Bitcoin and Central Banks: Competing for Control Over Financial Independence

Robert Kiyosaki, known for writing "Rich Dad Poor Dad," has once again expressed concern about fiat currencies and advocated for alternatives like

and precious metals. Recently on X, Kiyosaki criticized the Federal Reserve and other central banks, accusing them of pursuing inflationary strategies that diminish personal wealth and undermine economic liberty. He referred to conventional money as “fake money,” arguing that it encourages financial dishonesty and facilitates corruption. Kiyosaki stressed the need to move away from centralized finance toward decentralized assets such as Bitcoin and gold, which he sees as less susceptible to government interference and inflation.

Kiyosaki’s opinions reflect wider debates in the finance and investment sectors about Bitcoin’s potential to serve as a safeguard against inflation. Data from 2025 shows that U.S. inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% objective, staying close to 2.7% in the middle of the year. Comparatively, Bitcoin’s inflation rate is much lower, estimated at around 0.8% for 2025, thanks to its programmed supply limits and periodic halvings that slow the creation of new coins. This built-in scarcity has led some to liken Bitcoin to gold, a traditional inflation hedge, but with the added benefits of being digital and accessible worldwide.

The narrative that Bitcoin offers inflation protection has been gaining ground among institutional investors. For instance, large corporations such as

(previously known as MicroStrategy) and Metaplanet have acquired significant Bitcoin reserves, while the Wisconsin Investment Board became the first U.S. state pension fund to invest in Bitcoin ETFs. The introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs has further propelled adoption, giving both professional and individual investors regulated avenues to diversify into Bitcoin. and other top asset managers have included Bitcoin in their portfolios, reflecting a change in how digital assets are regarded by mainstream financial institutions.

However, despite Bitcoin’s increasing acceptance among major investors, its effectiveness as a consistent inflation hedge remains contested. Skeptics highlight its price swings, with values ranging from $109,000 to $75,000 within just a few weeks in 2025. This volatility introduces risks that can undermine Bitcoin’s function as a stable store of value, especially for those looking for predictable inflation protection. There are also concerns about the concentration of mining and ownership, as more than two-thirds of the network’s hash power is controlled by just five mining pools.

Despite these issues, Bitcoin’s structure—limited supply, open ledger, and freedom from central bank control—continues to draw interest, particularly as global economic uncertainty lingers. In countries experiencing severe currency declines, such as Argentina and Venezuela, both Bitcoin and stablecoins have become tools for safeguarding assets and conducting international transactions. These examples underscore the practical utility of digital currencies in unstable economies and reinforce Bitcoin’s role as a potential modern solution for inflation protection.