A number of years ago, I gave a presentation titled “Should I invest in Bitcoin?” Back then, Bitcoin was still the new kid on the financial block, loud, unpredictable, and dressed in a hoodie instead of a suit. My advice at the time? Avoid it.
The reasoning was simple. The asset was too volatile, too speculative, and too untested to belong in a prudent portfolio. That caution, as it turns out, was well-founded. The years that followed saw wild price swings that wiped out the pockets and the patience of many crypto investors.
Some learned valuable lessons. Others learned just how long a “long-term view” can feel when an asset loses two-thirds of its value.
Today, however, the landscape looks different. Bitcoin has matured. Prices are higher but more importantly, the ecosystem surrounding it is sturdier, the institutions more credible, and the regulations far clearer. It remains capable of dizzying highs and gut-wrenching drops, but it is increasingly hard to ignore.
Wall Street has played its part too. After years of regulatory pushback, spot Bitcoin ETFs finally launched in 2024. By late that year, even options on Bitcoin ETFs were trading, giving investors a familiar, regulated way to gain exposure.
Perhaps the most dramatic shift, though, has come from Washington. Since taking office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has made no secret of his affection for Bitcoin, calling it “America’s digital gold” and vowing to make the US the “crypto capital of the world.”
Just recently, I had another session with a group of investors titled “Should you invest in Bitcoin today?” It was a lively discussion and love it or not, Bitcoin is back in the conversation.