Citadel CEO Ken Griffin Says He 'Doesn’t Know How to Think' About Bitcoin

Speaking to Andrew Ross Sorkin of CNBC on Friday, the billionaire investor said he does not see "the economic underpinning of cryptocurrencies" and does not spend any time thinking about them.

AccessTimeIconFeb 22, 2021 at 4:37 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 19, 2021 at 7:25 a.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of multinational hedge fund manager Citadel, is yet to be convinced by bitcoin, describing it as "effectively a digital token."

  • Speaking to Andrew Ross Sorkin on CNBC Friday, the billionaire investor said he does not see "the economic underpinning of cryptocurrencies" and does not spend any time thinking about them.
  • "I understand how to value a stock, I understand how to think about currency exchange rates around the world," Griffin said.
  • "I don't know how to think about what is effectively a digital token."
  • The Citadel founder's comments come at a time when the mood music on Wall Street suggests distinctly warming sentiment toward crypto.
  • Griffin was also quizzed by Sorkin about Citadel's role in the recent GameStop trading frenzy, for which he and others were called in front of Congress last week.
  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • 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.



    Read more about