Crypto investors pile into tokenised gold as ‘debasement trade’ fuels $4,000 break

Core Insights - Crypto investors are increasingly turning to tokenised gold as its price surpasses $4,000, marking its best year-to-date performance in over 45 years [1] - The total value of tokenised gold in circulation exceeds $3 billion, with a 53% increase in the number of crypto wallets holding tokenised gold since the beginning of the year [1] - The supply of Tether Gold has increased by 52% and Paxos Gold by 50% since January [2] Market Performance - Gold has surged 54% since the start of the year, outperforming Bitcoin's 31% gain, positioning it for its strongest annual performance since 1979 [3] - The rise in gold prices is attributed to concerns over long-term debt sustainability and the erosion of fiat currencies due to excessive money printing and inflation [3] Investment Trends - Investors are gravitating towards gold and Bitcoin as reliable stores of value amid fears of currency debasement, a trend further fueled by Japan's new Prime Minister advocating for increased public spending and tax cuts [4] - The record rise in gold prices is prompting both traditional and crypto investors to reassess the asset, with tokenised gold gaining traction as a modern investment vehicle [5] Tokenised Gold Advantages - Tokenised gold allows holders to engage in decentralized finance applications on blockchains like Ethereum, transforming gold into an active asset for lending, borrowing, and wealth building without reliance on fiat currency [5][6]