Binance CEO Richard Teng posted on social network X on December 30 a comparison of Bitcoin's purchasing power relative to gold and silver. The post included a chart illustrating how much gold and silver could be purchased with one Bitcoin from 2010 through 2025 — clearly demonstrating long-term changes in purchasing power. Teng notes that while silver is gaining new industrial momentum, Bitcoin serves as the infrastructure for the future financial system.
Comparing Bitcoin's Purchasing Power to Metals
The chart Teng shared highlights differences in purchasing power dynamics: Bitcoin experiences sharper cycles and rapid changes, whereas gold shows smoother and more stable movement. This pattern indicates that due to Bitcoin's sharp rises and falls, the amount of metal ounces it could buy fluctuated significantly over short periods.
When compared to traditional assets, the chart also conveys the idea that Bitcoin is perceived not only as a speculative tool but also as a benchmark for long-term money value. For a detailed comparison of returns over recent years, see the performance comparison, which discusses relative results of Bitcoin and metals.
Teng's visualization further emphasizes periods when Bitcoin's relative strength expanded rapidly — visible alongside increased institutional interest and other factors noted in the post. Simultaneously, the chart confirms that gold remains a conservative store of value, changing more slowly.
Reasons Behind Growing Silver Demand
In his post, Teng points out that silver demand is currently driven not only by investments but also by industrial applications. Consumption growth is fueled by specific sectors increasing real demand for the metal.
- Industrial use of silver in electric vehicles, which raises material needs for components.
- Installation of solar panels, where silver is used in elements that enhance system efficiency.
- AI chips and advanced electronics requiring silver for connections and contacts.
According to the author, these structural factors support silver's market relevance, distinguishing its demand from purely monetary drivers.
Bitcoin as Financial Infrastructure
Teng frames Bitcoin as the infrastructure of tomorrow's financial system, highlighting its programmability and role in global settlements. The post also mentions Bitcoin's fixed supply and network transparency as key features that set it apart from physical metals.
This perspective categorizes Bitcoin as an infrastructural asset rather than just a commodity, explaining why the digital asset is sometimes viewed as a standard of value in the digital economy. For views on Bitcoin as a reserve asset, see materials on the global reserve asset, where relevant arguments are discussed.
Why This Matters
For miners in Russia with small or medium-sized equipment fleets, Teng's post is important as it provides context for the long-term roles of different assets. Even if current farm operations remain unchanged, understanding that silver is gaining industrial demand while Bitcoin is positioned as infrastructure helps shape financial decisions and savings strategies.
This means choosing between holding coins, selling to cover costs, or buying physical metals is primarily a management decision based on personal risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The information does not suggest immediate operational changes but is useful for planning.
What to Do?
- Follow news sources and official posts (such as Binance CEO's publications on X) to quickly access verified data for decision-making.
- Assess your share of Bitcoin and physical assets in your portfolio — consider diversifying between digital and physical hedges based on liquidity needs.
- Maintain secure key storage and backups to avoid risking access to mined funds amid market changes.
- Optimize equipment operation and electricity costs to reduce breakeven time regardless of asset markets.
- If considering buying silver as protection or diversification, factor in industrial demand as a long-term support for metal interest.