Bitcoin Moves Toward Regulation as Gold Moves Past $5,200
As crypto moves deeper into regulation, gold’s 70% rise underscores the enduring appeal of tangible assets
Over the last 15 years, digital assets have shifted from anti-establishment rebellion to regulatory integration. What began as a decentralized alternative to the financial system is steadily being folded into it.
At the same time, gold has quietly reinforced its position as the ultimate safe-haven asset. As of February 23, the precious metal is trading just above $5,200 per ounce and is up roughly 75% over the last year. Gold’s performance has been supported by strong central bank buying, persistent fiscal deficits, lower real U.S. interest rates, and geopolitical risk.
Bitcoin was introduced as a peer-to-peer monetary system designed to operate outside centralized control. The premise was independence from banks and governments. Yet as adoption expanded, crypto markets became heavily reliant on stablecoins — digital tokens designed to mirror the U.S. dollar — to provide liquidity.
Now, legislation such as the GENIUS Act seeks to formalize oversight of those stablecoin issuers. Supporters describe this as consumer protection. In practical terms, it brings the dollar layer of crypto directly under regulatory supervision. The infrastructure that was meant to bypass centralized control is increasingly being integrated into it.
That evolution exposes a core reality: digital assets depend on systems. They rely on exchanges, custodians, stablecoin issuers, regulatory approvals, and uninterrupted network access. Policy changes can alter access. Regulation can reshape structure. Technology risk never disappears.
Gold does not depend on any of that.
It does not require electricity, software updates, blockchain validation, or institutional permission. It is tangible, finite and has been recognized globally for thousands of years.
Major institutions are leaning into that distinction.
Dominic Schnider, Head of Commodities & APAC Forex CIO at UBS Wealth Management, recently wrote that “precious metals prices, while volatile, rose in January as political, geopolitical, and economic uncertainties drove ‘safe-haven’ demand.” He added that as volatility subsides, UBS believes gold’s fundamentals remain supportive.
“We see gold resuming its climb, rising as high as USD 6,200/oz by mid-year, supported by central bank and investor demand, large fiscal deficits, lower real US interest rates, and geopolitical risks,” Schnider said.
That forecast represents a meaningful upgrade. In early January, UBS projected gold would reach $5,000 by the end of the first quarter. Gold has already reached that level.
Schnider also emphasized allocation discipline. “For investors with an affinity for gold, we believe a modest allocation can enhance diversification and buffer against systemic risks,” he wrote. He further stated that gold “remains a valuable portfolio diversifier.”
Meanwhile, Bitcoin continues to trade largely as a risk asset, often moving alongside broader speculative markets. Its price swings are amplified by liquidity cycles and regulatory headlines. Its long-term structure remains subject to policy decisions and evolving oversight. Since January 1, 2026, Bitcoin is down over 25%.
Gold’s demand profile looks different. Central banks continue to hold and accumulate it. Investors turn to it when fiscal deficits widen, and geopolitical tensions rise. Its value proposition does not depend on regulatory clarity or digital infrastructure.
As digital finance becomes increasingly institutionalized, the promise of decentralization becomes harder to separate from the reality of oversight. Gold’s 75% advance since January 2025 reflects sustained structural drivers. It reflects confidence in a physical asset outside the digital financial grid.
Technology may change. Regulation will expand. Market narratives will shift. Physical gold has endured through all of it.
For investors focused on long-term wealth preservation and diversification beyond purely digital systems, gold and silver remain proven alternatives.
Reagan Gold Group: Helping You Own What You Can Hold
Reagan Gold Group works with individuals seeking direct ownership of tangible precious metals as part of a retirement strategy. To learn more about physical gold and silver, visit ReaganGoldGroup.com and speak with a specialist today.
