Despite a modest 0.11% dip in the last 24 hours, Bitcoin 
$91,967 has achieved a 25% return since the beginning of the year. This performance places Bitcoin just behind gold, which recorded a 29.3% increase, as the top-performing asset of 2025. These insights were collated by financial strategist Charlie Bilello, highlighting an intriguing trend in asset performance.
2025 Asset Performances
During the same timeframe, emerging market stocks rose by 15.6%, while the Nasdaq 100 and large-cap U.S. stocks increased by 12.7% and 9.4% respectively. However, mid-cap and small-cap U.S. stocks displayed weaker growth, gaining only 0.8% and 0.2%. Analysts note the remarkable fact that gold and Bitcoin have topped performance charts together, an occurrence previously unheard of in Bilello’s annual rankings.
Comparing total returns from 2011 to 2025, Bitcoin shows a staggering 38,897,420% gain, significantly outpacing gold’s 126% increase. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq 100 reported a 1,101% upsurge, U.S. large-cap stocks rose by 559%, and emerging market stocks gained 57%. Bitcoin’s long-term returns, surpassing gold by roughly 308,000 times, are particularly noteworthy.
“Gold (+29%) and Bitcoin (+25%) are the best performing major assets of 2025 so far. We’ve never seen both rank as no. 1 and no. 2 in a calendar year simultaneously.”
Annual Average Returns
In annual returns, Bitcoin continues to dominate with an average of 141.7% since 2011. In comparison, gold averages 5.7% annually, Nasdaq 100 is at 18.6%, while large-cap U.S. stocks record 13.8%. Other major indices range between 4.4% and 16.4%. Experts acknowledge that gold’s stability occasionally provides a safe haven, but Bitcoin’s growth rate remains substantially higher.
Peter Brandt states, “Some consider gold a good store of value, which is true. But ultimately, Bitcoin will be the supreme store of value.”
Brandt’s remarks support the view that Bitcoin’s scarcity and decentralization signal potential beyond traditional assets. Ultimately, since the beginning of the year, Bitcoin and gold have proven to be the top-performing assets in financial markets. In the long term, Bitcoin appears to have offered the highest total and average returns among all major asset classes. The potential inclusion of Bitcoin in retirement plans further emphasizes its significance in light of these findings.
