## The Digital Gold vs. Physical Gold Debate

The ongoing debate between investing in **digital gold (Bitcoin)** and **physical gold** continues to captivate investors, but understanding each asset's performance requires proper context.

![Bitcoin Medals Manufactured At Sakamoto Metal](https://sherwoodnews.imgix.net/mwphzyq69oso/en-US/assets/files/910099848_tokyo-japan-a-metal-mold-for-the-bitcoin-medal-produces-by-sakamoto-metal-is-seen-at-the.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&fit=max&w=3840)

*(Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)*

### Current Market Performance

Bitcoin is currently hovering just below **$90,000**, a level it has been struggling to break through. Meanwhile, precious metals are experiencing a significant rally, with **gold** and **silver** setting new all-time highs as the debasement trade continues to fuel their momentum.

### Historical Context Reveals Different Story

According to analysis from **The DeFi Report**, when comparing Bitcoin's performance 3.5 months post-peak across different market cycles, the cryptocurrency appears to be holding up relatively well. While Bitcoin is down **29%** 110 days after hitting its all-time high, during the 2021 cycle it was down **41%** at the same point, and in the 2017 cycle it was down **55%**.

"BTC is holding up quite well, relatively speaking. Yet it feels worse this time because other (rival) assets [gold/silver] are outperforming on BTC's weakness," according to The DeFi Report.

### Expert Perspectives on Short-Term Thinking

**Eric Balchunas**, senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, criticized what he called a "short-sighted" view of Bitcoin's current performance. On X, he noted:

> "The dread I see from bitcoiners (and the football spiking from the haters) is very short-sighted to me given that since 2022 (right before the BlackRock ETF filing) Bitcoin is up 429%, gold 177%, Silver 350%, QQQ 140%."

Balchunas added that "the institutionalization narrative got priced in very quickly and ahead of it all actually happening."

### Why Precious Metals Are Shining Now

**Nic Puckrin**, cofounder of Coin Bureau, explained that the precious metals trade has been gathering momentum for months and, as with any momentum trade, could run for far longer than many expect.

"At this point, we're likely to see retail FOMO, as investors who have missed out on the metals rally so far pile into the market. For the time being, the macro picture supports a risk-off environment where gold truly shines," he said.

### The Bigger Picture

While Bitcoin may appear to be underperforming precious metals in the short term, historical data suggests this is part of normal market cycles. The cryptocurrency has significantly outperformed traditional assets like gold and silver over longer timeframes, particularly since the institutional adoption narrative gained traction with the BlackRock ETF filing in 2022.

The current precious metals rally reflects broader macroeconomic concerns and a risk-off environment that traditionally benefits gold. However, experts caution against viewing Bitcoin's recent performance in isolation, emphasizing the importance of longer-term perspectives when evaluating digital versus physical store-of-value assets.

The debate on investing in digital gold vs. actual gold continues, but it’s helpful to put each one’s performance in context....

Bitcoin vs Gold: Why Experts Say Current Underperformance Is Just a Short-Term Blip

Dogecoin, one of the oldest cryptocurrencies, has long been viewed as a **meme token** with a strong social media following. However, it has struggled over the past year, despite some recent gains.

## A Volatile Year for Dogecoin

It has been quite a volatile year for the meme coin **Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE)**. After cryptocurrencies surged following President Donald Trump's election win in November 2024, it's been a bumpy, ultimately downhill ride ever since.

While Dogecoin is up nearly 7% in 2026, the token is still down over 64% in the past year. Despite Trump making good on his promise to introduce a regulatory environment that promotes cryptocurrencies, the gains have faded amid concerns about the economy and the trajectory of interest rates and inflation, and as whales have started selling some of their holdings.

![Shiba Inu dog.](https://g.foolcdn.com/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fg.foolcdn.com%2Feditorial%2Fimages%2F852617%2Fshiba-inu-dog-doge-dogecoin.jpeg&w=700)

There has also been concern that **quantum technology** could render cryptocurrencies obsolete, though it's hard to know how close quantum is to being useful for crypto decryption. All that said, there still seems to be significant investor interest in the sector, which never seems to stay down for long. Is Dogecoin a buy?

## Can Dogecoin Ever Escape Its Meme Reputation?

Dogecoin is actually one of the oldest cryptocurrencies, having been launched in late 2013 as a joke with a Shiba Inu mascot. While Dogecoin has its own blockchain network, it is not technically strong, as it cannot process hundreds or thousands of transactions per second (TPS). Furthermore, Dogecoin is not a good store of value like **Bitcoin** because it has a massive supply of over 168 billion tokens, which increases by 5 billion every year.

