Ricardo Salinas Pliego, the Mexican billionaire and chairman of Grupo Salinas, made it clear this week: he'd rather hold Bitcoin than buy real estate. In a public statement, Salinas called property a bad investment
, signaling a deepening conviction in digital assets that could ripple through wealthy investor circles globally.
Why real estate doesn't cut it
Salinas didn't mince words. For someone who built much of his fortune through retail and media, the pivot away from physical assets is notable. He argued that real estate ties up capital in illiquid, high-maintenance holdings — a contrast to Bitcoin's portability and fixed supply. The timing isn't accidental either. With inflation concerns lingering in parts of Latin America, hard-money alternatives have gained traction among the region's wealthy.
Salinas's stance isn't just a personal preference. As one of Mexico's richest men, his public bet on Bitcoin adds momentum to a broader shift. Other high-net-worth individuals have quietly moved portions of their portfolios into crypto, but Salinas is unusually outspoken. His comments could nudge family offices and institutional investors in Latin America to rethink the old 60/40 split — especially the real estate component.
None of this means Salinas is alone. A growing number of wealthy investors now view Bitcoin as a superior store of value relative to property, citing lower transaction costs and global liquidity. Whether that view holds through the next downturn is the open question. For now, Salinas is putting his money where his mouth is.
