A prominent Mexican billionaire has stirred up discussions on social media by stating that Bitcoin outperforms real estate as an investment. Ricardo Salinas Pliego, with a net worth approaching $6 billion, shared this viewpoint on his X (formerly Twitter) account, suggesting that buying property is simply an “expense” and urging people to rethink their real estate investments.
Salinas firmly believes in Bitcoin as a superior option. His investment strategy reflects this belief, as he has allocated around 70% of his assets into Bitcoin and related ventures.
Real Estate as an Expense
Salinas was quite vocal about his views on real estate. He argued that owning property is not the investment many perceive it to be. Instead, he sees it as a source of ongoing costs, including taxes, maintenance, and various administrative tasks. Real estate is inherently fixed, making it difficult to adapt or relocate.
Invertir en BIENES RAÍCES es una PÉSIMA INVERSION!!!
NO se dejen convencer, los bienes raíces NO son una buena inversión.
Comprar una casa para vivir es un gasto y comprar una casa o un departamento para rentar, es una pendejada, mejor inviertan en #Bitcoin.
Síganme para más… pic.twitter.com/2YYYrZOEOq
— Don Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@RicardoBSalinas) May 5, 2025
While many still regard real estate as a stable investment, Salinas argues that this mindset is outdated. He believes that those who view property as a speculative investment may be misled.
Bitcoin’s Higher Returns
Recent statistics support Salinas’s claims. From 2017 to 2024, the overall return on property was just 36%, whereas Bitcoin skyrocketed by nearly 2,000% in the same period.
This kind of growth is unusual, and many investors warn that Bitcoin’s value can be highly volatile. Nonetheless, the impressive numbers are hard to ignore, especially as institutional interest continues to rise.
Unlike real estate, Bitcoin doesn’t require repairs, and there are no associated costs like roofing or tenant management. Furthermore, buying or selling Bitcoin is generally much easier and quicker.
Slow Growth of the Housing Market
A recent JPMorgan report predicts that home prices in the United States will only rise by 3% in 2025, a minimal increase amid rising inflation and other costs. Demand is also waning due to higher interest rates and economic uncertainty, which is pushing many potential buyers out of the housing market.
Those who previously focused on real estate investments are now exploring other options. With its growing popularity and low maintenance needs, Bitcoin is attracting both retail and institutional investors.
Salinas Stands Firm on Bitcoin
Salinas is no stranger to Bitcoin; he has been vocal about it for years. His decision to allocate 70% of his wealth to Bitcoin clearly reflects his confidence in its future. As the head of Grupo Salinas and Grupo Elektra, this significant investment is particularly noteworthy.
Featured image from Gemini Imagen, chart from TradingView
