Gold vs Bitcoin: Comparison of secure assets in the digital age

Gold and Bitcoin: Two investment assets that have similar logic

Gold has been known as a safe investment asset or often referred to as a safe haven. This term refers to financial instruments that are expected to be able to maintain and even increase its value in the midst of economic uncertainty or market turmoil. However, recently a new phenomenon has emerged that has shifted this paradigm. In addition to gold, now Bitcoin is also starting to be considered a safe haven for some investors, especially when global economic conditions tend to be unstable.

Interestingly, the way finance works between gold and bitcoin turns out to have similarities. This was conveyed by the entrepreneur and owner of the crypto asset buying and selling platform, Indodax, Oscar Darmawan, in an online discussion session which took place on August 4, 2025. He stated that both gold and bitcoin have similar value mechanisms, and can even be said to be exactly the same.

Expensive production costs

Oscar explained that the value of gold does not just appear, but because there is a fairly large exploration cost. “Gold has its value because of the value of the exploration cost, or the cost of mining. So every gold taken from the earth, there is a cost. To dig it, purify it, and so on,” he said.

The cost of gold exploration, according to Oscar, could reach a significant figure. “More or less the cost of exploration of gold is almost 50 USD (or around Rp. 818,065) per gram.” In addition, the limited supply of gold on earth is also another factor that affects the price. “Apart from the limited supply factor, there is a demand (demand), so that then the price goes up.”

Limited supply and demand

This similarity of logic also applies to Bitcoin, even though it is digital. Oscar emphasized that Bitcoin has a large production cost, although it does not include the purchase of mining equipment (mining) and the infrastructure needed. “Bitcoin for every one bitcoin created there is a cost of electricity, the cost to create one bitcoin is almost 25,000 USD (around Rp. 408 million).

investment alternatives worth considering

This statement further strengthens the perception that Bitcoin can be an alternative investment other than gold. Although both have high production costs, both are considered capable of maintaining value in the midst of uncertain market conditions. However, Oscar also reminded every investor must understand the risks of each instrument. Although it is considered safe, both gold and bitcoin have the size of changes in price statistics or volatility that need to be anticipated.

With the development of technology and digital investment trends, the view of Bitcoin as “digital gold” seems to continue to be a hot topic among global investors. Many parties are starting to see the potential of Bitcoin as an asset that is able to survive in a difficult economic situation, such as gold. The main challenge is how investors can understand and manage the risks associated with the two assets optimally.