Emre Yumlu 
Eric Semler, chairman of Semler Scientific Inc., doesn’t view the skepticism in traditional finance about Bitcoin as a problem—on the contrary, he sees it as an opportunity. “Many hedge fund managers in the crypto space still see Bitcoin as a passing trend,” says Semler, adding that he’s not bothered by these criticisms.
Speaking on Thursday during the Coin Stories program, Semler noted: “There are many who believe that once the Trump administration ends, Bitcoin will experience a sharp decline again.”
Confidence in Bitcoin is Rare, But Semler Remains Committed
Semler, who founded hedge fund firm TCS Capital Management back in 2001, holds a clear view on the impact of political conditions on the future of crypto. While U.S. President Donald Trump recently gave the green light to the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, some experts—like JAN3 founder Samson Mow—believe this supportive stance might not last under a future administration.
However, Semler doesn’t share this pessimism. On the contrary, he is doubling down. In May 2024, the company he leads, Semler Scientific, became the second publicly listed U.S. company to adopt Bitcoin as part of its treasury strategy.
In a statement released on Thursday, the company revealed plans to increase its Bitcoin holdings nearly 23-fold over the next 2.5 years. Currently holding 4,449 BTC, the firm aims to reach 105,000 Bitcoin by 2026. Their short-term goal is to hold 10,000 BTC by the end of this year.
Traditional Finance’s Doubt Signals a Buying Opportunity
Semler views the general doubt in financial markets as a bullish indicator for investors:
“When you invest in something the majority doesn’t believe in and turn out to be right, the returns are much greater,” says Semler, adding that such opportunities have always brought him the highest profits throughout his career.
“We are in a fantastic position to show people that they are missing out on a major opportunity,” he continues. Semler explains that his success has often come from staying outside of the mainstream.
“I actually embrace negativity. I’m a contrarian investor,” he concludes.
Hedge Funds Slowly Turning to Bitcoin
Although Semler might seem like a lone voice, data shows that hedge funds are increasingly moving toward crypto. In October 2024, a study conducted by PwC and the Alternative Investment Management Association revealed that 47% of hedge fund managers operating in traditional markets are now exposed to crypto.
This figure was 29% in 2023 and 37% in 2022.
Previously, in June 2021, Intertrust Global conducted a survey asking 100 hedge fund CFOs about their crypto asset expectations. An overwhelming 98% responded that by 2026, they expected an average of 7.2% of their assets to be allocated to cryptocurrencies.
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