Gold, Silver or Bitcoin: Who Won Every Time-Frame?
Data pulled May 10 2025 – 15:00 MDT.
Markets move — check fresh quotes before acting.
Gold vs. Silver vs. Bitcoin: which asset won each time-frame?
| Period | Gold | Silver | Bitcoin | “Winner”* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +7.8% ($3,086 → $3,326) | +5.9% ($30.92 → $32.73) | +30.0% ($79,626 → $103,520) | Bitcoin |
| 6 months | +29.6% ($2,567 → $3,326) | +7.7% ($30.38 → $32.73) | +31.0% (≈$79,000 → $103,520) | Bitcoin |
| 1 year | +40.9% ($2,362 → $3,326) | +16.2% ($28.17 → $32.73) | +70.2% ($60,807 → $103,520) | Bitcoin |
| 5 years | +95.2% ($1,705 → $3,326) | +111.8% ($15.45 → $32.73) | +1,082% ($8,756 → $103,520) | Bitcoin |
| 10 years | +213.5% ($1,061 → $3,326) | +125.4% ($14.52 → $32.73) | +42,979% ($240 → $103,520) | Bitcoin |
| 15 years | +135.9% ($1,410 → $3,326) | +5.9% ($30.91 → $32.73) | ≈ +1.0 billion% (〈 $0.01 → $103,520) | Bitcoin |
*“Winner” = highest percentage gain for that window. †Bitcoin traded for < $0.01 in May 2010 (Wikipedia).
Reading the Numbers
Bitcoin: Asymmetric rocket fuel.
- Even slicing off its 2022–23 draw-down, Bitcoin still outpaces metals by double-digit multiples in every window.
- Volatility is the price of admission: 50% draw-downs remain common, so sizing and rebalancing matter.
Gold: Steady haven, silent grind.
- New record highs above $3,300/oz show how central-bank buying and inflation hedging underpin demand.
While its five-year return (≈95%) pales next to Bitcoin’s, gold delivered those gains with a fraction of the volatility.
Silver: Industrial wild-card.
- Silver’s dual role (precious + industrial) gives it torque when the global economy — especially solar-panel demand — accelerates, but it also lags when growth fears rise.
Over the full 15 years it’s essentially flat, reminding investors that entry price and cycle timing are crucial.
Risk & Correlation
- Correlation shifts: In late-2024 spot-ETF approvals helped Bitcoin decouple from high-beta tech. Gold remained modestly correlated with real-rate expectations, while silver tracked manufacturing PMIs.
- Liquidity: Gold and Bitcoin trade 24/7 in deep global markets; physical silver can face steeper bid-ask spreads for large lots.
Bottom Line
- Speculative growth → Bitcoin has dominated.
- Wealth preservation & liquidity → Gold remains king.
- Cyclical upside → Silver shines when industrial demand booms.
- A balanced portfolio may hold all three, rebalanced periodically to harvest gains and cap risk.
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always check live market data before making investment decisions.
