Michael Saylor Faces Backlash Over Bitcoin Custodianship Comments

European investors have reached a new milestone by pouring over $105 billion into US spot Bitcoin ETFs this year, highlighting a growing trend of international interest in the cryptocurrency market. This surge comes amid a broader debate sparked by MicroStrategy’s executive chairman, Michael Saylor, who recently faced backlash for suggesting that Bitcoin custodianship through large financial institutions may be safer than self-custody—a departure from his earlier views. While record ETF inflows and Bitcoin’s rising network security signal growing adoption, price gains have remained elusive, stirring discussion over the evolving dynamics of Bitcoin investment strategies.

MicroStrategy’s executive chairman, Michael Saylor, is once again at the center of a heated debate in the Bitcoin community, following his recent comments recommending Bitcoin custodianship through “too big to fail” financial institutions rather than self-custody—an approach he had previously endorsed. The remarks, made during an Oct. 21 interview with financial reporter Madison Reidy, have sparked a backlash from many Bitcoin proponents who view the shift as a significant departure from Saylor’s earlier stance.

Saylor suggested that Bitcoin holders have “nothing to lose” by entrusting their Bitcoin to large, established institutions. His remarks have drawn criticism as they appear to contradict his longstanding advocacy for self-custody and individual financial sovereignty in the crypto space. His previous statements promoting self-custody as a means to protect against corruption and concentration of power within centralized custodians starkly contrast with his latest comments. 

The backlash was swift and pronounced, with many Bitcoiners accusing Saylor of abandoning core principles of the cryptocurrency movement. Critics argue that Saylor’s suggestion that the risks associated with self-custody are exaggerated undermines the decentralized ethos of Bitcoin. When asked whether the US government could strip Bitcoin holders of their self-custody rights—similar to the historical prohibition of private gold ownership in 1933—Saylor dismissed the notion as an unrealistic fear propagated by “paranoid crypto-anarchists.”

“There’s just a lot of fear that’s unnecessary,” Saylor remarked during the interview. He argued that large financial institutions, which are “engineered to be custodians of financial assets,” would be better suited to manage Bitcoin holdings than relying on hardware wallets.

His change of tune is particularly surprising given his comments shortly after the FTX collapse in November 2022. At that time, Saylor had been a vocal advocate for Bitcoin self-custody, citing it as a critical measure to prevent centralized custodians from accumulating too much power and potentially corrupting the Bitcoin network. “If you can’t self-custody your coin, there’s no way to establish a decentralized network,” he had asserted then, even going so far as to encourage people to memorize their 12-word seed phrase and be prepared to defend their Bitcoin holdings.

The response to Saylor’s apparent reversal has been intense, with some accusing him of trying to reshape Bitcoin into a mere investment asset, rather than a revolutionary form of decentralized money. “Saylor is on a mission to relegate Bitcoin into an investment petrock and halt its usage as a currency,” said “Sina,” founder of Bitcoin custody and security firm 21st Capital.

Simon Dixon, an OG Bitcoiner and author of *Bank to the Future,* speculated that Saylor’s comments may be driven by a strategic interest to position MicroStrategy as a future Bitcoin bank offering collateralized loans. “Bitcoin anarchists: keep helping people gain freedom from banks, governments & central banks,” Dixon urged, reinforcing the sentiment that self-custody remains integral to the original Bitcoin vision.

John Carvalho, CEO of Bitcoin payments firm Synonym, also voiced his disapproval, highlighting the apparent contradiction in Saylor’s messaging. “I am curious what exactly that means if we must discount the ‘paranoid crypto-anarchists’ and their ‘tropes’ as salesmen with ulterior motives,” Carvalho commented, suggesting that Saylor’s recent statements conflict with his earlier rallying cry that “Bitcoin is hope” for people seeking financial autonomy.

Despite the criticism, some figures in the crypto community have come to Saylor’s defense, arguing that his message was targeted at institutions rather than individual retail investors. Julian Figueroa, founder of the Get Based podcast, believes Saylor’s comments should be seen in the context of corporate Bitcoin adoption. “Institutions are not and never will be anarchists. Small businesses and plebs can have hardware wallets and sovereignty, but 200+ employee institutions, pensions, or wealth funds will need Bitcoin banks,” Figueroa explained, suggesting that large organizations are unlikely to embrace self-custody due to regulatory and operational challenges.

