Key Takeaway: Renowned financial author William Green candidly admits missing out on Bitcoin was a costly investment oversight, offering valuable lessons.
Who is William Green?
William Green is an accomplished financial journalist and author known for his influential book, “Richer, Wiser, Happier”, and as host of the podcast of the same name. Over the past two decades, Green has interviewed many legendary investors like Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, and Bill Miller, distilling their wisdom into practical investment guidance. Despite his wealth of experience and deep understanding of market dynamics, Green recently revealed a notable regret: not investing in Bitcoin when he had the chance.
Missing the Bitcoin Boom
In a recent discussion on his Richer, Wiser, Happier podcast, Green openly addressed listener questions about his investment choices. Surprisingly candid, Green confessed that bypassing Bitcoin early in its journey was one of his significant investing mistakes. He admitted that despite closely observing successful investors who backed the cryptocurrency, he himself remained on the sidelines due to his cautious investing philosophy.
“I stayed away because it felt speculative and outside my circle of competence,” Green stated. He referenced his adherence to Charlie Munger’s principle: “Play games you can win,” meaning stick to investments you understand deeply.
However, this cautious approach ultimately prevented him from participating in one of history’s most lucrative opportunities. Green specifically noted his admiration for investor Bill Miller, who invested early in Bitcoin at an average cost of around $500 per coin. Miller’s visionary investment multiplied dramatically, mirroring his previous successful contrarian investment in Amazon.
Reflecting on his missed chance with Amazon and Bitcoin, Green ruefully remarked, “If I had invested alongside Miller, I probably wouldn’t have to work again.”
Lessons Learned from Green’s Regret
Green used his regretful experience to share several essential investment insights with listeners:
- Balance Caution with Curiosity: Green advocates staying within one’s investing expertise but emphasizes maintaining openness to innovations. Bitcoin taught him the importance of not dismissing potential paradigm shifts outright, advising investors to stay cautious yet curious.
- Prioritize Major Trends: According to Green, investors achieve greater success by correctly identifying and investing in significant trends. Missing Bitcoin was a poignant reminder to focus on major shifts rather than minor market fluctuations.
- Manage Risk Carefully: Despite acknowledging Bitcoin’s incredible growth, Green warned against excessive risk-taking. He emphasized prudent diversification, remarking sharply against extreme bets: “If someone says they have 140% of their net worth in Bitcoin, I’d think, ‘You moron.’”
- Continuous Learning: Green urged investors to treat their mistakes as learning opportunities. Instead of denying errors, he recommends analyzing and learning from them, thus continually refining one’s investment approach.
Latest Bitcoin Developments
Green’s reflections gain even more significance amidst Bitcoin’s remarkable recent growth. As of mid-2025, Bitcoin trades around $115,000 per coin, reaching new historical highs. The cryptocurrency’s market capitalization now approaches $4 trillion, underscoring its solidified mainstream presence.
This growth is driven by widespread institutional adoption. In 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the first-ever spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), providing broader access for traditional investors. Leading financial firms such as BlackRock and Fidelity launched Bitcoin ETFs, further legitimizing the cryptocurrency.
Corporations and financial institutions increasingly add Bitcoin to their balance sheets, and countries like El Salvador continue to embrace Bitcoin as legal tender. These developments affirm Bitcoin’s transition from a speculative fringe asset to a respected mainstream investment class.
Final Thoughts
William Green’s admission underscores a fundamental truth about investing: even experienced investors can miss transformative trends. His transparency provides valuable insights for new and seasoned investors alike—emphasizing balance, continuous learning, prudent risk management, and openness to innovation.
Green’s regretful Bitcoin experience isn’t merely a personal anecdote but a powerful lesson to investors everywhere: sometimes, the most significant risk isn’t participating—it’s missing out entirely.
Sources:
- Richer, Wiser, Happier podcast (William Green’s July 2025 “Ask Me Anything” episode)
- Bitcoin market data from recent CoinDesk and CryptoPotato reports (July-August 2025)
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