Imagine putting a chunk of your money into what some call the future of finance, only to watch it shrink as the year unfolds. That’s the reality right now for anyone who followed one prominent investor’s lead at the start of 2025. It’s a reminder that even the boldest predictions in crypto can hit rough patches.
I’ve always found the crypto space fascinating because it’s equal parts opportunity and humility check. One day you’re riding high, the next you’re questioning every decision. And when a high-profile name like Anthony Scaramucci shares his personal allocations publicly, it naturally draws attention.
Why Scaramucci’s Picks Matter in Crypto Circles
Scaramucci isn’t just another voice in the crowd. As the founder of a major investment firm, his views carry weight, especially when he ties a significant portion of his own wealth to digital assets. He’s been vocal about seeing Bitcoin as something akin to digital gold – a store of value that could mature over time.
But what really stands out is how he’s diversified beyond Bitcoin. He’s placed even larger personal bets on other networks, staking everything in one particular chain while keeping smaller positions in others. It’s a strategy that speaks to conviction in specific ecosystems rather than spreading thin across dozens of projects.
In my view, this kind of transparency is refreshing. Too often, advisors preach one thing while doing another. Here, we’re getting a glimpse into an actual high-net-worth portfolio shaped by years in both traditional finance and crypto.
Breaking Down the Basket Performance
Let’s get to the numbers, because that’s where the story gets interesting. Suppose someone took $1,000 at the beginning of 2025 and split it evenly among four assets that align with his stated preferences: Bitcoin, Solana, Ethereum, and Avalanche.
Fast forward to Christmas Day 2025, and that same portfolio would be worth less than the original amount. Market drawdowns hit all four, though some more than others. Bitcoin has held up relatively better in percentage terms, but the faster-moving alternatives have pulled the overall value down.
To put it simply:
- Bitcoin continues to dominate market cap but hasn’t escaped the broader correction.
- Solana, despite impressive technology and adoption metrics, faced sharp volatility.
- Ethereum’s upgrades keep coming, yet price action reflects caution.
- Avalanche has seen its own challenges amid competition in layer-1 space.
It’s worth noting that these aren’t tiny moves. We’re talking about a meaningful decline from January peaks, enough to test anyone’s resolve.
The Long-Term Thesis Behind the Allocation
Here’s where perspective matters. Scaramucci has repeatedly framed his approach as multi-year, not quarterly. He doesn’t seem fazed by short-term swings because he believes we’re still early in blockchain adoption.
Bitcoin is evolving into digital gold, while certain platforms represent foundational infrastructure for tomorrow’s internet.
That kind of thinking resonates with me. Traditional assets like real estate or gold rarely deliver linear returns. Why should we expect crypto – an even younger asset class – to behave differently?
His heaviest personal weighting toward one high-throughput chain suggests belief in winner-take-most dynamics among smart contract platforms. Only a handful will capture meaningful developer and user activity long-term, he argues. The rest may fade into obscurity.
Staking and Conviction in Action
One detail that caught my attention: everything in his largest non-Bitcoin position is staked. That’s not just holding – that’s actively participating in network security and earning rewards. It signals deep confidence that the chain will thrive over years, not months.
Staking also changes the math slightly. While spot prices are down, stakers collect additional tokens as compensation. Over a full cycle, those rewards can offset paper losses and then some. It’s a nuance often overlooked when people only look at price charts.
Of course, staking involves lockups and risks. But for someone with Scaramucci’s time horizon, the yield becomes part of the total return picture rather than a nice-to-have bonus.
How 2025 Volatility Fits the Bigger Picture
This year has been brutal for risk assets generally. Macro factors, regulatory uncertainty, and profit-taking after previous rallies all played roles. Crypto, being higher beta, felt amplified pain.
Yet history shows these periods of consolidation often precede the next leg up. After 2018’s crash came 2020-2021’s explosion. Post-2022 bear market brought renewed institutional interest. Patterns aren’t guarantees, but they offer context.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect is how narratives shift during downturns. Projects with strong fundamentals get punished alongside speculative ones. It’s painful in real time but creates asymmetry for patient capital.
Comparing the Four Assets Individually
Each coin in this hypothetical basket brings something different:
- Bitcoin: The reserve asset, increasingly viewed as a macro hedge.
- Solana: High performance, low costs, growing DeFi and NFT ecosystems.
- Ethereum: The incumbent for smart contracts, with ongoing scaling improvements.
- Avalanche: Subnet architecture enabling customized blockchains.
No single chain does everything perfectly yet. That’s why diversification across proven networks makes sense for those bullish on the sector overall.
| Asset | Key Strength | Main Narrative |
| Bitcoin | Decentralization & Scarcity | Digital Gold |
| Solana | Speed & Cost | High-Throughput Apps |
| Ethereum | Developer Mindshare | Settlement Layer |
| Avalanche | Customization | Institutional Subnets |
Looking at current prices around late December – Bitcoin near $87k, Ethereum under $3k, Solana about $122, Avalanche in similar retracement territory – the picture feels familiar to anyone who’s lived through previous cycles.
What This Means for Average Investors
Should everyday crypto enthusiasts panic because a notable investor’s reference portfolio is down? Probably not. Paper losses only become real if you sell at the bottom.
More importantly, it highlights the difference between trading and investing. Traders try to time entries and exits. Investors allocate based on fundamentals and wait. Scaramucci clearly falls into the latter camp.
I’ve found that the investors who do best in crypto are those who treat it like venture capital: expect most positions to fluctuate wildly, but believe a few winners will drive outsized returns.
Risks That Can’t Be Ignored
To be fair, there are legitimate concerns. Regulatory clarity remains patchy. Technological risks persist. Competition is fierce. And leverage in the system can exacerbate downturns.
Any concentrated bet – even across just four assets – carries concentration risk. If the entire sector stays suppressed longer than expected, recovery timelines stretch.
That’s why sizing matters. Putting money you can’t afford to lose into volatile assets rarely ends well, regardless of who recommends them.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
Assuming the multi-year thesis holds, current prices could look attractive in hindsight. Institutional adoption continues growing quietly. Infrastructure improves steadily. Use cases expand.
Or perhaps new challenges emerge that delay maturation. No one has a crystal ball. The only certainty is continued volatility.
Either way, stories like this serve as reality checks. They remind us that even sophisticated investors face drawdowns. Patience, conviction, and proper risk management separate long-term winners from the crowd.
In the end, crypto remains a young, speculative space. But for those who share the vision of blockchain reshaping finance and technology, temporary setbacks are part of the journey. Whether Scaramucci’s basket rebounds strongly in coming years will be one of many test cases worth watching.
What do you think – is this dip a buying opportunity or a warning sign? The debate continues, and that’s exactly what makes this market so compelling.
