OG Crypto Investor SOLD HIS BITCOIN For AI | Avi Felman
OG Crypto Investor SOLD HIS BITCOIN For AI | Avi Felman
Podcast1 hr 14 min
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

Avoid entering Bitcoin at current levels and wait for a potential "puke out" toward the $40,000 price target, especially if MicroStrategy (MSTR) is forced to liquidate holdings. Shift focus toward the AI infrastructure layer by holding memory leaders like Micron (MU) or targeting downstream disruption in Biotech via the XBI and ARKG ETFs. Consider a long-term position in Intel (INTC) as a strategic play on American semiconductor independence and a narrowing valuation gap with TSMC. Diversify into the energy and defense sectors by investing in uranium miners and the REMX ETF to capitalize on the massive power demands of AI and shifting global supply chains. For aggressive traders, look to short traditional consulting firms like Accenture that face automation risks, while using small "starter positions" to track emerging themes in robotics and private tech.

Detailed Analysis

Bitcoin (BTC)

• The speaker has completely divested from Bitcoin and crypto after being in the industry since 2016. • Bitcoin is viewed as an "escape hatch" from government and Fed mistakes, but the speaker argues this narrative is currently less relevant due to massive secular growth in other sectors. • Risk Factors: * The "Saylor Problem": Concerns regarding MicroStrategy (MSTR) and its leverage/debt structure (specifically "Stretch" preferred equity). There is a fear that MSTR could become a forced seller of Bitcoin to cover debt or dividends. * Quantum Computing: Mentioned as a long-term technical risk that institutional investors worry about. * Lack of Narrative: Attention has shifted away from crypto toward AI and robotics.

Takeaways

Wait for a "Puke Out": The speaker is looking for a price target around $40,000 to consider re-entering Bitcoin. • Monitor Liquidity: Re-entry would require the Fed to act in a way that signals rising inflation or massive liquidity injections. • Watch Forced Sellers: If MicroStrategy is forced to liquidate, it would represent a generational buying opportunity ("buy when there is blood on the streets").


Artificial Intelligence & Memory Stocks

• The market has moved from the "Mag 7" trade to the infrastructure layer. • Memory Stocks: Companies like Micron (MU) and SanDisk have seen massive growth because the $600 billion being spent on data centers must go toward memory hardware. • The Next Phase: The trade is shifting from "building the infrastructure" to "what AI will change."

Takeaways

Downstream Beneficiaries: Look for sectors AI will disrupt or enhance, specifically Biotech and Defense. • Short Opportunities: The speaker suggests potentially shorting consulting firms (e.g., Accenture) as AI automates their core functions. • Use AI for Research: Tools like Claude or Perplexity are being used by top traders (like Stanley Druckenmiller) to quickly identify liquid plays in new themes.


Biotech & Robotics

Biotech: AI is accelerating drug discovery at a pace never seen before. The speaker highlights ARKG (ARK Genomic Revolution ETF) and XBI (SPDR S&P Biotech ETF) as areas showing strength. • Robotics: Physical AI and robotics are viewed as the "American Manhattan Project" of this era. • RoboStrategy: A thematic investment vehicle focused on physical AI and robotics.

Takeaways

Accessing Private Markets: Investors are using publicly traded closed-end funds (like those from Fundrise or Robinhood) to get exposure to private tech companies that are staying private longer. • NAV Expansion: When looking at these funds, be wary of rapid expansions in the Premium to Net Asset Value (NAV). If the premium jumps 300% in days without a major catalyst, it may be overextended.


Defense & Energy

Defense: AI is being used to build "smart forward-deployed drones." This is seen as a high-growth area due to global instability. • Intel (INTC): The speaker is a "huge believer" in Intel as a play on American isolationism. As the U.S. moves away from TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor), Intel is expected to close the valuation gap. • Uranium: A bullish outlook on uranium miners due to the need for energy independence and the growth of nuclear power to fuel AI data centers.

Takeaways

Rare Earth Minerals: REMX (VanEck Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF) is cited as a safer play for those betting on the shift away from Chinese supply chains. • Uranium Miners: Focus on the miners rather than the commodity price itself; even if uranium prices drop, increased volume for energy-hungry AI could drive miner revenues.


Hyperliquid & Fintech

Hyperliquid: A crypto-based fintech platform for trading everything from crypto to the weather and Korean stocks. • Thesis: The "social contract" for the middle class is broken, leading people to seek "financial acceleration" through trading and speculation.

Takeaways

Financialization of Everything: The trend of "gambling" or "punting" on sports, weather, and prediction markets (like Polymarket or Kalshi) is expected to grow. • Crypto as Backend: The future of crypto is not "crypto companies," but fintech companies that use crypto infrastructure to generate real revenue.


Investment Psychology & Strategy

Edge Generation: Edge comes from doing what others aren't looking at or don't understand, rather than complex macro forecasting ("astrology for men"). • Volatility Management: In a high-volatility world, cash becomes more valuable because it allows you to buy 30% dips that occur every few months. • The "Meme" Factor: The equity markets are becoming "crypto-fied," where social media narratives and "cults" around tickers (like INTC or Wendy's) drive price action more than traditional fundamentals.

Takeaways

Skin in the Game: Follow the "Druckenmiller Rule"—if you hear a good idea, buy a small amount immediately to force yourself to research it. • Deprogramming: Traditional investors must realize that "memes" and social sentiment are now valid market drivers that shouldn't be ignored.

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Episode Description
Avi Feldman is a former hedge fund manager and host of the 1000x Podcast. In this conversation, we discuss why he sold all of his bitcoin and crypto after nearly a decade in the industry, how he's thinking about the AI trade and what comes after the memory stock boom, why he believes the financialization of everyday life is accelerating, his current positions in biotech, defense, rare earth minerals, and the psychology of trading in volatile markets. ======================== BitcoinIRA: Save up to 37% in capital gains taxes on your retirement investments. Take 3 minutes to open your account & get connected to a team of IRA specialists that will guide you through every step of the process. Go to lp.bitcoinira.com/after-crypto to win up to $4,000 in rewards. ======================== Bitget is the world's largest Universal Exchange (UEX), serving over 125 million users with access to over 2M+ crypto tokens, and TradFi markets. Bitget’s Stocks 2.0 brings 500 major equities and ETFs (like Tesla and NVIDIA) directly to your portfolio. Enjoy 1:1 mapping, deep liquidity, and USDT dividend payouts with ultra-low 0.04% fees. Upgrade your portfolio on Bitget.com today! ======================== Arch Public is an agentic trading platform that automates the buying and selling of your preferred crypto strategies. Sign up today at https://www.archpublic.com and start your automated trading strategy for free. No catch. No hidden fees. Just smarter trading. ======================== 0:00 - Intro 1:03 - Why he sold all his bitcoin & crypto 6:52 - The Hyperliquid thesis & the broken social contract 20:01 - What would make him buy bitcoin again? 21:58 - Strategy + STRC & how to gain an edge in the markets  33:40 - What comes after the memory stock boom? 37:58 - Biotech, defense, & rare earth minerals 39:29 - Robostrategy, private markets & NAV premiums 44:08 - Why index fund returns may be lower going forward 1:01:37 - Contrarian investing & spotting a bubble 1:08:06 - Stablecoins & the warning for investors 1:13:28 - The 1000x Podcast
About The Pomp Podcast
The Pomp Podcast

The Pomp Podcast

By Anthony Pompliano

Host Anthony “Pomp” Pompliano talks to the most interesting people in business, finance, and Bitcoin. From billionaires to cultural icons, Pomp helps you get smarter every day.