In a recent interview at the Yahoo Finance Invest event, Michael Saylor – executive chairman of Strategy – stated emphatically:
“There’s no doubt in my mind bitcoin will be a larger asset class than gold by the year 2035.”
It’s no secret that Saylor has been one of bitcoin’s most vocal and prominent fans. He founded the company Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), best known today not for business‑intelligence software, but for pioneering the corporate bitcoin‑treasury model. Beginning in 2020, Saylor redirected the company’s excess cash into bitcoin. When it paid off, he then began issuing debt and found other ways to buy even more. This playbook transformed the company into the world’s largest public bitcoin owner – and inspired a frenzy of copycats. (I wrote about the rise and fall of the crypto treasury company a few weeks back.)
Because he was an early and enthusiastic bitcoin buyer, Saylor gets a lot of attention. But he’s not alone.
Institutional investor Cathie Wood of ARK Invest sees bitcoin hitting $1.2 million by 2030 – or over 2,400% over the next five years. Investing legend Paul Tudor Jones has been a bitcoin bull for at least as long as Saylor.
Fidelity Digital Assets, in multiple annual reports, has argued that bitcoin’s is not only a legitimate financial asset, but also “a superior form of money” that’s well-positioned for continued global adoption.
So Saylor’s in good company! Back to his forecast. Here’s his logic:
- Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins (19.94 million already in circulation)
- Plus the fact that, by 2035, virtually the entire supply will have been mined
- Combined with increasing global adoption
So the combination of bitcoin’s inherent scarcity and ever-growing demand will drive bitcoin’s price higher. How much higher exactly?
Let’s do some math – today, the estimated global market cap (“market cap” means total supply times total price) is $28.7 trillion. (Bitcoin’s is just over $2 trillion today.) This works out to about $1,400,000 per bitcoin.
At first glance, that’s pretty shocking. I mean, I remember when bitcoin first broke $1,000 – it wasn’t that long ago.
But for long-term investors – those of us who look forward to a comfortable, well-earned retirement – the comparison to gold might be puzzling. Saylor framed that milestone as if bitcoin was going to somehow beat gold.
In my mind, the question isn’t “Which will win?”
I hope, instead, every savvy saver is thinking, “That’s interesting. How can I use this information to sensibly diversify my savings?”
Because, in truth, investing is not a zero-sum game. There can be more than just one winner.
Why Saylor’s bitcoin forecast gets headlines (even though isn’t the whole story)
That forecast worked out to $1.4 million bitcoin price.
While it may sound dramatic, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard credible seven-figure bitcoin forecasts. As far back as 2017–2018 – back when Bitcoin was trading under $1,000 – early crypto fund managers, investors and financial researchers published forecasts. The most optimistic projecting bitcoin would one day reach $500,000 to $1,000,000.
I thought those predictions seemed wildly optimistic. They were only covered by mainstream media with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.
But today, it’s a different story. With institutional adoption accelerating, spot crypto ETFs drawing billions in inflows and bitcoin increasingly viewed as a macroeconomic hedge rather than a curiosity…
Those same forecasts look far less fantastical, don’t they?
Of course, Saylor had to answer a question about bitcoin’s recent downturn. He waved it off – it’s pretty clear Saylor sees the correction not as a threat – but as an opportunity. Strategy has made bitcoin purchases at prices ranging from $10,400 to $102,500. Using dollar-cost averaging to smooth out the price volatility, Strategy has managed to acquire the world’s largest public bitcoin reserve at an average cost of about $66,500.
Clearly, it’s working for them!
Now, it’s no secret here at BitIRA that we think crypto is an asset class everyone should consider. And bitcoin, arguably, is the “best of breed,” the crypto equivalent of a blue-chip asset.
But here’s the kicker for long-term savers.
Despite being called “digital gold,” bitcoin has under-performed gold this year (by a wide margin). Does that make Saylor reconsider?
No, it does not.
So what’s the lesson here?
The same economic forces that drive bitcoin price higher do not necessarily do the same for gold. The opposite is also true. This is the major benefit of diversification — when your savings are well diversified, ideally you’ll always have an asset or two that are doing well. Regardless of how the rest of your savings are doing.
From that perspective, comparing gold to bitcoin is somewhat nonsensical. It’s like that silly bumper sticker you see sometimes, “My kid can beat up your honor student.”
Beyond being considered financial assets and having prices, gold and bitcoin don’t have much in common. People forget this part, but let me remind you, that doesn’t mean you have to choose one asset instead of the other. This isn’t a football game, and we don’t have to root for one side or the other.
Diversification is not a binary decision. Whether or not to actually save for your retirement, now that is a binary decision. Once you’ve decided you want to set aside money for your future, though, you won’t face very many yes/no decisions like that one.
Having said all that, there is room for both gold and bitcoin in your savings. Here’s why…
Gold and bitcoin: Different assets that play different roles
Yes, gold and bitcoin are both considered financial assets.
Beyond that, they really don’t have much in common. There is some overlap between crypto enthusiasts and gold owners, though, and they tend to highlight these similarities:
Both function as alternative forms of money – value you can hold outside the traditional banking system. Neither asset is issued by a government, neither requires trust in a central authority, and both can be used (in different ways) for peer-to-peer transactions. They’re also portable, globally recognized, and intentionally scarce, which is why many people treat them as long-term stores of value rather than speculative trades.
