Robert Kiyosaki has issued a fresh warning about financial assets that rely on institutional trust, suggesting they could be wiped out in the next major downturn. In a July 9 post on X, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad referenced a book called The Entropy Trap while repeating a view he has held for years. He wrote, “Any asset that requires ‘trust’ will be destroyed in the coming crash and possible Depression.”
Kiyosaki specifically included a wide range of commonly held financial products. He listed U.S. bonds, some stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, 401ks, IRAs, and Australian superannuation accounts. He also targeted all fiat currencies, calling them fake money. That includes the dollar, euro, yen, and peso. His comments hit at some of the most popular tools for saving and investing, though regulators typically view these as different categories with varied risks and purposes.
The debate over trust and alternatives
Kiyosaki’s main criticism revolves around confidence in governments and financial systems. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs are commonly used for growth, income, and spreading risk. Retirement accounts often hold mixes of these assets based on personal strategies. U.S. Treasury securities remain a key part of global markets, and stocks represent ownership in companies. Financial professionals generally lean on diversification, risk assessment, and time horizons rather than treating all these as one type.
For years, Kiyosaki has pushed tangible assets as alternatives. In his July 9 post, he said, “Since 1965… I primarily [invest] in assets that require no trust, which are gold, silver, and oil.” He has also extended this argument to bitcoin, describing it alongside gold and silver as a hedge against fiat currencies. He says he buys bitcoin as a long-term holding, not a short-term trade, linking it to his concerns about government debt. Supporters point to bitcoin’s limited supply, while critics note its volatility and unclear future as a store of value.
What evidence might shape the market debate
Kiyosaki concluded by warning that wealth could shift dramatically. He wrote, “Those who are rich today will be tomorrow’s poor… I believe tomorrow has arrived. It’s now today.” The real question is whether traditional financial assets will collapse as he predicts or continue adapting through economic cycles. Markets have historically handled inflation, recessions, and financial stress, with investors using diversified portfolios across asset classes. The outcome of his warning depends on how markets respond to future pressures. Bond yields, stock valuations, inflation trends, commodity prices, and cryptocurrency adoption will all play a role. Kiyosaki’s message remains a personal outlook, not a confirmed prediction, reflecting an ongoing debate about the future of traditional assets versus alternatives like bitcoin.
