Gold can’t do this! See how BTC, XRP, TON, and ETH are legally bypassing gold to reshape Wall Street finance. #CryptoVsGold #DeFi #WallStreet
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Gold vs. Cryptocurrencies: Why BTC, XRP, TON, and ETH Are Revolutionizing Wall Street Corporate Treasuries
Hey there, folks! I’m John, your go-to guide for all things crypto and blockchain. With years under my belt writing about this fast-paced world, I love breaking down complex ideas into bite-sized pieces. Today, I’m diving into an intriguing topic: how cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), XRP, TON, and Ethereum (ETH) are doing things on Wall Street that gold simply can’t—legally speaking. Joining me is my curious assistant, Lila, who’s always full of great questions to keep things beginner-friendly.
Lila: Hi everyone! John, I’ve heard a lot about gold being this timeless store of value, like digital gold for Bitcoin. But the article mentions gold is “legally barred” from certain things cryptos are doing. What does that even mean?
John: Great question, Lila! Let’s start with the basics. In the past, gold was the ultimate asset for storing value—think of it as the original “safe haven” during economic turmoil. Countries and companies hoarded it in vaults. But fast-forward to today, and U.S. laws from the 1940s, like the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 (which was amended over time), restrict how public companies can treat gold. Essentially, no U.S. public company can exist solely to hold gold as its core business purpose. It’s shackled by regulations that prevent it from being used in modern corporate treasury strategies the way cryptos are now.
The Historical Shackles on Gold
In the past, gold played a starring role in global finance. Remember the gold standard? Up until 1971, the U.S. dollar was backed by gold, meaning you could theoretically exchange your bucks for shiny metal. But after President Nixon ended that convertibility, gold became more of an investment commodity than a flexible treasury tool.
As of now, while gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) exist—like the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)—they’re investment vehicles, not corporate strategies. You can’t have a public company whose main gig is just stacking gold bars and listing on the stock exchange around that holding. Why? Regulations view gold as a commodity that’s too static; it doesn’t generate yield or enable innovative financial plays without jumping through massive legal hoops.
Lila: Okay, that makes sense for gold. But what about cryptocurrencies? Aren’t they volatile and risky? How are they getting away with this on Wall Street?
John: Spot on, Lila—cryptos can be rollercoasters, but that’s part of their appeal for innovation. Unlike gold, cryptocurrencies aren’t bound by those old laws. They’re treated more like digital assets or securities in some cases, allowing companies to build entire business models around holding them. For example, take MicroStrategy. In the past, starting around 2020, they pioneered the “Bitcoin treasury strategy,” where they converted a big chunk of their corporate cash into BTC. As of now, in 2025, MicroStrategy holds over 200,000 BTC, worth billions, and their stock price often moves in tandem with Bitcoin’s value. This isn’t possible with gold because of those legal barriers.
Cryptocurrencies Stepping into the Spotlight: BTC, ETH, XRP, and TON
Looking ahead, this trend is only growing. Cryptos like BTC, ETH, XRP, and TON are flooding into corporate treasuries and even public reserves, creating what some call “digital gold rushes.” Let’s break them down one by one, with the latest updates from reliable sources.
First up: Bitcoin (BTC). Often dubbed “digital gold,” BTC is the king of crypto treasuries. As of August 2025, companies like Tesla and Block (formerly Square) have added BTC to their balance sheets, following MicroStrategy’s lead. Recent developments show Bitcoin’s market cap hovering around $2 trillion, with ETF approvals in 2024 boosting institutional adoption. According to CoinDesk, Bitcoin liquidations topped $900 million in early August 2025 amid market dips, but it’s rebounding, trading at about $118,000. This volatility is part of the game, but unlike gold, BTC can be held as a core asset without legal roadblocks.
Lila: Whoa, $118,000 per Bitcoin? That’s huge! What about Ethereum? I keep hearing about ETH and something called staking. What’s that?
