Metals Alt Season, Catchup Trades, Bitcoin vs Gold, Crypto Is Dead
Metals Alt Season, Catchup Trades, Bitcoin vs Gold, Crypto Is Dead
102 days ago1000xBlockworks
Podcast54 min 43 sec
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

Wait for a significant correction in gold before establishing a long-term position, as the current rally is seen as an overheated "blow off top." Avoid silver, which is viewed as a highly speculative bubble with a high risk of a significant price collapse. Consider accumulating strategic metals ETFs like REMX (rare earths) and URA (uranium) on any pullbacks, as they are part of a long-term "mega trend" in resource independence. Patiently accumulate Bitcoin (BTC) during its current weakness, as it is viewed as a generational investment with significant long-term upside. For altcoin exposure, focus on revenue-generating projects like Hyperliquid (HYP), which is considered a good buy now that it has likely bottomed.

Detailed Analysis

Gold

  • The current rally is described as an "alt season in precious metals," driven by a combination of sovereign central bank buying, momentum-chasing funds (CTAs), and significant retail FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
  • The speakers express short-term caution, noting that the heavy retail involvement is "a little bit scary for the short term" and could be setting up a "blow off top." They warn that late-coming retail investors will likely "get burned on this metal trade."
  • The long-term thesis is very bullish, based on the idea of a fracturing, "multipolar world." In this environment, countries are diversifying away from the US dollar and need a non-sovereign reserve asset, which is driving central banks to buy gold.
  • One speaker gives a long-term price guess, stating, "if you buy this and you wait two years, gold's probably a higher than higher than 5,000."

Takeaways

  • Short-Term Caution: Be wary of buying gold at current prices. The rally is seen as overheated and driven by speculative retail interest, increasing the risk of a sharp pullback.
  • Long-Term Bullish: Gold is considered a strong long-term holding (multi-year to multi-decade) as a hedge against geopolitical instability and de-dollarization.
  • Strategy: It may be wise to wait for a significant correction before establishing or adding to a long-term position. The speakers are not actively trading it now due to the high risk of a reversal.

Silver

  • Silver's rally is viewed as a clear sign of late-stage retail speculation. It is described as "retail's favorite thing to do" when gold goes up and is compared to a highly speculative meme coin.
  • The speakers are very bearish on silver at its current price, calling its valuation "so far divorced... from what it should be."
  • Unlike gold, silver is not being bought by central banks. Its value is seen as almost entirely speculative momentum rather than a fundamental investment case.
  • One speaker is "not touching silver" and warns that a "negative 15, 20% day at some point" would not be surprising.

Takeaways

  • Avoid: Silver is presented as a high-risk, speculative gamble, not a sound investment. Its rally is seen as a bubble driven by retail traders chasing gold's momentum.
  • High Risk of Correction: The speakers believe a significant price collapse is likely. It is considered a trading vehicle for gamblers, not a portfolio asset for investors.

Strategic & Industrial Metals

This section covers a basket of metals discussed as part of a long-term geopolitical investment theme.

  • Rare Earth Minerals (REMX ETF):
    • This is highlighted as a "mega trend" and a core holding for one of the speakers.
    • The investment thesis is tied to the world fracturing into spheres of influence, leading to a fight for resource and energy independence.
    • The REMX ETF, which holds a basket of rare earth mining companies, is mentioned multiple times as a way to get exposure.
  • Uranium (URA ETF):
    • The speaker is "still very long uranium," viewing its chart as "phenomenally interesting."
    • This fits into the same long-term theme of countries seeking energy independence by building nuclear power plants.
  • Copper:
    • Copper is described as an interesting "catch-up trade" with a strong fundamental thesis based on its critical industrial uses and increasing demand for reserves.

Takeaways

  • Strong Long-Term Theme: Investing in metals that are strategically important for national security and industrial use is a key theme for the next 5-15 years.
  • Buy the Dips: While these assets have run up, the speakers advocate for buying them on pullbacks. One speaker states, "if we get a pullback, I'm buying a lot more of these rare earth minerals."
  • Focus on Fundamentals: Unlike silver, these metals have strong, identifiable demand drivers beyond pure speculation, making them more attractive long-term investments. Consider ETFs like REMX (rare earths) and URA (uranium) for diversified exposure.

