Bitcoin: A Lifeline During a Banking Crisis?
In light of recent banking instability in the US, financial experts and influential figures have been discussing the safest options for investors to protect themselves. One such figure is Robert Kiyosaki, author of “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” who has warned his followers about an impending banking crisis and suggested that Bitcoin could serve as a “parachute” during the landing.
A Warning from Robert Kiyosaki
Kiyosaki, with his 2.5 million followers on social media, expressed concerns about the future of the banking system and global economies. Drawing a parallel with the US Navy Flight School, he explained that student pilots are trained to handle turbulent situations when their planes start to fail, enabling them to land safely.
However, inexperienced investors often find themselves at a loss when faced with a banking collapse and subsequent economic crash. Kiyosaki advised these investors to “bailout” and highlighted Bitcoin, gold, and silver as assets that could provide a soft landing during an economic crisis.
The Regional Banking Crisis of 2023
Kiyosaki’s warning follows growing concerns about the stability of the regional banking sector in the US. Last year, collapses of Silvergate, Silicon Valley, and Signatures caused significant turmoil in the banking industry and had adverse effects on the US economy.
Recent reports of major losses from New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) in late 2023 have only heightened worries about the regional banking sector’s stability. NYCB, which acquired Silvergate after the 2023 crisis, experienced a 45% drop in share prices last week, indicating potential instability in the sector.
Other Figures’ Perspectives
Arthur Hayes, Co-founder of BitMex, also commented on the NYCB news and predicted future bankruptcy for the bank. Additionally, he expressed confidence in Bitcoin, suggesting that its price could reach $1 million.
Cathie Wood, CEO of Ark Invest, echoed the sentiment that Bitcoin is a safe haven, especially now that spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have been approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Wood believes that Bitcoin will surpass gold in the future due to easier access to the digital asset.
A Bullish Run for Bitcoin
Bitcoin has experienced a generally bullish trend in the first month of 2024. The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs by the SEC has further fueled this sentiment. However, concerns arose temporarily when there were outflows from the Grayscale Bitcoin ETF (GBTC), causing the price to dip below $40,000.
Nevertheless, Bitcoin’s price has been steadily rising since then, with a 6% increase in the last week alone. At the time of writing, BTC is trading at $44,764.5 with a 4.2% surge in the past 24 hours.
Hot Take: Bitcoin as a Safety Net During Economic Turmoil
Amidst concerns over potential banking crises and economic crashes, financial figures such as Robert Kiyosaki have emphasized the need for investors to protect themselves. Kiyosaki suggests that Bitcoin could serve as a “parachute” during these turbulent times. Other experts like Arthur Hayes and Cathie Wood also express confidence in Bitcoin’s ability to withstand economic instability.