Michael Saylor forecasts a ten-year surge in Bitcoin fueled by AI and ETFs, akin to a modern “gold rush”.

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have sparked a frenzy among institutional investors, leading to a “gold rush” for Bitcoin, predicts MicroStrategy chairman Michael Saylor. Speaking at the Bitcoin Atlantis conference, Saylor believes that the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs has initiated a phase of significant institutional adoption. Saylor further suggests that by 2035, 99% of all Bitcoins will have been mined, marking the beginning of a growth phase. Currently, approximately 93.5% of the total 21 million Bitcoins have already been mined, according to Buy Bitcoin Worldwide. Saylor anticipates that once banks and institutional wirehouses facilitate Bitcoin trades, the adoption of spot Bitcoin ETFs will increase from 10-20% to 100% due to customer demand. Saylor also highlights the role of autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) in driving the demand for Bitcoin, as it becomes crucial in securing the internet from malicious actors. Additionally, Bitcoin is expected to benefit from advancements in autonomous AI, as it will require digital energy to operate effectively. Saylor believes that concerns about Bitcoin’s environmental impact may lessen in the future, as the focus shifts towards the energy demands of AI. Investment strategist Lyn Alden suggests that Bitcoin could experience more demand as nation-states embrace it, leading to the establishment of financial hubs that attract capital in the long run. Alden argues against countries imposing restrictions or bans on Bitcoin, as it hinders investment opportunities. Lawrence Lepard, an investment manager and Bitcoin advocate, adds that oppressive regimes’ capital controls often drive adoption, citing Nigeria as an example. Despite previously banning Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, Nigeria has the highest peer-to-peer market volumes globally.