Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad and an eminent voice in personal finance, reiterated his skepticism towards the funds negotiated in exchange for crypto (ETF), warning the investors that these instruments create an “illusion of property”. In recent statements, Kiyosaki compared the holding of an Crypto ETF to the “photo of a firearm for self -defense”, stressing that if the ETFs may seem useful, they do not have tangible control of direct assets (1). His criticism focuses on the structural conception of Bitcoin ETF, which he supports summarizes investors from the underlying assets based on intermediaries such as guards, fund managers and exchanges. “If you do not have the keys to your Bitcoin, you trust someone else to hold your wealth,” said Kiyosaki, highlighting the risks linked to counterparty and centralized control (1).
The warnings of the financial educator emerge in the midst of an increase in the demand for FNB Crypto, in particular following the approval of the Bitcoin Spot ETF and the anniversary of the year of the Ethereum ETF. These products have attracted significant entries because of their perceived stability and their ease of access, becoming a focal point for traditional investors. However, Kiyosaki argues that ETFs diverge from the central ethics of Bitcoin decentralization, supervising them as artificial instruments which prioritize the convenience on autonomy. He previously described as an Crypto ETF as a “scam” or “false”, assimilating them to the fiduciary currency and criticizing them as traps orchestrated by “banks” (1). Its long -standing advocacy for physical gold and Bitcoin directly held underlines a preference for tangible guard as a backup against systemic risks.
The Crypto ETF debate has been intensified in recent months, because the volatility of the cryptography market has tested the confidence of investors. Kiyosaki’s remarks are surfaced for a period of drop in prices, which was expressed by the sustainability of the ETF -based exposure. FNB criticisms argue that indirect property mechanisms dilute the auto-custody model that underlies the attraction of cryptocurrency, while supporters highlight their role in democratizing access to digital assets. The emphasis put by Kiyosaki on direct property resonates with a segment of the cryptographic community which favors control of convenience, in particular during periods of market stress when physical or directly held assets can offer more public services (1).
The position of the financial educator reflects wider concerns concerning compromise between accessibility and autonomy in investment in cryptography. While the ETFs provide regulated exposure and liquidity to traditional investors, Kiyosaki warns that their structure introduces layers of dependence that conflict with the risk profiles of certain investors. For example, he warned that a bitcoin price correction could trigger cascade effects on gold and money markets, making up vulnerabilities in indirect investment vehicles (1). This perspective aligns with criticisms which argue that the abstraction of the property of assets through ETF can erode the fundamental principles of decentralization and oneself.
As the cryptography ecosystem evolves, dialogue around property structures remains central to discussions on asset management and financial autonomy. Kiyosaki’s criticism underlines the need for investors to examine the mechanisms underlying their investments, in particular in rapid development markets where regulatory frameworks remain in constant evolution. Although ETF can serve as a bridge between traditional and digital assets, their design introduces complexities that may not align with all risk tolerances. The current debate highlights the tension between innovation and the preservation of basic cryptography values, a dynamic likely to shape the future of the investment of digital assets.
Source: (1) (Robert Kiyosaki suggests caution for investors who envisage FNB bitcoin in the middle of property problems) (
(2) (Robert Kiyosaki warns: The ETF are only “photos of a pistol”) (
(3) (This is why Robert Kiyosaki thinks that Crypto ETF are a dangerous illusion) (
