Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki, a well-known advocate for Bitcoin, criticizes the traditional financial education system, asserting that it is “criminal” for teaching children to work for an inflationary currency while promoting the virtues of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
“Poor people are poor because they have no idea what real money is. And so our academic system, you know, my poor dad, professors, they indoctrinate and they train kids, young people even today to work for fake money.”
During a recent podcast with Bitcoin Collective Co-Founder Jordan Walker, Kiyosaki voiced his frustration with the current financial advice, urging people to rethink the assumptions about saving and investing. “Go to school, get a job, work hard, save money, and invest in a 401(k) full of garbage,” he said, emphasizing the need for smarter financial strategies.
Kiyosaki strongly condemns central banks, labeling them akin to “criminal organizations” and even calling them “Marxists.” He argues that their practice of printing money benefits the wealthy while burdening the middle and lower classes.
“So every time you print money, you print this fake stuff here. Guys like me get richer, but the poor middle class get poorer.”
Inflation remains a major concern. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, holding $1,000 from August 2000 to August 2025 has resulted in a loss of nearly 47% of its purchasing power, mainly due to persistent inflationary pressures. Despite the Federal Reserve’s target of 2% annual inflation, recent figures have hovered near 3%, with August’s headline inflation at 2.9% and core inflation at 3.2%.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) has experienced extraordinary growth over the past five years, rallying over 900%, roughly rising from $11,670 to around $117,200, according to CoinGecko.
Kiyosaki’s Bitcoin holdings and future outlook
The billionaire author admits it took time for him to understand Bitcoin’s potential but now holds about 60 BTC, valued at approximately $7 million. He purchased Bitcoin initially around $6,000 and wishes he had acquired more at the time.
He now invests the proceeds from his rental properties into gold, silver, oil, Bitcoin, and Ethereum. In April, Kiyosaki predicted that Bitcoin could reach $1 million over the next decade, emphasizing its potential as a hedge against inflation.
Despite his bullish stance, Kiyosaki has previously expressed skepticism, suggesting that assets like gold, silver, and Bitcoin might also see declines before rallying again. He cautions investors about ETFs, describing them as “paper assets” vulnerable to bank runs but admits they are accessible for retail investors seeking exposure to crypto and precious metals.
Impact of inflation worldwide
Kiyosaki’s views resonate in countries experiencing hyperinflation. Venezuela’s citizens, facing inflation rates of over 200%, increasingly rely on stablecoins such as Tether (USDT) to protect their savings. The Venezuelan bolívar has drastically depreciated within a year, with one US dollar now fetching over three times the amount of local currency compared to previous rates.
Experts like Saifedean Ammous predict that nations suffering from devaluation, such as Argentina, will see residents flocking towards Bitcoin and the US dollar as safer stores of value. Additionally, investors like Raoul Pal urge holding more crypto and NFTs to safeguard against currency debasement, viewing these digital assets as essential in today’s inflationary environment.
