Bitcoin ETFs set to outpace gold, analysts forecast growth

6.6 Investments

Sep 17, 2026

Bitcoin ETFs could triple gold ETF assets in five years, driven by younger investors and strong inflows. JPMorgan notes Bitcoin may outperform gold if ETF hedging declines.

Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas forecasts that Bitcoin ETFs could triple the assets of gold ETFs within three to five years, fueled by rapid adoption among younger investors and strong inflows since their 2024 launch. Bitcoin ETFs have already amassed around $120 billion in assets, surpassing initial expectations and reaching milestones that took gold ETFs over a decade to achieve. Balchunas highlights a generational shift, noting that younger investors increasingly view Bitcoin as a store of value. Meanwhile, JPMorgan analysts observe that Bitcoin ETF investors are currently hedging more aggressively than gold ETF investors, with higher short interest and put-to-call ratios in Bitcoin funds. JPMorgan suggests that if this defensive stance eases, Bitcoin could gain further support and potentially outperform gold. While gold ETFs are expected to fully recover previous outflows by 2026, Bitcoin ETFs have only regained about half so far. Nevertheless, investor enthusiasm and institutional interest in Bitcoin remain strong, positioning Bitcoin ETFs to potentially surpass gold ETFs in the coming years.