Barry Silbert, CEO of Digital Currency Group (DCG), shared a candid reflection on his early investments in Bitcoin during an appearance on Raoul Pal’s Journey Man podcast on April 17.
In the podcast, Silbert revealed that he first discovered Bitcoin in 2011 and purchased it for around $7-$8 per coin. As Bitcoin’s value grew, he began investing in early-stage crypto projects. However, in hindsight, Silbert admitted that he would have made greater profits had he simply held onto the Bitcoin rather than looking for opportunities in other companies.
“I was using Bitcoin to make a bunch of those investments, and you would think, if you invested in Coinbase you would have done really well. Had I just held the Bitcoin, I actually would have done better than making those investments,” Silbert said.
His comments come at a time when Bitcoin’s future appears brighter than ever. Bitcoin maximalists like Michael Saylor, co-founder of Strategy, have predicted that Bitcoin could reach a seven-figure price within the next decade.
Additionally, Bitcoin is gaining increasing attention from governments worldwide, which has bolstered its reputation as a long-term investment.
Silbert’s remarks also reflect the growing influence of Bitcoin in global financial discussions. Recently, Zach Shapiro, head of the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI), speculated that Bitcoin’s price could soar to $1 million per coin if the United States government were to purchase 1 million BTC. Shapiro noted the potential “global seismic shock” such a move would cause.
In the same vein, Bo Hines, executive director of the White House Crypto Council, revealed that the council is looking at creative methods to acquire Bitcoin for the U.S. Strategic Reserve.
These methods could include revaluing the U.S. Treasury’s gold reserves, which are currently priced at $43 per ounce, even though the market rate is at $3,300 per ounce. Additionally, trade tariffs could be used to fund Bitcoin acquisitions.
Several market analysts believe Bitcoin may even play a role in addressing the United States’ growing national debt, currently estimated at $36 trillion. According to asset management firm VanEck, Bitcoin-backed financial strategies could help reduce the debt by as much as $14 trillion.
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