Since its launch in 2008, Bitcoin (BTC), the leading cryptocurrency, has been criticized by numerous economists, politicians, bankers, and investors. Some have condemned it as a scam or predicted its value would eventually plummet to zero. However, Bitcoin has steadily grown, surpassing $100,000 for the first time in December 2024. Despite this record-breaking milestone, skepticism surrounding Bitcoin persists.
Cointelegraph recently published an article titled “Top 5 Bitcoin Critics Unfazed by $100,000 BTC Milestone,” highlighting the views of five financial experts who remain critical of Bitcoin.
Peter Schiff, a prominent American stockbroker, is one of the leading Bitcoin critics. He has expressed skepticism about cryptocurrencies since 2013, when Bitcoin traded between $100 and $1,000. Known for advocating gold investments, Schiff has consistently dismissed Bitcoin’s potential. Ironically, his son, Spencer Schiff, ignored his father’s warnings and invested 100% of his portfolio in Bitcoin in 2021. In 2019, Peter Schiff predicted that Bitcoin would never reach $100,000, but his forecast has now been proven entirely wrong. Schiff expressed concerns about the possibility of the U.S. government adopting Bitcoind as a strategic reserve asset, referring to it as a “national security threat” and “public enemy number one.” He warned that if the U.S. government prints massive amounts of dollars to acquire Bitcoin, it could create a huge bubble and waste national assets.
Paul Krugman, the 2008 Nobel Prize-winning economist, also expressed skepticism in 2013 when he wrote a column titled “Bitcoin is Evi” in TheNew York Times. He argued that Bitcoin fails to fulfill its basic functions as a currency, describing it as a tool for large-scale crime. Krugman is also famous for predicting in 1998 that the internet would not have a more significant impact than fax machines. He recently referred to Bitcoin as “digital $100 bills” rather than digital gold. He also agreed with critics who argue that cryptocurrencies are primarily used for illegal activities.
The European Central Bank (ECB) also maintains a critical stance on Bitcoin. In a 2024 report, ECB’s Director General of Market Infrastructure and Payments, Ulrich Bindseil, and Adviser Jürgen Schaaf claimed that Bitcoin failed to fulfill its promise as a decentralized global digital currency mainly used for illegal transactions. They emphasized that Bitcoin is not suitable as an investment or payment method, despite the approval of the Bitcoin Spot Exchange-Trade Fund (ETF) in the United States. They also suggested legal measures to limit Bitcoin ownership, arguing that Bitcoin has a structure in which early holders exploit new investors.
Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, is also a leading Bitcoin critic. He compares Bitcoin to a “pet rock.” When Bitcoin spot ETFs debuted in the U.S. market in January 2024, Dimon declared he would no longer comment on Bitcoin. While reports suggested his position might have shifted following Donald Trump’s successful re-election bid, Dimon has maintained his public silence on the cryptocurrency.
Rafi Farber, publisher of the End Game Investor, has emerged as a new Bitcoin critic. He views Bitcoin as a tool for spreading inflation in the U.S. dollar. He criticized Bitcoin, saying the monetary system is “spiraling out of control” due to its relationship with Tether (USDT) and U.S. Treasury bonds. He argued that physical assets like gold and silver are better alternatives. Farber predicts that Bitcoin will fail to maintain stability during a global financial crisis and will decline more sharply than gold.
Bitcoin’s historic $100,000 mark has allowed many to reevaluate the potential of cryptocurrencies. However, voices of opposition and skepticism remain strong. These persistent critiques continue to spark debates over the direction digital assets such as Bitcoin will take.
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