Warren Buffett to Retire as Berkshire Hathaway CEO by End of 2025, Greg Abel to Succeed
An Era Ends: Buffett Prepares to Pass the Torch Amid $348 Billion Cash Pile
OMAHA, Neb. — Warren Buffett, one of the most iconic figures in global finance, has announced he will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of 2025. The 93-year-old billionaire made the announcement during the company’s annual shareholder meeting, stating that Greg Abel, Vice Chairman of Non-Insurance Operations, will succeed him, pending board approval.
Buffett made clear that this transition had long been in motion:
“The time has arrived when Greg should become the Chief Executive Officer of the company at year-end, and I want to spring that on the directors effectively and give that as my recommendation.”
While Buffett will step away from the CEO role, he confirmed he will remain in an advisory capacity. However, “the final word would be what Greg decided,” Buffett emphasized.
$348 Billion in Cash, One of the Largest Corporate War Chests
This leadership shift comes at a time when Berkshire Hathaway sits on a record-breaking $348 billion in cash reserves. The company’s financial muscle gives Abel a powerful platform for the next chapter.
Buffett, known for his cautious but immensely profitable investments, has recently sounded the alarm on the ballooning U.S. national debt and fragile macroeconomic conditions, adding further weight to the significance of this transition.
Berkshire’s Performance: Outshining Wall Street, But Not Bitcoin
Under Buffett’s stewardship, Berkshire Hathaway has consistently outperformed the S&P 500, making it a cornerstone of conservative investment strategy. However, when measured against newer digital assets, the gap is becoming more apparent.
Since 2020:
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Bitcoin has surged over 781%
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Berkshire Hathaway returned approximately 150%
Although Berkshire’s Class A stock trades above $809,000 per share with a market capitalization exceeding $1 trillion, the relative performance compared to cryptocurrencies has raised questions about traditional investment strategies in today’s market.
“Bitcoin’s performance since 2015 dwarfs that of Berkshire in percentage terms,” notes market analyst data from TradingView.
Buffett’s Bitcoin Bias: Still Not a Believer
Buffett has never been shy about his skepticism toward crypto. He has previously called Bitcoin “rat poison squared” and insisted it lacks intrinsic value. Both he and longtime partner Charlie Munger have dismissed digital currencies as speculative instruments, not legitimate investments.
Even so, the financial landscape has evolved — and Berkshire’s next chapter under Greg Abel may reflect new attitudes as the digital asset sector continues to mature.
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