Could the Oracle of Omaha actually be wrong about something?
While widely recognized as one of, if not the, preeminent investors in the world, Warren Buffet is not a fan of bitcoin as he has publicly been advocating caution, at a minimum, when it comes to participating in the digital assets. But should he be?
“Cryptocurrencies will come to a bad ending,” Buffet recently said. However, as he spoke, Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, had added $2,563.48 to its value in the last month, marking a price hike of 37.9%.
Nigel Green, deVere Group
According to deVere Group founder and CEO, Nigel Green, Buffett’s comments on cryptocurrencies highlight how the Oracle needs to be educated on the future of money. His observation followed Buffett’s address to an audience gathered for the Berkshire Hathaway’s recent annual meeting and other public comments.
“It comes as little surprise that Mr Buffett and his 94-year-old business partner, Charlie Munger, criticized cryptocurrencies at their annual meeting," Green told Traders Magazine. "They have done so consistently. But what I do find monumentally baffling is that two of the world’s most successful investors cannot see the intrinsic value of some form of cryptocurrency.”
Green added: “Do they honestly believe that there is no place for, and no value of, digital, global currencies in an increasingly digitalized and globalized world? “Do they not see many of the world’s major tech companies, established banking groups and household name investors investing in, using and/or beginning to adopt cryptocurrencies? “Do they not see governments, central banks and financial regulators recognizing the need for regulatory frameworks because cryptocurrencies are becoming so mainstream?”
Despite Buffett’s view, Green admitted that the Berkshire Hathaway CEO is indeed one of the world’s greatest investors and a hero that just might need more of an education on the cyber realm.
“However, he (Buffett) admits he does not understand cryptocurrencies,” Green said. “He once told CNBC,‘I get into enough trouble with the things I think I know something about. Why in the world should I take a long or short position in something I don’t know about?’ I believe his recent comments on cryptocurrencies illustrate his lack of understanding in this area and how he perhaps needs to be educated on what is likely to be the future of money.”
Green ended that Buffett and other elder statement of the investment universe should be open to a new, decentralized, digital, global currency.
“Whether they like it or not, the world has profoundly changed and moved on in recent years. It can’t, and won’t, go backwards.”
