Gold has been hitting record highs this year, recently approaching $3,000 per ounce, driven by an unprecedented buying spree from central banks. In 2024 alone, they purchased over 1,000 metric tons of gold for the third consecutive year, reinforcing its role as a reliable hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. 

Meanwhile, Bitcoin, often dubbed "digital gold," has delivered staggering returns—over 1,100% since 2017 and over 100% alone last year. Once dismissed as a niche investment, Bitcoin is now being bought up by institutional investors all while the US government is seriously considering creating a Bitcoin strategic reserve.

Why settle for one when you can combine gold’s time-tested stability with Bitcoin’s explosive growth in a single, optimised investment?

Shield Bundle — The Best of Bitcoin and Gold in One Investment

Cape Town-based alternative investment platform Altify (FSP: 53289), backed by JSE-listed Sabvest, has introduced the Shield Bundle (Ticker: SHIELD) — South Africa’s first ready-made investment that merges Bitcoin and gold into a single, dynamically managed portfolio. 

By investing in this Bundle, investors gain exposure to an algorithmically determined ratio of gold and Bitcoin, that is automatically updated every month, optimising investor return while minimising downside risk.  

This Bundle aims to deliver a potentially enhanced return profile to that of gold. 

The Shield Bundle has delivered a +74% return since 1 January 2024, significantly outperforming gold’s +48% while offering a smoother ride than Bitcoin’s +136% surge. 

By balancing Bitcoin’s high-growth potential with gold’s stability, the Shield Bundle provides strong returns with lower volatility, making it an attractive choice for investors looking to optimise risk-adjusted performance.

Over the past decade, Bitcoin has delivered 107.4% annualised returns, far exceeding gold’s 5.89%. 

However, these gains have come with extreme drawdowns, making it a volatile ride for investors. The Shield Bundle, with an annualised return of 31.27%, has consistently outperformed gold while avoiding Bitcoin’s biggest downturns. 

By maintaining a strategic allocation between the two assets and rebalancing monthly, the Shield Bundle captures Bitcoin’s upside while significantly reducing volatility—offering investors a smoother, more balanced approach to long-term growth.

Bitcoin or Gold? Why Not Both?

Bitcoin and gold each offer unique advantages, making them two of the most sought-after assets for wealth preservation and growth. 

While Bitcoin is often celebrated for its earlier stage of investor adoption, exponential returns and decentralised nature, gold has remained a cornerstone of financial security for centuries. 

To better illustrate their respective benefits, the following table provides a side-by-side comparison of why investors turn to each asset.

How The Shield Bundle Works

Sean Sanders, CFA, CEO & Founder of Altify, shares his thoughts on the Shield Bundle:

“A static allocation of Bitcoin-to-gold ignores changing market conditions, leading to suboptimal returns. The Shield Bundle aims to solve this with dynamic rebalancing, adjusting the Bitcoin-to-gold ratio using the Treynor Ratio—a financial metric that optimises risk-adjusted performance.

The Treynor Ratio measures return relative to risk, including drawdowns. The Shield Bundle analyses historical volatility and returns to determine the best allocation—currently 75% gold and 25% Bitcoin—balancing safety with upside potential. 

If Bitcoin’s risk-adjusted return improves, its allocation increases. If gold becomes more stable, then the Shield Bundle shifts towards it.

The Shield Bundle automatically rebalances monthly to maintain the optimal balance. When Bitcoin surges, profits are moved into gold, securing gains and reducing risk.”

‍Why is Pax Gold (PAXG) Used For Gold?

Pax Gold (PAXG) is a digital token backed 1:1 by investment-grade physical gold that are issued by Paxos, a regulated trust company and custodian under the New York State Department of Financial Services and are redeemable for physical gold. Each token represents one ounce of gold stored in London Brinks Vaults and moves with the gold price. Available for buying, selling, and holding directly on Altify, PAXG offers the benefits of gold ownership with lower costs than gold ETFs—without the burden of insurance, transport, or custody fees.

How to Invest in the Shield Bundle (SHIELD) or Pax Gold (PAXG)

1. Sign Up: Download the Altify mobile app (Apple or Android) and verify your account.
2. Fund Your Account: Deposit at least R150 via bank transfer or crypto deposit.
3. Invest: Start investing in PAXG and SHIELD.