TLDR
- Ray Dalio warns that CBDCs could lead to a loss of privacy and give governments the ability to track all digital transactions.
- Dalio emphasizes that CBDCs could be used as tools for government control, enabling authorities to monitor both legal and illegal activities.
- He highlights the potential for governments to seize money from individuals through CBDCs, giving them unprecedented power over finances.
- Dalio discusses the geopolitical risks of CBDCs, where foreign governments could potentially seize digital currencies held by non-citizens.
- Despite acknowledging the likely implementation of CBDCs, Dalio remains skeptical about their widespread adoption and transformative impact.
Billionaire investor Ray Dalio has raised concerns about the future of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), warning that they could lead to significant privacy issues. He emphasized that although CBDCs may provide convenience and efficiency, they may also grant governments the ability to track all transactions. This shift toward digital currencies, according to Dalio, could represent a new era of surveillance and control.
Dalio’s Warnings on Digital Currency and Privacy
Ray Dalio expressed concerns during an interview on the Tucker Carlson Show, where he discussed the growing trend of CBDCs. He acknowledged the efficiency and ease of transactions with digital currencies but emphasized the loss of privacy that comes with them. Dalio stated, “There will be no privacy with these currencies. Everything will be tracked, and authorities will be able to see every payment made.” He added that CBDCs could be used as tools for government control, enabling authorities to monitor both legal and illegal activities.
Billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio just told Tucker Carlson that central bank digital currencies are coming:
"There will be no privacy… all transactions will be known… and if you're politically disfavored, you could be shut off." pic.twitter.com/Jz3mcdvC04
— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) February 9, 2026
Dalio further warned that the implementation of CBDCs could lead to governments having unprecedented power over financial transactions. According to him, governments may use this power to enforce laws, collect taxes, or even seize money from individuals. This potential to control and monitor transactions could make digital currencies a tool for political and economic control, something Dalio believes could have significant global implications.
The Geopolitical Risk of CBDCs
Dalio also addressed the geopolitical risks associated with CBDCs, highlighting the possibility of foreign governments seizing digital currencies held by non-citizens. He pointed out that countries may use their control over digital currencies to exert influence on foreign nationals. “If you’re a foreigner, like a Frenchman, your money could be taken from you,” Dalio warned. He added that the power of CBDCs could extend beyond national borders, allowing governments to control capital flow on a global scale.
Dalio’s concerns were further amplified by the current state of global financial systems. He described the world as being in the “fifth stage” of a six-stage cycle, where economic strains and geopolitical shifts are leading to increased tensions. He stressed the importance of hard assets like gold, which he believes could provide a safer store of wealth amidst the volatility of fiat currencies.
CBDCs and the Path to Global Financial Control
While Dalio acknowledged that CBDCs will likely be implemented, he remains cautious about their transformative potential. He stated, “I don’t think that you’re going to see CBDCs become as widespread as some expect.” However, he warned that their expansion could reshape the global financial landscape. Dalio’s comments underscore the growing concerns surrounding digital currencies and their potential to disrupt both privacy and the international order.
Dalio’s skepticism regarding CBDCs aligns with his broader concerns about the future of global finance. He has previously warned about the risks of economic instability and the growing tensions between rising and declining powers. The introduction of CBDCs could mark a pivotal moment in this ongoing struggle for control, both within countries and across international borders.




