Jack Mallers, CEO of Twenty One Capital, criticized big banks and card networks for imposing high fees on merchants, describing the system as exploitative. Speaking at the Bitcoin 2026 Conference, Mallers highlighted that merchants face fees of 3% to 5%, which fund consumer rewards like cashback, indirectly burdening businesses. He argued that Bitcoin offers a cheaper, open alternative for payments, free from the control of centralized entities. Mallers emphasized Bitcoin's advantages over gold, noting its ability to facilitate fast, low-cost global transactions. He pointed out that while people spend dollars due to their depreciating value, they hold Bitcoin for its fixed supply and potential appreciation. Twenty One Capital's substantial holding of 43,514 BTC, valued at $3.3 billion, underscores its confidence in Bitcoin's long-term growth.