‘Rich Dad’ R. Kiyosaki warns most portfolios ‘de-worsified’ not diversified; Here is why

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Late on Tuesday, June 9, the best-selling author and prominent investor Robert Kiyosaki took to X to expand on his thesis about self-destructive ‘fake money’ by weighing in on what he considers ‘fake assets.’

Specifically, the ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ writer explained that many traders are under the illusion of having a diversified portfolio since most of their holdings are in what he believes to actually be a singular asset class that he dubbed ‘the paper asset class.’

Under this framework, Kiyosaki explained that even holding his favored investments such as Gold, Bitcoin (BTC), or real estate via exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs) constitutes ‘de-worsification’ and not diversification.

However, beyond naming the issue, the author offered few insights into the specifics of his thinking.

These are the ‘real assets’ according to Robert Kiyosaki

Elsewhere, Robert Kiyosaki also took the time within the X post to explain his own strategy. Indeed, the ‘Rich Dad’ writer stated he prefers holding ‘real assets’ – a type he described as holdings he can ‘ own, touch, feel, control’ and that are in his custody rather than an ETF’s.

Additionally, Kiyosaki explicitly stated that he is happy to accept the drawbacks of such investing: higher costs and a greater time investment, as the writer himself explained, before positioning the fact the strategy requires more knowledge as a benefit by saying, ‘I learn more because I have to study more.’

Finally, though he perhaps jokingly described the framework as his ‘paranoid-self investing,’ he left little room for interpretation in his closing call to action as he positioned his approach as ‘diversification’ and utilizing intermediaries as ‘de-worsification.’

Just my paranoid-self investing. My choice. What is your choice? Diversification or De-worsification?

After years of success, ‘Robert Kiyosaki portfolio’ trails in 2026

Meanwhile, the ‘Robert Kiyosaki portfolio’, especially with the June 9 X post, has been increasingly contentious in 2026. For example, after years of advancing and indicating the ‘Rich Dad’ author had found a winning formula, both Bitcoin and gold suffered significant slowdowns in more recent months.

BTC in particular is contentious as it crashed 30% in 2026 and even underperformed the benchmark S&P 500 stock market index in the last five years.

Gold, for its part, also recently turned red year-to-date (YTD), and it suffered a severe decline relative to its highs earlier in the year, though it remains ahead in the longer timeframes. Silver and Ethereum (ETH) – Kiyosaki’s other often-mentioned investments – performed similarly.

Lastly, perhaps the biggest point of contention given Kiyosaki’s latest writings is that, for the vast majority of investors, his remaining top assets to own – real estate, Wagyu beef farms, and cash-generating businesses – are out of reach once ETFs and REITs are erased from the picture.

Featured image via Shutterstock

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