Bitcoin trails gold in debasement trade as BTC-to-gold ratio hits 2-year low in early 2026

On Monday, Bitcoin underperformed gold and silver in what some analysts describe as the debasement trade, with BTC trading near its lowest level against gold in two years. Investment specialist Karel Mercx argued that investors now favor physical precious metals over Bitcoin as a hedge against fiat currency dilution, while gold also strengthens against the S&P 500. Other crypto commentators warned that Bitcoin’s market needs a stronger breakout as gold and silver notch fresh all-time highs.