South Africa’s Altvest Capital Makes First Bitcoin Investment, Avoids Altcoins

South African investment firm Altvest Capital has officially stepped into the Bitcoin market, marking its first direct investment in the world’s leading cryptocurrency. On February 21, the company announced a Bitcoin-focused strategy, making it clear that no other cryptocurrencies are currently included in its portfolio.

Altvest’s initial investment is small but symbolic—the firm purchased one Bitcoin to begin its entry into the digital asset space. However, this step is just the beginning, according to CEO Warren Wheatley, who revealed that the company has applied to regulators to list BTC-linked equity instruments.

Altvest noted Bitcoin’s unique role as a decentralized , scarce, and globally recognized asset that aligns with its investment philosophy. The firm views BTC as a strategic reserve asset, offering long-term growth potential while also hedging against economic instability and currency depreciation—particularly relevant as South Africa’s rand continues to weaken.

Why Altvest Rejects Altcoins

Unlike many firms that diversify into multiple digital assets, Altvest has no plans to invest in altcoins. The company outlined several reasons for this cautious approach, citing inflationary supply mechanisms, centralized governance structures, regulatory uncertainty, and inconsistent market liquidity.

Wheatley made it clear that Bitcoin is fundamentally different from other cryptocurrencies, stating :

“It is the only truly decentralized, scarce, and globally recognized digital asset that aligns with Altvest’s investment philosophy.”

While Bitcoin’s fixed supply and decentralized nature make it attractive as a store of value, Altvest believes that most altcoins fail to meet the same standards. That said, the firm remains open to evaluating technological advancements in the altcoin space but sees no compelling reason to shift its current stance.

Bitcoin-Only Strategy Contrasts With Global Trends

Altvest’s decision to focus solely on Bitcoin comes at a time when global financial discussions around digital asset reserves are shifting . In the U.S., there has been speculation that former President Donald Trump is exploring a diversified digital asset reserve, rather than a Bitcoin-only approach.

Some Bitcoin advocates have raised concerns that Ripple (XRP) and other U.S.-based cryptocurrencies may be lobbying for inclusion in such a reserve strategy.