Unchained

How Bitcoin Is Both a Risk Asset and a Hedge Against Debasement

Apr 6, 2026
Jim Ferraioli, Director of Digital Currencies Research and Strategy at Charles Schwab, blends traditional finance with crypto macro research. He discusses treating crypto as a risk asset, Bitcoin as a hedge against monetary debasement, miner cost-of-production support levels, and why Ethereum’s role in tokenization matters far beyond short-term price moves.
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INSIGHT

Bitcoin Is Primarily A Risk Asset

  • Bitcoin behaves mainly as a risk asset, falling with equities during broad risk-off moves.
  • Jim Ferraioli notes only narrow circumstances, like bank-run fears in 2023, when Bitcoin acted as a safe haven instead of a risk asset.
INSIGHT

Bitcoin As A Hedge Against Debasement

  • Bitcoin is a hedge against monetary debasement because its supply is programmatically constrained.
  • Ferraioli contrasts this with gold's low supply growth and says Bitcoin preserved purchasing power since 2009 despite short-term volatility.
ADVICE

Watch Macro Risk Indicators For Crypto Timing

  • Monitor broad macro signals like credit spreads, yields, and market risk to understand near-term crypto moves.
  • Ferraioli warns Bitcoin can fall with equities but may offer larger upside when risk appetite returns since many negatives are already priced in.
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