Elon Musk’s fiery critique of a new Republican-backed spending bill, dismissing it as a “disgusting disgrace,” has reignited speculations about Tesla increasing its Bitcoin (BTC) $101,558 holdings. The proposed legislation seeks to lower taxes for large corporations and the wealthy but threatens to add $3.8 trillion to the U.S. debt over the next decade. Lawyer and XRP advocate John Deaton suggests that such large-scale expansionary fiscal policy might attract Musk and Tesla to accrue BTC as a hedge against inflation. Currently, Tesla holds 11,509 BTC, estimated at around $1.2 billion. Concerns over an increase in money printing could give Tesla a rationale to bolster its “digital gold” reserves.
Inflation Fears Illuminate Bitcoin’s Appeal
The 1,200-page proposal from the Republicans, while aiming to spur growth by trimming corporate taxes, raises alarms about swelling public debt. Senator Rand Paul highlighted the additional $5 trillion debt implication, while gold advocate economist Peter Schiff warned of dollar weakening and accelerated inflation.
John Deaton emphasized the same point, labelling the situation a “walking Bitcoin advertisement.” As the threat of inflation amplifies, decentralized and limited-supply assets become alluring for institutional treasuries.
The bill has sparked debates beyond fiscal expansion, particularly with a clause preventing states from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed concerns over this clause, citing state rights’ erosion and increased federal authority. With economic uncertainties and regulatory disputes combined, both investors and tech companies are considering Bitcoin for portfolio diversification. Deaton anticipates a tough path for the bill in the Senate but notes that mere uncertainties could drive demand for cryptocurrencies.
Tesla May Revisit Bitcoin Strategically
Back in 2021, Tesla made a groundbreaking $1.5 billion Bitcoin purchase, setting a precedent for institutional BTC investments. Though it partially liquidated these holdings for profit, it maintains one of the largest crypto reserves in the S&P 500 with 11,509 BTC.
While Musk hasn’t signaled direct new acquisitions lately, rising inflationary pressures highlight “hard assets” as a more reliable strategy compared to the volatility of holding cash.
Analysts observe Tesla’s historical pattern of aggressive repositioning in response to macroeconomic shocks. After reducing its balance in 2022, Tesla utilized carbon credit profits to stabilize. It might seek similar flexibility with Bitcoin as potential insurance against the increasing U.S. debt.
Data from Arkham Intelligence indicates Tesla’s current Bitcoin holdings have gained over 250% in valuation. Additional Bitcoin purchases could drive institutional demand momentum and serve as a model for other Fortune 500 firms.