Bridgewater's Ray Dalio Softens Stance on Bitcoin, Says It Has Place in Investors' Portfolios

The founder of the world's largest hedge fund says bitcoin can form part of a diversified portfolio, though he may still prefer gold.

AccessTimeIconDec 9, 2020 at 8:54 a.m. UTC
Updated May 15, 2023 at 1:36 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Ray Dalio, the founder of the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, has offered a more positive stance on bitcoin than in comments that made headlines last month.

In a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Tuesday, Dalio said he thought bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies had "established themselves" over the last 10 years and were interesting "gold-like asset alternatives."

The billionaire hedge-fund manager also noted that cryptocurrencies share similarities and differences to gold and various "limited-supply, mobile (unlike real estate) storeholds of wealth."

Bitcoin "could serve as a diversifier to gold and other such storehold of wealth assets," said Dalio. "The main thing is to have some of these type of assets ... including stocks, in one's portfolio and to diversify among them."

Dalio comments are a deviation from a month ago when he said there are three main problems with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies: a lack of venues accepting digital assets as payment, price volatility and the potential for governments to "outlaw" them.

During the AMA, Dalio also said, when comparing bitcoin to gold, he had a "strong preference" for assets central banks will want to hold and use to exchange value.

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.