Bitcoin-Gold ETF Market Cap Breaks Above Half-Trillion Dollar Level

Bitcoin and Gold ETFs Cross $500B in Combined Assets, Redefining Institutional Portfolios

Gold continues to dominate the exchange-traded fund (ETF) landscape, but bitcoin is rapidly catching up, with combined AUM of the two assets surpassing $500 billion for the first time, according to the latest Bold Report.

As of early August, gold-backed ETFs held approximately $325 billion in assets, while bitcoin ETFs have surged to $162 billion—an eightfold increase since the approval of spot bitcoin ETFs in the United States.

Before that regulatory greenlight, global bitcoin ETF assets hovered near $20 billion. Their explosive growth highlights accelerating institutional interest in crypto exposure, reshaping the digital asset’s role in diversified portfolios. Gold ETFs have also expanded, nearly doubling from $170 billion during the same period.

A five-year chart of AUM growth shows a steady climb for gold funds, while bitcoin has seen a sharp vertical trajectory over the past several months.

The price action reflects this divergence. Since the U.S. bitcoin ETF launch, BTC has rallied roughly 175%, compared to a 66% rise in gold, underscoring the cryptocurrency’s high beta and increasing appeal as a speculative growth asset.

Together, the $500 billion milestone signals a broader evolution: institutional investors are no longer choosing between gold and bitcoin—they’re allocating to both.