Bill Gates Says Even High-IQ People Get Fooled By This Investment and Warns: 'If You Have Less Money Than Elon, You Should Probably Watch Out'

Bill Gates has made it clear—he's not a fan of cryptocurrency. And he's not just skeptical; he flat-out thinks it has no value. "None," he told The New York Times in a January interview. That's a pretty bold stance coming from one of the most successful tech minds in history. But Gates doesn't just see crypto as useless—he believes even highly intelligent investors fall for its hype.

High IQ, Bad Investments

"There are people with high I.Q.s who have fooled themselves on that one," Gates said about crypto. It's a harsh but fair assessment, especially considering how many well-educated investors have jumped into the market, believing they've cracked the code to digital riches.

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Gates' warning isn't new. He's long been skeptical of crypto. In a 2021 interview with Bloomberg, he specifically cautioned against people blindly following Elon Musk's lead in the crypto space. "Elon has tons of money and he is very sophisticated," Gates said at the time. "My general thought would be, if you have less money than Elon, you should probably watch out." In other words, what works for the world's richest man might not work for the average investor.

The Problem With Crypto

Gates' biggest issue with Bitcoin? It's wasteful. He's criticized its massive energy consumption and how it facilitates anonymous transactions that can't be reversed. Unlike other digital payment systems, which he sees potential in, Bitcoin and similar assets don't align with his vision for practical financial innovation.

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He's not alone in this thinking. Warren Buffett, another legendary investor, has long dismissed crypto. "In terms of cryptocurrencies, generally, I can say with almost certainty that they will come to a bad ending," Buffett told CNBC in 2018. And while Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway BRK BRK.B)) has softened its stance slightly in recent years, the overall skepticism remains.

Why This Warning Still Matters

Despite repeated warnings from Gates, Buffett, and other seasoned investors, crypto continues to lure in people who believe they can outsmart the market. The recent bull runs, meme coin explosions, and speculative frenzies have made it seem like easy money. But Gates' warning serves as a reminder: even smart investors can be fooled by hype. And unless you have Elon Musk's fortune to cushion a bad bet, you might want to think twice before diving in.

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