John: Excellent pickup, Lila! Ethereum (ETH) is like the Swiss Army knife of blockchains—it’s not just a currency but a platform for smart contracts (self-executing agreements coded on the blockchain). Staking is where you lock up your ETH to help secure the network and earn rewards, kind of like earning interest on a savings account but decentralized. As of now, ETH is seeing massive inflows into ETFs, with over $2.3 billion in July 2025 alone, per Cointelegraph reports. Public companies are eyeing ETH for its yield potential, something gold can’t offer. In fact, recent news from CME Group highlights ETH’s role in broader economy integrations, separate from mining-heavy coins like BTC.
Now, XRP—created by Ripple—is built for fast, cheap cross-border payments. It’s like a digital bridge for global money transfers. In the past, XRP faced regulatory hurdles with the SEC, but as of 2025, it’s rallying strong. Forbes reported a 30% surge in July 2025, breaking key moving averages, and it’s trading around $3.12 amid inflation reports. Wall Street is warming up; posts on X (formerly Twitter) from industry figures like John E. Deaton suggest XRP ETFs could be on the horizon, driven by greed and copycat strategies. Unlike gold, companies can pivot to XRP holdings for payment tech plays.
Lila: XRP sounds speedy! And TON? I’ve seen it mentioned with Telegram. Is that like a social media crypto?
John: You got it, Lila! TON stands for The Open Network, originally developed by Telegram. It’s a blockchain focused on scalability and integrating with apps (think decentralized apps or dApps, which run on blockchain without central control). As of now, TON is gaining traction for its holdings in corporate strategies. A CryptoSlate article from August 2025 notes that firms are listing around TON holdings, something inviable for gold. It’s part of a wave where token-backed narratives are creating new asset classes on Wall Street.
The Impact on Wall Street: Recent Developments and Looking Ahead
So, how is all this shaking up Wall Street? In the past, treasuries were about bonds and cash. As of now, cryptos are enabling “treasury plays” where companies allocate reserves to digital assets for potential appreciation and yield. A 24/7 Wall St. piece from August 2025 argues XRP could outpace Bitcoin in utility for payments, while Decrypt reported crypto liquidations over $900 million in early August, showing market interconnectedness.
Recent developments include Ethereum’s adoption in public treasuries, outpacing gold’s static role. Posts found on X highlight sentiments like the U.S. potentially converting gold reserves to crypto, though that’s speculative—remember, we stick to facts. CoinDesk’s markets update from August 2025 shows BTC, ETH, and XRP leading in analysis and price updates.
Looking ahead, with tokenization (turning real-world assets into blockchain tokens) exploding, cryptos could replace outdated systems like SWIFT for global finance. Regulations are evolving, but cryptos have a head start over gold’s legal barriers.
Challenges and Considerations for Beginners
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Cryptos face volatility—as seen in the recent tumble where ETH dropped to $3,829 and XRP to $3.12 on inflation news, per TheStreet. Always diversify and research!
Lila: John, this is fascinating, but how do readers get started without getting overwhelmed?
John: Start small, Lila—use trusted exchanges, learn about wallets (digital storage for your crypto), and follow sources like CoinDesk for updates.
John’s Personal Reflection
As someone who’s watched crypto evolve from niche tech to Wall Street staple, it’s exciting to see BTC, ETH, XRP, and TON breaking gold’s old molds. It reminds me that innovation thrives when regulations allow flexibility—cryptos are proving that digital assets can be both stores of value and tools for growth. But remember, always invest wisely; the future is bright but unpredictable.
Lila’s Closing Comment: Wow, John, you’ve made this gold-vs-crypto showdown so clear! I’m inspired to learn more about XRP’s speed—readers, what’s your favorite crypto treasury play?
This article was created using the original article below and verified real-time sources:
- Gold legally barred from what BTC, XRP, TON, ETH are now doing to Wall Street – CryptoSlate
- Markets | CoinDesk
- Will The Rally In XRP Price Continue? – Forbes
- Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP Sink as Crypto Liquidations Top $900 Million – Decrypt
- Ethereum, XRP tumble on shocking inflation report – TheStreet
- Here’s Why XRP Will Be Bigger and Better Than Bitcoin – 24/7 Wall St.
- How XRP Relates to the Crypto Universe and the Broader Economy – CME Group