Gold strong, crypto set to soar, event told
Gold shines as a safe haven, while crypto eyes its golden era in the next three to four years, the annual Forbes Thailand Forum: The Next Tycoons 2025, was told on Tuesday.
Under the theme “Investing Beyond the Downturn”, industry leaders at the event shared insights on safe-haven assets, digital disruption, and portfolio strategies. Among them were how gold prices in Thailand are expected to climb to 58,000 baht per baht-weight by year-end, supported by prospects of global interest rate cuts, while the cryptocurrency market is predicted to enter its “golden era” over the next three to four years.
Among the speakers was Kiradit Hirunyasiri, chief operating officer of MTS Gold, who said investors should continue to accumulate gold rather than sell, as interest rate cuts could push prices higher.
Historically, gold has delivered an average five-year return of around 12%. Year-to-date, prices have already surged 27%.
“Gold remains the must-have asset for security, far less volatile than equities or cryptocurrencies,” Mr Kiradit said.
Over the past three years, global gold prices have risen nearly 55%, and have doubled in the last five years, underscoring its resilience as a hedge against uncertainty. MTS’s trading volume reached 1.7 trillion baht in 2024, up 50% from the prior year, and has already surpassed 900 billion baht in the first eight months of 2025, driven by geopolitical turmoil, earthquakes, and online fraud cases that spurred physical buying.
Mr Kiradit said he sees Thai gold prices reaching 58,000 baht per baht- weight this year, with upside opportunity to reach 60,000 if the baht weakens to 34–35 against the dollar. Globally, that would imply US$3,800 (123,456 baht) an ounce, compared to the April peak of $3,500.
He recommended portfolio allocation of 15% in gold as an alternative asset, 10% to Bitcoin, and the remainder in equities and bonds depending on individual risk tolerance.
Meanwhile, Nirun Fuwattananukul, chief executive of Binance TH by Gulf Binance, said he believes the next three to four years will mark a turning point for digital assets, fuelled by growing institutional demand.
Bitcoin recently hit a new all-time high, doubling within a year following Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency, amid policies seen as supportive of digital assets. “If gold is the must-have security asset, crypto is the must-have growth asset,” he said.
Mr Trump’s pro-growth stance and skepticism toward fiat currency have reinforced confidence in digital technology, AI, and cryptocurrencies as high-potential sectors. Still, Mr Nirun cautioned that in times of war or extreme crises, gold will remain the safer bet, while Bitcoin remains in its infancy and inherently volatile.
Looking ahead, he suggested Bitcoin could reach $200,000, though the timing depends on supply-demand dynamics and institutional participation.
He also praised Thailand’s regulators for swiftly enacting digital asset rules, enabling sandbox trials for cryptocurrency payments. “Digital assets are here to stay. Ten years from now, Bitcoin and crypto will not only survive, but continue to gain global acceptance,” Mr Nirun said.
Kiradit: Advises 15% in gold, 10% in Bitcoin
Nirun: Digital assets will thrive in coming years
Source – Bangkok News