Despite those similarities, these assets play very different roles in your savings. Here’s my take:
Gold’s job:
- 5,000-year track record as a hedge against inflation and geopolitical risk
- Deep liquid market, decades of institutional usage
- One of the few tangible financial assets you can own outright
- Physical gold is a robust asset for a conservative, lower-risk investor
- (But, really, our sister company Birch Gold Group are the experts here)
Bitcoin’s job:
- A new asset class with higher volatility and significantly higher growth potential
- Diversification beyond traditional financial assets
- Much more divisible than gold
- Thanks to services like the My BitIRA platform, bitcoin and crypto are now accessible to everyone
- It’s like gold for the next generation – digital, borderless and highly liquid
When they play on the same team:
Gold and bitcoin aren’t opposites. They’re complements. Gold helps anchor stability and legacy value, especially during economic downturns. Bitcoin adds massive asymmetric upside potential and exposure to blockchain’s explosive growth.
Both often makes much more sense than “gold OR crypto.”
Having said that, let’s briefly discuss how our goals affect this decision…
Is bitcoin right for you?
That’s the right question! Not whether bitcoin is better than real estate or government debt – whether it’s a good fit for your needs.
Here are the important considerations:
Time horizon matters
If you’re within 10 years of retirement, the volatility of crypto must be weighed carefully. The closer you are to drawing down your savings, the less time your assets have to recover from any downturns. If you’re already in retirement, your allocations should probably be much more conservative. If you’re over 10 years away from retirement, or have saved enough that you’re just not worried about wealth preservation, then you should consider a closer look into crypto.
Tax-advantaged accounts make a huge difference
BitIRA facilitates Digital IRAs (self-directed retirement accounts that allow you to hold bitcoin, ethereum and other leading cryptocurrencies). That means you’re not buying spot crypto in a taxable account – you’re embedding crypto exposure inside a retirement vehicle. Not only do you get tax-free trading, you also get tax-advantaged (or tax-free) withdrawals in retirement.
Allocation size matters
A small, deliberate allocation to bitcoin (for growth potential) combined with a foundation of physical gold (for its inflation resistance and stability) offers a lot of benefits. We don’t give investment advice here at BitIRA, so when people ask “How much crypto should I buy?” we tell them the decision is based on their personal risk tolerance and goals.
We also tell them it’s a bad idea to “bet the farm” on any single asset or asset class. That’s the opposite of diversification!
Although there are a number of academic studies supporting the benefits of diversifying with crypto. Fidelity Digital Assets Research did a ton of analysis and came up with the following conclusion:
“Our analysis suggests that bitcoin’s correlation characteristics and risk-return profile may justify a small allocation… While the exact optimal allocation is uncertain, it is non-zero.”
Bitwise Asset Management’s research concluded:
“Even a small allocation (1-5%) improved risk-adjusted returns across nearly all portfolio constructions.”
Which sounds great! So long as you understand the risks.
Understand the risks
Crypto is still a very young asset class! It doesn’t have the same track record as anything else. That means crypto comes with some regulatory risks (although the current administration has taken a very pro-crypto regulatory stance).
Gold is a very mature asset. Its overall stability, though, means its upside is likely limited compared to crypto. Because volatility means both risk and reward.
Nobody knows the future. For that reason, predictions like “bitcoin will outgrow gold by 2035” can be useful frameworks. But don’t mistake them for guarantees.
Make a plan, stick to a process (and ignore the headlines)
Saving for retirement isn’t about buying a ticket for the next big moon shot.
It’s about making a plan you can live with, thick and thin. Then it’s about disciplined execution of that plan. It’s about adopting a long-term mindset, and adjusting it only slowly – as your life changes, not as headlines change.
Putting it all together: The BitIRA approach
Michael Saylor’s bold claim is grabbing headlines – and it’s worth paying attention to. But at BitIRA, we’re less interested in the “who wins” debate. Our focus is on the how and why for everyday Americans saving for their futures.
If you’re exploring how to include digital assets in your retirement plan, here’s how to translate this conversation into action:
- Ask: What does that mean for me – not just in price, but for my savings?
- Learn: Get up to speed on the ins and outs of cryptocurrency investing with the Insider’s Guide to Crypto IRAs (free)
- Assess your risk tolerance: Can you diversify with a high-growth potential, high-volatility asset for the long haul? If so, how much? Remember, these are questions only you can answer!
- Choose whether or not crypto is right for you. If it is…
- Take advantage of BitIRA: We can help you set up a Digital IRA anytime, day or night, in less than 10 minutes. Security, flexibility, and tax-advantaged access to the future of money at your fingertips.
Here’s the bottom line on Saylor’s bold claim:
Gold isn’t obsolete. Bitcoin isn’t a magic bullet. There may be a place for both in your savings.
They’re different tools with different strengths. If you acknowledge this and treat them accordingly – fit them into a diversification plan tailored to your retirement goals – you’ve got the best of both worlds.
Why settle for anything less than that?
