Kiyosaki Defends Bitcoin as ‘People’s Money’ Against Buffett
- Kiyosaki promotes Bitcoin as “People’s Money,” contrasting it with traditional finance.
- Buffett maintains that Bitcoin is speculative and lacks the productive value of real assets.
- Buffett’s record cash reserve highlights caution as Kiyosaki turns to scarce digital assets.
Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has renewed his dispute with Warren Buffett over Bitcoin, accusing the veteran investor of dismissing what he calls “people’s money.” In a post on X on November 17, he responded to Buffett’s long-standing claim that Bitcoin represents speculation rather than real investing.
Kiyosaki cited Buffett’s warning that a “blow-off top” in Bitcoin could hurt investors and accepted that this view fits a traditional Wall Street framework. However, he argued that conventional markets also carry serious risks, pointing to crashes in stocks, real estate, and U.S. government bonds.
Kiyosaki Defends Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Precious Metals as Alternative Assets
In his latest comments, Kiyosaki said he continues to buy Bitcoin and Ethereum alongside physical gold and silver. He described these holdings as protection against what he sees as excessive money printing by the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Treasury, and large financial firms.
He wrote that he does not trust those institutions, while he believes Buffett does, and framed that difference as the central split between their strategies. Kiyosaki repeated that he classifies gold and silver as “God’s money,” while he calls Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other crypto assets “people’s money.”
Kiyosaki argued that governments and central banks cannot create Bitcoin in the way they can expand the supply of dollars. He contrasted this with what he described as unlimited issuance of government currency, which he links to long-term pressure on the value of the U.S. dollar.
The author also restated his phrase “savers are losers,” claiming that holding cash exposes households to long-term loss of purchasing power as prices rise. He called on investors to focus on scarce or hard assets, which, in his opinion, offer greater safeguard during monetary stress and possible market shocks.
Criticism of ETFs, REITs, and ‘Paper’ Investments in Bitcoin and Gold
Kiyosaki also criticized exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs), which he groups with stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. He said these instruments represent “paper” claims rather than direct ownership of assets such as property, bullion, or coins, and that this limits investor control over what they actually hold.
According to Kiyosaki, he avoids investing in gold, silver, and Bitcoin ETFs because they do not provide direct access to actual holdings. He argues that investors should instead seek physical metals and directly held crypto when they want exposure to these assets, and he again described many listed products as “fake” or “counterfeit” money created by Wall Street.
Related: Kiyosaki Predicts Market Crash, Sets Bold Targets for Gold and Bitcoin
Buffett Maintains Cautious Investment Stance and Record Cash Pile
Buffett, who leads Berkshire Hathaway, has for years argued that Bitcoin does not qualify as a productive asset because it generates no cash flow. He has said that any gain in price depends on a buyer paying more in the future, which he views as speculation rather than investment, and contrasts with businesses, farms, and property that produce earnings.
Although Buffett has avoided direct Bitcoin exposure, Berkshire Hathaway is invested in businesses with ties to the crypto economy, such as financial institutions offering crypto-related services. However, the conglomerate still concentrates on large positions in Apple, Bank of America, American Express, and Coca-Cola, which together account for a significant share of its stock portfolio.
Recent filings show that Berkshire now holds a record cash reserve of about $381.7 billion, its largest cash position to date. That stance signals a defensive approach as stock markets trade near record highs and bond yields stay elevated, with Buffett keeping capital ready for future opportunities.
Buffett has suggested that he would rather wait to find opportunities to acquire assets at lower valuations rather than follow rising markets. The contrast in his posture, being cash-heavy, and Kiyosaki pushing into Bitcoin and other scarce assets is a clear divide between how prominent investors are looking at risk and the role of cryptocurrencies in global portfolios.