The best thing Dogecoin has going for it, in my mind, is that it's a meme coin with a fervent, loyal following on social media and likely a group of investors who have made a ton of money on the token. After all, Dogecoin's price has risen about 1,400% over the past five years.

But for there to be a real investment case for Dogecoin, the network needs to develop real-world utility. Now, there have been media reports suggesting that a group of developers is looking to build a **Layer-2 blockchain solution** for Dogecoin, which would process transactions off of the main network and also give Dogecoin smart-contract functionality.

This could enable developers to build decentralized applications, such as gaming, on Dogecoin. Given the token's popularity, offerings like this could drive significant network usage and, therefore, increase demand for the token. However, it's difficult to know the status of this project, and many other blockchain networks already have these capabilities, so there's no guarantee it would be a game changer.

At this point, I would still recommend that investors avoid the token or only take a very small position for fun, if they are so inclined.

Key PointsDogecoin is one of the oldest cryptocurrencies.

Dogecoin's Wild Ride: Is the Meme Coin Still Worth Buying in 2026?

As the race for the next Federal Reserve Chair intensifies, **Rick Rieder**, BlackRock's chief investment officer for global fixed income, has surged to become the **new frontrunner** on prediction markets to lead the central bank. If President Trump selects Rieder, it could mark a pivotal moment for the crypto industry, as he is not just "crypto curious" but an **outspoken advocate** for digital assets.

## A Bitcoin Bull in the Making

Rieder has long expressed bullish views on Bitcoin, dating back to 2020 when he stated that **bitcoin could replace gold** as a store of value, citing its functionality over physical gold. More recently, he emphasized that **bitcoin should be part of a smart investment mix**, describing it and gold as assets that provide "ballast" in a portfolio. In a September interview, with Bitcoin above $112,000, he predicted it would continue to rise, though it now trades around $88,000 amid geopolitical turmoil and tariff threats.

## Trump's Influence and Fed Dynamics

President Trump, who has frequently criticized current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, is considering replacements as Powell's term expires on May 15. Trump has praised Rieder as "very impressive," causing his odds on Polymarket to spike from under 3% to nearly 53% at their peak, now settling around 48%. Rieder shares Trump's frustration with the Fed's slow interest rate cuts, aligning with the president's economic views.

## Impact on Crypto and Policy

While a Fed chair wields significant influence over interest rates and regulatory agendas, Rieder's crypto enthusiasm might not directly shape rules for stablecoins or central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), as regulatory duties often fall to other officials like the vice chair for supervision. However, his role as a **staunch bitcoin advocate** in such a position would be unprecedented, potentially boosting market sentiment and legitimizing digital assets in mainstream finance.

## Powell's Exit and Ongoing Influence

Although Powell is stepping down as chairman, his term as a governor on the Fed board continues, raising questions about whether he will stay on. His presence could maintain a centrist stance on the Federal Open Market Committee, which sets U.S. interest rates, possibly limiting Trump's ability to appoint another ally. Powell has faced criticism and a DOJ investigation, highlighting tensions between the Fed and the administration.

## What This Means for Investors

The potential appointment of Rieder signals a **pro-crypto shift** at the highest levels of U.S. monetary policy, which could foster a more favorable environment for Bitcoin and other digital assets. Investors should monitor developments closely, as changes in Fed leadership can impact market dynamics and regulatory approaches.

As Trump mulls the next leader of the U.S. Federal Reserve, the BlackRock executive has caught a surge of online wagers, and he'd bring a pro-crypto view.

Could a Bitcoin Bull Lead the Fed? Rick Rieder Emerges as Frontrunner to Replace Powell

## Stablecoin Supply Plummets Amid Bitcoin's Slide

**Stablecoin supply has continued to shrink** over the past week, coinciding with Bitcoin's extended drop that began two weeks ago. The combined market capitalization of the top 12 stablecoins has shed roughly **$2.24 billion over the past 10 days**, according to on-chain analytics platform Santiment. This outflow has tracked Bitcoin's decline from **$95,000 to $88,441**.

Bitcoin is up 1.4% on the day to $88,500 but remains down 4.2% on the week.

"Normally, when traders sell Bitcoin or altcoins, that money stays in crypto as stablecoins. A falling stablecoin market cap shows that many investors are cashing out to fiat instead of preparing to buy dips," Santiment added.