Mitchell Askew, head analyst at Bitcoin mining firm Blockware Solutions, also defended Saylor’s comments, saying that he was willing to “stomach criticism” in the interest of making Bitcoin “less sketchy” and more palatable for institutional investors. The idea is that by normalizing the custodianship of Bitcoin through regulated financial institutions, the asset might achieve wider acceptance and integration into traditional financial systems.

As the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, MicroStrategy’s strategy has been closely watched by investors and crypto enthusiasts alike. The company holds 252,220 BTC, worth nearly $17 billion, according to data from Bitcoin Treasuries. Saylor has been instrumental in shaping the narrative around corporate Bitcoin adoption, often linking Bitcoin’s potential to serve as a hedge against inflation and a store of value.

His advocacy for Bitcoin has not been limited to corporate strategy. In late June, Saylor made waves when he estimated that Bitcoin could reach $13 million per coin by 2045, citing the limited supply and increasing adoption as driving factors. However, his latest comments have left some questioning whether his goals align with the decentralized principles that many see as central to Bitcoin’s identity.

Saylor’s remarks have rekindled a longstanding debate within the Bitcoin community about the balance between self-sovereignty and institutional adoption. While self-custody is viewed by many as the most secure way to hold Bitcoin, it also requires a level of technical knowledge and responsibility that may not be feasible for all users. On the other hand, the use of institutional custodians could increase the risk of centralization, potentially undermining the very principles of decentralization and financial independence that Bitcoin was created to protect.

The debate also touches on the broader theme of government intervention in financial markets. Concerns over potential state-sanctioned seizure of Bitcoin, while dismissed by Saylor as exaggerated, still resonate with a segment of the Bitcoin community that values privacy and autonomy above all else. For these individuals, Saylor’s latest comments are seen as an endorsement of centralization, which they argue is antithetical to Bitcoin’s core values.

A Turning Point for Bitcoin Advocacy?

Whether Saylor’s remarks will have lasting implications for Bitcoin advocacy remains to be seen. As a high-profile figure and a prominent voice in the corporate Bitcoin space, his opinions carry weight. However, the pushback from the Bitcoin community sheds some light on the tension between those who prioritize the mainstream adoption of Bitcoin as a financial asset and those who view it as a tool for individual empowerment and resistance to centralized control.

Ultimately, the controversy underscores the challenges facing Bitcoin as it seeks to expand its role within the financial system while staying true to its original ethos. For many, the path forward will require navigating the delicate balance between facilitating institutional adoption and preserving the decentralized nature of the network.

As the debate rages on, the Bitcoin community will be watching closely to see whether Saylor’s comments are a mere deviation or signal a broader shift in the approach to Bitcoin advocacy and strategy.

European Investors Fuel Record Flows into US Spot Bitcoin ETFs, Driving Market Momentum

European investors have poured unprecedented capital into US-based spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in 2024, reflecting a growing global appetite for Bitcoin investments. According to recent data, Europeans have invested over $105 billion in spot Bitcoin ETFs year-to-date (YTD), marking an all-time high for European capital allocated to these financial products. This influx of funds indicates increasing confidence in Bitcoin ETFs and their potential to influence the cryptocurrency’s price trajectory.

The record-breaking European investment in US Bitcoin ETFs was highlighted by Bloomberg’s senior ETF analyst, Eric Balchunas, in an Oct. 21 post on X. “Flows into US-focused ETFs by locals in Europe is now at a record $105b YTD. And why not? $SPY is up 24% vs 10% for Europe. Asia also funneling record flows,” Balchunas noted, referencing the strong performance of US financial markets as a likely catalyst for the shift in European investment strategies.

The surge in European capital into US-based Bitcoin ETFs marks a significant development in the cryptocurrency investment landscape. While Bitcoin’s price has remained below the psychological $70,000 level, the record inflows suggest a growing belief that institutional-grade investment products such as ETFs can provide a safer, more accessible way for investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin.

