For Ricardo Salinas, bitcoin will not only reach the level of gold, but will surpass it.
Analysts denounce market manipulation to provoke panic selling.
Bitcoin’s recent pullback has not gone unnoticed. This Friday, October 17, its price fell to 103,000 dollars (USD), generating fear in the market and reviving the debate about a possible stagnation that, according to some analysts, is far from reflecting reality.
The decline occurred in parallel with a downward movement in major stock markets, such as the Nasdaq and the S&P 500, where investors reduced their exposure to risk assets in the face of rising US Treasury yields.
The latest BTC movements generated multiple reactions, including that of Mexican businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego, who highlighted that Satoshi Nakamoto’s creation still has enormous potential to grow versus gold.
«Bitcoin will rise at least 14 times (which means 1,516 million dollars) to reach the level of gold, and then continue to surpass it. Save this message, stated the millionaire, as a long-term forecast.
Salinas referred to a publication by The Kobeissi Letter—a financial newsletter—which notes that gold reached a historic value of $30 trillion in market capitalization. Just a few days ago, CriptoNoticias had reported that The yellow metal accumulates an increase of more than 50% so far this year.
Along these lines, entrepreneur and developer Samson Mow, known for his staunch defense of bitcoin, shared a view that is far from pessimistic: “When the price rises, it will make the gold rally look insignificant.” Your comment reinforces the idea that Some of the liquidity that currently favors gold could shift to the asset created by Satoshi.
Likewise, podcaster Robin Seyr pointed out to the lack of understanding about bitcoin among investors, claiming to be surprised by the fact that many put gold above BTC: “The fact that people are now turning to gold shows that the majority have no idea about bitcoin.”
It is worth noting that Brian Estes, Investment Director of Offthechain Capital, an investment firm specialized in digital assets, analyzed the characteristics that make bitcoin a superior alternative to gold as a store of value, highlighting its efficiency, scarcity and security.
«Bitcoin is more portable than gold, it can be transferred over the Internet and has final settlement in 10 minutes. It is twice as scarce based on the reserve-to-production ratio, which means its market capitalization should be double and is currently just 1/10. In addition, it is more divisible, decentralized and verifiable,” manifested.
The additional benefits of bitcoin
Indeed, bitcoin offers additional benefits such as ease of storage without the need for physical space, the possibility of audit the network transparently and in real timeand resistance to censorship in international transactions. In addition, there will only be 21 million units, so it is not subject to the devaluation of fiat currencies.
For his part, Arthur Hayes, former CEO of BitMEX, adopted a more classic position when considering the fall as a buying opportunity. «BTC is on offer. If this problem in the regional banks of the United States escalates to a crisis, prepare for a bailout similar to that of 2023. And then go shopping, as long as you have capital available. I already have my list, what’s on yours, family?
Hayes is referring to the recent outbreak of problems at regional banks in the United States, which have raised fears of a crisis similar to that of 2023, when entities such as Silicon Valley Bank collapsed due to excessive exposure to Treasury bonds and subprime loans in a high interest rate environment.
This week, specifically on October 16, 2025, banks like Zions Bancorp and Western Alliance Bancorp revealed millionaire losses for fraudulent or bad loans.
Bitcoin and discipline in the face of volatility
With BTC experiencing sharp declines, analysts emphasize that impulsive decisions can be costly. Specialist Shanaka Anslem Perera exhorted investors not to succumb to panic: «Wall Street wants your bitcoin at 90,000-100,000 to sell it to you at 500,000. They will bring you down, they will scare you, they will ruin you. They will make you believe it’s over. You will sell in panic. They will swallow every satoshi and then sell it at the maximum, without you. Don’t be their exit liquidity. Conserve or you will be fooled.
Another analysis agrees with this position, pointing out that the large institutions are raising the price of goldor to put pressure on bitcoin and thus generate a wave of sales. According to this perspectiveonce the capital rotation is complete, the money will return to BTC, boosting its price beyond what many expect.
However, gold investor and advocate Peter Schiff, CEO of Euro Pacific Capital, criticized the performance of BTC versus traditional assets: «Bitcoin has failed the test as a viable alternative to the US dollar or as digital gold. Hodlers are in denial and their refusal to accept reality will cost them dearly. [inversores que mantienen sus bitcoins a largo plazo sin vender]», warned.
In the midst of volatility, most specialists agree on one key point: do not succumb to panic. Sudden price movements are part of the natural market cycle, so staying calm, analyzing with perspective and making informed decisions can make the difference between impulsive losses and strategic opportunities.