Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran, the entrepreneur who turned a $1,000 loan into a billion-dollar real estate empire, says she will get rich by investing in real estate, not cryptocurrencies. The American investor takes every extra dime she has and puts it in real estate, emphasizing that she will get rich nice and slow this way.
Real Estate vs. Cryptocurrency: A Clear Choice
Real estate entrepreneur Barbara Corcoran shared her view on cryptocurrency and bitcoin in an interview with TMZ this week while out and about in Union Square in New York City. Corcoran is the American investor famed for building a billion-dollar real estate empire with just a $1,000 loan. She is also a star of the popular ABC television show Shark Tank and the author of the best-selling book Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business.
Firstly, she was asked if “Cryptocurrency is all the rage right now.” The Shark Tank star promptly replied, “of course.” Given that she is an old-school investor, Corcoran was asked whether she thinks that investors should be getting into cryptocurrencies right now.
“I have so many smart business guys I know that have hopped on it and want me on the train with them. I don’t. I take every dime I have extra put into real estate. It’s a slow way to get rich. I know I’m going to get rich nice and slow by investing in real estate.”
Contrasting Views Among Shark Tank Stars
Meanwhile, her fellow Shark Tank stars, Kevin O’Leary and Mark Cuban, have embraced cryptocurrencies. O’Leary has put 3% of his portfolio in bitcoin and ether, and is also looking to invest in companies that produce “clean” bitcoins. Earlier this month, he explained that he will not buy “blood coins from China.” Cuban said in March that bitcoin is better than gold. His NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks, has been accepting the meme cryptocurrency dogecoin for tickets and merchandise sales. He has a portfolio of bitcoin, ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies, and has invested in companies in the crypto space.
Corcoran’s stance represents a traditional, risk-averse approach to wealth building. Real estate, as a tangible asset, offers long-term appreciation and steady cash flow, while cryptocurrencies are known for extreme volatility and regulatory uncertainty. Despite the astronomical gains seen in crypto over the past months, Corcoran remains steadfast in her conviction that slow and steady wins the race.
Investment Philosophy: The Tortoise vs. The Hare
For average investors, the choice between real estate and cryptocurrency boils down to risk tolerance and time horizon. Cryptocurrencies can deliver rapid gains but also dramatic losses, whereas real estate typically requires patience and capital but offers more predictable returns. Corcoran’s success story—from a $1,000 loan to a billion-dollar empire—serves as a powerful reminder that there is more than one path to wealth. Her advice is clear: know your own investment style, and don’t chase trends just because everyone else is doing it.
Do you agree with Barbara Corcoran that real estate is a better investment than cryptocurrency? Let us know in the comments section below.