12 Comments

Appreciate your work greatly. Amazing that gold surpasses all other asset classes. Why did you leave out investment real estate? Should be bigger than gold?

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Thanks, Pete! As for RE, yes, its value is much bigger than gold—I think it’s in the hundreds of trillions globally. But RE is quite different from the assets on this list. It’s not a financial asset since it’s not liquid or easily traded like stocks or gold. Plus, there’s no single global price for it. Real estate values vary a lot depending on location—a property in the U.S. isn’t the same as one in Latin America, for example. In other words, one piece of real estate isn’t equal to another, and that makes it a very different story from the assets above.

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Just saw your reply. Thank you! If real estate is much bigger and your post is about “fascinating snapshot of global wealth and priorities” it seems the liquidity is irrelevant. Especially when noting income real estate. Commercial buildings, Multifamily, NNN and single family rentals all contribute to global wealth and by your own admission I think represents the lions share.

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Lau,

I really like your work. I am sure many more appreciate the insight, but rarely thank the author, including me. So....

Thanks!

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Thanks a lot, John. Your kind words are much appreciated.

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Iv been in bitcoin About 11 years , 200 dollar cost now about 100.000 US dollars it gives me financial orgasms .

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Yeah, those are the best.

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I've been in and out of bitcoin on numerous occasions. It still gives me the creeps!

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May I ask why? Especially since you mentioned you've been in and out...

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Exactly. In and out? The same maleficent principal being applied to - gold? A so-called appreciating asset? And like most people - making the mistake of trying to time that market only exacerbates - frustration (paper hands). Correct? Although volatility in BTC will drive people away, especially when they treat it like a security (stocks). BTC and cryptocurrency are actually commodities. But if you could predict the volatility of any investment; then you're central banker material. Or maybe you're buddies with Buffet - or the CEO of Blackrock. 😁

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It feels like betting on a horse race! Perhaps a lack of knowledge and experience!!

I'm not a good gambler!!!

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Well, looking back, it’s turned out to be one heck of a good gamble! :) Just kidding, it's really not. It's just a superior asset.

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