From Real Estate and Stocks: Former Premier League Player’s New-Found Love of Bitcoin

As a seasoned soccer player turned crypto investor, I can say with confidence that my journey into the world of Bitcoin has been nothing short of transformative. Much like scoring a last-minute winner in a crucial match, discovering Bitcoin was a game-changer for me.

George Boyd initially held a skeptical view towards bitcoin, having first learned about it when its value was around $1,800. Like many others at that time, he chose to ignore it and invest in traditional assets such as real estate and stocks instead, following the advice he received early on in his career. However, his perspective has since shifted.

As Boyd, with over 100 appearances for Burnley FC and Hull City, continued to learn throughout his career, his perspective on things shifted dramatically. Now at the age of 39, who famously reached the FA Cup final – the most esteemed domestic football competition in the U.K., he functions as an ambassador for Jacobi Asset Management. Boyd expresses a belief that bitcoin can be instrumental in creating wealth across generations.

Similar to numerous athletes, footballers in the Premier League typically have a career that spans less time compared to an ordinary individual who continues working until their mid-60s for retirement. However, for professionals like Boyd, it’s not just about amassing wealth, but also safeguarding it for the future.

In an interview, Boyd shared that he had a great agent who took good care of him. His agent’s approach was to help Boyd invest in real estate, leading Boyd to make purchases in the property market. Additionally, he has built up a stock portfolio. Essentially, their plan was to accumulate investments. Now, Boyd aims to sell everything he currently owns and invest in more bitcoin instead.

His Bitcoin exploration started in 2020 amidst the Covid pandemic; however, he initially harbored doubts about the token and its worth. Over time, he discovered that the existing monetary structure is causing inflation, and conventional methods of investment like real estate or bank savings are no longer effective.

In simpler terms, Boyd stated that the Covid-19 pandemic served as an eye-opening experience for him. He also expressed his concern about the monetary system, suggesting it leads to inflation which essentially takes away from us. Despite trying to explain this to friends, they remain unconvinced. However, he believes bitcoin is particularly relevant today due to its role as a reliable store of value.

In simpler terms, Boyd highlighted the significance of grasping the distinct characteristics of Bitcoin versus other digital currencies, along with the advantages that come with self-management. Moreover, he expressed dissatisfaction with conventional financial guidance provided to soccer players and suggested adopting Bitcoin as a method for building long-term prosperity.

As a crypto investor, let me express it this way: “We’re not discussing short-term profits here; we’re talking about the potential for generational wealth. If you play your cards right and make smart investments, we’re looking at entire families being financially secure for generations to come. That’s how significant an opportunity this could be.

Boyd isn’t alone among sports figures who endorse bitcoin; some athletes, including Russell Okung from the National Football League (NFL), have opted to receive their payment in bitcoin. Others like NFL’s Odell Beckham Jr. and Premier League’s Kieran Gibbs have discussed this topic on the podcast “What Bitcoin Did” hosted by Peter McCormack.

In contrast to many professions, athletes have a narrow yet lucrative period for earning income, stated Peter Lane, one of the founders at Jacobi Asset Management, who launched Europe‘s initial Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) in 2023.

Living a retired life at the age of 30 means you must stretch your accumulated wealth over potentially another six decades, unlike most people who work for 40 years to retire for about 20. These individuals require an asset that will maintain their wealth for an extended retirement period, and we believe bitcoin is uniquely suited to provide this longevity. (Lane’s statement)