Gold-backed cryptocurrency tokens such as Tether Gold (XAUT) and PAX Gold (PAXG) have surged over 72% in 2025, significantly outperforming Bitcoin, which saw a decline of 6.40% during the same period. This rise in gold-backed tokens aligns with physical gold reaching record highs, reflecting increased investor interest in asset-backed digital currencies. Bitcoin's performance in 2025 was marked by a challenging final quarter, erasing earlier gains and highlighting the volatility in the cryptocurrency market. The contrasting fortunes of gold-backed tokens and Bitcoin underscore a shift in investor sentiment towards more stable, asset-backed digital assets.