Ricardo Salinas Pliego, the billionaire founder of Grupo Salinas, believes Bitcoin will eventually reach a price of $1.86 million per coin by achieving market capitalization parity with gold. His logic is rooted in the 'digital gold' thesis, which posits that Bitcoin serves as a superior, more portable, and scarcer store of value than physical bullion. According to Salinas Pliego, for Bitcoin to equal the current estimated total market value of gold, each BTC must mathematically appreciate to the $1.86 million level based on its finite supply of 21 million coins.
The Mexican mogul shared this insight on X (formerly Twitter), renewing his long-standing support for the leading cryptocurrency. By comparing Bitcoin directly to the multi-trillion dollar gold market, Salinas Pliego emphasizes that Bitcoin is not just a speculative asset but a foundational shift in how global wealth is stored. His calculations reflect a growing sentiment among high-net-worth individuals that traditional fiat systems are inherently flawed due to inflationary pressures and central bank policies.
For US-based investors, this perspective highlights the increasing institutional and geopolitical importance of Bitcoin. As US spot Bitcoin ETFs continue to see record inflows, the narrative of Bitcoin acting as a hedge against a weakening dollar gains momentum. Salinas Pliego’s stance suggests that as more capital migrates from the $14 trillion gold market into digital assets, the upward pressure on Bitcoin’s price will be driven by structural scarcity rather than mere market hype.
Moving forward, market analysts will be watching the 'gold-to-bitcoin' ratio and the pace of institutional adoption as key indicators of this progression. While the $1.86 million target remains a long-term projection, the integration of Bitcoin into corporate balance sheets and the potential for sovereign wealth funds to follow suit are the primary catalysts that could turn Salinas Pliego’s logic into a market reality. Investors should monitor US regulatory developments, as these will dictate how easily large-scale capital can transition from traditional commodities into the crypto ecosystem.