Gold ETF inflows hit a three-year high, with PAXG and XAUT outperforming the cryptocurrency market

On April 14, PANews reported that as the traditional gold market heats up, cryptocurrency investors are also following suit by investing in tokenized versions of this precious metal. These tokens provide price exposure while offering digital flexibility. So far this year, gold-backed cryptocurrencies like Paxos Gold (PAXG) and Tether Gold (XAUT) have risen by 24.15% and 23.7%, respectively, reaching new highs of over $3,300, with increases roughly comparable to spot gold prices. Subsequently, their prices slightly retreated to $3,265 and $3,244.

Despite the significant rise in gold-backed cryptocurrencies this year to date, the broader crypto market is on a downward trend. Bitcoin has fallen more than 11% so far this year, while the overall cryptocurrency market has dropped just over 30%. The value of these tokens backed by physical gold and tracking its price surged as investors sought refuge from uncertainties triggered by escalating U.S.-China trade tensions. This move reflects a broader return to gold as a safe-haven asset. According to RWA.xyz data, in the first quarter of this year alone, net minting volume for crypto assets backed by gold exceeded $42.7 million; combined with rising gold prices, their total market capitalization approached $1.4 billion.