Imagine holding physical silver since 1980—dropped $69 back then, watched it sit for five decades, and finally cashed out at $90 in 2030. That's roughly 30% total return over 50 years. Meanwhile, early Bitcoin believers who grabbed BTC in the early days saw astronomical gains over similar timeframes. It's a stark reminder of why portfolio diversification matters, especially when comparing traditional commodities against emerging digital assets. The long game plays different depending on what you're holding.