Billionaire Thomas Peterffy Warns: More Than 10% Bitcoin Exposure Is ‘Too Dangerous’

Thomas Peterffy, Chairman of Interactive Brokers, has expressed a cautious endorsement of Bitcoin as a component of investment portfolios.

During a Bloomberg podcast released on Thursday, Peterffy suggested allocating 2% to 3% of one’s net worth to Bitcoin, warning that going beyond 10% could pose “too dangerous” financial risks. His comments highlight a balanced perspective, advocating for diversification while acknowledging the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies.

Peterffy’s Bitcoin Advice

The 80-year-old Hungarian-born American billionaire businessman shared his personal apprehensions about the volatile nature of digital assets and admitted being “scared” of them. He described them as having no intrinsic value, comparing their worth to that of fiat currency, which he said also lacks a tangible foundation.

According to Peterffy, Bitcoin’s perceived value is rooted purely in collective belief, making it susceptible to significant price swings. He further cautioned against the growing trend of market participants taking on excessive leverage, warning that a sudden crash in its price could lead to bankruptcies on a massive scale and strain financial clearinghouses.

It is important to note that despite Peterffy’s stance, Interactive Brokers has been a player in the cryptocurrency industry since December 2017, when it introduced Bitcoin futures trading on the CBOE Futures Exchange. By September 2021, the Connecticut-headquartered brokerage firm expanded its services by partnering with Paxos Trust Company, allowing clients to trade and hold cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.

Peterffy’s comments align with those of other industry veterans like Bill Miller, who recently suggested that financial advisors might soon recommend Bitcoin allocations of 1% to 3%. Miller highlighted Bitcoin’s unique economic design, which ensures that its supply remains static regardless of demand or price fluctuations, adding to its long-term investment appeal.

Businesses Embrace Bitcoin for Treasury Reserves

Following Donald Trump’s election victory, Bitcoin’s value shattered $100,000, fueled by expectations of a more lenient regulatory stance on the industry. Businesses have responded by incorporating Bitcoin into their cash reserves, challenging traditional assets as firms explore alternatives for inflation protection.

Recently, online streaming and video platform Rumble announced that its Board approved a strategy to diversify its treasury, allocating up to $20 million in surplus cash into Bitcoin.

Biotech firms, including Enlivex Therapeutics, Acurx Pharmaceuticals, and Hoth Therapeutics, also unveiled plans to allocate up to $1 million each in Bitcoin for their treasury reserves. Similarly, Amazon shareholders have urged the tech giant to adopt Bitcoin as part of its $88 billion treasury, highlighting its inflation-hedging potential.

Globally, India’s Jetking Infotrain made history on December 9 by becoming the first Indian public company to purchase Bitcoin, acquiring 12 BTC for its reserves.