Bitcoin and gold showed the worst performance among assets in 2026

Bitcoin and gold have become the two worst-performing asset classes of 2026, marking an unprecedented event in financial markets. According to Charlie Bilello, Chief Market Strategist at Creative Planning, gold has fallen by 7.5% since the beginning of the year, while bitcoin has decreased by 7.3%. Both assets lag behind traditional investments, including stocks, bonds, and even cash, despite their reputation as stores of value.

The losses in bitcoin and gold are particularly noteworthy given that these assets are often viewed as alternatives to traditional financial instruments during times of economic uncertainty. However, neither has managed to deliver positive returns in 2026, raising doubts about their ability to serve as reliable hedges against market fluctuations. Despite setbacks this year, bitcoin remains the undisputed long-term leader among the major asset classes tracked by Bilello. Since 2011, it has demonstrated an average annual return of about 120.6%, significantly outperforming traditional financial assets. In comparison, gold has yielded only 6.3% annually over the same period.

The difference in recent asset dynamics has become even more pronounced. In 2024, bitcoin was the most successful asset, showing a growth of 121%, and in 2025, gold took the top spot with a growth of 63.7%. However, in 2026, both positions changed dramatically, and both assets found themselves at the bottom of the performance rankings. This unusual development highlights how quickly market leadership can change, even for assets with such strong historical performance. Bilello's latest data marks a historical first, but the final results for 2026 remain uncertain, with more than two months left in the year.