Ray Dalio, the billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates, recently raised concerns about a looming global debt crisis, highlighting the unsustainable debt levels in major economies such as the U.S. and China.
In light of this, Dalio advised investors to shift focus away from debt-related assets like bonds and instead invest in “hard money” assets such as Bitcoin and gold.
Speaking at a financial conference in Abu Dhabi, Dalio expressed his belief that the current debt situation would eventually lead to a decline in the value of money. He emphasized the importance of considering larger economic forces rather than getting caught up in short-term headlines. “I want to steer away from debt assets like bonds and debt,” Dalio said, urging a move towards hard assets to hedge against potential financial instability.
While Dalio had been a skeptic of Bitcoin in the past, he has since become a proponent, advocating for a small allocation of Bitcoin in investment portfolios. In 2022, he suggested that Bitcoin could make up to 2% of an investment strategy, alongside gold, as a safeguard against inflation.
Dalio’s stance comes at a time when many are speculating about the creation of a U.S. Bitcoin reserve under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Despite this, some, like gold advocate Peter Schiff, have criticized the idea, urging the current administration to sell off the U.S.’s Bitcoin holdings to reduce the national deficit and avoid potential negative consequences of a national Bitcoin reserve.
The Trump administration is exploring the idea of leveraging tariff revenues to build a national Bitcoin reserve, signaling a broader shift in how digital assets could be integrated into U.S. economic policy.
Public companies ramped up their Bitcoin holdings in early 2025, with total corporate reserves growing by more than 95,000 BTC in the first quarter alone, according to data shared by Bitwise.
Japanese investment company Metaplanet is ramping up its Bitcoin acquisition strategy, making headlines with its latest purchase of over ¥3.7 billion (approximately $26 million USD) worth of BTC.
Bitcoin-linked investment products in the United States are feeling the pressure as tensions between Washington and Beijing weigh heavily on risk markets.