BlackRock CEO Calls Bitcoin a Digital Gold and Safe Investment

Highlights:

• Larry Fink now considers Bitcoin a digital alternative to gold for investors.
• BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF attracts many new retail investors, increasing market participation.
• Elon Musk praised Bitcoin’s energy foundation and warned about rising US government debt.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has completely changed his view on Bitcoin. In a recent CBS interview, Fink admitted that in 2017, he believed Bitcoin was mainly used for illegal activities and even called it “an index of money laundering.” But his view has shifted. He now compares Bitcoin to gold — not as a replacement for traditional assets, but as a valuable part of a balanced investment portfolio.

Larry Fink Sees Bitcoin as a Digital Version of Gold

“Gold has been a safe haven for many years. Crypto has now emerged as a digital version of this,” Fink said. He explained that cryptocurrencies are easier to trade and more accessible than gold, which makes them an appealing choice for investors seeking safety. “I once said it was for money launderers and thieves,” he said. “But markets have a way of teaching you to challenge your assumptions.”

The BlackRock CEO noted that digital assets have moved beyond their early speculative stage. Institutional involvement, regulatory developments, and technological advances have boosted Bitcoin’s credibility as a long-term investment. Fink emphasized that he views Bitcoin not as a threat to traditional markets, but as a complement, offering balance when stocks and bonds underperform.

Despite seeing crypto’s potential, Larry Fink remains cautious about its volatility. He warned that while digital assets can provide growth opportunities, their prices can swing sharply. Fink advised investors to treat cryptocurrencies like any high-risk investment and proceed carefully. He advised that cryptocurrencies should make up only a small part of a balanced portfolio. He added, “For those looking to diversify, [Bitcoin] is not a bad asset.”

Larry Fink just went on ‘60 Minutes’ to tell the world he was wrong about Bitcoin for years and in the future it will have a role similar to Gold.

Gold just hit a $27 trillion dollar market cap and a new all time high THIS MORNING.

They are going to SEND us in Q4. Buckle up. pic.twitter.com/CUui5LdsqC

— The ₿itcoin Therapist (@TheBTCTherapist) October 13, 2025

This change in outlook aligns with BlackRock’s growing role in the crypto market. Last year, the company made a strong move into digital finance by launching the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund. Within a year, IBIT became the largest Bitcoin ETF, managing over $93.11 billion and holding about 804,000 BTC, nearly 3% of Bitcoin’s total supply. This achievement placed BlackRock ahead of major corporate and even government Bitcoin holders

Interestingly, BlackRock’s success isn’t just driven by large investors. In his 2025 Chairman’s Letter to Investors, BlackRock CEO revealed that approximately half of the demand for the firm’s Bitcoin ETF has come from retail investors. Notably, about 75% of these investors had never previously owned an iShares product.

Elon Musk Comments Boost Bitcoin Market

Adding to the positive momentum, billionaire Elon Musk mentioned Bitcoin for the first time in many years. The endorsement comes at a crucial time when the crypto market faces renewed major crash concerns, prompting an immediate BTC price rebound.

On October 14, Musk said, “Bitcoin is based on energy: You can issue fake fiat currency, and every government in history has done so, but it is impossible to fake energy.” Musk has expressed worry about the US government creating money out of thin air, calling it “magic money computers.” He also warned about the growing $37 trillion national debt.

True.

That is why Bitcoin is based on energy: you can issue fake fiat currency, and every government in history has done so, but it is impossible to fake energy.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 14, 2025