[DigitalToday reporter Hyun-woo Choo (추현우)] Bitcoin and ethereum have continued to underperform traditional assets in 2026. On June 2, blockchain outlet The Crypto Basic (thecryptobasic) reported that bitcoin has fallen more than 16 percent since the start of the year and ethereum has dropped more than 32 percent, while Brent crude, major U.S. stock indexes and precious metals have risen.

Brent crude has risen more than 63.3 percent since the start of the year, the strongest gain among major assets. The increase reflects growing concerns about supply shortages after the Strait of Hormuz was blocked due to clashes between the United States and Iran.

U.S. stocks have also been strong. The Nasdaq is up 13.8 percent and the S&P 500 has gained 9.2 percent from the start of the year, with both setting fresh record highs. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield has risen 6.9 percent and the dollar index is up 0.6 percent. Gold has gained 1.2 percent and silver is up 0.5 percent. Gold rose as high as $5,597 at one point this year before falling back to around $4,500, but it remains above its level at the start of the year.

Bitcoin climbed to $98,000 early in the year and rebounded to $82,000 in May, but later fell below $69,000. In the past, bitcoin has sometimes outperformed traditional markets when risk appetite was strong, but this year it has failed to keep pace as money has flowed into energy and stocks.

Ethereum has fallen more. Ethereum tends to trade as an asset with bigger price swings than bitcoin, and its decline has widened. It retains its status as a core network for decentralised applications and tokenised assets, but its market performance this year has lagged traditional assets as well as other asset classes.