• Michael Pento says Bitcoin’s ETF inclusion challenges its decentralized value and independence.  

  • Ripple’s XRP could improve global finance but may not solve deep monetary issues.  

  • Gold remains a strong alternative as BRICS nations move away from the U.S. dollar.  

In an interview shared by Versam Aljarrah from Black Swan Capitalist, financial analyst Michael Pento questioned Bitcoin’s decentralized future. Pento argued that Bitcoin’s growing integration into ETFs places it under government oversight, which weakens its original purpose as a decentralized asset. He compared this situation to Ripple’s XRP, which is being adopted and used by banks to improve global financial systems.  

https://twitter.com/VersanAljarrah/status/1867934677736263886 Bitcoin’s Centralization and Market Distortions  

Michael Pento explained that Bitcoin’s connection to ETFs has increased regulatory control over the asset. He argued that this defeats Bitcoin’s claim of being a decentralized currency, which was one of its main appeals. Pento added that this raises doubts about Bitcoin’s long-term value and independence from traditional financial systems.  

The discussion shifted to economic policies that have driven instability since 2008. Pento criticized negative real interest rates for encouraging investors to put money into risky assets, creating unsustainable bubbles. He said this issue has worsened over time, making markets more fragile. He also pointed out how Eastern countries are buying more gold, which signals falling confidence in fiat currencies worldwide.  

Pento advised investors to hold physical gold and Bitcoin to avoid control by banks or governments. He suggested gradually accumulating gold because monetary policies may soon return to printing more money and cutting interest rates, which could push gold prices higher.  

Bitcoin’s Value and the Impact of Stablecoins  

Pento also examined Bitcoin’s price, suggesting that stablecoins like Tether influence its value by their connection to the bond market. He explained that corporations taking on debt to buy Bitcoin can inflate its price further, making its valuation unsustainable. Additionally, Pento warned that the creation of other cryptocurrencies could reduce Bitcoin’s dominance.  

He questioned if Bitcoin’s growing centralization makes it lose its decentralized appeal, which has been a key selling point since its creation.  

Ripple’s XRP: A Tool for the Financial System  

While discussing alternatives, Pento acknowledged Ripple’s XRP for its potential role in transforming the financial sector. He explained that Ripple’s technology can improve cross-border payments and help central banks tokenize currencies. However, he expressed doubts about whether XRP can fully solve the larger problems tied to fiat money.  

Finally, Pento noted that BRICS nations are moving away from the U.S. dollar and showing interest in gold instead of Treasury bonds. He urged investors to pay attention to inflation, which could impact their savings, and to rethink traditional investment strategies in uncertain financial conditions.  

The post Bitcoin’s Centralization Debate: Michael Pento Raises Tough Questions  appeared first on Crypto News Land.