In the ever-evolving cryptocurrency landscape, two distinct categories of Bitcoin investors arise: the short-term momentum traders and the long-term buy-and-hold enthusiasts. Among the latter is Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego, founder and chairman of Grupo Salinas, who stands as a steadfast advocate for Bitcoin, viewing it as not just an investment but the future of financial transactions. Even with the recent downturn in the crypto market, Salinas remains optimistic, asserting that Bitcoin surpasses traditional real estate investments, establishing it as a compelling long-term opportunity.
Salinas’s enthusiastic stance is rooted in viewing cryptocurrency as an independent asset class. He argues that, like stocks, bonds, or real estate, investors should consider allocating a dedicated portion of their portfolios to Bitcoin. While many investors might be comfortable with a conservative allocation of 1% to 2%, Salinas takes a notably more aggressive approach. He has even gone so far as to encourage individuals to mortgage their homes to invest in Bitcoin, a recommendation that raises eyebrows even among seasoned cryptocurrency proponents.
Currently, Salinas holds a striking 70% of his investable portfolio in Bitcoin, a bold move indicating a significant commitment to its potential growth—far exceeding the conventional advice offered to most investors. His confidence is bolstered by Bitcoin’s historical price trajectory. For instance, in January 2016, Bitcoin was valued at a mere $400. To purchase a $1 million home at that time, one would have needed to pay with approximately 2,500 BTC. Fast forward to 2026, Bitcoin’s value has soared to about $65,000, suggesting that only 15 BTC would be necessary for that same investment in real estate.
Salinas contrasts Bitcoin’s appreciation with the diminishing purchasing power of traditional currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar. He notes that the value of a dollar today only retains about 15% of its purchasing power from 1976, exacerbated by the U.S. national debt currently standing at $39 trillion—greater than the nation’s entire economic output. Analysts warn that continued money printing may lead to further inflation, undermining the dollar’s value over time.
With such a strong belief in its future, Salinas posits that Bitcoin could eventually reach a staggering $1 million in value. This prediction aligns with views from other prominent figures in the cryptocurrency space, including Michael Saylor of Strategy, Cathie Wood of Ark Invest, and Brian Armstrong of Coinbase, all of whom have articulated similar ambitious price targets for Bitcoin. While Salinas refrains from specifying a timeline for this potential milestone, he suggests that if Bitcoin maintains its current trajectory, such a valuation could materialize within the next decade, making today’s price of $65,000 appear exceptionally affordable.
In this climate of uncertainty surrounding traditional currencies, Salinas’s fervent belief in Bitcoin as a foundational asset signifies a broader shift in investment strategies, highlighting the cryptocurrency’s potential not only as a speculative venture but also as a core long-term holding.
