- David Marcus predicts Bitcoin’s shift from savings to daily use via hybrid wallets, blending national currencies and BTC rewards.
- CIA’s Michael Ellis calls Bitcoin a U.S.-China tech race factor, urging American leadership in crypto adoption.
David Marcus, CEO of Lightspark and former president of PayPal, stated that Bitcoin could evolve beyond its current use as a stored asset. During a CNBC interview, he described a future where Bitcoin functions alongside national currencies for daily transactions.
Marcus suggested hybrid systems where individuals hold both traditional money and Bitcoin, earned through rewards or small payments. He emphasized that Bitcoin’s integration into self-controlled digital wallets could allow balances to accumulate and be spent like cash.
Marcus criticized existing payment networks, such as SWIFT, for being too slow to support modern economic demands. His company, Lightspark, is developing tools like universal money addresses to enable instant cross-border transfers in multiple currencies. “This isn’t theoretical,” he said. “The goal is to modernize how money moves globally.”
CIA Deputy Director Acknowledges Bitcoin’s Long-Term Presence
Michael Ellis, deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), recently discussed Bitcoin’s trajectory on Anthony Pompliano’s podcast. Ellis confirmed Bitcoin’s durability, citing institutional adoption as a positive development.
He framed cryptocurrency as part of a broader technological competition between the U.S. and China, urging American leadership in the sector. Ellis also noted cryptocurrencies’ potential for intelligence operations, including tracking adversarial activities.
The CIA’s interest in blockchain technology dates back to 2011, when Bitcoin developer Gavin Andresen visited the agency. Some observers have speculated about a connection between that meeting and the disappearance of Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Ellis did not address these theories directly.
Robert Kiyosaki Warns of Economic Risks, Cites Bitcoin Volatility
Robert Kiyosaki, from whom we have always reported his thoughts on Bitcoin in ETHNews, warned followers on X about rising global unemployment and a potential economic downturn. Referencing his 2002 book Rich Dad’s Prophecy, he reiterated predictions of a market crash leading to a depression. While expressing hope that his forecasts are wrong, Kiyosaki advised preparing for instability.
FEAR of UNPLOYMENT spreads like a virus across the world.
Obviously, this fear is not good for the global economy.
As warned in an earlier book, Rich Dads Prophecy, the biggest market crash, a crash that is leading to the recession we are in…. and possible New Great…
— Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) April 30, 2025
He highlighted Bitcoin as a possible casualty in a crash, suggesting its price could hypothetically drop to $300. In such a scenario, he said investors must choose between “panic or opportunity.” Kiyosaki recalled profiting from real estate during the 2008 crisis and urged similar readiness today. “Prepare instead of despair” he wrote.
Marcus’s vision hinges on improving Bitcoin’s utility for routine transactions, a shift requiring infrastructure upgrades. Lightspark’s focus on instant cross-border payments aligns with demands for faster financial systems. Meanwhile, Ellis’s comments reflect growing institutional recognition of cryptocurrencies as geopolitical tools, not just financial assets.
Kiyosaki’s warnings underscore broader anxieties about economic stability. His mention of Bitcoin’s volatility mirrors concerns shared by regulators and investors. While a drop to $300 is extreme, his advice emphasizes strategic planning over reactive fear.
