Bitcoin Advocate Ray Dalio Departs Bridgewater Associates

Billionaire Ray Dalio has handed over the reins of Bridgewater Associates, the hedge fund he founded 50 years ago.

https://t.co/UXbieodFlV

— Ray Dalio (@RayDalio) July 31, 2025

According to WSJ, the businessman sold his remaining stake in the company and exited the board of directors. Following this, Bridgewater issued new shares to Brunei’s sovereign fund. As a result of the multi-billion dollar deal, the latter acquired nearly 20% of the company’s shares.

ForkLog asked libertarian economist Yevgeny Romanenko whether the new leadership at Bridgewater might more actively embrace cryptocurrencies. In his view, such predictions are pointless until the firm takes concrete actions.

The expert emphasized that the decisions of the firm should not influence individual investors’ strategies, as the goals of funds and private individuals differ.

Dalio’s departure marks the final stage of a long process. He stepped down as CEO in 2017 and left the position of chairman at the end of 2021.

Dalio on His Departure

He stated that he is pleased with the transition and shared the principles that have ensured the firm’s success over the past 50 years.

Dalio likened the handover to raising the next generation. He said that seeing Bridgewater “alive and well” without his involvement is akin to watching strong and independent children. The financier noted that the company is now managed by individuals 25-50 years younger than himself.

Dalio identified the selection of people and culture as key working principles. He advised creating an “ideocracy,” where the main goals are meaningful work and relationships built on “radical truthfulness and transparency.”

Another principle is to foster a culture where making mistakes is acceptable, but failing to learn from them is not. He formulated this as an equation: Pain + Reflection = Progress.

Dalio now plans to focus on other projects, including passing on his principles to others, investing, family, and exploring the ocean through the media project OceanXplorers.

Dalio’s Forecasts

The investor, known for accurately predicting the 2008 crisis, anticipates new upheavals. He believes the world faces a global debt crisis by the end of 2025, and the U.S. economy risks a “heart attack” if the government does not reduce the budget deficit.

In light of these forecasts, Dalio recommended investors allocate up to 15% of their portfolios to Bitcoin and gold to hedge risks. Previously, he advised limiting this to 2%.

In 2021, Dalio called Bitcoin a “hell of an invention.” He acknowledged owning some cryptocurrency but prefers gold.

Some of Dalio’s forecasts have proven incorrect. In 1982, he anticipated a global economic depression, which did not materialize, leading to significant losses for Bridgewater. Dalio later admitted that his assessment nearly bankrupted the company.

In December 2024, the financier announced plans to invest in the leading cryptocurrency amid an inevitable debt crisis.