Cryptocurrency
Billionaire Sells Nvidia, Buys Bitcoin with Millennium Management
2024-12-09
Nvidia (NVDA -2.87%) has emerged as a beloved tech stock among many investors, with a remarkable year-on-year growth of 192% and an astonishing 2,547% over a five-year period. However, billionaire hedge fund manager Israel Englander of Millennium Management is now trimming his position in Nvidia. This raises the question: could Bitcoin (BTC -2.18%) be the asset that outshines Nvidia in the long run? Let's delve deeper into his recent portfolio moves.
Unraveling the Investment Dilemma of Nvidia and Bitcoin
Nvidia's Impressive Growth
Nvidia's performance has been nothing short of spectacular. Its year-to-date gain of 192% showcases its dominance in the tech sector. Over the past five years, it has soared by an astonishing 2,547%, attracting the attention of investors worldwide. This growth can be attributed to its innovative products and technologies, which have revolutionized the gaming and data center markets.The company's graphics processing units (GPUs) are widely used in gaming consoles, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence. As the demand for these applications continues to rise, Nvidia's revenue and profits have also been on an upward trajectory. Its ability to stay at the forefront of technological advancements has made it a favorite among investors looking for long-term growth opportunities.Israel Englander's Portfolio Shifts
According to publicly available 13F filings, Englander sold off 1.6 million shares of Nvidia during the most recent quarter, resulting in a 12.5% reduction in his position. This move indicates that he may have a different outlook on Nvidia's future prospects. At the same time, he significantly increased his position in Bitcoin.Englander boosted his Bitcoin exposure by purchasing 12.62 million shares in the iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ: IBIT), which has become the go-to spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) for investors. He also slightly increased his position in the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (NYSEMKT: FBTC), another popular Bitcoin ETF.Based on the 13F filings, Nvidia accounts for 1.17% of his entire portfolio, while Bitcoin accounts for approximately 1.3%. Although these percentages may seem small, Nvidia and Bitcoin rank among the top 10 holdings for Millennium Management, which manages over $115 billion in assets. Any significant moves made by Millennium with these assets can provide valuable insights into the market's direction.It's important to note that 13F filings only offer a snapshot of a specific moment in time, in this case, September 30. Since then, significant events such as a presidential election and a post-election rally have taken place. However, based on the available public information, it appears that Englander is actively buying Bitcoin.Bitcoin's Potential for Outperformance
The combination of selling Nvidia and buying Bitcoin seems to suggest that Englander believes Bitcoin has a real chance of outperforming Nvidia in the future. In 2024, Bitcoin has indeed performed well, with a 125% increase compared to Nvidia's 192%. However, the election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States in November seems to have sparked a significant change.Bitcoin immediately went on a post-election rally, surging by 40% in just a few weeks. During the campaign, Trump positioned himself as the pro-crypto candidate, and this appears to be paying off in terms of Bitcoin's recent performance. If Trump follows through on his ideas, such as creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve, Bitcoin could experience exponential growth in 2025.A strategic Bitcoin reserve could involve the U.S. government buying 1 million Bitcoins over the next five years, making it the largest holder of Bitcoin in the world. The sustained buying pressure over such a long period would likely drive the price of Bitcoin even higher.However, determining how much higher Bitcoin could rise is a matter of speculation. Some investors believe that Bitcoin could easily double in value next year, reaching a price of $200,000. Others, like Cathie Wood of Ark Invest, predict that Bitcoin could hit $1 million by 2030. Michael Saylor, the founder and executive chairman of MicroStrategy, thinks Bitcoin could soar as high as $13 million over the next two decades.Portfolio Diversification and Bitcoin Allocation
The fact that prominent investors are discussing such high price targets for Bitcoin may lead some to believe that they should invest all their funds in Bitcoin. However, taking the example of Israel Englander, we see that Bitcoin represents just over 1% of his portfolio.Although he increased his Bitcoin position by nearly 120% last quarter, the iShares Bitcoin Trust still ranks as the eighth largest position in his portfolio, and the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund is the tenth largest. This highlights the importance of portfolio diversification.As a general rule of thumb, Bitcoin should not account for more than 5% of your portfolio. If you follow the example of billionaire investor Israel Englander, it should make up no more than 1% of your total portfolio. The amount you allocate to Bitcoin depends on your overall risk tolerance and your willingness to accept the historically high volatility associated with Bitcoin.In conclusion, the investment decisions of Israel Englander and the potential of Bitcoin raise important questions about the future of these two assets. While Nvidia has delivered impressive returns, Bitcoin's growth potential cannot be ignored. Investors need to carefully consider their portfolio diversification and risk tolerance when deciding how much to allocate to Bitcoin. Only time will tell which asset will emerge as the winner in the long run.