In Charlie Munger's Shadow: Betting on American Farmland, the Dollar, and Gold in a World Obsessed with Crypto

In an era when the siren song of cryptocurrency continues to seduce investors with promises of quick gains and decentralized utopia, the steady wisdom of Charlie Munger stands out like a granite monument in a shifting desert. Munger, the long-time partner of Warren Buffett and vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, didn’t merely dislike crypto—he loathed it.

“Crypto is disgusting and contrary to the interests of civilization.”

It might be easy to dismiss such views as the grumblings of an old-school capitalist, out of touch with digital revolutions. But that would be a mistake. Munger’s investment philosophy—grounded in tangible value, long-term thinking, and moral conviction—offers a sobering counterpoint to today’s speculative frenzy.

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The Case for Farmland: Tangibility, Utility, and Scarcity

Charlie Munger often emphasized the importance of investing in productive assets—things that generate real output, not just speculative value. Farmland, with its ability to produce food, fiber, and even fuel, fits that bill perfectly.

The American Midwest, stretching from Iowa to Indiana, hosts some of the most fertile soil on Earth. Amid rising global populations, climate volatility, and urban sprawl consuming more land, the value proposition of arable land only increases.

• Steady Cash Flow: Crop production and leasing provide consistent income.
• Inflation Hedge: As food prices rise, so does farmland profitability.
• Resilience: Land cannot be hacked or made obsolete by software updates.

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In Defense of the U.S. Dollar: Stability in a World of Flux

Crypto advocates often point to the dollar’s debasement. Yet, Munger believed in America’s strength—its institutions, laws, and capitalism. The dollar is backed not by code, but by the most powerful economy in the world.

• Global Reserve Currency: Over 88% of global forex transactions involve the dollar.
• Deep Capital Markets: U.S. markets are the most liquid and stable.
• Resilience: Historically manages crises better than most nations.

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Gold: The Barbarous Relic That Still Shines

Munger once dismissed gold as a “barren asset,” but even he recognized its role in turbulent times. Gold has preserved wealth for 5,000+ years, offering permanence and security.

In a debt-ridden, unstable world, gold acts as a financial fire escape—low-yielding, but reliable.

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Crypto: The Mirage of Digital Wealth

Bitcoin rose from the ashes of the 2008 crash, promising decentralization and fixed supply. But Munger saw through the spectacle. Crypto lacked intrinsic value and governance—it was speculation dressed as innovation.

Events like the FTX collapse only affirmed Munger’s view: crypto is a playground for hype, not value.

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Why Munger Still Matters

In the age of influencers and algorithm-driven advice, Munger was a beacon of principle. He valued discipline, prudence, and honesty above all.

“Spend each day trying to be a little wiser than you were when you woke up.”

He didn’t chase trends. He asked: Does this investment produce value? Is it honest? Is it sustainable?

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Betting on Reality

Farmland, dollars, and gold aren’t flashy. But they are real. Tangible. Grounded. Enduring. While tokens promise the moon, Munger always preferred the earth.

As we navigate uncertain waters, investors might do well to listen to Munger’s whisper from the grave: *Stick to what you can touch, measure, and believe in.*