Bitcoin News Today: "Mexico’s 3rd-Richest Bets 80% of Fortune on Bitcoin’s 'Sound Money' Future"

Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego, the country’s third-richest individual, has significantly increased his allocation to Bitcoin, with 80% of his wealth now tied to the cryptocurrency and related assets. In a recent interview with economist Saifedean Ammous, Salinas revealed his intention to shift to a 100% Bitcoin portfolio, citing concerns over the valuation of traditional stocks. With a net worth exceeding $5 billion, Salinas has long been a proponent of “sound money,” a philosophy shaped by his experience with the devaluation of the Mexican peso in the 1980s. He transitioned from investing in gold in the early years to adopting Bitcoin in 2013, having navigated its price cycles and reaped substantial profits. Currently, Salinas’ portfolio is a mix of Bitcoin and gold, though he has acknowledged the possibility of eliminating gold entirely in the future.

Salinas’ decision reflects a broader trend among institutional and high-net-worth investors who view Bitcoin as a superior store of value compared to traditional assets. His skepticism about the current stock market valuation further underscores his preference for alternative investments. Salinas emphasized that Bitcoin’s value is increasingly tied to its perceived utility, a factor he believes will drive further appreciation over time. This perspective aligns with recent market analysis suggesting that Bitcoin could follow a similar trajectory to gold, potentially reaching price levels that validate its role as “digital gold.”

Bitcoin has recently demonstrated signs of a potential breakout, having consolidated around the $115,000 level. Chart-based analysts, including AO, have drawn parallels between Bitcoin’s price action and gold’s decade-long movement. AO’s analysis indicates that Bitcoin could see a substantial upward move, potentially reaching $600,000 by 2026 if it mirrors gold’s pattern. This forecast implies a market capitalization in the ballpark of $12 trillion, surpassing major tech firms and approaching gold’s valuation. While such projections remain speculative, they are supported by the growing institutional backing of Bitcoin and its increasing adoption as a reserve asset.

The potential for Bitcoin to rival gold’s market value is also echoed by other prominent figures. VanEck’s Jan van Eck has expressed similar views, suggesting that Bitcoin could capture half of gold’s market cap. Meanwhile, Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego has taken an even more bullish stance, arguing that Bitcoin’s rapid growth in 2023 and 2024 suggests it is steadily overtaking gold in both value and relevance. These sentiments are reinforced by the asset’s maturation and the increasing number of corporations integrating Bitcoin into their balance sheets.

In parallel, Latin America has experienced a dramatic surge in cryptocurrency activity, with centralized exchanges playing a critical role in the region’s financial infrastructure. According to Dune Analytics, exchange flows in Latin America grew ninefold from $3 billion in 2021 to $27 billion in 2024. This growth has been driven largely by Ethereum and stablecoins, which account for the majority of transactions. Bitso, the dominant exchange in the region, has seen a 1,160% increase in flows since 2021, handling over $25.2 billion in 2024 alone. The expansion of crypto in the region is not merely speculative but is being fueled by practical use cases such as remittances, cross-border commerce, and currency hedging.

The adoption of cryptocurrencies in Latin America is further supported by a growing infrastructure of on/off-ramp solutions and payment apps, which have simplified access for retail users. Stablecoins, particularly USDT and USDC, have become essential tools for protecting against inflation, especially in countries like Venezuela and Argentina. Additionally, local innovation and community-driven initiatives are accelerating the integration of blockchain technology into everyday financial practices, reinforcing the region’s position as a global leader in cryptocurrency adoption.

Source:

[1] Mexico's 3rd Richest Person Holds 80% Of Their Wealth In Bitcoin, Now They Plan To Make That A 100%: Here Is The Reason Why (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mexicos-3rd-richest-person-holds-094603298.html)

[2] Bitcoin Poised For 10x Surge? Analyst Points To Gold's Trajectory (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1051612-20250819)

[3] Analyst Says Bitcoin Is Ready for a Huge Bull Run to $600K Citing Gold's Trajectory (https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/08/18/analyst-says-bitcoin-is-ready-for-a-huge-bull-run-to-600k-citing-golds-trajectory/)

[4] Latin America's exchange flows grew ninefold in three years (https://cointelegraph.com/news/latam-crypto-exchange-flows-27b-bitso-dominates)

[5] LATAM market maturity grows amid heavy crypto activity (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1051714-20250819)

[6] Cryptocurrencies in Latin America: the Revolution of Digital Payments (https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2025/08/19/cryptocurrencies-in-latin-america-the-silent-revolution-of-digital-payments/)