How 8 billionaires, from Elon Musk to Warren Buffett, feel about bitcoin

Some billionaires aren't quite sold.AlexSava/Getty Images

• Cryptocurrency bitcoin is on the rise again, with recent massive gains. After surging 300% in 2020, the digital currency set a new record on January 2 when its price passed $30,000.
• While it has won over some skeptics, other prominent investors and finance veterans still aren't sold on the volatile cryptocurrency.
• The Winklevoss twins are among its fans: they were the first bitcoin billionaires, and became bitcoin billionaires once again in 2020 thanks to the price surge.
• Titans Mark Cuban and Warren Buffett, however, are more dubious about the value of bitcoin.

Bitcoin is once again dominating financial discourse and making headlines as it sees tremendous gains.

The cryptocurrency first went mainstream - and drew both attention and huge gains - in 2017. Just as quickly, it (and other cryptocurrencies) slumped the next year.

But bitcoin has always had an elusive appeal; its creator, known as "Satoshi Nakamoto," is still a mystery. Celebrities from Gwyneth Paltro to Snoop Dogg hopped on the cryptocurrency train.

And now, with bitcoin's latest rally of 300% growth in 2020 and some experts forecasting an even more successful 2021, some skeptics are changing their minds.

Millennials are getting on board, and some investors see it is a strong alternative that doesn't feel the effects of pandemic-induced inflation.

While the cryptocurrency is still volatile, it has many strong ultrawealthy fans. But it has also drawn critics and doubters.

Here's how 8 billionaires feel about bitcoin.