Gold and Bitcoin ETFs Surge in Trading Volume as AI Theme Loses Steam
Two prominent exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have re-entered the top 10 list of most-traded ETFs by daily volume, according to data from Bloomberg Intelligence. The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) have climbed the rankings, marking a notable shift from the summer months when semiconductor and AI-focused funds dominated.
According to senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, this movement suggests investors may be rotating some capital toward traditional and digital stores of value. The return of GLD and IBIT to the top 10 marks a subtle but meaningful change in investor attention and positioning.
The term 'debasement trade' refers to buying assets perceived as stores of value when investors worry about the erosion of purchasing power due to monetary expansion or fiscal policy. Gold has long been a classic hedge, while Bitcoin is sometimes described as 'digital gold' by proponents.