Cash, Crypto, and Other Investment Trends | TIGER 21 Founder on CNBC “Power Lunch” 

TIGER 21 Founder and Chairman Michael Sonnenfeldt recently joined CNBC’s Power Lunch with its co-hosts Brian Sullivan and Kelly Evans to provide insights on how TIGER 21 Members created their wealth and what they’re doing with it now. The conversation shed light on the often-overlooked industries that have quietly built generational wealth and the shifting investment strategies that have evolved over time. 

Many TIGER 21 Members—entrepreneurs and executives who have achieved extraordinary success—built their wealth in industries that often fly under the radar such as: self-storage, garbage disposals, and car washes. While these sectors may not make headlines, they exemplify the power of committing to creating, investing, and building on essential services. Of course, Members also come from tech, finance, and a vast array of global industries, but the common thread is a commitment to not only growing wealth but also finding ways to apply their entrepreneurial skills to make a meaningful impact on the world. 

So where are they investing now? Michael revealed that 79% of TIGER 21 Members’ assets are allocated to long-term, risk-on investments—public equity, real estate, and private equity,. Most strikingly, cash holdings have dropped below 10% for the first time since just before the last 2008 financial crisis. This signals a strong conviction in the markets, but also raises the question: is this exuberance irrational? 

Another notable shift is the role of Bitcoin. While gold has long been a staple for wealth preservation, some Members are now viewing digital assets as a modern alternative, with approximately $6 billion allocated to cryptocurrency.

Gold is for traditionalists, and Bitcoin is a little new age, but they often play the same role—they’re perceived as storehouses of value that are not subject to government fiat.

Michael Sonnenfeldt, TIGER 21 Founder and Chairman 

Watch the full interview.