Jim Cramer, host of CNBC's Mad Money, shared his latest thoughts on cryptocurrencies and the broader economic landscape in a recent episode.
Reflecting on the national debt and historical fiscal policies, Cramer said he remains a believer in crypto as a hedge against economic uncertainty.
In the segment, Cramer reconsidered his stance on market froth and excess, encouraging investors to consider taking profits on winning investments to lock in gains. However, it was his commentary on cryptocurrencies that sparked the most controversy.
“I’ve loved crypto for a very long time,” Cramer said, citing its potential as a hedge against government fiscal mismanagement. While he acknowledged that there is currently no concrete evidence that cryptocurrencies can protect investors from such risks, he emphasized that its appeal lies in its rhetoric. “Sometimes in this business, that’s all you need,” he added.
Cramer compared today’s financial landscape to the Great Depression, citing Executive Order 6102, issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, which mandated the seizure of gold to stabilize the banking system. “Gold was being seized back then. It’s not impossible to think of something similar happening again,” he warned.
Because of this historical precedent, Cramer expressed confidence in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as an alternative to gold, stating that they deserve a place in a diversified portfolio. “Crypto is not easily confiscated like gold,” he said. However, he tempered his optimism by pointing to the ongoing struggle of U.S. lawmakers to address the rising national debt.
“The issue is not that we don’t know how to solve the problem. The issue is that lawmakers lack the political will to make unpopular decisions,” Cramer said, referring to the reluctance to raise taxes or cut spending. He argued that this lack of fiscal discipline reinforces the view that digital assets can play a crucial role in preserving wealth.
Cramer concluded by recalling his philosophy: “I own crypto because these national debt concerns will never go away, perhaps in my lifetime. If that changes, I will reconsider. Until then, crypto will remain a hedge.”
*This is not investment advice.
