When you say "not 'paper gold'", do you mean gold commodity ETFs like IAU and GLD?  Why the distinction?

I own some IAU, and am planning to buy more, but I wouldn't think of buying real gold and storing it in my house.  The ETF seems safer and more convenient.  I don't believe end-of-civilization arguments in which some people hype the benefits of physical gold in hand.

I've been paying attention to bitcoin for years, but only just now bought my first small amount.  I think gold and bitcoin have some similarities, but greater differences.