Kevin O’Leary says he’s put 20% of his portfolio in crypto, including tokens and blockchain firms

Kevin O’Leary says he’s put 20% of his portfolio in crypto, including tokens and blockchain firms

Celebrity investor  told CNBC on Friday that one-fifth of his investment holdings are tied up in cryptocurrencies and companies operating in the nascent digital asset industry. "I have millions of dollars, 20% of my portfolio is now in cryptocurrencies and blockchain," O'Leary said in an interview on Blockchains are the distributed digital ledgers on which cryptocurrencies run. Cryptocurrencies have attracted considerable attention and investment in recent years, including from large institutions and high-profile figures like hedge fund manager and fund manager Bill Miller. Many tout , the world's largest cryptocurrency by market value, as a long-term store of value. There's a raft of other, smaller digital tokens, too. Crypto backers say it remains early earnings for the industry — itself has only been around since January 2009. Still, crypto startups are attracting . At the same time, the burgeoning asset class remains volatile, and regulators like Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman have warned about and the lack of investor protection. The outgoing chair of the U.K.'s financial regulator also has in certain digital tokens. Among crypto's detractors, billionaire businessman , a longtime partner of Warren Buffett and a vice chair, has also been critical of digital currencies and their