Quick Summary



<ul>
<li>Mark Cuban says Bitcoin would be more useful than gold in a true economic crisis, but markets continue to act differently. Gold has attracted steady demand from central banks and long-term investors as a hedge against currency risk and geopolitical instability.</li>



<li>For investors thinking about protection rather than speculation, how gold is owned matters. Preserve Gold helps investors hold physical gold directly or inside IRS-approved retirement accounts, you can speak with a precious metals specialist to explore whether physical gold belongs in your portfolio, for free.</li>
</ul>



As gold trades near historic highs, a familiar debate is resurfacing among investors. Which asset actually holds up better when things go wrong?



Billionaire investor Mark Cuban weighed in last week, arguing that while both assets are often treated as safe havens, Bitcoin has structural advantages that make it more valuable than gold in a true economic crisis.



&#34;People look at Bitcoin as a better version of gold, and I agree with that,&#34; Cuban said in a live interview with Wired magazine.



Cuban's argument centers on practicality. Gold, he noted, derives much of its value from its role as a hedge rather than from industrial or consumer demand. In extreme scenarios (like a collapse in confidence in fiat currencies) gold's physical nature becomes a liability rather than a strength.



&#34;People aren't gonna walk around with gold bars,&#34; Cuban joked. &#34;What are you gonna do with it? Let me slice you off a little piece?&#34;



Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), by contrast, is digital and easily divisible. Not to mention it is easily transferable across borders. Cuban said those features give it an edge as a store of value and as a functional medium of exchange.



&#34;It's easier to buy and sell,&#34; he mentioned. &#34;You can fractionalize it, you can use it to buy things, and you can transfer it internationally. And so I think it has more value than gold.&#34;



<h2>Markets Are Not So Sure</h2>



Despite Cuban's endorsement of Bitcoin, gold continues to attract steady demand, particularly from institutions that value stability over upside.



Bitcoin surged more than 130% in 2024, briefly topping $100,000 per token. Prices entered 2025 nearly 40% below their 2021 highs, reinforcing concerns that crypto has yet to be fully tested as a long-term store of value across multiple economic cycles.



Gold, meanwhile, gained roughly 26% over the same period and is trading near record levels in 2026, extending a historic rally despite rising bond yields and a firmer U.S. dollar.



<h2>Its role in portfolios is also evolving.</h2>



Gold is &#34;basically an anti-fiat currency play now more than anything else,&#34; Mike Wilson, chief investment officer and strategist at Morgan Stanley, said to Bloomberg. 



He advocated moving away from the traditional 60/40 stock-bond portfolio in favor of a 60/20/20 allocation that includes real assets like gold as protection against inflation and currency debasement.



For investors pursuing that kind of long-term hedge, the way gold is owned matters. That has supported interest in firms like Preserve Gold, which specialize in helping investors hold physical gold directly or inside IRS-approved retirement accounts.



Central banks have emerged as one of gold's most consistent sources of demand. According to the World Gold Council, 95% of central banks expect to increase their gold reserves over the coming year, treating the metal as a reserve asset insulated from sanctions, currency risk, and political interference.



<h2>While Cuban is clear about his preference, many investors aren't choosing sides.</h2>



Bitcoin offers upside, innovation, and portability, but also volatility and regulatory uncertainty. Gold offers stability, deep institutional backing, and a track record that spans centuries, even if it lacks Bitcoin's explosive growth potential.



For most portfolios, the debate is understanding what role each asset plays, and how much risk an investor is willing to accept in pursuit of protection.



As markets head deeper into 2026, that distinction may become increasingly important.



Image: Imagn

Mark Cuban believes Bitcoin is more valuable than gold during economic crises due to its digital nature, divisibility, and ease of transfer. Despite his endorsement, gold remains in demand, especially from institutions seeking stability. In 2024, Bitcoin surged over 130%, while gold gained 26%, with central banks planning to increase gold reserves. The debate continues on the roles of Bitcoin and gold in investment portfolios, balancing potential upside against stability and risk.

- Mark Cuban claims Bitcoin could be more beneficial than gold during economic crises, citing its practicality and transferability.  
- Despite this, gold remains in high demand, particularly among central banks and conservative investors seeking stability.  
- As markets evolve, understanding the distinct roles of Bitcoin and gold in investment portfolios will be crucial for managing risk.

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Mark Cuban Would Choose Bitcoin Over Gold in a Crisis. Markets Aren't So Sure