‘I Just Don’t Feel Great About Bitcoin’: JPMorgan CEO Talks About Crypto’s Alleged Dark Side

In a recent interview with CBS News, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon reiterated his longstanding skepticism toward Bitcoin, stating, “Bitcoin itself has no intrinsic value.” 

Bitcoin’s Resilience Amid Dimon’s Doubts

Dimon emphasized the cryptocurrency’s alleged association with illegal activities, including money laundering and human trafficking, which he believes tarnishes its reputation. “I just don’t feel great about Bitcoin,” he added, reflecting a viewpoint that has remained consistent throughout his career.

Despite Dimon’s criticism, Bitcoin has shown remarkable resilience, with its price more than doubling over the past year. This surge can be attributed to various factors, including the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate cuts and the anticipation of a more favorable regulatory environment under the incoming Trump administration. 

After reaching a peak of over $108,000 per coin this last December, Bitcoin’s price recently dipped below $92,000, stirring discussions about its volatility and the next movements ahead for the market’s leading digital assets.

The cryptocurrency’s increasing popularity has also drawn scrutiny for its use in illicit transactions. A report by ChainAnalysis published last July highlighted how bad actors exploit cryptocurrencies for their advantages: “cross-border, virtually instant, and generally inexpensive to transact.” 

However, Dimon’s critical stance on Bitcoin is not new. In an interview with Bloomberg last April, he labeled the leading cryptocurrency a “fraud” and a “Ponzi scheme.” 

During his latest remarks, he likened investing in Bitcoin to smoking, acknowledging individual freedom while expressing his disapproval. “I applaud your ability to want to buy or sell it, just like I think you have the right to smoke,” he stated, “But I don’t think you should smoke.”

Trump’s Incoming Administration Set To Legitimize Crypto?

As Dimon voices his concerns, the political landscape is shifting. The incoming Trump administration is expected to take significant steps to legitimize digital assets. Trump has positioned himself as the “crypto candidate,” accepting campaign contributions in various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Solana (SOL). 

At a Bitcoin conference last July, then-candidate Trump proposed establishing a national Bitcoin reserve, asserting that the US must become a crypto capital to compete globally, particularly against economic powers like China.

In addition to cryptocurrency discussions, Dimon commented on government spending plans championed by Elon Musk, who has emerged as a key ally of Trump. Musk has proposed a radical reduction of government expenditures and claimed he could cut “at least $2 trillion” from the budget. 

While Dimon expressed support for making government more efficient, he remained cautious about the feasibility of Musk’s ambitious goals. “He’s clearly an extraordinary talent. I mean, look at Tesla and SpaceX,” Dimon noted.

Despite Musk’s optimistic projections, he has tempered expectations regarding the anticipated outcomes of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stating that the best-case scenario would yield reductions closer to half of his initial claim.

At the time of writing, BTC is trading at $95,170, recording losses of 7% over the month. 

Featured image from Expansion, chart from TradingView.com