JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon has become one of the most vocal opponents of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies over the years, but it seems like he may be growing tired of answering questions on the subject.
When Dimon was asked about bitcoin at the Axios Conference in LA, he said:
“I never changed what I said, I just regret having said that. I didn’t want to be the spokesperson against Bitcoin. I just don’t give a s–t, that’s the point.”
Dimon was seeking to clarify earlier remarks made this January when headlines reported that he “regretted” his criticisms of bitcoin after seeing promise in blockchain technology.
However, even in his original comments it was clear that he does not trust bitcoin, although he sees a future in traditional financial institutions using the technology. Dimon’s initial comments were:
“The blockchain is real. You can have cryptodollars in yen and stuff like that. ICOs … you got to look at every one individually. The bitcoin was always to me what the governments are going to feel about bitcoin when it gets really big. And I just have a different opinion than other people.”
Institutional Interest In Crypto
While most banks and traditional financial institutions are publicly adversarial towards bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, they are making moves behind the scenes to set up businesses and make investments in the industry. Some executives and high ranking employees at places like JP Morgan have even left their jobs at the company to take on opportunities in the blockchain space.
Last month, CryptoGlobe reported that former JP Morgan executive Blythe Masters was predicting that blockchain technology would soon be applied to commodities markets. After leaving JP Morgan, Masters became the chief executive of Digital Asset Holdings, a company that focuses on building blockchain infrastructure for traditional financial institutions.
