In times of geopolitical stress, gold has always been looked to as the ultimate risk asset as a store of value. And despite a long economic recovery and a stock market continuing to make new highs, it would be hard to argue that these aren’t stressful times. So much so that a new asset class—cryptocurrencies—is developing precisely because it is decentralized from the global banking structure and fiat currencies many are losing faith in.

Ironically, bitcoin with its massive price volatility, is challenging gold in the role of global risk asset. Here we discuss the drivers and value of gold and take a deep dive into all things bitcoin: From how to trade it, to how it is being regulated, to where it will be traded and whether it has staying power. Then we pose all these questions to a panel of specialists involved in the complex world of cryptocurrency trading.