The Bitcoin price could soon surpass gold’s on a permanent basis supposing they both continue with their current market performance.
Gold hit a three-month high of $1260 at the end of business day on Thursday, Feb. 23, as a steady flow of safe-haven demand from traders and investors continued worldwide while Bitcoin topped $1170 around the same time. Civic CEO Vinny Lingham, gives Bitcoin about a month or less to consolidateits price in the $1300 range.
It’s Trump, not China
A report says ongoing uncertainty and some anxiety regarding the new US president and his administration’s new and potentially aggressive policies continue to support the gold market. Similarly, the latest rally in the Bitcoin market has been described by an analyst at Lux Research Inc., Mark Bünger, as likely unconnected to China but rather to some of the policies of US President Donald Trump.
It is worth noting that the Trump factor is pinned on the documents - minutes of the Jan. 31-Feb. 1 session of the Federal Open Market Committee - released on Wednesday that shows that the Federal Reserve could be giving a strong indication that another interest hike could come sooner due to some of the changes brought by the new administration.
That Bitcoin has been going more mainstream as additional companies have now been accepting it as a form of payment, according to equity strategist at Miller Tabak, Matt Maley, on CNBC's "Trading Nation," will support its push to overtake gold.
The media hype trailing the all-time high record in the Bitcoin price has gone far and wide in the last few days. The noise is likely to reach even further than could be captured because a rise in the price of Bitcoin has been known to magnetize new users. Gold isn’t as new to court similar attention.
ETF factor, France uncertainty
There is a likelihood that the first Bitcoin exchange traded fund or ETF could be approved. When it does get the approval on March 11, Bitcoin has been tipped to gain value.
Also, Chinese Bitcoin exchanges which contribute significantly to the global trading of the currency have had some aspects of their operations restricted pending their upgrade of the KYC/AML system. A slight change in Bitcoin price is expected as soon as they resume full operation.
Global political uncertainty particularly in the case of France’s far-right candidate, Marine Le Pen, of the National Front Party, ahead of the coming presidential election is also key to determine if and when Bitcoin price will beat gold’s.