When prices rise from yuan to dollars: the gold and Bitcoin paradox in 2026

Last week, something surprising happened: even my relatives, those who never took an interest in investments, started sending messages to the family group asking if it’s still a good time to buy gold. Looking at the numbers, the conversion of yuan to dollars in terms of value is frightening. One gram of gold went from costing approximately 260 yuan in 2016 (the price of a family meal) to 1,180 yuan in 2026. In dollar terms, it’s as if traditional assets are in an unstoppable race.

But here’s the question that keeps me awake: when everyone is buying the same thing, is it really time to act?

From yuan to dollars: the gold explosion nobody expected

The numbers speak for themselves. In 2016, gold was trading around 260 yuan per gram. By 2020, it had risen to approximately 380 yuan. But in the first half of 2026, it has directly reached 1,180 yuan. If you convert these yuan values to dollars, you can clearly see how it has multiplied several times in less than a decade.

What’s most interesting is that each dip in prices seems to have its own precise timer. Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, appears almost as if he’s coordinating the moves: when the market wavers, he drops a provocative comment about monetary policy, and the gold price surges again. It’s no political coincidence; it’s almost a “market control” in real time.

The hidden risk: when even market sellers talk about gold

Right now, the entire network is flooded with news about the rise of gold. Shops, social media, even traditional market vendors are discussing assets they haven’t touched in years. When an asset crosses the boundary of investor circles and enters everyday conversation, it’s time to turn on a red caution light.

I’m not saying gold will fall tomorrow. It might keep rising, maybe reaching 6,000 or 7,000 yuan. But the environment is identical to a market at the end of the day: there’s some valuable merchandise, but also a lot of chaff around. The louder the applause sounds, the more uncomfortable I feel. Why? Because gold, in essence, is a “fear asset.” Its value lies in the fact that, if the world ever wobbles, it will be universally accepted. It’s like an honest insurance: it guarantees that your things will remain yours, but it won’t make you rich.

The opposite logic: while others accumulate gold, I watch Bitcoin

My strategy is different. When others are loading up on gold, I keep a close eye on Bitcoin. Currently, BTC is trading around $70.37K, fluctuating weakly, and many think it’s not worth investing. But this is where most make a perspective mistake.

Bitcoin has something gold will never have: instant global liquidity and limitless digital portability. If you need to move 10 kilos of gold from one country to another, you need logistics, security, conversion of yuan to dollars at each border. With Bitcoin, you only need to remember a mnemonic phrase and you have access anywhere on the planet.

Additionally, Bitcoin’s four-year cycle has been effectively altered after the approval of the spot ETF, but the underlying narrative hasn’t changed: it’s money for the digital age. As capital refuses to keep buying gold at stratospheric prices, it will look for new destinations. Who else has enough liquidity, solid consensus, and future narrative potential?

Three dimensions of the investment strategy in 2026

First: gold - smart profit management

If you’ve already gained from gold, consider taking profits gradually. If you haven’t entered yet, watch from the sidelines. The best time to enter an enthusiastic market is rarely when it’s shouting.

Second: Bitcoin - patience during corrections

Stay alert to capital movements. If money shifts massively into gold, Bitcoin could experience an interesting correction. That would be the moment to position yourself, not now.

Third: mindset - the antidote to FOMO

The most critical thing is your psychological state. Don’t let “fear of missing out” (FOMO) control your decisions. The market always creates opportunities; what you lack is calm capital in your pocket and a serene mind.

Ask yourself silently

The transformation of yuan to dollars, the price multiplication, all of this creates a powerful psychological effect. But when everyone is celebrating the same thing, the real question you should ask yourself is: “Do I really have a chance to make money in this noise, or do I just have a chance to drag myself along with the crowd?”

Your honest answer is the best move you can make.