In the past, you might have looked to gold when thinking about long-term value. Maybe your parents did too. It’s physical, historically trusted, and has mostly stood the test of time. But there’s a shift happening—and Australians are paying attention.

Between 2020 and 2023, interest in digital assets surged, with over 6 million Australians owning or having owned cryptocurrency, according to Statista. At the same time, gold demand also rose, driven by inflation concerns, housing pressures, and growing uncertainty around global currencies. You may have noticed that traditional and digital wealth options now sit side-by-side on finance apps and news tickers, causing a new question to emerge: Should you invest in gold or Bitcoin?

This isn’t about picking sides. It’s about understanding what each asset offers, how they behave, and how accessible they are to everyday Australians. For some, the Bitcoin price in Australia has become as important to track as the ASX or gold markets. And for good reason—Bitcoin’s borderless, digitally native design changes how we think about money, storage, and access.

Together, we’ll explore how Bitcoin and gold compare—on price, accessibility, transparency, and more. We’ll also look at how Australians can get started, and what questions you may want to ask before deciding which store of value best suits your goals.

Whether you’re thinking about wealth preservation, everyday flexibility, or just want to understand the changing financial landscape, knowing how value moves—and where it’s safest—is more relevant now than ever.

What Does ‘Store of Value’ Really Mean?

A store of value is something you can put your money into today and trust it will still hold purchasing power in the future. This investment strategy is not about chasing quick gains but making sure your hard-earned savings aren’t quietly eroded by inflation or unexpected economic shifts.

In Australia, common historical examples include:

• Cash (though inflation can chip away at its value)
• Real estate (property often rises with the cost of living)
• Gold (a traditional hedge against market volatility)
• Bitcoin (a modern, digital option that’s gaining traction)

Each of these serves the same basic purpose: to protect value across time.

A store of value is an asset that holds its value over time without depreciating significantly.

What makes something a good store of value? It usually comes down to scarcity, durability, and market confidence. Gold has historically ticked those boxes. But today, Bitcoin is being looked at through the same lens, especially as the Bitcoin price in Australia becomes more visible in everyday headlines, banking apps, and trading platforms.

Want to dig deeper into the fundamentals of Bitcoin?
Check out our blog: Bitcoin: Its Impact, Benefits, and the Future Ahead

Bitcoin and Gold – Comparing Key Features

Scarcity and Supply

Scarcity plays a central role in why people trust gold, and increasingly, Bitcoin, as reliable stores of value.

• Gold has been mined for thousands of years. While new discoveries still occur, the process is slow, costly, and unpredictable. Its total global supply increases gradually with extraction.
• Bitcoin, by contrast, is digitally mined through a process called blockchain validation. And unlike gold, its total supply is permanently capped at 21 million coins. No central bank or miner can create more.

This controlled supply makes Bitcoin unique in the digital age. It’s programmable scarcity, hardcoded into the protocol, making it resistant to inflation or currency debasement.

Accessibility in Australia

For Australians, one of the biggest differentiators is how easy each asset is to access and use.

• Bitcoin is available online 24/7 via registered exchanges like Digital Surge. With fast AUD deposits, Australians can buy, sell, or trade from a smartphone in minutes.
• Gold, on the other hand, usually involves brokers, precious metal dealers, or ETFs. Buying physical gold also means considering secure storage and insurance.

The Bitcoin price in Australia is now tracked almost as commonly as gold spot prices—appearing in mainstream finance platforms, news apps, and even SMSF discussions.

Price Movements: Bitcoin Price in Australia vs Gold

If you’ve ever tracked the Bitcoin price in Australia, you’ve likely noticed how quickly it can move. One week, it’s soaring. The next, it’s correcting. These swings are part of what defines Bitcoin. It’s a dynamic, fast-moving market that reflects both global sentiment and local demand.

Gold, in contrast, moves at a more measured pace. Its price tends to rise gradually and often does so during times of economic uncertainty. Australians typically view it as a stabilising asset, especially when global markets get rocky.

While gold offers familiarity and steadiness, Bitcoin’s price movements have captured the attention of those looking to participate in long-term digital trends. Its value proposition is different, less about steady returns, more about long-term growth driven by technology adoption and scarcity.

Takeaway: Gold offers more stability in the short term. Bitcoin offers more movement, which means more opportunity—but also more risk.

Historical Performance in AUD

Over the past five years, gold prices in Australia have increased moderately. From around $2,300 per ounce in 2020 to just above $3,200 by 2024, the rise has been steady and consistent.

Bitcoin’s journey was far more volatile. In early 2020, it traded near $12,000 AUD before climbing sharply to almost $91,000 by November 2021. The 2022 market downturn saw prices fall to around $30,000 AUD. By late 2024, Bitcoin had surged again, averaging about $100,000 for the year and peaking above $160,000. For Australians who bought during a dip and held on, the gains have been significant.

Search interest has followed a similar curve. According to Google Trends, queries for “bitcoin price Australia” peaked during 2021 and spiked again in 2024 as crypto regained mainstream momentum. This suggests more Australians are watching Bitcoin closely—not only as a speculative asset, but as something to compare against traditional stores of value like gold.

Storage and Security

Storing high-value assets is all about control, cost, and peace of mind, but how that looks depends on whether you’re dealing with something physical or digital.

