Ask The Compound What if the Stock Market Falls 30%?
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Dec 24, 2025 Join Eric Balchunas, an ETF analyst at Bloomberg, as he dives into the intricacies of Bitcoin ETFs versus buying crypto directly. He explains trading costs, highlighting how ETFs offer tighter spreads and lower commissions compared to exchanges. The conversation also explores whether crypto crashes impact the stock market, revealing that they're often just risk-on indicators. Additionally, the discussion touches on tax strategies for high earners and emphasizes viewing market declines as buying opportunities.
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From $30K To $300K With Discipline
- A listener's girlfriend grew retirement savings from $30K to nearly $300K by maximizing contributions and adding a brokerage account.
- Ben presents this as proof that late starts can be overcome with disciplined saving and contribution maximization.
Buy The Bitcoin ETF For Convenience
- Buy Bitcoin via an ETF for ease, lower trading costs, and outsourced custody when you value simplicity and safety.
- Hold four+ years to offset the ETF's annual fee versus one-time higher exchange costs.
ETF Custody Cuts Real-World Risks
- ETF issuers use cold storage and institutional custodians like Coinbase to minimize hacks and custody risk for ETF holders.
- The ETF structure adds a layer of professional custody and reduces retail-specific scams and physical-risk scenarios.