Many economists and other experts have forecasted a recession in the last year or two. After several years of a bull market, investors worried about this potential may suddenly seek a method to transfer their assets into more secure safe-havens. The conventional strategy would be to use Gold to hedge against stock volatility. This has proved to be a successful approach in the past, but a modern option is putting the old-school safe-haven to the test. Cryptocurrency has many of the characteristics of a currency, but it also has certain unique characteristics that may make it a viable refuge. However, it is ultimately up to the individual investor to decide which is a viable safe haven in times of market turmoil – Gold or crypto? Let’s find out.

Gold is a Safe-haven Asset

Gold has been around for millennia. People appreciate Gold because it is a time-tested source of security. Gold is a well-known asset that is frequently utilized by financial experts. Some investors consider Gold to be financial insurance. People typically rush to Gold when there is a worry about a country’s currency or an economic collapse since it benefits in times of crisis.

Gold has almost 5,000 years of history on its side and isn’t going away, which means it’s extremely secure.

While Gold prices have suffered short-term volatility comparable to equities, the precious metal’s value has stayed steady over time. Because we are living in a period of high market volatility, it may make sense to devote a part of your portfolio to Gold.

Gold prices may gain from inflation, making it an excellent inflation hedge. The value of Gold rises because investors deposit their money into Gold to preserve their buying power.

As a “buy and hold” investment, Gold plays a significant part in the stability of your portfolio if you’re searching for a safe-haven asset. It is also a diversifier, an inflation hedge, and a capital preserver. All of these advantages may lead to favorable returns over time.

If we examine the graph of Gold asset performance from 2014-2021, it started off at a price of 1,200 (USD/oz) and now is 1,900 (USD/oz) which has been pretty much exponential.

There are many methods for purchasing Gold. Investors may acquire real Gold bullion or Gold coins, which have a greater barrier of entry, or they can buy Gold equities or exchange-traded funds or invest in digital Gold.

Here are some pros and cons to help you decide whether you should go for Gold or Cryptocurrency.

	Pros		Cons
Stable	Gold has proved to be a reliable long-term investment. Its value has risen through time, and the price of Gold typically increases when the economy is in a slump. Because Gold has been used as a form or backing of money for many years, it is also a solid investment in that regard.	Not valid as a currency	Gold may be utilized as a currency in the case of an economic catastrophe in which conventional fiat money is no longer viable. Gold, on the other hand, is not presently a viable method of purchasing anything. While certain Gold coins are legally recognized as money, the value of the Gold that the coin is composed of is often more than the face value of the coin.
Longevity	Gold has long been utilized as a form of money all across the world and throughout history. Because of its beauty, usefulness, and rarity, it has become a perfect foundation for trading and assigning value. It has survived the test of time and shown its intrinsic worth since it has been used for almost as long as civilizations have existed. When you invest in Gold, you can be confident that it will not lose value overnight.	Must be stored	When you buy Gold, you are purchasing a tangible object that must be kept in a secure location. If you want to keep your Gold at home, it must be kept in a safe or vault, and even then, it is possible that it can be stolen from your hands.
Safe in a vault	If you keep your Gold in a precious metals IRA, it will be kept in a secure vault supervised by a custodian who will handle your account. These accounts, like conventional bank accounts, are often insured up to a specific amount, so you can rest easy knowing your investment is secure.

What is Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is a digital payment system that does not depend on banks for transaction verification. It’s a peer-to-peer payment system that allows anybody, anywhere to send and receive money. Cryptocurrency payments exist only as digital entries to an online database that identify particular transactions, as opposed to the actual money that is carried around and traded in the real world. Transactions involving cryptocurrency assets are recorded in a public ledger. A digital wallet is where you keep your cryptocurrency.

The term “cryptocurrency” refers to the use of encryption to verify transactions. This implies that advanced coding is used to store and transport cryptocurrency data between wallets and to public ledgers. The encryption’s goal is to offer security and safety.

Here are some pros and cons to help you decide whether you should go for Gold or Cryptocurrency.

	Pros		Cons
Emerging	Cryptocurrency is very new—it has only been around for ten years. As a result, it is seen as an emerging investment with the potential to skyrocket in value. Investing in cryptocurrency today may result in large returns later on. Many individuals have already retired and cashed out their cryptocurrency assets.	Volatile	Because bitcoin is a new investment, it is also highly volatile, prone to significant price changes in a short period of time. Any risky investment has the potential for a large return, but it also has the potential for a large collapse.
Quickly sold	Because cryptocurrency is entirely digital, it is simple to transfer to another user and sell for its USD worth. You may meet another user in person and transfer your cryptocurrency via a QR code, or you can utilize a third-party exchange service that will link you with a buyer online.	Subject to fraud	While cryptocurrency is entirely digital, it still requires a location to be stored—whether on a web platform, mobile wallet, or physical hard drive. Each storage option has advantages and disadvantages. Web-based wallets may be hacked, and your cryptocurrency can be stolen as a result. Physical wallets, such as a flash drive or an external hard disc, may be stolen.
Usable as a currency	You may use cryptocurrency as a digital money at any store that takes cryptocurrency if you have a mobile wallet app that enables you to pay with it. Cryptocurrency cannot be used everywhere as a method of payment, although it is accepted by certain big retailers.	Other cryptocurrencies	The existence of other cryptocurrencies influences the value of the currency. Because the value of some cryptocurrencies is determined by supply and demand, if the demand for another cryptocurrency exceeds the demand for some other cryptocurrency, the value may fall. While cryptocurrency like bitcoin continues to rule supreme, the potential exists.

Gold vs. Cryptocurrency

Gold or Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency is more divisible. You may purchase a billionth of crypto. This distinguishes it from Gold, which has a minimum purchase value owing to physical constraints. There is no middleman: If you have an internet connection, you can purchase crypto from anywhere in the world. However, in the case of Gold, you must purchase bullion from a dealer.

Cryptocurrency vs. Gold

If you invest in Gold, there’s no hacking, no online fraud. Gold removes all dangers of being phished by a hacker. This is a possibility if you want to purchase or sell cryptocurrency. It is also simple to learn. You may not need any assistance in learning the Gold trading procedure. It’s really easy, and you can get started anytime. While cryptocurrency may not be for everyone. Even individuals who are well-educated and technologically savvy struggle to grasp cryptocurrency.

Is it Better to Invest in Gold or Cryptocurrency?

If you wish to speculate on Gold or cryptocurrency, do it with a small, single-digit percentage of your assets to begin with if you are already not comfortable. Overall, trading is a superior financial choice. To perfect this skill, all you need is a keen mind and a solid plan.