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Bitcoin and gold rank as worst-performing major assets of 2026

Bitcoin and gold are the two worst-performing major asset classes in 2026 so far, marking the first time in any calendar year that both have simultaneously bottomed the rankings, according to Creative Planning data.

Table of asset class total returns from 2011 to 2026 by Creative Planning, highlighting Bitcoin and gold at the bottom of 2026 performance.
Image: @coinbureau

Bitcoin and gold have slid to the bottom of the major asset class performance rankings in 2026, falling 7.3% and 7.5% year-to-date, respectively, according to Creative Planning chief market strategist Charlie Bilello. Market tracking data through Oct. 23, 2026, shows that this is the first calendar year in which both assets have simultaneously ranked as the two worst performers.[1][2][3]

The simultaneous downturn leaves both assets trailing every other major category on the board, including equities, bonds, and cash, which has gained 2.9% this year. The slump in gold marks a sharp reversal from 2025, when the metal led all tracked asset classes with a 63.7% annual gain.[2][3]

Despite their weak standing in 2026, both retain positive long-term profiles over the multi-year tracking period from 2011 to 2026. Bitcoin holds the highest annualized return among all tracked asset classes over that span at 120.6%, while gold has registered an annualized return of 6.3%.[2][3]

Key facts

  • Bitcoin is down 7.3% year-to-date in 2026, according to Creative Planning chief market strategist Charlie Bilello.
  • Gold is down 7.5% year-to-date in 2026, placing it as the worst-performing major asset class tracked.
  • This is the first calendar year in which Bitcoin and gold have simultaneously ranked as the two worst-performing major asset classes.
  • Both Bitcoin and gold are trailing stocks, bonds, and cash year-to-date in 2026.
  • Gold gained 63.7% in 2025, when it ranked as the top-performing asset class.
  • From 2011 through 2026, Bitcoin achieved the highest annualized return among tracked assets at 120.6%, while gold produced an annualized return of 6.3%.

Sources 路 3 sources

  1. CO

    CoinGape@CoinGapeMediaPost on X 路

    馃毃 LATEST: Bitcoin and gold are the worst-performing major assets of 2026 so far, down 7.3% and 7.5%, respectively. This has never happened in a calendar year before, according to Charlie Bilello. 馃憖 Which one will recover first? https://t.co/9jJwOjzeGP

    Open source
  2. CB

    Coin Bureau@coinbureauPost on X 路

    馃毃SHOCKING: Bitcoin (-7.3%) and Gold (-7.5%) are the TWO WORST performing major asset classes so far in 2026. This is a HISTORIC FIRST, per Chief Market Strategist Charlie Billelo at Creative Planning. Yet, since 2011, $BTC has delivered the HIGHEST annualized return among tracked assets at 120.6%, while Gold has returned 6.3% annually. Gold also surged 63.7% in 2025, making its current decline a sharp reversal. Despite their strong long-term performance, both assets are now trailing stocks, bonds and even cash in 2026.

    Open source
  3. CO

    Cointelegraph@CointelegraphPost on X 路

    馃毃 LATEST: Bitcoin and gold are the two worst-performing major assets of 2026 so far, down 7.3% and 7.5% respectively, a first for any calendar year, per Charlie Bilello. Which one bounces back first? 馃憖 https://t.co/TR6Qbm6eL4

    Open source