Cathie Wood sees Bitcoin as effective portfolio diversifier in the years ahead

Key Takeaways

Cathie Wood of ARK Invest sees Bitcoin as a strong portfolio diversification tool due to its low correlation with other major asset classes.
Analysis of weekly returns from 2020 to 2026 shows Bitcoin’s low correlation with gold (0.14) compared to the S&P 500’s correlation with bonds (0.27).

Bitcoin’s low correlation with major asset classes like gold, stocks, and bonds positions it as a strong tool for portfolio diversification and higher returns per unit of risk, said ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood in her 2026 outlook released Thursday.

ARK’s analysis of weekly returns from January 2020 to early January 2026 shows that Bitcoin has a modest correlation of 0.14 with gold, much lower than the 0.27 correlation between the S&P 500 and bonds.

Bitcoin’s correlation is lowest with bonds (0.06), slightly higher with gold and REITs, and highest with the S&P 500 at 0.28. Even at its peak, Bitcoin’s correlation remains far below those of traditional asset pairs, such as the S&P 500 and REITs, which correlate at 0.79.

“Bitcoin should be a good source of diversification for asset allocators looking for higher returns per unit of risk during the years ahead,” Wood wrote.

On Bitcoin mining, Wood said that Bitcoin’s supply growth is strictly limited by protocol, with new issuance set to increase around 0.8% per year over the next two years before slowing to around 0.4% annually.

Unlike gold, which miners can produce more of in response to higher prices, Bitcoin’s supply is mathematically fixed, making it inherently scarce. She noted that this predictable supply schedule, combined with increasing demand, has contributed to a 360% price rise since late 2022.

ARK Invest CEO also outlined her outlook for the US economy, monetary policy, and AI.

She described the economy as a “coiled spring” poised for a rebound, highlighted lower inflation and tax policies as potential drivers of income and corporate cash flow growth, and said AI, robotics, energy storage, blockchain, and multiomics could boost productivity and support strong GDP growth.