Gold typically lives in bank vaults, safety deposit boxes, or insured third-party facilities. It must be physically guarded, documented, and regularly audited. For Australians, this usually means paying storage fees and relying on custodians to manage access.

Bitcoin, by contrast, is stored in digital wallets. These come in two main forms:

• Hot wallets (connected to the internet) for convenience.
• Cold wallets (offline, like hardware devices) for added security.

Access is managed using private keys—essentially secret codes that grant complete control. Lose the key, and you lose the Bitcoin. But store it properly, and you have full, self-managed security with no intermediary.

Accessibility and Portability

Bitcoin offers instant access anywhere you have an internet connection. Whether you’re in Sydney or Singapore, you can send or receive Bitcoin in minutes, with no need for physical handling or courier services.

Gold, on the other hand, must be physically transported. Moving large amounts often requires planning, insurance, and trusted custodians—none of which are instant or cheap.

Fun Fact:
1 Bitcoin weighs nothing but can store the same value as several kilos of gold. That’s the power of digital value: secure, weightless, and accessible at the tap of a screen.

Transparency and Trust

When it comes to knowing you actually own what you say you do, Bitcoin and gold take very different approaches.

Bitcoin runs on a public blockchain—a decentralised ledger visible to anyone, anywhere. Every transaction is time-stamped, traceable, and permanent. Ownership is tied to private keys, and balances can be verified in real time without needing a bank or intermediary.

Gold, on the other hand, relies on physical verification. If it’s held in a vault, you may need a certificate of ownership. If it’s in your hand, authenticity depends on testing or trusted documentation. For investors using gold ETFs or custodial services, ownership can become even more abstract, involving multiple third parties.

Public Perception in Australia

Traditionally, gold has been viewed as the ultimate safe haven, especially in times of inflation or market volatility. It’s tangible, time-tested, and widely recognised.

But Bitcoin is gaining ground, particularly among younger Australians and those seeking digitally native options. According to recent surveys by the Independent Reserve and Swyftx, public trust in cryptocurrencies has increased post-2022, thanks to stronger consumer protections, clearer tax guidance, and better education around how to buy Bitcoin in Australia safely.

Did you know? More than half of young adults in Australia aged 25-34 have owned or currently own digital assets, and a large portion of this demographic now consider Bitcoin part of their long-term financial strategy. Over 50,000 Australians use Digital Surge. Sign up today to buy, sell, and track Bitcoin price in Australia in real time.

How to Get Started with Bitcoin in Australia

Getting started with Bitcoin doesn’t have to be complicated. For Australians, the process is now more secure and straightforward than ever, especially with regulated local platforms.

Here’s how it works:

• Create an account with a registered Australian exchange. Start by choosing a trusted, AUSTRAC-registered exchange like Digital Surge. This ensures compliance with Australian financial laws and gives you peace of mind around data security and transaction safety.
• Complete ID verification (KYC). As part of local regulations, you’ll need to verify your identity. Most platforms only require a few documents and can complete this step in minutes.
• Deposit AUD using PayID or bank transfer. Use fast, local payment methods to fund your account. With Digital Surge, you can deposit AUD instantly via PayID or through standard bank transfers.
• Buy and store Bitcoin securely. Once your account is funded, search for Bitcoin (BTC), enter the amount you’d like to purchase, and confirm the trade. Your Bitcoin will be stored in your secure wallet on the platform, ready to hold or trade.

Frequently Asked Bitcoin Questions in Australia

Is Bitcoin legal in Australia?

Yes. Bitcoin is legal in Australia and regulated under AUSTRAC and ATO guidelines. It’s treated as property for tax purposes and can be safely traded through licensed platforms.

How to buy Bitcoin in Australia with Commonwealth Bank

You can use your Commonwealth Bank account to transfer AUD to a registered Australian exchange like Digital Surge. Most users choose PayID or standard bank transfer for fast, secure deposits.

How to sell Bitcoin in Australia?

Selling Bitcoin is straightforward. Log into your exchange account, convert your Bitcoin to AUD, and withdraw the funds directly to your Australian bank account.

How to mine Bitcoin in Australia?
Mining is legal in Australia, but due to high energy costs, it’s rarely profitable. Most Australians choose to buy Bitcoin via an exchange rather than mine it themselves.

Where to buy Bitcoin in Australia?

Bitcoin is available through AUSTRAC-registered exchanges such as Digital Surge, which support AUD deposits, have transparent fees, and offer access to over 300 cryptocurrencies.

Gold or Bitcoin—What Holds More Value for You?

Gold has history. Bitcoin has momentum. Both offer value, but how that value fits your financial goals depends on what matters most: tangibility or technology, tradition or innovation, stability or scalability.

For Australians, the choice isn’t binary. It’s about clarity and access. With the Bitcoin price in Australia now more visible than ever, and digital platforms making crypto easier to access, more people are asking smarter questions about how and where to store their wealth.

If you’re curious about what Bitcoin can offer in today’s changing economy, now’s the time to explore it. Whether you’re tracking price trends, comparing storage options, or learning how to buy Bitcoin in Australia with Commonwealth Bank, knowledge is your best tool.

Start your journey with a trusted, local platform designed for everyday Australians. Create your free account with Digital Surge today and discover how Bitcoin could fit into your long-term value strategy.