Goldman’s CEO: I Own ‘Very Little’ Bitcoin, But I’m Watching Closely!

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Markets

What to know:

  • Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said he owns only a small amount of bitcoin but is closely watching the cryptocurrency as part of a broader shift in financial technology. (Spoiler: He’s probably still using a paper wallet.)
  • Solomon argued that traditional finance and crypto are part of a single evolving system, with tokenization poised to play a central role in future market infrastructure. (Translation: “We’re all just trying to figure out how to charge more fees in a world where everyone’s suddenly obsessed with digital doodles.”)
  • He said Goldman’s limited crypto involvement has been driven largely by what he called prohibitive regulation, warning that excessive rules can drain capital from the financial system even as he urged a thoughtful approach. (Because nothing says “thoughtful” like a 100-page regulatory document written in hieroglyphics.)

PALM BEACH, Fla. – Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said he owns “very little, but some” bitcoin, although he continues to follow the asset closely as part of a broader interest in how technology is reshaping finance. (Because who needs a full investment when you can just watch the chaos from the sidelines?)

“I’m an observer of bitcoin,” Solomon said at the World Liberty Forum on Wednesday, saying he’s still trying to understand how it moves. (Ah, yes, because nothing says “deep insight” like pretending to be baffled by a decentralized ledger.)

While Goldman Sachs has taken a cautious approach to digital assets, the firm’s leadership sees crypto as part of a longer-term shift in financial infrastructure, Solomon noted. (Translation: “We’re not ready to commit, but we’re definitely not going to admit we’re scared.”)

He dismissed the idea that traditional banks and crypto firms are locked in a zero-sum fight. “It’s one system, it’s our system,” he said. “We have to do it the right way … and there’s going to be disagreements and that’s OK.” (Because nothing says “unity” like a thinly veiled threat to crush competitors with bureaucracy.)

Solomon said the evolution of markets is being shaped by large-scale technology platforms, and tokenization will play a central role. (Because nothing says “innovation” like turning everything into a blockchain-based version of a Monopoly token.)

“The evolution of those platforms … there’s obvious impact,” he said. “Tokenization … that I think is super important.” (Yes, because nothing says “revolution” like a 1990s-era tech buzzword.)

While other banking giants such as JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley have pushed deeper into the digital asset space, Goldman Sachs’ involvement has been limited so far. The main reason, according to Solomon, is regulation.

“Until 10 minutes ago, the regulatory structure was extremely prohibitive,” he jokingly said, but suggested that as regulators begin providing greater latitude for companies to get “more involved” in the sector, Goldman may take another look. (Because nothing says “opportunity” like a regulatory environment that’s as clear as mud.)

‘Got to get it right’

Solomon criticized the economic effects of overregulation.

“When you burden this system with excessive regulation, you start to extract capital,” he said. “That absolutely happened in the last five years.” (Because nothing says “economic disaster” like a five-year delay in launching a cryptocurrency exchange.)

He emphasized getting the approach right. “It’s got to be done thoughtfully, and we’ve got to get it right.” (Because nothing says “responsibility” like a CEO who’s terrified of making a decision.)

Solomon previously said that the banking giant is ramping up its research and internal discussions around crypto-adjacent technologies, including tokenization and prediction markets. (Translation: “We’re not investing, but we’re definitely not investing either.”)

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2026-02-18 20:20