Bitcoin (BTC)

  • Short-Term Outlook: The speakers describe Bitcoin's recent price action as "languishing" and its chart as "ugly." They note a "lack of interest" as attention and capital have flowed into the hot metals trade.
  • Long-Term Outlook: The long-term conviction remains extremely high. One speaker believes "Bitcoin's going to a million dollars" and that it offers a "much better risk-adjusted return over a long period of time" than gold.
  • The "Great Rotation": The core long-term thesis is that a generational shift will cause wealth to rotate from gold to Bitcoin. As "millennials run the world instead of boomers, they'll hoard Bitcoin instead of gold."
  • Trading Strategy: The speakers are waiting for a clear signal that the trend is reversing. One suggests watching for a "massive down candle in gold and Bitcoin starts to do well" as a potential entry signal. A price "below 80" (presumably $80,000) is called an "amazing buy."

Takeaways

  • Patience is Key: Bitcoin is currently out of favor, but the long-term bullish case is stronger than ever. This presents an opportunity for patient investors.
  • Generational Bet: Investing in Bitcoin is a bet that it will become the preferred non-sovereign store of value for younger generations, eventually supplanting gold.
  • Look for Entry Points: The current weakness could be an opportunity. Consider accumulating on dips, particularly if the price falls below key levels like $80,000.

Other Cryptocurrencies (Altcoins)

  • The "Crypto is Dead" Thesis: The speakers argue that "crypto" as a standalone category is merging with traditional finance (FinTech). In the future, successful tokens will need to function like equities, with legal structures and revenue-sharing mechanisms.
  • Hyperliquid (HYP):
    • This token is highlighted as an example of a good investment in the current market.
    • It is described as a "revenue producing company" that has likely "bottomed now." The speaker believes it's a "great time to buy."
  • Privacy Coins (XMR, ZEC):
    • Monero (XMR) and Zcash (ZEC) are mentioned as a way to "get long crime."
    • The thesis is that there will always be a demand for untraceable transactions, giving these coins a durable, albeit ethically questionable, use case.
  • Meme Coins:
    • The speakers acknowledge that speculating on viral memes (Penguin was mentioned as a recent example that went from $500k to $100M market cap) remains a viable, though extremely high-risk, strategy for "degenerates."

Takeaways

  • Focus on Revenue: The most sustainable investment strategy in crypto is to find projects that generate real revenue and treat them like tech stocks. Hyperliquid is given as a current example.
  • Two Paths for Crypto Investing:
    1. The Investor Path: Buy tokens of projects with strong business models and cash flows, especially during market downturns.
    2. The Degenerate Path: Engage in high-risk, high-reward speculation on meme coins, which requires being extremely online and willing to lose your entire investment.
  • Niche Use Cases: Privacy coins like XMR and ZEC represent a niche, high-risk bet on the persistence of illicit financial activity.
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Episode Description
Gm! This week, we talk about metals going parabolic, commodities and catchup trades, Bitcoin vs gold, BitGo's IPO, and more. Enjoy! – Go follow the new 1000x feed to keep up to date with all new episodes! Spotify: https://bit.ly/4676Sob  Apple: https://bit.ly/4etlBMd  – Follow Avi:  https://x.com/AviFelman  Follow Jonah:  https://x.com/jvb_xyz  Follow 1000x:  https://x.com/1000xPod   Join the 1000x Telegram: https://t.me/+fz-2f0cwC6o0MWNh – Kraken offers crypto margin trading to qualified U.S. clients through Kraken Pro. Access up to 10x leverage on supported pairs. Built-in risk tools, unified account experience, and deep liquidity from a Platform trusted for over 14 years.  Learn more: https://www.kraken.com/en-ca/features/margin-trading   Not investment advice. Crypto trading involves risk of loss and is offered to US customers (excluding NY and ME) through Payward Interactive, Inc. View legal disclosures at kraken.com/legal/disclosures. Availability of margin trading services is subject to certain limitations and eligibility criteria. Trading using margin involves an element of risk and may not be suitable for everyone. Read Kraken’s Margin Disclosure Statement to learn more. – Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:02) Metals Alt Season vs Bitcoin (11:00) Ads (Kraken OTC) (11:53) Metals FOMO, Long-term Thesis & Catch Up Trades (21:19) Bitcoin vs Gold (30:38) Ads (Kraken OTC) (31:31) Precious Metals vs Other Mega Trends (38:31) CTAs, Shorting & Metals Top (43:58) Crypto Is Dead But Here’s What We Like – Disclaimer: Nothing said on 1000x is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Avi, Jonah and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
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By Blockworks

1000x is a crypto markets podcast hosted by professional traders Avi Felman and Jonah Van Bourg. We bring on experts to dive deep into the macro and micro factors that represent the lifeblood of digital money and web3. As an increasing share of economic activity and attention migrates online, tokenomics and price action is increasingly relevant to everyone. If you’re interested in the future of markets and crypto, this show is for you.