Bitcoin at the Crossroads of War and Wealth
The global financial landscape is shifting rapidly, and Bitcoin is once again at the heart of the storm. As geopolitical tensions spike – most recently with Israel’s direct strikes on Iranian nuclear targets – markets have responded with dramatic moves. Gold is nearing record highs, oil has surged over 13%, and Bitcoin, after a brief dip, has bounced back sharply. This mirrors previous conflict-driven rallies like the one in October 2024, where Bitcoin surged 80%.
While retail investors panic-sold, billionaires and institutions took the opportunity to buy. Names like Ken Griffin and Steve Cohen, along with pension funds across Michigan, Wisconsin, and the UK, are all accumulating Bitcoin spot ETFs. BlackRock’s iBit ETF now holds over 3% of all circulating BTC. This behavior signals more than speculation—it reflects a broader transition as major players abandon fiat currency and seek safety in decentralized assets like Bitcoin and gold.
Ricardo Salinas: “Bitcoin Is the Escape Valve from Fiat Fraud”
Joining this growing crypto chorus is Ricardo Salinas, billionaire chairman of Grupo Salinas and author of The Bitcoin Enlightenment: Ending the Fiat Age. A longtime critic of government overspending, central banks, and fiat manipulation, Salinas argues that we are in the early stages of a monetary revolution. According to him, Bitcoin isn’t just a speculative asset – it’s a necessity for those who want to preserve their freedom and financial sovereignty.
He openly criticizes central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), calling them “the most diabolical invention ever” due to their programmability and potential for state overreach. Salinas believes that CBDCs will ultimately accelerate the adoption of Bitcoin because they will make the dangers of centralized control undeniable. As he puts it, “If you want to be free, you must have Bitcoin.”
Gold vs. Bitcoin: Which Is the Better Bet?
Though Salinas once considered himself a die-hard gold bug, he now allocates 70% of his portfolio to Bitcoin and just 30% to gold and gold miners. He acknowledges gold’s historical role in crisis protection but says Bitcoin offers superior liquidity, mobility, and resistance to government seizure. While he still holds physical gold—stored securely in multiple jurisdictions – he warns against paper gold and recommends only the most reliable royalty companies like Wheaton and Newmont.
Interestingly, Salinas views the emerging Bitcoin ETFs as a double-edged sword. While they offer institutions easy access to the asset, they are custodial in nature and vulnerable to government seizure, just like what happened with gold in 1933. For long-term safety, he strongly advocates for cold storage and multi-sig wallets.
Can Latin America Lead the Bitcoin Revolution?
Despite El Salvador and Argentina making headlines for their pro-Bitcoin stances, Salinas is skeptical that broader Latin America will lead the charge. Each country has unique political and economic conditions, and most governments remain too reliant on their control over central banks to adopt decentralized monetary systems. Still, Salinas believes that the inevitable rise of Bitcoin as a global reserve asset will continue, regardless of political resistance.
He also warns that the same monetary mistakes that destroyed currencies in Latin America—like hyperinflation and capital controls—are now being repeated in the U.S. and Europe. Excessive government spending, rising debt, and bloated bureaucracies are unsustainable. For those still holding long-term bonds or fiat-denominated assets, his message is clear: “Get rid of it now, today. It’s the most stupid investment in the world. Buy Bitcoin.”
Bitcoin as a Lifeline for Future Generations
Salinas, who has survived economic collapse, asset seizures, and hyperinflation, is using his personal experience to educate the next generation, including his own children. His family is fully “orange-pilled,” and he even encourages strategies like mortgaging property to buy Bitcoin while paying off debt in devaluing fiat currencies. To Salinas, Bitcoin is more than an investment – it’s a generational solution to a broken financial system.
As he puts it: “The fiat system is enslavement. Bitcoin is redemption.” His new book, The Bitcoin Enlightenment, is both a warning and a call to arms for savers, investors, and anyone seeking financial freedom in the digital age.
