In a candid interview on The Journeyman podcast with financial strategist Raoul Pal, Barry Silbert—the founder of Digital Currency Group—delivered a jarring assessment of the crypto industry. According to Silbert, 99.9% of cryptocurrency tokens are worthless, offering no real value to the ecosystem. His statement sent shockwaves through the crypto world, igniting fresh debate on which digital assets truly have staying power.
These Barry Silbert crypto views carry weight. As one of the earliest institutional investors in Bitcoin, his voice resonates across the blockchain industry. Silbert, who began investing in Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) when it was trading at just $7 back in 2011, has witnessed every stage of the crypto market’s evolution—from fringe tech experiment to trillion-dollar asset class.
Most Crypto Tokens Are Doomed, Says Barry Silbert
Silbert explained that, despite his fascination with the innovation in the space, he has become increasingly skeptical of new tokens. “I’ve always been intellectually curious about everything else that’s coming out of our space. But for the most part, 99.9% of crypto tokens that are out there have no reason to exist and are worthless,” he said.
His crypto investment philosophy has shifted over time. Initially, he was drawn to Bitcoin for its disruptive potential. But after experiencing several boom-and-bust cycles, Silbert began focusing on investing in the infrastructure surrounding Bitcoin and blockchain tech rather than individual coins.
“Had I just held on to the Bitcoin, I actually would have done better than making those investments,” Silbert admitted. Still, his perspective offers a warning: the majority of tokens being hyped today may fade into obscurity.
Privacy Coins Still Catch Barry Silbert’s Eye
While Barry Silbert remains pessimistic about most of the crypto market, he’s still bullish on privacy-focused digital currencies like Zcash (CRYPTO:ZEC). These coins have lost significant ground over the past few years, but Silbert believes they fill a vital niche. “People are going to realize financial privacy is important to them. There’s a version of Bitcoin that’s private,” he noted, referring to Zcash and other similar projects.
This view aligns with the broader concerns about digital surveillance and the potential for overreach by governments and corporations. In Silbert’s eyes, privacy coins may still have a role in the decentralized future, even if the broader market continues to shrink.
Lessons from Silbert’s Crypto Journey
Barry Silbert’s early journey with Bitcoin is a textbook lesson in market psychology. At one point, he believed he had made a brilliant investment, only to later worry it was a mistake after the price plunged. Yet, as the asset recovered and soared to new highs, he doubled down—not just on Bitcoin, but on companies building around it.
His takeaway? Sometimes, the simplest investment is the most profitable one. While Silbert backed companies like Ripple and others building crypto infrastructure, he confessed that simply holding Bitcoin would’ve yielded higher returns.
It’s a rare moment of transparency from one of the crypto space’s most influential figures and reinforces his broader message: focus on the few strong players, and ignore the noise.
The Future of Crypto Through Silbert’s Lens
Barry Silbert’s crypto views offer a stark reality check in a market flooded with new tokens and speculative hype. He believes that most of today’s cryptocurrencies will not stand the test of time—and history may prove him right. However, his optimism about Bitcoin and select privacy coins shows that there’s still meaningful innovation and value in the space—just not where many expect to find it.
For investors navigating the volatile crypto market, Silbert’s insights are a reminder to look beyond hype and evaluate digital assets with a critical eye. While 99.9% of tokens may be worthless, the remaining 0.1% could define the future of finance.
Featured Image: Freepik @ produtizebro
