Grant Cardone Says Dumping Bitcoin for Gold Is a ‘Million-Dollar Mistake’
Real estate mogul and entrepreneur Grant Cardone has issued a blunt warning to investors chasing gold’s historic rally: selling Bitcoin now would be “stupid.”
In a Wednesday interview with Decrypt, Cardone argued that while gold’s price surge above $4,000 an ounce marks a major milestone, BTC remains the superior store of value with far better long-term prospects.
“Don’t be stupid,” Cardone said. “I wouldn’t be chasing this thing right now. For every Bitcoin you sell, you’re going to cost yourself a million dollars.”
Gold’s Record-Breaking Run Meets Bitcoin’s All-Time High
Gold has surged more than 50% year-to-date, outpacing even tech giants like Nvidia. The rally reflects growing investor anxiety over the U.S. dollar’s decline and a possible economic slowdown — trends often described as part of the “debasement trade.”
Gold price (Source: TradingView)
BTC, meanwhile, hit an all-time high of $126,000 just a day before gold broke its record, according to data from CoinGecko. Despite short-term volatility, sentiment among investors remains bullish — a Myriad Markets survey found 60% believe BTC is more likely to reach $140,000 than fall to $110,000.
Automation Could Undermine Gold’s Scarcity, Says Cardone
Cardone believes that gold’s perceived scarcity will diminish as automation and robotics reshape the mining industry. He pointed to Elon Musk’s Optimus robot as an example of how technology could enable 24/7 extraction without labor costs.
“Once Elon’s Optimus works, you can dig 24/7, 365 with no payroll,” Cardone said. “The amount of gold we mine is limited to the number of people that can mine it.”
By contrast, BTC’s fixed supply of 21 million coins ensures programmed scarcity, immune to human innovation or industrial scaling. The penultimate BTC is expected to be mined in 2093, reinforcing its long-term value proposition.
Cardone: Bitcoin Is Easier to Custody and Spend
While gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have become popular, Cardone warned that they are effectively “paper gold.” Investors seeking true ownership must store and secure physical gold, risking theft or loss.
BTC, by comparison, eliminates those barriers through self-custody wallets, allowing holders to retain full control of their assets without relying on intermediaries or physical storage.
“Bitcoin doesn’t need a vault,” Cardone said. “And it’s a lot easier to spend.”
Real Estate Meets BTC
Cardone has taken his Bitcoin advocacy beyond words. Through Cardone Capital, which manages more than $5 billion in assets, he has begun integrating Bitcoin into his real estate funds for accredited investors.
Rental income from commercial properties is periodically allocated into BTC purchases, blending traditional cash flow with digital asset exposure.
Even so, Cardone discourages investors from parting with their Bitcoin.
“I’ve had people come to me and say, ‘Hey, I want to invest Bitcoin into your projects.’ And I’m like, ‘Why would you do that?’” he said. “Why don’t you just keep your Bitcoin and convert some of your cash?”
The Gold-Bitcoin Debate Reignites
Cardone’s remarks contrast with the views of legendary hedge fund manager Ray Dalio, who continues to favor a diversified approach. Dalio has advised allocating 15% of portfolios to gold and Bitcoin combined, citing rising government debt and fiscal risks.
VanEck recently estimated that Bitcoin could eventually capture half of gold’s $26 trillion market cap, but cautioned that such a transition could take several years. Bitcoin’s total market value currently sits at $2.4 trillion, up from $1.2 trillion a year ago.
As investors weigh the merits of both assets, Cardone’s message remains clear: don’t trade innovation for nostalgia.
