Key Points
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Bitcoin isn’t like a traditional business, so investors have to get creative to estimate where its price might go.
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Compared to gold, Bitcoin has unique attributes that should play to its advantage in the long run.
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Driven by greater worldwide adoption, the digital asset can still produce a huge gain between now and 2035.
Bitcoin(CRYPTO: BTC) still has its fair share of critics, without a doubt. But the cryptocurrency’s past gain speaks for itself. In less than two decades, this went from a worthless digital curiosity to a global asset that is valued at almost $1.8 trillion.
Bitcoin’s performance in 2025, though, is out of the ordinary. Its price has fallen 7% (as of Dec. 23). This lags behind the overall stock market, which might be a surprise to investors.
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Nonetheless, this dominant cryptocurrency’s long-term outlook remains robust, in my view. Where will Bitcoin be in 10 years?
Image source: Getty Images.
Bitcoin Can’t Be Valued in the Traditional Sense
Bitcoin functions differently from traditional businesses, presenting a unique challenge for investors attempting to assign it a value. Unlike conventional companies, Bitcoin lacks a management team, a physical headquarters, or a conventional revenue model. It doesn’t sell products or services, nor does it generate net income or free cash flow. This fundamental difference means that standard evaluation techniques simply don’t apply.
Instead, many investors look to compare Bitcoin with the long-standing investment alternative—gold. Both Bitcoin and gold share certain key characteristics: they are borderless, decentralized, fungible, and scarce. However, gold enjoys a historical pedigree as a safe-haven asset, a store of value that has withstood the test of time. As of 2025, gold prices have surged by 71%, bolstered by central banks loading up on reserves to reduce dependency on the U.S. dollar.
While Bitcoin doesn’t have centuries of historical performance to back it, it has qualities that set it apart. A key advantage is Bitcoin’s scarcity; there will only ever be 21 million Bitcoins in existence, a limit enforced by regular halving events. This predictable supply dynamic is in stark contrast to gold, where production can be ramped up quickly in response to market demand.
Moreover, Bitcoin exists entirely in the digital realm, aligning perfectly with a world that is becoming increasingly reliant on technology. This digital nature not only facilitates commerce but also offers unprecedented ease of use in transactions. For example, fintech company Block has recently enabled its 4 million Square merchants to accept Bitcoin as a payment method seamlessly, a feat that gold simply can’t match at the point of sale.
Additionally, Bitcoin’s digital form means it is easily divisible; one Bitcoin can be broken down into 100 million smaller units known as satoshis. This divisibility stands in stark contrast to gold, which requires physical alteration to create smaller denominations.
Can the Digital Asset Catch Up to the Hard Metal?
Currently, the total value of all above-ground gold is estimated at an astonishing $31.4 trillion, while Bitcoin’s market cap hovers around a much smaller $1.8 trillion. Could Bitcoin close this gap? Even a ten-fold increase would still leave the cryptocurrency significantly behind gold’s valuation. However, long-term projections suggest that Bitcoin could potentially eclipse gold’s value due to favorable governmental regulations, increased liquidity, and ongoing innovation in financial technologies.
Over the next decade, it’s not unreasonable to anticipate Bitcoin’s price could increase tenfold, yielding an annualized gain of about 26%. Although Bitcoin has previously compounded at a staggering 70% annually over the past decade, it’s logical to expect this rate of growth to temper as the cryptocurrency gains broader adoption.
Should You Buy Stock in Bitcoin Right Now?
Before making any investment decisions, it’s crucial to weigh the options carefully. The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team has recently curated a list of the 10 best stocks for investors to consider now, and Bitcoin did not make the cut.
Consider the historical success of investments recommended by the Stock Advisor: for instance, had you invested $1,000 in Netflix back in December 2004, that investment would have grown to over $504,239! The Stock Advisor’s total average return is an impressive 985%, significantly outpacing the S&P 500’s 195% performance.
Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin and Block. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
