Robert Kiyosaki, the author of "Rich Dad Poor Dad," has issued a stark warning despite the stock market's recent recovery. Although the S&P 500 has hit new record highs in 2026 after an earlier correction, Kiyosaki previously cautioned that American retirement account holders heavily invested in stocks are vulnerable to a severe market crash.
"Are your 401(k) or IRA accounts fully loaded with stocks?" Kiyosaki asked in a July 2025 post on X. "Good luck. We might be on the edge of another 1929 crash and a new Great Depression." Despite the market's subsequent rally, he has doubled down on his stance. In a March 2026 post on X, he warned of a potential "everything bubble" burst and urged investors to allocate funds to gold, silver, Bitcoin, and Ethereum as a hedge against downside risk.
Kiyosaki's comparison to 1929 is striking. From Black Monday on October 28, 1929, to mid-November, the Dow Jones Industrial Average nearly halved, and the decline didn't stop there. By the summer of 1932, the index had plunged 89% from its peak. Even a fraction of that decline today would be catastrophic, especially given the deep ties between 401(k) and IRA accounts and the stock market. CBS News reported that during the 2022 market selloff, participants in 401(k) and IRA accounts suffered a combined paper loss of approximately $3 trillion.
Kiyosaki noted a flight from traditional assets, writing, "Did you know that investment legends Warren Buffett and Jim Rogers have sold most or all of their stocks and bonds?" Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway, has been a net seller of stocks for 14 consecutive quarters, holding $373 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and U.S. Treasury bills as of March 2026. However, Kiyosaki did not provide a public source to support the claim that "Buffett has sold most of his holdings." Berkshire Hathaway's latest earnings report still shows securities holdings worth hundreds of billions of dollars, indicating that, despite some position reductions, Buffett maintains a significant market presence. Rogers, however, has publicly stated, "I have sold all my U.S. stocks," and warned that the debt-driven U.S. economy is headed for trouble. Kiyosaki echoed this concern, stating, "U.S. debt is out of control, making it the largest debtor nation in human history. The days of printing money to pay debts will eventually come to an end." U.S. Treasury data shows national debt at approximately $39.6 trillion, an increase of over $2 trillion since Kiyosaki's initial warning.
Based on this pessimistic outlook, Kiyosaki continues to favor safe-haven assets outside of traditional investments. In July 2025, he wrote on X, "I firmly hold gold, silver, and Bitcoin." Here is a detailed breakdown of these assets.
Precious Metals
Kiyosaki's advocacy for gold and silver is not new; he has been a long-term bull on precious metals. In October 2023, he predicted on X, "Gold will soon break above $2,100 and then begin a big rally. You will regret not buying gold below $2,000; the next target is $3,700." Gold prices surged in 2024, continued to rise in 2025, and recently broke through $3,700 per ounce, far exceeding his target. Gold started 2024 at around $2,000 per ounce, surpassed $3,000 in 2025, and has been setting new record highs in 2026. Large inflows from investors using gold as a hedge against economic uncertainty, geopolitical conflicts, and market volatility have driven prices higher. Gold is long regarded as a safe-haven asset, independent of any single country, currency, or economy, and cannot be printed like fiat currency. During economic turmoil or rising geopolitical risks, investors flock to gold, pushing up its price. A Gold IRA is one option for allocating inflation-resistant assets and building retirement reserves. Through platforms like Goldco, you can open a Gold IRA to invest in physical gold and other precious metals while enjoying tax benefits. With a minimum investment of $10,000, Goldco offers free logistics and extensive retirement planning resources; qualifying orders receive up to 10% of their value in free silver. To determine if this asset class is suitable for portfolio diversification, you can download a free gold and silver investment guide.
Bitcoin
Kiyosaki states he firmly holds Bitcoin, consistent with his long-term bullish stance on cryptocurrencies. He has called Bitcoin "the people's currency" and predicted it could reach $500,000 to $1 million. Since his comments, Bitcoin's price has been highly volatile. Bitcoin first broke above $100,000 in late 2024 and has remained above its previous cycle highs, but the asset is extremely volatile with dramatic price swings. Kiyosaki is not alone in this view. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey stated in May 2024 that Bitcoin would reach at least $1 million by 2030, or even higher. Access for ordinary investors has become easier. If you want to diversify beyond stocks and ETFs, platforms like Robinhood Crypto allow you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies with a minimum of $1. The platform's transaction costs are among the lowest in the U.S. market, potentially giving you up to 2.7% more crypto for the same investment compared to other platforms. It supports dollar-cost averaging, turning crypto investment into a long-term habit, and covers major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Dogecoin, and Ripple. It also allows secure transfers to external wallets, customizable price alerts, market tracking, and unified portfolio management. Robinhood prioritizes crypto security, with most coins stored in offline cold storage, insurance against theft and cyberattacks, and 24/7 customer support.
Real Estate
This is not the first time Kiyosaki has used the 1929 Great Depression as a warning. After Moody's downgraded the U.S. credit rating in May 2025, he warned of a depression-level crash and emphasized assets that can generate continuous cash flow. "I always advise people to start a business or at least a side hustle, not just rely on a single job; during a market crash, buying income-producing real estate can provide stable cash flow," he wrote on X in May 2025. Real estate has long been a favorite for income-oriented investors. While stock markets are easily shaken by news, quality properties can provide consistent rental income. Real estate also serves as a hedge against inflation. As inflation rises, the costs of materials, labor, and land push property values higher; rents also increase, giving landlords inflation-adjusted cash flow. Kiyosaki has revealed he owns 15,000 residential investment properties. Today, ordinary people don't need vast wealth to invest in real estate. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived have lowered the barrier. Backed by top investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to buy shares in rental properties for as little as $100, without the need to manage lawns, fix leaky faucets, or deal with difficult tenants. The process is simple: the platform selects properties with appreciation potential and rental returns; you buy shares in a chosen property and sit back to earn rental income dividends.
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