100 Timeless Takeaways from Berkshire 2025: Gold’s Surge, Buffett’s Exit, and a Masterclass in Wealth
By Terrence Hooi
1.) Gold’s Glory Run
Gold has been the breakout star of 2025, surging over 20% since January while bitcoin lagged behind at just 3%. But if historical trends are any guide, that divergence won’t last. Analysts tracking decade-long patterns note that bitcoin tends to follow gold’s rallies with a 100-day lag—like a coiled spring waiting for its release. As gold cools off this week, bitcoin is already starting to move.
Why the delay? Gold reacts first to fear; bitcoin responds later—but more violently—to liquidity. With its smaller market cap and growing institutional acceptance, bitcoin is primed for sharper upside once the monetary taps reopen. In a world shifting toward digital reserves and away from legacy systems, bitcoin isn’t just catching up—it’s gearing up to lead.
Singular’s Take: The 100-day lag reflects the structural delay in retail and institutional allocation, but also sets the stage for bitcoin’s outperformance when velocity returns. If global liquidity resumes and we see even modest capital rotation from gold, the upside for BTC—especially via stablecoin-powered rails like Singular—is asymmetric.
2.) Buffett’s Final Bow
This week, the Singular Disrupt team joined thousands of investors in Omaha for a historic moment—Warren Buffett, the 94-year-old Oracle, announced he’ll officially step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of 2025. Greg Abel, already quietly steering much of the capital allocation, will formally take the helm. For shareholders, it wasn’t just a leadership transition—it was the close of a six-decade masterclass in compounding, discipline, and trust.
Even as Berkshire reported a 14% dip in Q1 operating profit—driven by wildfire-related insurance claims—its cash stockpile swelled to a record $347.7 billion, reinforcing its unmatched financial firepower. Buffett used the occasion to warn against tariffs as economic policy and flagged the mounting U.S. fiscal deficit, yet reaffirmed confidence in America’s long-term economic vitality. As leadership changes hands, the central question is not whether Abel can replicate Buffett’s performance, but whether he can preserve the investment philosophy and discipline that turned Berkshire into a $900 billion machine.
Here Are the 100 Timeless Takeaways from Berkshire’s 2025 AGM
First remark: Warren looks fresh. His mental state is great.
Greg Abel is already making many of the capital allocation decisions.
Buffett is a master salesperson—highlighted how many books were sold at the event.
Tariffs can be seen as an act of economic war.
Envy and greed are a dangerous cocktail to make painful mistakes.
The most important decision you’ll ever make is whom you marry.
Trade should not be a weapon. The U.S. became so successful thanks to an open market.
Buffett is still very enthusiastic about Japan and the 5 trading companies he owns there.
In the next 50 years we probably won’t sell the Japanese trading houses.
We love ‘forever companies’ like Apple, Coca Cola, and American Express.
Be greedy when others are fearful and fearful when others are greedy.
Setbacks are part of life. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.
You will become like the 5 people you spend the most time with. Spend time with people you admire.
Pick the job you’d do when you wouldn’t be paid for it.
Career advice: don’t worry about starting salaries. You should focus on the learning opportunities.
You only need to get rich once. Avoid making stupid mistakes.
Berkshire bought See’s Candies for $25 billion and it generated over $2 billion for Berkshire.
It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price compared to buying a fair company at a wonderful price.
The day Buffett was born the Dow Jones traded at 240 points. Now it’s over 40,000. Stocks always go up in the long term.
Somewhere in the next 20 years we’ll have a large market crash. You should invest heavily when this happens.
Real estate is so much harder than stocks to do deals. I think stocks are a better investment for most people.
Warren Buffett is 94 years old and still thinks on the long term. You should too.
In investing, you should wait for the fat pitch. Opportunities will come to you eventually.
Charlie always thought Warren did too many things. You should only focus on the 5 most important things in investing (and life).
Sell your losers as soon as possible.
Some problems can’t be solved. Focus on what you can control.
Warren Buffett is a teacher. When you explain concepts to other people, you’ll understand them better yourself.
Every crisis provides great opportunities.
Warren Buffett would never invest in companies located in countries that might get hurt from hyperinflation.
Private Equity companies are using a lot of leverage. It’s a dangerous thing.
Charlie always said that if he wouldn’t pick stocks, he could make a lot of money in trading foreign currencies.
Always stay within your circle of competence. Invest in what you understand.
The best thing that can happen to you when you’re a long-term investor is a stock market crash.
There is no substitute for hard work in life.
Quarterly results are just noise. Relentlessly focus on the long term.
Warren Buffett is worried about the current fiscal policy in the United States.
In life you need to be lucky. Never underestimate the role of luck in life.
Never underestimate the power of great people. You need to have great management running the business.
The most important thing a human being can do, is help another human being know more.
The only thing you need to do to lead an extraordinary life is making a few excellent decisions.
Charlie was reading everything. From electricity to biology. Knowledge compounds too.
Via a $20 book, you can steal the best ideas from the best investors in the world. It’s a magic trick to become successful.
Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
Geico is becoming more and more efficient. The combined ratio looks attractive.
Buffett’s legacy isn’t Berkshire’s market cap—it’s a worldview. Capital, curiosity, and character: compound those, and you’ll outperform.
This Substack Post does not take into account nor does it provide any tax, legal or
investment advice or opinion regarding the specific investment objectives or
financial situation of any person.
Important Disclaimers
The information provided in this Substack post regarding Singular Disrupt ("Singular Disrupt" or the "Company"), its crypto-assets, business assets, strategy, and operations, is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute a formal offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, options, futures, or other derivatives related to securities in any jurisdiction. The content of this post is not governed by securities laws.
The information contained herein should not be relied upon as advice to buy, sell, or hold securities or as an offer to sell such securities. It does not provide tax, legal, or investment advice or opinions regarding specific investment objectives or financial situations. Singular Disrupt, its agents, advisors, directors, officers, employees, and shareholders make no representations or warranties, expressed reor implied, as to the accuracy of the information provided. Singular Disrupt expressly disclaims any and all liability based on such information or any errors or omissions therein.
Singular Disrupt reserves the right to amend or replace the information contained in this Substack post, in whole or in part, at any time, without any obligation to provide access to the amended information or to notify recipients. This post supersedes any prior Substack post or conversation concerning the same or similar information. Any information, representations, or statements not included herein should not be relied upon for any purpose.
Neither Singular Disrupt nor any of its representatives shall have any liability, under contract, tort, trust, or otherwise, to you or any person, resulting from the use of the information in this Substack post by you or any of your representatives, or for any omissions from the information provided herein. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations or statements made by third parties regarding the matters discussed in this Substack post.