8:05 AM ▪
4
min read ▪ by
Warren Buffett just announced this on CNBC. Berkshire Hathaway bought about $17 billion of U.S. Treasury bills in the latest auction. A seemingly mundane step. But for those watching the price of Bitcoin, this signal deserves close attention.
In short
- Berkshire Hathaway bought about $17 billion worth of Treasury bills in the latest auction.
- Berkshire Cash: $373 billion at the end of 2025 – an all-time high, more than double from the end of 2023.
- Buffett: The S&P 500’s (-5.75%) decline is nothing compared to -50%+ declines.
- Bitcoin/Nasdaq Correlation = +0.47 for 20 weeks, a bearish signal if markets continue to decline.
- Berkshire liquidated Nu Holdings (crypto fintech) in Q1 2025 for $250 million+.
- Some analysts predict Bitcoin at $30,000 in 2026 in a bearish scenario.
Why Buffett’s Cash Strategy Is a Bearish Signal for Bitcoin?
Berkshire Hathaway ended 2025 with $373 billion in cash and cash equivalents. That’s more than to double levels by the end of 2023. All time record! It does not have a direct effect on the value of Bitcoin, but it does have some significance.
When asked about the S&P 500’s recent decline (-5.75% from its January 2026 peak), Buffett compared the correction to the big dips of the past during the interview. According to him, shares are not significantly cheaper yet. That explains why Berkshire isn’t buying.
History lends weight to this interpretation. In 1998, Buffett started building his reserves. This brought Berkshire’s cash to 13.1 billion. This represented 23% of assets. In 2000, this ratio increased to 25%. That was right when the dot-com bubble burst. Berkshire then located its capital on the ruins. The advance indicator worked.
This context explains Berkshire’s recent behavior regarding cryptofintechs. In Q1 2025, the group sold its entire position in Nu Holdings. It is a cryptocurrency friendly digital bank acquired in 2021.
- Result: Realized profit of $250 million.
- Implicit message: even the neighboring cryptocurrency is no longer in the sights.
How does the correlation between BTC and the stock market amplify this risk?
The data confirms this: Bitcoin is no longer seen as an asset unrelated to traditional markets. Really, 20-week rolling correlation between BTC/USD and Nasdaq Composite stands at +0.47.
Explanation: when the Nasdaq goes down, the price of BTC tends to go down too.
This is not a new phenomenon. Since 2020, Bitcoin has gradually aligned itself with risk assets (next to tech stocks, not gold). When global liquidity tightens, investors sell the most volatile assets first. And BTC remains at the top of the list for many.
For their part, cryptanalysts are not reassuring. There are several projects in a long bear market scenario bitcoin price at $30,000 in 2026. and why?
- Recession risks in the United States are estimated at around 50%;
- Geopolitical tensions fueling inflation;
- Questions about the quantum security of the Bitcoin network.
A few years ago, Buffett called bitcoin “rat poison”. And he hasn’t changed his mind to this day. But his opinion doesn’t matter here. It is mainly his reading of the overall market. When the world’s most watched investors favor Treasury bills over any other asset, the signal is universal. Like it or not, Bitcoin is no exception.
Certainly, Buffett’s decision is not directly related to Bitcoin. Still, it says something about the state of the markets. And in 2026, BTC cannot ignore this macro signal.
Maximize your Cointribune experience with our “Read and Earn” program! Earn points for every article you read and get access to exclusive rewards. Register now and start reaping the benefits.
My name is Ariela and I am 31 years old. I have been working in the field of web development for 7 years. I only discovered trading and cryptocurrencies a few years ago, but it’s a universe I’m very interested in. The topics on the platform allow me to learn more. As a singer in my spare time, I also have a great passion for music and reading (and animals!)
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be construed as investment advice. Before making any investment decision, do your own research.
