Bitcoin ETFs Could Triple Gold Counterparts as Asset Matures: Expert

Expert predicts bitcoin ETFs will be three times larger than gold ETFs

Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas believes bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) will eventually hold three times as much in assets as their gold counterparts. An ETF, or exchange-traded fund, is a type of investment fund that trades on stock exchanges like a stock.

“I do believe the Bitcoin ETFs will triple gold in assets,” Balchunas said during an interview with Bitcoin Magazine TV on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

Why younger investors may choose bitcoin

Balchunas said that as younger investors gain more money and grow up with bitcoin as their store of value, bitcoin ETFs could surpass gold ETFs in total assets. He compared bitcoin to “gold as a teenager” because gold is about 5,000 years old and mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible, while bitcoin is only 17 years old.

He also said younger generations could be drawn to bitcoin because the government cannot confiscate it. He noted that Generation Z is currently rebelling against government deficits and inflation by voting for socialist politicians, but bitcoin might be a better option because of this characteristic.

Bitcoin's volatility and institutional interest

Balchunas added that as bitcoin’s price becomes less volatile, large institutions will be more interested in using it as a store of value. He said that when bitcoin’s volatility and correlation to other assets get closer to gold’s, this could be the “inflection moment” when big institutions finally accept it as a reliable store of value, possibly even as a safe haven and an alternative.

According to the article, 2025 has been bitcoin’s least volatile year in its short history. Investors are increasingly focused on bitcoin as a hedge against currency debasement, which happens when a government reduces the value of its currency, making it weaker. This “debasement trade” was popular last year and is becoming popular again in 2026 as the dollar weakens.

Bitcoin ETFs' performance so far

Bitcoin ETFs launched in 2024 after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) denied such products for a decade. They had the most successful launch in the history of these products and now manage nearly $100 billion in assets, according to Coinglass data.

What is confirmed

It is confirmed that Eric Balchunas, a Bloomberg senior ETF analyst, said he believes bitcoin ETFs will triple gold ETFs in assets. It is also confirmed that bitcoin ETFs debuted in 2024 and currently manage nearly $100 billion in assets, according to Coinglass data. The rest of his comments are his personal opinions and predictions, not facts.

What is still unclear

It is not known when, or if, bitcoin ETFs will actually reach three times the assets of gold ETFs. Balchunas’ prediction is an opinion, not a guarantee.

Why this matters for crypto investors

If bitcoin ETFs were to grow to three times the size of gold ETFs, it would mark a major shift in how investors view bitcoin compared to gold. It would also show that bitcoin is becoming more accepted as a long-term store of value, not just a volatile asset. However, this is only one analyst’s view and remains speculative.

Sources

• Bitcoin Magazine

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