This year’s impressive influx of European capital has been accompanied by a broader trend of international investment in US ETFs. Flows from Asia have also reached new heights, reflecting a global shift towards US-focused financial products. According to Balchunas, international investors have favored US markets due to stronger returns, with the S&P 500’s year-to-date gain of 24% significantly outpacing the 10% return in European markets.

The increased allocation to Bitcoin ETFs has fueled speculation that the cryptocurrency could soon break out from its current price range. Despite setting a new record for European inflows, Bitcoin’s price has yet to reclaim its July 29 peak of just under $70,000. However, the surge in ETF inflows could help push Bitcoin closer to an all-time high, especially if the momentum continues.

The record inflows into Bitcoin ETFs are not the only milestones for the cryptocurrency in recent days. On Oct. 21, Bitcoin’s hashrate—the total computational power securing the network—reached an all-time high, demonstrating the network’s growing security and the increasing costs associated with mining. A higher hashrate generally signifies a more secure network, as it becomes more challenging for any single entity to control or attack the blockchain.

The combination of record ETF inflows and an all-time high hashrate reflects the increasing maturity and resilience of the Bitcoin network. Despite this progress, Bitcoin’s price has remained in a consolidation phase, hovering below $69,500 since the end of July. Analysts suggest that the delayed impact of ETF inflows on the spot market could be contributing to the stagnant price action.

Analysts from Bitfinex have noted that the influence of large ETF inflows on Bitcoin’s price may not be immediate. According to data, it can take several days for significant capital allocations into Bitcoin ETFs to translate into price movements in the spot market. Additionally, there are signs that some traders have used the recent surge in ETF inflows as an opportunity to exit their positions. This “ask-heavy” order book suggests that while ETF buyers are injecting fresh liquidity into the market, selling pressure may be dampening the upward momentum.

“Usually, this means that large ETF inflows have a muted impact for a few days, and then the market reverses lower once the aggression from spot market buyers fades,” Bitfinex analysts stated. This observation indicates that while the record ETF inflows provide a strong foundation for future price gains, the short-term effects may be more subdued as the market digests the increased liquidity.

Despite the muted response in Bitcoin’s price, the recent performance of Bitcoin ETFs has been impressive. Data from Farside Investors shows that U.S.-based Bitcoin ETFs have recorded net positive inflows for six consecutive days, indicating sustained interest from institutional investors. On Oct. 14 alone, US Bitcoin ETFs bought a cumulative $555 million worth of Bitcoin, leading to a 5% increase in Bitcoin’s daily price from $62,450 to a high of $66,479.

The continuous inflows have also contributed to a rise in cumulative on-chain Bitcoin holdings by ETFs, which have now surpassed $66.3 billion. This amount represents 4.9% of the current circulating supply of Bitcoin.

Comparison with Gold ETFs: Bitcoin ETFs Set a New Benchmark

The record-setting performance of Bitcoin ETFs has drawn comparisons with traditional asset classes, such as gold. On Oct. 17, U.S. Bitcoin ETFs crossed $20 billion in total net flows, a milestone that took gold-based ETFs over five years to achieve. 

For many investors, Bitcoin ETFs offer an attractive alternative to direct ownership of the cryptocurrency. By providing exposure to Bitcoin through a regulated financial product, ETFs lower the barriers to entry for investors who may be hesitant to navigate the complexities of cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges. The strong inflows suggest that more investors are recognizing Bitcoin as a valuable component of their investment portfolios, alongside traditional assets such as stocks and commodities.

As European investors continue to funnel capital into US-based Bitcoin ETFs, questions remain about whether the current trend can push Bitcoin to new heights. While the price has yet to break above $70,000, the record inflows suggest that market participants are positioning themselves for potential upside. The rising hashrate further supports the notion that Bitcoin’s network is stronger than ever, potentially laying the groundwork for a price surge.

However, market dynamics suggest that sustained upward momentum will depend on continued investor demand and the resolution of any selling pressure associated with ETF inflows. The potential for Bitcoin to reach new all-time highs may also hinge on macroeconomic factors, such as interest rates and regulatory developments, which could influence investor sentiment toward cryptocurrencies.