Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization and son of United States President-elect Donald Trump, recently shared his perspective on Bitcoin during an exclusive backstage interview with Frank Corva, Business-to-Business Correspondent for Bitcoin Magazine, at the Bitcoin MENA 2024 Conference. Trump highlighted Bitcoin’s transformative potential, comparing it to real estate, the cornerstone of his family’s business, while emphasizing its unique advantages as a hedge for traditional investors.
JUST IN: 🇺🇸 Eric Trump explains why #Bitcoin is a better investment than real estate. pic.twitter.com/YRUJhIhSNT
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) December 10, 2024
From Real Estate to Bitcoin
As a self-proclaimed “bricks-and-mortar guy,” Trump explained his family’s deep connection to real estate. “I’ve spent my entire life walking through construction sites,” he said, describing the tangible nature of real estate and its energy. Yet, he recognized the limitations of physical assets, such as their illiquidity and inability to adapt to global market shifts.
“If I have a hotel, I can spend five years building it, and if I want to sell that hotel, it could take me two years to sell the property,” Trump noted. He acknowledged the many benefits of real estate, including leverage and tax advantages, but pointed out its significant drawback: “Real estate is illiquid.”
This is where Trump sees Bitcoin as a revolutionary alternative. “What’s a better hedge to real estate than something that’s instantaneously liquid?” he asked.
Bitcoin as a Transportable and Accessible Asset
Trump elaborated on Bitcoin’s portability compared to real estate. “I can’t take Trump Tower on 57th and 5th and move it to London, Singapore, or the UAE if those markets happen to be better. But Bitcoin is transportable—it’s digital,” he said.
He also praised Bitcoin for eliminating intermediaries and reducing costs. “There are no brokers, no bankers, no lawyers, no title companies, no middlemen,” he said. Unlike real estate, Bitcoin carries no risk of physical damage from fires, floods, or natural disasters.
Democratizing Investment Opportunities
Beyond its technical advantages, Trump highlighted Bitcoin’s role in democratizing access to wealth-building opportunities. While real estate investments often require substantial capital and expertise, Bitcoin provides an entry point for those who might not have significant resources.
“Building or buying a house is out of reach for 99% of people,” Trump said. “They can’t go out and build a 70- or 80-story building on Fifth Avenue in New York. Entry costs are too high.” Bitcoin, however, offers an asset that is not only accessible but has historically delivered higher returns than most real estate investments.
Trump emphasized the potential for Bitcoin to empower people in developing countries. “Bitcoin gives people who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance the opportunity to invest, to succeed, to maybe get lucky and transform their lives,” he said.
Eric Trump’s perspective on Bitcoin as a hedge for real estate investors complements the ongoing conversation about how Bitcoin could reshape the path to homeownership, especially for younger generations priced out of traditional housing markets. In a previous Bitcoin Magazine article, I explored how Bitcoin serves as the ultimate savings tool, offering a tangible pathway to achieving the dream of homeownership in a landscape where housing prices feel increasingly unattainable. Could a single Bitcoin buy a house in the near future? As the Bitcoin Magazine Pro tweet suggests, the answer might just surprise us, as Bitcoin continues to transform both personal finance and global markets.
In 8 years:
🏡 Median 🇺🇸 home price in #BTC = -99% 🥇
2016: 664 BTC
2024: 4.8 BTC💵 Median 🇺🇸 home price in $USD = +50% 😱
2016: $288K
2024: $434KCould 1 #Bitcoin buy your dream home in 2028? 👀 pic.twitter.com/Op4NfrHUhG
— Bitcoin Magazine Pro (@BitcoinMagPro) November 14, 2024
“Make No Mistake: It’s the Future”
As a proponent of long-term investment strategies, Trump confidently stated his belief in Bitcoin’s future. “Make no mistake: it’s the future,” he declared. “The people who embrace it early are going to succeed. Those who don’t will, as I said before, get left behind.”
Trump’s insights align with growing recognition of Bitcoin’s potential as a hedge against traditional assets, offering investors liquidity, accessibility, and global versatility. For real estate investors and others, Bitcoin may represent not just a hedge, but a cornerstone of the future financial landscape.
This interview underscores the increasing interest in Bitcoin among influential figures, highlighting its evolution from a speculative asset to a vital component of modern investment portfolios.
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