Mara CEO advises retail investors to purchase Bitcoin and disregard further involvement with the cryptocurrency.

In a recent interview with FOX Business, Fred Thiel, CEO of MARA Holdings, a leading Bitcoin mining firm, recommended an invest-and-forget strategy for retail investors. This approach involves investing in Bitcoin and forgetting about it, allowing the asset’s strong long-term price performance to grow over time.

Table of Contents

Bitcoin’s Long-Term Price Performance

Thiel pointed out that Bitcoin’s (BTC) price has only fallen three times over the last 14 calendar years. He emphasized that this level of consistency is a testament to the cryptocurrency’s resilience and potential for growth. According to Thiel, his recommendation to invest in Bitcoin is based on its average annual returns, which range from 29% to 50%.

The Invest-and-Forget Strategy

Thiel’s invest-and-forget strategy involves investing a small amount of money in Bitcoin each month and forgetting about it for an extended period. He noted that over two, three, or four years, the investment will grow significantly. This approach is ideal for retail investors who want to benefit from Bitcoin’s long-term price performance without having to actively monitor its price fluctuations.

Challenges and Risks

While Thiel’s strategy may seem appealing, it also comes with significant risks. Bitcoin is considered a relatively risky asset due to its high volatility compared to traditional financial assets (TradFi). As a result, some investors may find it challenging to adopt this approach, especially during periods of market downturn.

Catalysts for Higher Prices

Thiel highlighted several catalysts that could push Bitcoin’s price higher in 2025. These include:

United States Bitcoin Reserve: The potential establishment of a US Bitcoin reserve could increase demand for the cryptocurrency and drive up its price.
Institutional Adoption: The growth of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other institutional investment products could attract more investors to the market, leading to higher prices.
Friendlier Regulatory Environment: A more favorable regulatory environment under the incoming Trump Administration could reduce uncertainty and increase investor confidence in Bitcoin.

Poll Results

Thiel’s comments follow a poll conducted by Michael Saylor, executive chairman of MicroStrategy, which found that 77.7% of participants plan to increase their Bitcoin holdings in 2025. The results are not surprising, given the strong following Saylor has among Bitcoin advocates on social media.

MARA Holdings’ Long-Term Strategy

Thiel’s company, MARA Holdings, is also committed to holding Bitcoin for the long haul. In July, MARA shifted its treasury policy to retain all mined Bitcoins and adopt a range of capital market instruments to bolster its Bitcoin reserves. This approach is similar to MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin playbook and has allowed MARA to accumulate significant holdings.

MARA Holdings’ Bitcoin Holdings

As of 2024, MARA Holdings had the second-largest Bitcoin holdings among publicly listed companies at 44,394 Bitcoins, worth approximately $4.3 billion at current prices. This represents a 192.5% increase from the 15,174 Bitcoins it started with last year, driven by the appreciation of Bitcoin’s price.

Conclusion

Thiel’s invest-and-forget strategy for retail investors highlights the potential benefits of investing in Bitcoin over the long term. While there are challenges and risks associated with this approach, the rewards can be significant. With a strong track record of price performance and a growing number of institutional adoption catalysts, 2025 could be an exciting year for Bitcoin investors.