“I’ve got about 70% in Bitcoin-related exposure and 30% in gold and gold miners,” Salinas shared in a recent Bloomberg interview.
He said. “I don’t have a single bond and I don’t have any other stocks except my own.”
Bitcoin is one of Salinas’ favorite topics on social media, where he’s built a follower count of more than 2 million on X as one of Mexico’s few corporate superstars. 
“With whatever money you have left over every day, or rather, as people say, “with whatever you have in your ashtray,” buy Bitcoin , it’s the best way to save your money and keep it away from Government” he tweeted on December 24th, 2024.
In a bold move that sent shockwaves through the financial world, Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego revealed to Bloomberg that an astounding 70% of his personal wealth is now invested in Bitcoin, marking a dramatic departure from traditional investment strategies.
Salinas, the founder of Grupo Salinas and one of Mexico’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, has long been known for his contrarian approach to business and investment. His latest financial maneuver underscores a growing trend among high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors who are increasingly viewing cryptocurrency as a legitimate store of value and hedge against economic uncertainty.
“I don’t have a single bond. I don’t have any stocks except my own,” Salinas declared, emphasizing his complete commitment to Bitcoin as his primary investment vehicle. This statement represents more than just a financial decision; it’s a powerful endorsement of cryptocurrency from a businessman with a decades-long track record of successful and often unconventional investments.
The 68-year-old billionaire’s pivot to Bitcoin comes at a time of significant volatility in global financial markets. Traditional assets like bonds and stocks have been experiencing unprecedented challenges, with inflation, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainty driving investors to seek alternative investment strategies.
Salinas has been a vocal proponent of Bitcoin for several years, consistently advocating for cryptocurrency adoption in Latin America. His investment strategy reflects a growing belief among financial experts that Bitcoin could serve as a hedge against inflation and economic instability, particularly in regions with historically volatile currencies.
His company, Grupo Salinas, which encompasses businesses in telecommunications, retail, media, and financial services, has also been progressive in its approach to digital currencies. The group has been an early adopter of cryptocurrency-friendly policies, with some of its subsidiaries accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment.
This massive allocation to Bitcoin represents a significant shift from traditional diversification strategies. Most financial advisors recommend spreading investments across multiple asset classes to minimize risk. Salinas’ approach, by contrast, demonstrates an unprecedented level of confidence in bitcoin’s long-term potential.
The billionaire’s move is likely to inspire discussion and potential imitation among other high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. It signals a growing mainstream acceptance of Bitcoin as a serious investment asset, moving beyond its early reputation as a speculative instrument..
How Did Salinas Become Billionaire?
Salinas Pliego transformed his family’s small electronics store, Elektra, into a retail empire by targeting Mexico’s underserved lower-middle-class consumers. In the 1980s and 1990s, he developed an innovative business model that combined affordable electronics with flexible credit options, allowing millions of Mexican workers to purchase appliances and goods they couldn’t previously afford. By strategically placing stores in both urban and rural areas, Salinas created a retail network that dramatically expanded consumer access to technology and household items.
Building on Elektra’s success, Salinas launched Banco Azteca in 2002, a bank designed specifically for low-income Mexicans. Located inside Elektra stores, the bank provided micro-loans, low-cost banking services, and financial products to a population traditionally ignored by mainstream financial institutions. This vertical integration between retail and banking created a powerful ecosystem that generated multiple revenue streams and helped millions of Mexicans enter the formal financial system.
Salinas further expanded his wealth by acquiring TV Azteca, Mexico’s second-largest television network, in 1993. He modernized the network, introduced innovative programming, and created a media powerhouse that competed directly with the established Televisa. By diversifying into telecommunications with Unefon and continuously adapting to technological changes, Salinas built a business conglomerate spanning retail, banking, media, and telecommunications. His ability to identify underserved market segments, take calculated risks, and create integrated business models transformed him from a small store owner to one of Mexico’s wealthiest entrepreneurs.
With his bet on bitcoin he joins the whale-ranks of bitcoin billionaires like Michael Saylor, Jack Dorsey, Paul Tudor Jones and Changpeng Zhao.
