Bitcoin's Challenge to Gold: CZ Sees Next Bull Cycle Accelerating Rise

Changpeng Zhao's remarks at Bitcoin Asia 2026 in Hong Kong have reignited debate on whether Bitcoin can surpass gold in market value. The BNB CEO stated that a shift in reserve asset strategies will likely see Bitcoin challenge gold, with the next bull cycle potentially accelerating this rise.

The current market capitalization of gold is roughly 10 times larger than that of BTC, but Zhao believes that as major economies evolve their valuation and trading systems, Bitcoin's value will increase. He noted that sovereign reserve allocations are set to change over time, with Bitcoin representing more than 50% of strategic crypto holdings.

Zhao also touched on the integration of AI in cryptocurrency, stating that AI-assisted trading will emerge before AI-driven payments due to its immediate benefits for traders. He explained that consumers already have reliable payment tools, while trading systems stand to benefit from automation.