Bitcoin has left stocks, bonds, and gold in the dust in the first half of 2017.
The Bitcoin Investment Trust Shares have soared 220.59%, while the S&P 500 and SPDR Gold shares rose in upper single digits; and all three investments outperformed the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond, which gained a modest 6.13 percent.
Stocks, Bonds, And Bitcoin In The First Half Of 2017:
Fund/YTD Performance
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +7.68%
Bitcoin Investment Trust Shares (GBTC) +220.59
SPDR S&P500 (SPY) +8.17
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) +6.13
Stocks, Bonds, And Bitcoin In 2016:
Fund/YTD Performance
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +8.53%
Bitcoin Investment Trust Shares (GBTC) +153.09
SPDR S&P500 (SPY) +9.77
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) -1.48
A growing divide among investors regarding the state and the outlook of the US economy and the Federal Reserve’s unconventional monetary policies is a major factor behind the Bitcoin rally.
Then, there’s the return of the old fiscal easing and huge budget deficits that feed into inflation, which undermines faith in national currencies.
And the shaking up of the public’s confidence are attempts by certain national governments have been trying to manipulate their own currencies, particularly India and Venezuela.