Study Shows Bitcoin Outperforming Gold After Shocks

Global crises reshuffle the market cards, but rarely in the expected direction. While investors instinctively turn to gold or defensive assets, a Mercado Bitcoin study reveals a counterintuitive reality: bitcoin outperforms after major shocks. Behind its initial volatility, the flagship crypto follows a unique trajectory that questions traditional reflexes. This dynamic, observed over several recent episodes, could well redefine market interpretation in times of instability.

Bitcoin outperforms traditional assets after shocks

A study by the Mercado Bitcoin group reveals a recurrent trend : after major events like the COVID-19 pandemic or the US trade tensions, bitcoin significantly outperforms traditional assets.

Data observed over 60-day periods show significant differences :

• After the announcement of US tariffs: bitcoin +24 %, against gold +8 % and the S&P 500 +4 % ;
• During the initial COVID-19 shock: bitcoin +21%, with lower performances for other assets.

This behavior does not manifest immediately. The study points out that during the early crisis phases, all assets suffer downward pressure due to a widespread need for liquidity. As explained by Rony Szuster, head of research at Mercado Bitcoin: “it’s like watching the first minutes of a film already thinking you know the ending”. This observation warns against hasty interpretations of the initial market reactions.

An asset that rebounds differently amid current tensions

The most recent data confirms this dynamic in a tense geopolitical context. During tensions between the United States and Iran, bitcoin rose by 2.2 %, while gold fell by about 11 % and the S&P 500 recorded a 4.4 % decline. This gap highlights a trajectory specific to bitcoin, distinct from traditionally perceived safe-haven assets.

Beyond these episodes, the study reminds us that bitcoin remains the best performing asset of the past decade despite persistent volatility. This uniqueness is based on a two-phase dynamic: an initial drop linked to liquidity constraints, followed by a marked rebound that surpasses other asset classes.

These points open a reflection on the evolution of bitcoin’s role in investment strategies. Rather than an immediate refuge, it could establish itself as a recovery asset, capable of capturing post-crisis upturn phases. Such a transformation could gradually modify investors’ decisions in the face of upcoming global shocks.