Legendary venture capitalist Tim Draper stirred debate this week by announcing that “gold is dead.” In a post on social media X(Twitter), Draper slammed the yellow metal for its immobility and praised Bitcoin for its dynamic nature.
He wrote that gold simply “sits there,” while Bitcoin “moves” and offers features gold cannot match.
Bitcoin’s Edge
Draper highlighted Bitcoin’s borderless and permissionless design. He noted that the cryptocurrency is programmable and can handle everyday transactions without involving banks or worrying about inflation.
“You can’t buy coffee with gold. But with Bitcoin, you can,” he said, underlining Bitcoin’s utility in day-to-day life.
Market Reality Check
Despite Draper’s enthusiasm, recent performance suggests gold is holding its own.
On a year-to-date basis, gold has climbed more than 20%, driven higher by global economic uncertainty and new tariffs. This week, the price of gold topped $3,500 an ounce for the first time in history.
Bitcoin’s Price Actions
By contrast, Bitcoin’s price has remained largely flat in 2025. Currently trading around $94,651.44, Bitcoin is up less than 1% over the past twenty-four hours, even as its twenty-four-hour trading volume has risen by just over 8%.
Its total market capitalisation sits near $1.87 trillion, a figure dwarfed by gold’s resurgence this year.
Also Read: Bitcoin’s ‘Digital Gold’ Narrative Is Under Pressure As Gold Demand Rises, Says JP Morgan
Voices of Scepticism
Not everyone agrees with Draper’s bold forecast. Some social media users and financial thinkers argue that gold’s recent gains prove its value as a safe-haven asset.
Canadian billionaire Frank Giustra insists Bitcoin and gold serve different roles, saying it is unfair to compare a volatile digital token with a centuries-old store of value. Peter Schiff and other critics have labelled Bitcoin as speculative rather than a dependable refuge in times of crisis.
Economic Turbulence Favours Gold
Tariff-induced tensions in global trade have fueled a rush into traditional safe havens. As governments impose new barriers and markets wobble, investors have turned to gold, pushing its price to record levels.
That trend has challenged the narrative that Bitcoin alone can shield portfolios from economic shocks.
Technical Differences
Bitcoin’s blockchain relies on decentralised networks of miners to verify transactions. This design promises censorship resistance and transparency, but it can face congestion and higher fees when demand spikes.
Gold, by contrast, is tangible and has a long history of central bank holdings. Its physical nature makes it less convenient for payments, but provides comfort as a tried-and-true asset.
Tim Draper’s assertion that gold is obsolete paints a stark picture of the future of money. While Bitcoin offers thrilling possibilities for borderless, programmable payments, gold’s strong performance in 2025 reminds us of its enduring role.
Also Read: “Bitcoin Has Failed To Benefit From Safe Haven Flows,” Says JPMorgan As Gold Attracts Record Inflows