Bitcoin as an Investment Alternative to Gold for Hedging Against Inflation

An Empirical Analysis of Data from the Eurozone

Keywords: Bitcoin, gold, inflation, portfolio optimization

Abstract

This study analyzes the potential of Bitcoin as an alternative to gold for hedging against inflation in the Eurozone, using quarterly data from Eurostat, the ECB, and Yahoo Finance for the period 2014–2025. Through statistical analysis of Bitcoin prices (BTC), gold (XAU/EUR), the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), and key macroeconomic indicators, the research finds that Bitcoin exhibits higher volatility than gold, but shows a stronger correlation with inflation expectations during periods of monetary expansion.

Author Biography

Vasil Valentinov Spasov, University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Sofia, Bulgaria

PhD candidate, Department of Finance, UNWE, Sofia.

References

1.Baur, D.G. and Lucey, B.M., 2010. Is gold a hedge or a safe haven? An analysis of stocks, bonds and gold. Financial Review, 45(2), pp. 217-229.

2.Borio, C. and Zabai, A., 2016. Unconventional monetary policies: a re-appraisal. BIS Working Papers, No. 570. Basel: Bank for International Settlements.

3.Bouri, E., Molnár, P., Azzi, G., Roubaud, D. and Hagfors, L.I., 2017. On the hedge and safe haven properties of Bitcoin: Is it really more than a diversifier? Finance Research Letters, 20, pp. 192-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2016.09.006

4.Dyhrberg, A.H., 2015. Bitcoin, gold and the dollar – A GARCH volatility analysis. Finance Research Letters, 16, pp. 85-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2015.10.008

5.European Central Bank, 2025. Main refinancing operations - Interest rates. [online] Available at: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/key_ecb_interest_rates/html/index.en.html [Accessed 4 September 2025].

6.Eurostat, 2025. GDP and main components - volumes. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/namq_10_gdp/default/table?lang=en [Accessed 4 September 2025].

7.Eurostat, 2025. Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/prc_hicp_aind/default/table?lang=en [Accessed 4 September 2025].

8.Investing.com, 2025. Gold Spot Price EUR (XAU=EUR) Historical Data. [online] Available at: https://www.investing.com/currencies/xau-eur [Accessed 4 September 2025].

9.Klein, T., Pham Thu, H. and Walther, T., 2018. Bitcoin is not the New Gold – A comparison of volatility, correlation, and portfolio performance. International Review of Financial Analysis, 59, pp. 105-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2018.07.010

10.O'Connor, F.A., Lucey, B.M., Batten, J.A. and Baur, D.G., 2015. The financial economics of gold — A survey. International Review of Financial Analysis, 41, pp. 186-205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2015.07.005

11.Yahoo Finance, 2025. Bitcoin USD (BTC-USD) Historical Data. [online] Available at: https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/BTC-USD/history/ [Accessed 4 September 2025].

12.Yellen, J.L., 2017. The goals of monetary policy and how we pursue them. [online] Available at: https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/yellen20170118a.htm [Accessed 4 September 2025].

13.Zulaica, O., 2020. What share for gold? On the interaction of gold and foreign exchange reserve returns. BIS Working Papers, No. 906. Bank for International Settlements. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3706730
Published
2026-06-30
How to Cite
Spasov, V. (2026). Bitcoin as an Investment Alternative to Gold for Hedging Against Inflation. Vanguard Scientific Instruments in Management, 22(1), 86-97. Retrieved from https://vsim-journal.info/index.php?journal=vsim&page=article&op=view&path[]=559