In markets defined by volatility, policy shifts, and narrative swings, conviction has become a scarce asset.
On this episode of Lead-Lag Live, Melanie Schaffer sat down with entrepreneur and investor Grant Cardone, CEO of Cardone Capital, to discuss Bitcoin, real estate, interest rates, scaling businesses, and what it truly means to build long-term wealth.
The conversation wasn’t about trading headlines. It was about playing offense.
“The Only Thing Riskier Than Bitcoin Is Not Owning It”
Cardone’s central thesis is simple: the most dangerous financial position today is not volatility — it’s inactivity.
In his view, saving money in cash is not preservation; it’s slow destruction. Whether the vehicle is Bitcoin, real estate, equities, or operating businesses, capital must be deployed into assets tied to the future.
For Cardone, Bitcoin represents technological evolution in money. Real estate represents permanence. One is volatile and asymmetric. The other is slow, cash-flowing, and tangible. Rather than debating which is superior, he argues investors should consider how to combine them.
This hybrid mindset reflects his broader philosophy: don’t choose between growth and income if you can architect exposure to both.
Conviction Isn’t a Tweet — It’s a Cost Basis
When Bitcoin sold off sharply, Cardone continued buying. He openly admitted the volatility isn’t comfortable — even for him. The difference, he argues, is not emotional detachment. It’s long-term perspective.
He challenged long-time Bitcoin holders who boast about early entries but haven’t added to positions in years. In his framework, conviction is not simply holding an early low-cost position. True conviction means continuing to allocate meaningful capital at higher prices.
That distinction highlights a broader investing principle:
Wealth builders focus on units owned, not just price appreciation.
The most important number in investing, according to Cardone, is not price per unit — it’s total units accumulated.
Real Estate: A Quiet Correction Few Are Discussing
While public markets dominate financial headlines, Cardone argues the most compelling opportunity today may be in U.S. commercial real estate.
He believes the market is currently in a major correction — particularly at the institutional level — as large debt maturities force asset sales. According to him, significant properties are trading at steep discounts to replacement cost, creating asymmetric entry points for well-capitalized buyers.
His macro view is equally clear: if interest rates decline meaningfully, capital could rush back into real estate quickly, closing that window of opportunity.
Whether one agrees or disagrees with the rate outlook, the point is strategic positioning — offense, not defense.
The Middle-Class Mindset vs. the Giant Mindset
When asked about his biggest mistake, Cardone didn’t point to a deal gone wrong.
He pointed to thinking too small.
Growing up in Lake Charles, Louisiana shaped his psychology around money. In his view, the greatest wealth constraint isn’t markets — it’s mindset. Playing small. Scaling slowly. Protecting profits instead of compounding aggressively.
He encouraged studying “giants” — individuals and families who compounded wealth across generations. The common thread: concentrated bets, long holding periods, and borrowing against assets rather than liquidating them.
His wealth philosophy is blunt:
Don’t trade in and out.
Don’t diversify out of fear.
Don’t sell compounding assets prematurely.
Scale aggressively when conviction is high.
Offense in an Uncertain World
The broader takeaway from this episode isn’t about Bitcoin versus real estate.
It’s about posture.
In uncertain environments, many retreat into defensive positioning. Cardone’s view is the opposite: volatility creates pricing dislocations. Dislocations create opportunity. Opportunity rewards those willing to act with size and conviction.
Whether discussing digital assets, trophy real estate, or business expansion, his framework is consistent:
Accumulate units. Think long-term. Scale bigger.
🎥 Watch the full episode of Lead-Lag Live to hear Grant Cardone break down his strategy in detail — including his views on Bitcoin cycles, institutional real estate discounts, and how entrepreneurs can think bigger when building wealth.
Be sure to subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of markets, macro, and long-term strategy.
The Lead-Lag Report is provided by Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC. All opinions and views mentioned in this report constitute our judgments as of the date of writing and are subject to change at any time. Information within this material is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions and should also not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of any individual investor. Trading signals produced by the Lead-Lag Report are independent of other services provided by Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC or its affiliates, and positioning of accounts under their management may differ. Please remember that investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and past performance may not be indicative of future results. Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC, its members, officers, directors and employees expressly disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken based on any or all of the information on this writing.
