In a compelling Instagram post dated April 13, 2025, Kevin O’Leary, a renowned investor from Shark Tank, expressed his unwavering belief in the security of U.S. Treasury Bills (T-bills). During a recent phone interview, he shared insights about the stability of T-bills, especially in times of market volatility, with an unidentified reporter. In his post caption, he emphasized:
“The U.S. Treasury Bill still holds the crown as the safest place to park your money — even when the market’s throwing a tantrum. You want to bet on a stable economy? You go with the one the world runs to in a crisis. The U.S. dollar isn’t perfect, but until the global house of cards collapses, I’ll take T-bills over shaky promises from regimes I don’t trust.”
O’Leary spoke candidly from his vehicle about his perspective on T-bills amid recent fluctuations in the financial markets. He touched on the participation of Asian countries, particularly China and Japan, in the T-bill investments and their impact on the U.S. economy.
The Asian Influence on U.S. Treasury Bills
O’Leary highlighted that significant contributions to the T-bill market stem from major Asian economies. These nations play a crucial role in financing U.S. deficits through T-bill auctions, making their purchasing decisions vital for their own economic outlook on the U.S. economy. He stated:
“T-bill auctions are based on behemoth purchases primarily from China, Japan, and Asian countries. They fund our deficits, so they have to make a decision every day when they’re buying these bonds or selling them how they feel about the outcome of the U.S. economy, because the safe haven has been T-bills.”
Furthermore, O’Leary noted that during ongoing negotiations involving Japan at the White House, rumors indicated that Japan was selling T-bills, exerting pressure on the two-year bonds.
“Now, the rumor was that Japan, while they were over here negotiating at the White House the last few days, were selling this, and that put some pressure on the two-year.”
In his analysis, O’Leary pointed out the substantial investment flowing from the United Arab Emirates, which sees daily contributions of approximately $500 million. He remarked that these funds predominantly enter the S&P 500 and treasury bills, reflecting a persistent global confidence in U.S. financial markets. He remarked on the relationship between bond investments and the demand for U.S. dollars, stating:
O’Leary elaborated that bond investments are more about returning the principal upon maturity rather than accruing interest, illustrating the fundamental mechanics driving the bond market. To further emphasize his point, he compared the risks associated with different national bonds, using Venezuelan bonds as a high-risk example.
“You’re basically saying, ‘Is this a stable enough economy for me to park money, make some interest while I’m waiting, and know a certain need still exists? Like, I would never invest in a Venezuelan bond, be it 18 or 20 percent or whatever it is, because I don’t know if Venezuela is going to exist in 36 months or seven years or whatever the duration of the bond is,'” he shared.
Moreover, O’Leary emphasized the volatility present in both equity and bond markets, noting:
“So you get volatility, and you know it’s measured in basis points. But you’re right—just like instability in the equities market, you get instability in the bond market. But for me, the safe haven still remains the U.S. T-bill, and indeed I bought some T-bills.”
Discussing his strategic moves within the current market, O’Leary disclosed that he had acquired two-year Treasury bills during a price fluctuation of 30 basis points. He praised the high liquidity of these bills, likening them to money market instruments regarding ease of trading and accessibility.
Kevin O’Leary continues to share his market insights through various platforms, including Instagram, where fans can find more of his interviews and commentary. For further updates and clips, visit his Instagram profile at @kevinolearytv.