Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur and former Shark Tank host, has sold roughly 80% of his Bitcoin holdings. In a recent interview with Front Office Sports, he said Bitcoin has “lost the plot” and called its performance “disappointing”.
Cuban once pushed Bitcoin hard as a “better version of gold” because of its fixed supply and decentralized nature. But now, he says it failed to do what he expected: act as a reliable hedge against inflation and geopolitical risk.
This marks a sharp shift for someone who, as recently as January 2025, told CNBC he owned “a lot” of Bitcoin and believed its price would go up.
Why He Sold: Bitcoin Didn’t Hedge Like He Hoped
Cuban’s main reason for selling is simple: Bitcoin didn’t perform when it mattered most.
Key reasons he gave:
Cuban emphasized that he’s not slamming all crypto. He still believes in Ethereum for its real-world utility through smart contracts and decentralized applications. But Bitcoin, in his view, hasn’t delivered on its core promise.
Strategy CEO’s Take: He Just Found the “Next Best Thing”
Phong Le, CEO of Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ: MSTR), responded to Cuban’s move by saying it’s completely normal for traders to pivot once they’ve made money.
“There are folks out there who are very skeptical traders… they’re gonna find the point to buy Bitcoin. In 2021, everybody got in, and they made their money, and then they got out when they found the next thing.”
Le added that AI is the “next big thing” today, and it’s “perfectly reasonable” for Cuban and similar traders to shift their focus there.
In other words, the Strategy CEO sees Cuban’s move not as a betrayal of crypto, but as a classic trader’s cycle:
- Buy early
- Make profits
- Move to the next opportunity (in this case, AI)
Does Cuban Still Believe in Crypto?
Yes—but more selectively.
- He sold most of his Bitcoin, not all of it
- He still sees strong potential in Ethereum due to smart contracts and real-world use cases
- He calls most memecoins “garbage” and remains skeptical of speculative tokens
- He views crypto not just as an investment, but as a fundamental shift in how businesses are built
Cuban’s 2026 perspective is more nuanced: crypto is powerful, but not all tokens are equal.
What This Means for Everyday Investors
Cuban’s move triggered mixed reactions:
Cuban’s long-standing advice remains:
- Invest in high-risk assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum only with money you can afford to lose
- Don’t gamble everything; keep six months of expenses in savings
- Avoid credit card debt and live within your means
The Bigger Picture: AI vs. Bitcoin in 2026
As of 2026, many investors and entrepreneurs are shifting attention from pure Bitcoin exposure to AI-driven opportunities. The Strategy CEO’s comment highlights a broader trend:
Cuban’s move reflects that larger rotation, not necessarily a full exit from digital assets.
Bottom Line
Mark Cuban sold most of his Bitcoin because it didn’t perform as the inflation and geopolitical hedge he hoped for. He calls it “disappointing” and says it “lost the plot”. Strategy CEO Phong Le interprets this as a normal trader move: make profits, then pivot to the “next best thing,” which today is AI.
Cuban hasn’t abandoned crypto entirely. He still backs Ethereum and sees long-term potential in blockchain, but his focus has clearly shifted. For everyday investors, the lesson remains the same: take calculated risks, protect your downside, and be ready to adapt when the next big opportunity appears.
