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David Solomon discusses Bitcoin's speculative nature, potential as a store of value, and the bank's active exploration of crypto tech.
Author: Tanishq Bodh
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon recently shared his views on Bitcoin during an interview with CNBC at the Summer Olympics in Paris, France. Solomon reiterated his stance on Bitcoin, stating, “I’ve always said I think it’s a speculative investment. I don’t see a real use case.” However, he acknowledged that there could be a store of value case for Bitcoin, similar to gold.
Solomon discussed the underlying technology behind crypto, describing it as “super interesting.” He emphasized how advancements could reduce friction in the financial system as it becomes more digitized. During the interview, CNBC’s Joe Kernan asked if Bitcoin could serve as a store of value, similar to a gold reserve. Solomon responded, “There very well could be a store of value case.”
In 2021, when Goldman Sachs launched a crypto desk, Solomon remarked, “Bitcoin is on an inevitable path to have the same market capitalization and then a higher one than gold.” Over the past five years, Bitcoin’s price has increased by about 490%, trading around $66,237. In contrast, gold’s spot price has risen by approximately 67% in the same period.
Despite Solomon’s cautious comments, 2024 is shaping up to be a significant year for Goldman Sachs’ push into the crypto space. Earlier this year, Goldman Sachs completed a series of tests on the Canton Network, an interoperable network designed for institutional assets, created by Digital Asset Holdings.
In a fireside chat at the Digital Asset Summit in London, Mathew McDermott, Goldman’s global head of digital assets, mentioned the company’s active investment in the digital asset space. He highlighted their interest in bankruptcy claims and other investment opportunities.
The bank has noted growing interest from hedge fund clients in crypto-related products. Max Minton, Asia Pacific head of digital assets at Goldman Sachs, told Bloomberg, “Many of our largest clients are active or exploring getting active in the space.”
On July 10, reports indicated that Goldman Sachs plans to launch three tokenization projects by the end of the year, focusing on U.S. and European markets. The firm also plans to create marketplaces for tokenized assets. During an earnings call in April 2021, Solomon remarked, “Central banks are looking at digital currencies, working to apply this technology to the local markets and determine the longer-term impact on global payment systems.” He also highlighted the significant focus on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, noting the uncertainty in their trajectory as a store of value.
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