A number of distinguished figures within the cryptocurrency trade have pushed again towards former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson after he described Bitcoin as a Ponzi scheme in a newspaper column.
Key Takeaways:
- Boris Johnson referred to as Bitcoin a “Ponzi scheme,” warning readers towards investing in cryptocurrencies.
- Crypto leaders together with Michael Saylor, Paolo Ardoino and Adam Again rapidly rejected the declare.
- Critics argue Bitcoin lacks the central operator required for a Ponzi scheme.
Johnson, who led the UK from 2019 to 2022, wrote in a Each day Mail article that he had “lengthy suspected Bitcoin is a big Ponzi scheme,” warning readers towards placing cash into digital property.
The feedback rapidly drew responses from well-known voices throughout the crypto sector, together with Technique co-founder Michael Saylor, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino and early Bitcoin developer Adam Again.
Saylor Rejects Boris Johnson’s Bitcoin ‘Ponzi’ Declare
Saylor rejected Johnson’s characterization in a publish on X, arguing that Bitcoin doesn’t meet the definition of a Ponzi scheme.
“A Ponzi requires a central operator promising returns and paying early traders with funds from later ones,” Saylor wrote. “Bitcoin is just not a Ponzi scheme.”
Bitcoin is just not a Ponzi scheme. A Ponzi requires a central operator promising returns and paying early traders with funds from later ones. Bitcoin has no issuer, no promoter, and no assured return—simply an open, decentralized financial community pushed by code and market demand.
— Michael Saylor (@saylor) March 13, 2026
Johnson’s remarks have been prompted by a private anecdote in his column. He described assembly an aged churchgoer who had fallen into monetary issue after buying Bitcoin and later sought assist protecting his losses.
Whereas acknowledging that Bitcoin operates with out a government, Johnson argued that the cryptocurrency in the end depends on public perception in its worth.
“If individuals lose religion in Bitcoin, it collapses,” he wrote, including that he fears extra people, significantly older traders, may undergo losses tied to the asset.
The criticism was met with swift rebuttals from the crypto group. Investor and fund supervisor Fred Krueger responded on X by contrasting Bitcoin’s decentralized design with conventional monetary establishments.
“A Ponzi often wants a central operator, Boris,” Krueger wrote. “Bitcoin simply has math.”
Tether chief Paolo Ardoino additionally responded, highlighting group notes on Johnson’s publish explaining why Bitcoin doesn’t match the traits of a Ponzi scheme.
In the meantime, Adam Again, CEO of blockchain expertise agency Blockstream, joined the dialogue with a quick reply addressing the previous prime minister by his nickname “Bozza.”
bozza!
— Adam Again (@adam3us) March 14, 2026
Bitcoin Ponzi Claims Resurface as Critics Renew Assaults
Bitcoin has steadily confronted accusations of resembling a Ponzi scheme from critics over time.
Economist Nouriel Roubini has beforehand described cryptocurrencies as a “real-bubble Ponzi scheme,” whereas European Central Financial institution govt Fabio Panetta as soon as in contrast the digital asset market to a “home of playing cards.”
Supporters of Bitcoin argue the comparability is flawed as a result of the community lacks a central operator, a defining function of basic Ponzi schemes.
As an alternative, they are saying the cryptocurrency operates as an open financial system ruled by code and market exercise moderately than guarantees of assured returns.
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