Citi analysts say holding both gold and bitcoin can improve portfolio performance compared with traditional bond-and-equity mixes. In a new report cited by CNBC, analyst Alex Saunders said a 5% allocation to gold enhances portfolio efficiency, while splitting that exposure between gold and bitcoin produces stronger results.
The analysis found the mixed allocation improves returns in bond bull markets and provides resilience during bear-steepening cycles tied to fiscal concerns and rising inflation risk.
Citi noted that bitcoin often performs better than gold when bond markets weaken, highlighting recent gains amid geopolitical and equity market stress. Over the past two months, bitcoin has risen 9%, while spot gold has declined 4%. Saunders said the tactical appeal of a combined allocation lies in balancing the relative popularity of gold with bitcoin’s growth characteristics.
Bitcoin price analysis
Bitcoin’s move above $75,000 reflects more than a technical breakout; it signals a shift in how markets are valuing the asset amid rising geopolitical tension. After rebounding from a February low near $60,000, bitcoin has climbed roughly 23%, holding firm even as traditional markets face pressure.
Traders now view the $75,000–$76,000 range as a critical resistance zone, with a breakout potentially opening a path toward $80,000, while failure could send price back toward the low-$70,000s or below.
Underneath the surface, derivatives data suggests a market positioned for a potential squeeze. Funding rates on perpetual futures have remained negative for over six weeks, indicating persistent bearish positioning despite rising prices. Historically, this combination of negative funding, rising open interest, and price stability has preceded upward breakouts, as short sellers are forced to cover.
At the same time, the narrative surrounding bitcoin is evolving. No longer seen purely as a “digital gold” hedge or a high-risk tech proxy, bitcoin is increasingly being priced as a geopolitical instrument. The Iran conflict has accelerated this shift, with bitcoin outperforming both equities and gold during the period. This divergence challenges long-held assumptions about its correlation to broader risk markets.
The most striking development is bitcoin’s emerging role in real-world settlement. Iran’s reported move to require bitcoin-based tolls for oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz introduces a tangible use case for the asset in global trade. This transforms bitcoin from a speculative asset into a neutral settlement rail operating outside traditional financial infrastructure.
Taken together, these dynamics — technical pressure, bearish positioning, and geopolitical utility — suggest bitcoin is entering a new phase.
Micah first discovered Bitcoin in 2018 but remained a skeptic on the sidelines for too long. Since 2021, he has covered crypto and business and now works as a news reporter for Bitcoin Magazine, based in North Carolina.
