Robert Kiyosaki’s been at it again, hasn’t he. Betting on Bitcoin to reach a hefty $1 million by 2035. His reasoning? The usual suspects: a looming "Greater Depression," fueled by U.S. debt, unemployment lines snaking around the block, and those poor, struggling 401(k)s. In this foreboding climate, he paints Bitcoin as the digital ark to ride out this economic tempest. As someone based in the UK, watching the global financial landscape with a slightly more cynical eye, I have to ask: is this genius foresight, or just wishful thinking dressed up in financial doomsday clothing?
Million Dollar Bitcoin By 2035? Really?
Let's be brutally honest. Tesla’s market cap at $1 trillion after just over a decade? It's a bold claim. A very bold claim. And as much as I address is the conviction of Kiyosaki, I gotta, I gotta see the math. As we speak, Bitcoin is around $85,000 (April 19 2025). That comes out to something like an 11.7x increase over the current program.
Now, consider this: Bitcoin's market cap would need to reach trillions upon trillions. We’re speaking an order of magnitude beyond Apple, Microsoft, and Saudi Aramco combined. Is it impossible? No. Is it probable? That's where my skepticism kicks in.
Consider too the infrastructure required to live up to that kind of valuation. The network would need to process an order of magnitude more transactions, at higher speeds, and lower costs. Though improvements such as the Lightning Network are hopeful signs, they are not yet prepared to take center stage on the world stage.
Let's not forget the energy consumption. Bitcoin mining, in its current form, is already an enormous misallocation of resources. A million-dollar Bitcoin could very likely worsen this issue, attracting the ire of environmental groups and governments around the world.
Regulatory Roadblocks on the Path
Here in the UK, we too are witnessing a slow and steady move to be a bit more precise with rules concerning crypto-assets. The EU's MiCA regulations are coming, and the US isn't far behind. Now, regulation isn't inherently bad. It can bring legitimacy and stability. It can bring about a creative kill and most importantly, growth kill.
Now picture a dystopia in which nearly every global government adopts capital controls prohibiting unsanctioned peer-to-peer Bitcoin transactions with strict KYC/AML enforcement. This is sure to undermine its appeal as a “safe haven” asset. This is particularly the case for people wanting to opt-out of legacy financial systems. Or imagine if governments really do begin to disincentivize institutional investment in Bitcoin, encouraging investment in government bonds or other “safer” assets.
These aren't just hypothetical scenarios. They're real possibilities that could significantly impact Bitcoin's trajectory. A much more crypto-friendly government for sure, but perhaps not as clearly a government that supports Bitcoin. Waiting on the whims of political shifts to reach a pretty arbitrary price target is a dangerous gamble. Think back to the nearly unprecedented political pressure that President Trump put on Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Politicians attempting to intervene with central banks is always a terrible omen, be it on interest rates or Bitcoin.
Gold, Real Estate, or Digital Gold?
Kiyosaki frequently promotes Bitcoin as a better asset than gold and real estate in times of crisis. Gold has been a store of value for thousands of years. Although real estate is illiquid, it offers unique utility, a creation of income, and stability.
Bitcoin, by contrast, remains an unproven, relatively nascent asset. It's volatile, subject to wild price swings, and faces significant regulatory hurdles.
Bitcoin ETFs alone have attracted a staggering $60 billion in 2025 already, with predictions for another $70 billion before the year is through. All that new capital doesn’t guarantee that Bitcoin will reach a $1 million price point. Those inflows may need to be recalibrated as they could slow down, or even completely reverse, if/when market sentiment changes.
The sudden liquidity tsunami is the result of the U.S. Treasury’s recently unprecedented drawdown of its General Account. This boost is a short-lived blip. Once the TGA is exhausted, that liquidity disappears, recalling excess supply and putting downward pressure on Bitcoin’s price.
So is Bitcoin really the best choice for investors looking to hedge against inflation? Well, it all comes down to your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and understanding of the underlying technology. Regardless of the bullish sentiment, Bitcoin whales seem to be accumulating as demonstrated by consistent large outflows from exchange wallets. At the same time, smaller deals have continued to languish, a sign that retail investors are still scared. This divergence suggests that the rally may have some serious cracks, as Kirill Kretov recently cautioned underneath the surface.
In the end, only time will tell if Kiyosaki’s prediction turns out to be genius or delusion. Bitcoin could reach $1 million by 2035. But it's far from a certainty. It does take a perfect storm of factors too – stick with adoption, the right regulation, technological development and a fair bit of luck.
| Asset | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Proven store of value, tangible, globally recognized | Limited upside, storage costs, not easily divisible |
| Real Estate | Tangible, potential for income, hedges against inflation | Illiquid, high transaction costs, subject to local market conditions |
| Bitcoin | Decentralized, potentially high upside, easily divisible | Volatile, regulatory uncertainty, energy intensive |
My advice? Don't blindly follow Kiyosaki's advice. Do your own research. Understand the risks. Oh, and invest only what you can afford to lose. Bitcoin is the future, but that doesn’t mean it’s the easy ticket to fortune. In all cases, the most optimistic forecasts will require lots of skepticism. Particularly when they come with a seven-figure sticker shock.
Ultimately, whether Kiyosaki's prediction proves to be genius or delusion remains to be seen. Bitcoin could reach $1 million by 2035. But it's far from a certainty. It requires a confluence of factors, including continued adoption, favorable regulation, technological advancements, and a healthy dose of luck.
My advice? Don't blindly follow Kiyosaki's advice. Do your own research. Understand the risks. And only invest what you can afford to lose. Bitcoin may be the future, but it's not a guaranteed path to riches. And remember, even the most bullish predictions should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism. Especially when they involve a seven-figure price tag.
