and silver broke $118 per ounce, fueled by a four-year low in the dollar ...

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