Kevin O’Leary, the outspoken Shark Tank investor, has undergone a remarkable transformation

Kevin O’Leary, the outspoken Shark Tank investor, has undergone a remarkable transformation in his stance on cryptocurrency

Kevin O’Leary, the outspoken Shark Tank investor, has seen his stance on cryptocurrency transform. Once dismissing Bitcoin as “garbage” and skeptical of the industry, O’Leary now allocates 19.4% of his portfolio to crypto-related assets. This shift, as he recently shared with Moneywise, reflects not only his personal conviction but also a broader momentum in the cryptocurrency space, driven by rising prices, regulatory developments, and growing mainstream acceptance.

As part of this evolution, O’Leary’s portfolio now includes direct investments in coins and tokens, along with stakes in “picks and shovels” infrastructure, such as platforms and exchanges like Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin. His enthusiasm for the sector was evident during his keynote at the Consensus crypto conference in Toronto, where he highlighted the urgent need for regulatory clarity to unlock the industry’s trillion-dollar potential.

This aligns with the prevailing optimism in the crypto market, fueled by Bitcoin’s recent surge past the $110,000 mark, a significant increase from its 2024 range below $70,000. This rally has been bolstered by a more favorable outlook under the Trump administration, which has shifted away from the “regulation by enforcement” approach of its predecessor.

A key beneficiary has been Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN), the largest U.S.-based crypto exchange, which saw its stock earn a coveted spot in the S&P 500 index after the SEC dropped a lawsuit against it in February. The growing legitimacy of crypto is evident in its inclusion in retirement portfolios and the availability of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, signaling a departure from its fringe status.

However, O’Leary highlighted that institutional investors – such as sovereign wealth and pension funds – remain largely absent, with only clear regulations capable of drawing their substantial capital into the market.

To bridge this gap, O’Leary is actively advocating for two pivotal pieces of legislation. The first, the GENIUS Act, focuses on establishing a regulatory framework for stablecoins, digital tokens pegged to fiat currencies like USDC, which O’Leary personally holds.

Stablecoins, he argued in Toronto, could disrupt the multitrillion-dollar currency trading market, which he described as “old and ugly and inefficient” due to high fees charged by banks and credit card companies. By enabling faster, cheaper cross-border transactions, stablecoins would dismantle these inefficiencies, a prospect that has already caught the attention of Big Tech, with reports of Meta (NASDAQ:META) exploring partnerships in the space.

Analysts project the stablecoin market could reach $2.5 trillion if the GENIUS Act, recently advanced in the Senate, is passed, despite criticisms from figures like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest tied to Trump-backed firms.

The second piece of legislation, the market structure bill, aims to provide a comprehensive framework for digital assets, crucially defining whether they are commodities or securities. O’Leary predicted that its passage would unleash a “trillion dollars” in institutional capital, particularly into top-tier tokens like Bitcoin.

This aligns with findings from a January survey of U.S. institutional investors by EY and Coinbase, which identified regulatory uncertainty as the primary barrier to crypto investment. Specifically, 50% of respondents highlighted the need for clear custody rules, 49% sought clarity on commodity versus security classifications, and 46% emphasized tax treatment, with 26% prioritizing the regulation of stablecoins and tokenized fiat.

Despite the promise of these bills, O'Leary acknowledged that the crypto industry has "hit a wall" in expanding assets under management, with institutional capital still on the sidelines. He views regulation as a "dialysis" process that would cleanse the market of low-quality assets, channeling capital into the top five tokens and creating a "vortex" of investment.

His push for regulation, a stance he never anticipated taking, underscores the industry’s maturation and the critical role of policy in unlocking its next phase of growth. As O'Leary navigates Washington to champion these reforms, the crypto market stands at a crossroads, with the potential to redefine global finance—if the regulatory pieces fall into place.