Gold, silver and Bitcoin — all three have given massive returns in the last one year. If we look at the data, gold (99.9 purity) has jumped about 40% during this period – now trading comfortably above Rs 1 lakh per 10 grams. Silver is trading at around Rs 1,16,000 per kg, having climbed more than 44% in a year. Bitcoin has done wonders — a jump of over 111% in a year and a price of $1,17,293 (as of August 17, 2025).
At a time when equity markets are grappling with multiple headwinds like trade wars, geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainties of central banks, investors turn to safe and alternative assets. But the big question is, which of these assets should be chosen? If you draw lessons from the wisdom of Robert Kiyosaki and Warren Buffett, you’ll find the answer surprisingly interesting.
Robert Kiyosaki feels gold, silver and bitcoin are “real money”
Robert Kiyosaki, best known as the author of the international best-selling book ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’, has long been warning that saving cash i.e. government currency is the biggest mistake. He says that the real value of fiat currencies keep falling as inflation eats them up. He calls these currencies like dollar “fake money”.
According to him, real money is gold, silver and Bitcoin. Kiyosaki believes that inflation is government theft. He argues that when governments continuously print currency, the purchasing power of money keeps decreasing. This affects the poor and the middle class the most because all their savings are in cash or bank accounts. On the other hand, rich people, who invest their wealth in real assets like real estate, gold, oil, or shares, become even richer due to inflation.
That is why Kiyosaki repeatedly advises people to invest their savings in real assets instead of just keeping them in cash, so that inflation can be avoided and the real value of the asset is protected.
Current market trends further strengthen his thinking.
-Gold and silver gave 40%+ returns in a year.
-Bitcoin jumped more than 100%.
-The purchasing power of fiat currencies have weakened.
According to Kiyosaki, Bitcoin is a new age digital gold today, while gold and silver have been reliable for centuries. According to him, if you want safety of wealth and protection from inflation, then you should invest in these three assets.
What Warren Buffet thinks of these three assets – gold, silver or Bitcoin
Buffett, one of the greatest investors the world has ever seen and whose wisdom as an investor is considered as a Bible in the world of investing, believes exactly opposite of what Kiyosaki recommends. Buffett – who is also known as the ‘Sage of Omaha’ – feels gold is useless, silver is fine, Bitcoin has no real value.
Buffett says that gold does nothing, just lies there and looks at you. According to him, any asset creates value only when it is productive, that is, it makes products, provides services or generates cash flow through business. Gold does none of these.
“Gold is a way of going long on fear”, says Buffett. He believes that people who buy gold are essentially betting on fear.
However, he has invested in silver. The reason for this, he says, is that silver has industrial uses – from electronics, solar panels, medical equipment to jewelry. That is, it is not just a precious metal, but also a useful metal.
As far as Bitcoin is concerned, Buffett has a very strict opinion. He believes that Bitcoin or cryptocurrency is not associated with any productive activity. It neither creates business nor provides service. For him, investment means shares of companies that have products, customer base and management. Therefore, Bitcoin does not match his investment philosophy.
Real estate and equity: Viewpoint of both giants
Kiyosaki is a big advocate of real estate investment. He believes that it gives you both cash flow and assets. He considers equity markets to be “more risky” and sees only limited opportunities there.
Buffett, on the other hand, believes less in real estate and more in equity markets. His entire philosophy is based on value investing – investing in undervalued companies and waiting for a long time.
If we look at today’s market situation, the volatility in equity and the uncertainty of interest rates have made investors cautious. Real estate has gotten expensive in many places, although it is still a “durable asset” for investors like Kiyosaki.
So what should investors do?
In today’s scenario, Kiyosaki and Buffett both suggest different paths:
Kiyosaki would say: Buy gold, silver and bitcoin — they will protect you from inflation and government policies.
Buffett would say: Stay away from gold and Bitcoin, and invest in silver or productive equity companies.
The best path for investors is probably the middle one. If you want inflation protection and safety, you can keep gold and silver (and can also invest in Bitcoin a little, if you can take the risk) in your portfolio. But if you want long-term growth and cash flow, you may be better off choosing strong equities or industrial assets like Buffett.
Summing up…
In today’s world, where gold, silver and Bitcoin are at record highs, equity markets are volatile. Kiyosaki will tell you that real assets are the real defense, while Warren Buffett will still say ‘choose assets that create value’.
Disclaimer:
The views, facts and suggestions mentioned above are purely for informational purposes. They should not be considered as investment advice in any manner. Investments in gold, silver, Bitcoin or any other asset class are subject to risks. Remember, past performance is not indicative of future results. Readers are strongly advised to consult a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.