## Derivatives Market Stagnation

The capital drain is visible across derivatives markets, with Bitcoin's aggregated open interest—the total number of open positions—remaining rangebound between **245,000 and 267,000 BTC for weeks**, per Velo data.

## What's Driving Capital Outflows?

Two primary forces are at work: **Bitcoin's historical performance during macro stress** and a classic flight to a more established safe haven, gold.

Bitcoin's bearish behavior during periods of macroeconomic uncertainty is a well-established pattern, Jordan Jefferson, founder of the Dogecoin app layer DogeOS, previously told Decrypt. The current downtrend from the October all-time high, driven by shifting geopolitics and policy uncertainty, is "consistent with that pattern," he said.

"Gold is backed by thousands of years of credibility and low volatility," Tim Sun, senior researcher at HashKey Group, told Decrypt. Its steady ascent to a new record high of **$5,100 per ounce this week** underscores this advantage.

Bitcoin, in contrast, remains sidelined.

"High volatility makes it difficult to absorb such large-scale safe-haven demand," Sun said. The asset's investor base compounds the issue, as global wealth is concentrated in individuals over 50 whose trust in gold has been validated through repeated crises.

For them, Sun said, Bitcoin "may still be perceived as a high-risk tech asset or a game for younger generations."

Top stablecoins have shed $2.2 billion in 10 days, in a sign investors are cashing out to fiat instead of waiting to buy the dip.

Crypto Exodus: $2.2 Billion Flees Stablecoins as Bitcoin Stalls - Are Investors Losing Faith?

Tokyo-listed Bitcoin treasury company **Metaplanet** has raised its revenue and operating income forecasts for 2026, signaling immense confidence in the future of decentralized finance. This institutional optimism is one of the reasons retail investors are searching for the **best crypto to buy now**. While corporations play the long game with Bitcoin, the real life-changing wealth is being generated in the presale market.

Amidst trending coins this week, one project stands out: **DeepSnitch AI**. With its price already up 145% to $0.03681 and over $1,360,000 raised, DeepSnitch AI is leveraging a strategic launch delay and could be the **next crypto to 100x in 2026**. Investors are accumulating as much as they can, and it won’t be long before it sells out.

![deepsnitch](https://blockchainreporter.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/deepsnitch32.webp)

Tokyo-listed Bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet is making headlines with its aggressive financial outlook, raising its 2025 revenue and operating income forecasts while simultaneously flagging a significant non-cash Bitcoin write-down. The company now projects 2025 revenue to hit 8.905 billion Japanese yen (approximately $58 million), with operating income targeting $40 million.

This upward revision demonstrates that the company’s core operations are performing well, driven by its strategic pivot to a Bitcoin-standard treasury model. However, the volatility of the crypto market cuts both ways. Despite the improved operating outlook, Metaplanet forecasts an ordinary loss of $632 million and a net loss of $491 million for the fiscal year.

## What is the best crypto to buy now?

If public companies are willing to risk nearly a billion dollars in paper losses to hold crypto, the argument for holding high-utility tokens like DeepSnitch AI becomes undeniable. For the best crypto to buy now, here are the top choices:

### 1. DeepSnitch AI ($DSNT): The next crypto to 100x

When analyzing the best crypto to buy now, DeepSnitch AI claims the number one spot by a significant margin. While established coins track the macro market, DeepSnitch AI is creating its own path with a presale performance that defies gravity.

The project has raised more than $1,360,000, and the token price has surged to $0.03681, delivering a 145% gain to early backers. But the true alpha lies in the team’s strategic decision to postpone the public launch. This move has created a closed-information loop that is arguably the most bullish catalyst for the token.

By delaying the listing, the team has generated an access asymmetry. While the general public waits on the sidelines, presale holders are granted exclusive access to live, battle-tested tools like SnitchScan and SnitchGPT. This allows current investors to use the platform’s AI intelligence to find trading signals and audit contracts before the rest of the market even gets a login. This late-stage early dynamic means you are buying a mature, revenue-ready product at a discounted presale price.

This maturity asymmetry ensures that when the floodgates finally open, the token will be backed by a huge user base and proven utility, setting the stage for a violent upside move.

Furthermore, DeepSnitch AI is capitalizing on the AI sector picks narrative that is dominating 2026. As security breaches and scams proliferate, the demand for AI auditing is non-negotiable. DeepSnitch is the shovel seller in this gold rush. When you combine this fundamental necessity with the massive supply shock of 31 million staked tokens, DeepSnitch AI presents the clearest path to 100x returns in the current market.

