Bitcoin News Today: Schiff's Gold-Linked Bitcoin Target Divides Analysts on Inflation Hedge Potential

Peter Schiff, a prominent advocate for gold as a hedge against inflation, has asserted that Bitcoin must reach $148,000 to align with the recent surge in gold prices. This assertion comes as gold hit an all-time high of $4,000 per ounce in October 2025, driven by global economic uncertainty, including the U.S. government shutdown and geopolitical tensions in France and Japan. Schiff argues that Bitcoin's current price of $126,198, while a record in nominal terms, lags 15% behind its historical peak when adjusted for gold's performance. He described Bitcoin's rally to this level as a "bear market rally," signaling a short-term rebound rather than a sustained bull trendBitcoin Should Be At $148,000 To Match With Gold Rally, Says …^[1].

Schiff's analysis hinges on the relative valuation between Bitcoin and gold. He calculated that, given gold's price trajectory, Bitcoin would need to surpass $148,000 to match its previous record high in gold terms. This calculation assumes a continued rise in gold prices, which have surged over 50% year-to-date, outpacing Bitcoin's 33.5% gain. The economist also criticized Federal Reserve policies, urging immediate rate hikes to counter inflationary pressures. His stance contrasts with some crypto analysts, who argue that Bitcoin's scarcity and 24/7 market dynamics could amplify its gains beyond gold's rally.

Market data supports the diverging performance of the two assets. Gold has outperformed Bitcoin in risk-adjusted returns over the past two years, according to Ecoinometrics, while Bitcoin leads in total returns. However, Bitcoin's volatility remains a concern. Despite a brief all-time high above $126,000, the asset dropped 13% in early October, raising questions about its resilience amid macroeconomic shifts. Schiff warned of a potential pullback to $75,000, citing leveraged positions and whale activity as risksPeter Schiff Predicts Bitcoin Price Drop Amid Gold Rally^[2].

The U.S. government shutdown, which delayed critical economic data like nonfarm payrolls, exacerbated market uncertainty. Gold, as a traditional safe-haven asset, surged to $3,897.50 per ounce, while Bitcoin treaded water, trading in a tight range above $114,000. Analysts like Justin d'Anethan of Arctic Digital noted that Bitcoin's correlation with gold has historically lagged by eight weeks, suggesting further gains could follow as gold's rally continues. Meanwhile, central bank demand for gold-particularly from China-has bolstered its price, with Goldman Sachs raising its 2026 gold forecast to $4,900 per ounce.

Despite Schiff's bearish outlook, institutional interest in Bitcoin persists. MicroStrategy's Bitcoin holdings and increased crypto allocations by funds like Metaplanet highlight ongoing demand. However, the asset's future remains contingent on macroeconomic factors, including Fed rate decisions and geopolitical stability. While some analysts predict a $150,000 target for Bitcoin by year-end, others caution against overreliance on short-term trends. The broader financial landscape, marked by declining trust in traditional bonds and the 60/40 portfolio model, has pushed investors toward hard assets like gold and Bitcoin.