Kevin O’Leary says he sold most of his crypto but is betting big on Bitcoin and Ethereum as new U.S. rules approach

O’Leary Makes a Major Crypto Shift

December 17, 2025: Kevin O’Leary has revealed that he has sold most of his cryptocurrency holdings, marking a significant shift in his investment strategy. The Shark Tank star and outspoken crypto investor says the move comes as the U.S. prepares to introduce clearer regulations for digital assets.

Why He’s Reducing His Crypto Exposure

According to O’Leary, regulatory uncertainty has made much of the crypto market less attractive in the short term. He believes many tokens lack transparency and compliance standards that institutional investors require before committing serious capital.

Rather than spreading bets across numerous digital assets, O’Leary says he is narrowing his focus.

The Two Cryptocurrencies He’s Still Betting On

Despite pulling back broadly, O’Leary remains bullish on Bitcoin and Ethereum. He argues that these two assets are best positioned to benefit from incoming U.S. regulations, which he believes will favor established, widely adopted cryptocurrencies.

O’Leary says institutional investors are more likely to gravitate toward assets with clear use cases, strong liquidity, and regulatory acceptance.

How New U.S. Rules Could Change the Market

O’Leary expects new crypto regulations to act as a filter, separating long-term survivors from speculative projects. He believes compliance-focused rules will unlock large inflows of institutional money—but only for cryptocurrencies that meet strict standards.

Bitcoin and Ethereum, he says, already operate closer to those expectations than most alternatives.

A Message to Retail Investors

While O’Leary has not abandoned crypto entirely, he cautions everyday investors against chasing hype. He encourages focusing on assets with long-term infrastructure, adoption, and regulatory clarity rather than short-term price swings.

His advice reflects a growing sentiment among seasoned investors as the market matures.

What This Signals for Crypto’s Future

O’Leary’s move highlights a broader shift in the crypto space. As regulation tightens, investors may favor fewer, more established assets over experimental tokens. The era of “anything goes” crypto investing, he suggests, may be coming to an end.

For now, O’Leary is placing his bet where he believes institutions will follow.