Eric Trump Rebrands Bitcoin as the Modern Equivalent of Gold for Institutional Investors

Eric Trump, son of former U.S. President Donald Trump and the chief strategy officer of

, has stated that is taking on the role that gold has traditionally played within the world’s financial framework. In a recent interview on CNBC, he described Bitcoin as “the gold of today,” underlining its appeal to institutions and wealthy investors both as a means of preserving value and as an investment tool. His comments reflect the increasing adoption of Bitcoin in conventional finance, where more and more institutions are starting to treat it as a credible asset class.

This announcement came shortly after the launch of American Bitcoin, a publicly listed firm focused on Bitcoin mining and accumulating digital assets. The company has made a deliberate decision to keep Bitcoin as a treasury asset, amassing 2,443 BTC on its balance sheet by late 2025. This approach is part of a wider movement among mining companies that now view Bitcoin not just as a mined product, but as a strategic, long-term holding. American Bitcoin’s public listing, achieved through a merger with Gryphon Digital Mining, has made the company more prominent in the sector, with the unified group now trading on the Nasdaq under the symbol ABTC.

Eric Trump’s observations point to a changing attitude among major institutions toward Bitcoin, especially among Fortune 500 firms and sovereign funds, which are increasingly allocating funds to this digital currency. He highlighted Bitcoin’s liquidity, its usefulness as a hedge against real estate, and its role in institutional portfolios as reasons for its growing acceptance. This change could have far-reaching effects on the financial industry, as broader adoption may help cement Bitcoin’s place as a standard asset.

However, using Bitcoin as a corporate treasury asset is not without its challenges. The high volatility of Bitcoin’s price means companies like American Bitcoin face considerable market risk. Supporters believe this strategy aligns the interests of miners with those of investors, but critics caution that it could lead to major losses in market downturns. Governance at American Bitcoin is also under scrutiny, with the Trump family and other investors holding only a minority share, leading to concerns about possible conflicts of interest and the sway of prominent backers over company decisions.

The company’s debut on Nasdaq was met with a variety of responses from investors. Supporters commended the company’s openness and bold approach to accumulating Bitcoin, while doubters warned about the dangers of keeping such a volatile asset on the balance sheet. ABTC’s first day of trading saw its shares soar by 85%, putting the company’s valuation at roughly $5 billion. In the most recent session, the stock closed at $7.28, up 2.97% for the day. Although the share price has dropped from its initial surge, analysts say the company’s high profile and strong start are notable for a new cryptocurrency firm.

Comparisons between Bitcoin and gold as stores of value have also been highlighted in recent studies. Research from 2025 showed that while Bitcoin outperformed gold in returns between 2015 and 2025, it also came with much higher volatility. Gold provided steadier, though smaller, returns and helped balance investment portfolios, whereas Bitcoin’s limited supply and growing institutional support have made it an appealing choice for long-term investors. The study also found that a diversified allocation—such as 20% Bitcoin and 80% gold—produced a better risk-adjusted return than investing in either asset alone, pointing to the benefits of a mixed strategy.

As the financial landscape continues to shift, figures like Eric Trump and firms such as American Bitcoin symbolize the merging of traditional finance with digital assets. As institutional support and high-profile endorsements for Bitcoin grow, the distinction between conventional and digital investments is becoming less clear, prompting investors to rethink their strategies and assess their appetite for risk and alignment with broader objectives.

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