In an intriguing tale of investment timing and cryptocurrency volatility, NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. faces a dramatic shift in fortune with his Bitcoin holdings. Initially celebrated for converting his salary into Bitcoin, Beckham’s once-majestic profits have dwindled amid a significant market downturn, prompting a reassessment of his financial strategy.
Odell Beckham Jr.’s Bitcoin Journey
In November 2021, Odell Beckham Jr. signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams worth $750,000, famously deciding to “take his salary in Bitcoin.” However, technically, his earnings were deposited in U.S. dollars, which he then converted to Bitcoin using a third-party app. At the time of this conversion, Bitcoin was valued at $64,293, allowing Beckham to acquire approximately 11.66 BTC.
Fast forward to mid-2022, when Bitcoin’s market value plunged to as low as $17,000, casting doubt on Beckham’s decision. Yet by July 2025, Bitcoin made a remarkable recovery, surging to an all-time high of $120,214. Excited by this resurgence, Beckham tweeted a screenshot of the price, expressing satisfaction with his earlier decision.
The Crypto Crash
As of February 5, 2026, Bitcoin is trading at $65,717.50, representing a dramatic decline of over 45% from its July peak. In just a matter of days, Bitcoin has fallen below $66,000 for the first time since late 2024, contributing to an overarching slump across the crypto market.
Market analysts attribute this downturn to a growing aversion among investors toward riskier assets such as cryptocurrencies and technology stocks, with a noticeable shift back to traditional safe-haven investments like gold and government bonds. Gold has risen more than 14% this year alone, while Bitcoin has lost nearly half its value since October 2024.
Significantly, Bitcoin’s current price has fallen beneath the average entry point for many U.S. Bitcoin ETF investors. Major institutional investors, including those who acquired over 713,000 BTC at an average cost of $76,000, now find themselves in a precarious position. Stocks of companies related to cryptocurrency, including Coinbase, Circle, and Robinhood, have also experienced a downward spiral alongside Bitcoin’s decline.
Investor Michael Burry, famous for predicting the 2008 housing market crash, labeled the current market situation as a “sickening scenario,” indicating that Bitcoin may be on the verge of a “death spiral.” Additionally, the regulatory landscape offers little reassurance; while the White House supports crypto innovation, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently clarified that the government neither has the authority nor the intention to bail out the struggling industry.
Revisiting Beckham’s Financial Position
At the current Bitcoin price of $65,717.50, Beckham’s 11.66 BTC holdings are worth approximately $766,363. While this figure exceeds his original conversion amount, it is not substantial after accounting for taxes.
When Beckham received his $750,000 salary, he was responsible for full federal and California state taxes, which totaled around $377,000, irrespective of Bitcoin’s future performance. Consequently, although his Bitcoin holdings still show a paper profit, Beckham’s post-tax gain stands at merely $389,363— a significant drop from the $1.025 million gain he had last July.
In summary, while Beckham is not facing a loss, his present financial position reflects a modest increase of only around $12,000 from his initial investment four years ago.
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