<iframe title="Deepsnitch AI Crypto Presale 🚀 | Could This Be the Next Big Crypto AI Project?" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c3Za913_uaI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

### 2. River ($RIVER): One of the trending coins this week

River is one of the trending coins this week with great performance metrics. The token has recorded a massive price increase of 149% in the last seven days as of January 26th, outperforming the market, which is down 5%.

This rally is supported by immense volume, with over $96.5 million traded in the last 24 hours alone, indicating a 26% increase in activity. Whales are clearly active in this name, chasing the momentum generated by recent ecosystem developments.

The catalyst for this surge appears to be a major partnership. River has teamed up with United Stables to enhance the liquidity and utility of the $U stablecoin. This initiative aims to strengthen $U’s presence across multiple DeFi networks, positioning River as a key liquidity layer in the cross-chain economy.

While the momentum is undeniable, chasing a token that has already pumped 150% in a week carries significant risk. On the other hand, DeepSnitch AI allows you to enter at a fixed presale price before the public pump occurs.

### 3. Canton ($CC): One of the top cryptocurrencies to buy today

Canton ($CC) secures the third spot among top cryptocurrencies to buy today due to its resilience and technical strength. With a price increase of 37% in the last seven days as of January 26th, Canton is defying the market correction that sees most smart contract platforms down by over 7%. This strength suggests that capital is rotating into Canton as a hedge against the weakness seen in majors like Ethereum and Solana.

![chart](https://blockchainreporter.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/chart756-1024x698.webp)

The long-term outlook for Canton is positive. Price prediction forecasts the token to hit $0.3244 by the end of 2026, representing a 113% increase from current rates. By 2030, the price could climb to $0.3438, driven by adoption and network effects.

While these gains are solid, they represent a “slow and steady” approach to wealth. For investors seeking the next crypto to 100x, a 113% return over a year is insufficient. DeepSnitch AI offers the potential for those returns in a single day post-launch.

### 4. Melania Meme ($MELANIA): The next crypto to 100x?

Melania is one of the contenders for the best crypto to buy now, even though it is risky to hold. With a price increase of 17% in the last seven days as of January 26th, it is outperforming the market and its Solana peers.

However, the fundamentals are purely speculative. The volatility is very high, and the Fear & Greed Index is flashing extreme fear at 20.

While the price prediction forecasts a 120.82% rise to $0.3866 by the end of 2026, this depends entirely on community sentiment remaining positive. Meme coins are notorious for crashing as quickly as they rise.

DeepSnitch AI offers a superior alternative by providing utility that is independent of hype. SnitchScan is needed whether the market is bullish or bearish, creating a floor for the token’s value. Furthermore, the DeepSnitch presale allows you to accumulate tokens without slippage. For serious investors, DeepSnitch AI is the safer and better bet.

### 5. Pump.fun ($PUMP): The best crypto to buy now?

Pump.fun ($PUMP) rounds out our list of trending coins this week as a proxy for the Solana meme coin ecosystem. The platform has become the go-to launchpad for new tokens, driving demand for its native asset.

With a 5% price increase over the past seven days, Pump.fun is showing strength against a falling market. The bullish sentiment and 63% green days over the last month indicate steady accumulation.

Forecasts suggest Pump.fun could hit $0.005729 by the end of 2026, a 118% increase. By 2050, models predict a staggering 2,394% gain. While the long-term potential is massive, it requires a decades-long holding period.

DeepSnitch AI compresses that growth timeline. By investing in the presale now, you are positioning yourself for the immediate profits that will come from the public launch in 2026, not 2050. If you are looking for the best crypto to buy now, joining the DeepSnitch AI presale should be a concern.

Metaplanet’s Bitcoin bet confirms the bull run is far from over, but DeepSnitch AI is the asset that will maximize your returns in this cycle. This is the best crypto to buy now. It is the investment that turns patience into profit.

A $5,000 buy at $0.03681 gives you roughly 135,800 DSNT tokens. But if you use the 50% bonus code DSNTVIP50, you get roughly 203,700 tokens, which would be worth over $203,000 if the token hits $1.

![deepsnitch](https://blockchainreporter.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/deepsnitch35.webp)

Metaplanet raises Bitcoin guidance. We rank the best crypto to buy now. River and Canton rally, but DeepSnitch AI is the next crypto to 100x.

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