| # | Attribute | Precious Metal (Platinum/Gold) | Crypto (Bitcoin, Ethereum) |
| | | | |
| 1 | Commodity | Metal Commodity | Digital Commodity |
| 2 | Value | Traded – value depends upon supply-demand | Traded – value depends upon supply – demand |
| 3 | Production | Mined – depends upon the natural formation under the rocks. It takes millions of years for the formation of the metal. | Mined – Using highly sophisticated mathematical modeling and computers. Lots of electricity is needed to mine the cryptos. The supply is limited to one type of crypto Coin. |
| 4 | Tangible/Intangibles | Tangible (physically metal can be stored) | Tangible (a digital code) |
| 5 | Storage | Safe storage is needed to hold the metal such as a Bank locker or home safe. | Safe storage is needed to hold the digital code – such as cold storage |
| 6 | Transactions | These can be used for purchasing other assets. But it is difficult to handle metal in carrying and exchanging for other goods. There are no exchanges to keep the ledger. | These can be used for purchasing other assets or products. Easy to handle and carry. Blockchain exchanges keep the transaction records. |
| 7 | Network for exchange | it is not available | It is in the process. But can be done. It will be eventually available. |
| 8 | Transportation | Very difficult to carry. The assets will be exposed and may pose circumstances for theft. | Easy to carry a digital code on a specialized flash drive or access an account of cold or hot storage from anywhere. |
| 9 | Finance | Defi (Decentralized Finance) | Defi (Decentralized Finance) |
| 10 | Safe | Anyone can manipulate the quantity of the metal once they get hold of it. | The ledger can be manipulated only for the present amount but not for the previous transactions. All past and present entries in a blockchain are linked so manipulations are difficult. |
| 11 | Future | It will continue as it is today | It will continue to explode. |
| 12 | Future Production | Depends upon the supply in mines. | Bitcoins are limited. Ethereum is unlimited. It takes a long time and lots of electricity to mine the Crypto Coins. However, other cryptocurrencies can be added and related to Bitcoins and Ethereum. |
| 13 | Chances of Loss | Can be stolen | Crypto Coins can be stolen by Hackers |
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