Not just gold. Silver, platinum, and palladium have outperformed bitcoin this year

So far, 2025 has been a good year for precious metals. Gold (XAU) reached a historic high of $3,784 per ounce, gaining 44 percent since the beginning of the year. Silver, platinum, and palladium have seen even more significant gains. Silver jumped 53 percent to $44.32 per troy ounce, platinum added as much as 60 percent and currently stands at $1,452, and palladium added 33 percent to $1,207.

Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold,” surpassed the $113,000 mark. However, with growth of around 20 percent, it failed to keep pace with physical alternatives.

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Why investors are turning to metals

The main driver of growth remains the status of precious metals as a safe haven and hedge against inflation. Investors are seeking stability amid a deteriorating fiscal outlook for advanced economies and growing concerns about the independence of the US Federal Reserve. Recently, this has also been due to the trade war led by President Donald Trump.

Central banks are also driving the growth of precious metals. According to data from the European Central Bank, they currently hold around 36,000 tons of gold globally, and their purchases are at record levels—exceeding 1,000 tons for the third year in a row, which is more than double the long-term average. The wave of accumulation rose after the COVID-19 pandemic and intensified after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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Bitcoin has other limits

Bitcoin does not yet have a place in central bank reserves, which distinguishes it from gold and other precious metals. In addition, analysts point out that its growth is being hampered by sales from long-term “whale” wallets, which are releasing part of their reserves at prices above $110,000, thereby offsetting the inflow of capital into Bitcoin ETFs.

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Digital gold has not disappeared from the game

Despite this, Bitcoin is not losing its significance. With more than a 20% appreciation in 2025, it shows that even at a time when the luster of metals is attracting more attention, it remains a key asset in a modern investment portfolio. Unlike precious metals, it offers easy transferability, high liquidity, and access to innovations in the form of decentralized finance.

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Verdict?

Although gold and other precious metals are usurping the spotlight this year, Bitcoin continues to confirm its role—it remains a key asset on the cusp of a safe haven and the digital future of finance.

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CryptoTeam
CryptoTeam is an independent editorial group of analysts, investors and technology enthusiasts united by a common goal: to provide objective, verified and understandable information from the world of digital assets. Our mission is to cultivate the Czech crypto environment and offer an in-depth look at the evolution of finance.