Posted by I have been watching Bitcoin from the beginning and currently do not have any money in it. The original vision was that it would be a decentralized digital currency. That means removing the need for central banks or government control. But as soon as they allowed crypto ETFs and options trading, that dream ended. Now it is just another tool for banks and hedge funds to transfer wealth from individual investors to institutional investors. The difference is that crypto has nothing to back up its value. No product or service is produced. No rent is collected and no dividends are generated. Its value is based solely on the balance between buyers, sellers, and long-term holders. That makes it extremely volatile.
As of early 2026, over 150 publicly traded companies hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets. Some have even made holding Bitcoin their primary business model. This alone should be a red flag for all retail investors. Why would you want to risk your money on Bitcoin or any of the companies that hold it on their balance sheets? Of course, there are always going to be people that like to live on the edge. But, if you are nearing retirement, there are much safer investments. Don’t let them talk you into holding Bitcoin in your retirement account. Especially now that it has moved away from its original vision statement.
Maybe someday someone will invent a store of wealth that can’t be leveraged or abused by criminals. Until then, it might be best to stay away from digital currency as an investment.