2025 Blog Archives

8.22.25 - De-Dollarization: A Brief Timeline

Gold last traded at $3,370 an ounce. Silver at $38.95 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The U.S. dollar's dominance once reinforced America's international power; but aggressive sanctions, tariffs, and fiscal mismanagement have steadily eroded trust in its stability. De-dollarization began taking shape in the late 20th century and has accelerated at a fever pitch in the last five years.

When Did De-Dollarization Truly Begin to Bite? A Brief Timeline -Watcher.Guru

by Juhi Mirza

The United States has always exuded power and prestige in all possible ways. The American currency was deemed the world reserve asset, which again delivered considerable strength to America, helping the nation in establishing global control while encountering a sense of domination over other nations. This development helped the US gain significant international momentum.

However, as times evolved, wobbly US fiscal policies, the USD weaponization, the sanctioning process, and tariffs have all contributed to the fall in USD value. The distilled version of it all gave birth to a de-dollarization, which, through decades, can be best explained as a form taking shape in gradual phases. However, there was this one catalyst that helped spread de-dollarization at a rapid pace, resulting in nations abandoning the US dollar more frequently and openly.

The US dollar has always exhibited a strong value stance, despite the currency attracting significant price volatility. However, the currency derailment began in force around the 1990s and 2000s when the American authorities sanctioned Iraq and Iran, inviting global scrutiny and speculation.

The criticism invited was mainly centered around the US’s power to sanction nations. This could pose grave effects on the nations’ own independent economies. The topic of debate rose to new heights, arguing how the nations should figure out ways to stop relying on the US dollar as their sole surviving element. Moreover, the global crisis of 2008 also shook the world, nudging nations to adopt a cautious stance against the US dollar. READ MORE

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8.21.25 - Experts See US Dollar Weakness Lasting Years

Gold last traded at $3,340 an ounce. Silver at $38.14 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Several experts quoted in this article are suggesting the dollar is on a prolonged trajectory of weakness. The current decline is something they suggest will continue for a few years, which is better than the total collapse others are forecasting.

Experts See US Dollar Weakness Lasting Years, Not Months -Watcher.Guru

by Juhi Mirza

The US dollar is currently spiraling out of control, as fiscal pressure, coupled with Trump’s tariff ordeal, continues to batter its building momentum. USD has lost significantly this year, shedding nearly 16% of its value in the first half of 2025. The USD is now up in arms, fighting major currency competitors on the rise, all while managing to keep its allure intact around the world. However, with the recent analysis at hand, it seems that USD may take a while to regain its glory, as experts warn that the bearish USD sentiment may persist for years to come.

A recent Bloomberg article on the USD’s value depreciation has delivered a stark warning to USD investors. The US dollar is currently on a path to shed more of its value, as it embraces a constant bearish sentiment. Per expert Marco Papic of BCA Research, the US dollar has entered a bear market that may last up to 3 to 5 years:

“In my view, the US dollar is in a secular bear market that may last three to five years. My proxy is the move we saw in the US Dollar Index from 2002 to 2007, a period during which the greenback fell all the way down to 80.”

Lauren Goodwin of New York Life Investments believes the US dollar may encounter a sharp decline in the second half of 2025:

“We see structural factors pulling the dollar lower, though we expect a more gradual, volatile depreciation in the second half of the year compared with the first.” READ MORE

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8.20.25 - Is A Second Wave Of Inflation Coming?

Gold last traded at $3,351 an ounce. Silver at $37.94 an ounce.

Gold is 2025’s best performer. UBS sees more upside -Investing.com

Gold has been one of the best performing asset classes for the last several years, and it's looking like that trend will continue. UBS is just one of many who are looking for it to keep on climbing.

by Navamya Acharya

Gold has emerged as the strongest performing asset of 2025, outpacing equities, bonds, currencies and even Bitcoin.

The metal has gained 28% year to date, putting it at the top of the performance table, according to UBS’s Chief Investment Office.

Spot gold was at $3,337 per ounce on Aug. 18, and UBS now forecasts it will reach $3,500 by December.

The bank has also raised its 2026 projections, with targets of $3,600 by March and $3,700 by June and September.

The bank cited several factors behind the surge. Concerns over U.S. fiscal sustainability, questions about the Federal Reserve’s independence, and persistent geopolitical tensions are seen supporting de-dollarization trends and central bank demand for bullion. READ MORE

Is A Second Wave Of Inflation Coming? -ZeroHedge

Is a second wave of inflation coming? How could there not be? The dollar is perpetually eroding, tariffs alone are causing huge price increases, and a simple move of interest rates won't be enough to stop this train.

Authored by Jeffrey A. Tucker via The Epoch Times

The Trump administration has been urging a cut in interest rates. The reasons are obvious. This would make home loans more affordable, reduce pressure on government interest payments, and spur business investment.

But there is a genuine downside that should also be considered. Lower rates also risk fanning the flames of inflation. Even now, the devastation from the last five years is very obvious to all. And it’s hardly gone: the CPI came in fairly hot last week.

In three to four years, the prices of everything have shot up. You know the story with housing prices: double in many places. You feel it every time you go to the grocery store. Meat has again taken an upturn. Groceries in general are up nearly 40 percent in these strange years. They are not going back either. We are stuck and the American household is squeezed as never before.

Groceries are particularly painful because you feel it every day. READ MORE

Trump expands 50% steel and aluminum tariffs to include 407 additional product types -CNBC

It would appear that the tariff war is far, far from over as President Trump expands his metals tariffs to include another 407 items.

by Erin Doherty

The Trump administration has quietly expanded its 50% steel and aluminum tariffs to include more than 400 additional product categories, vastly increasing the reach and impact of this arm of its trade agenda.

The new tariffs, which took effect Monday, expand the scope of the levies that President Donald Trump previously announced on the valuable commodities. The tariff list now covers products such as fire extinguishers, machinery, construction materials and specialty chemicals that either contain, or are contained in, aluminum or steel.

“Auto parts, chemicals, plastics, furniture components—basically, if it’s shiny, metallic, or remotely related to steel or aluminum, it’s probably on the list,” Brian Baldwin, vice president of customs at Kuehne + Nagel International AG wrote on LinkedIn of the expanded list.

“This isn’t just another tariff—it’s a strategic shift in how steel and aluminum derivatives are regulated,” he wrote. READ MORE

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8.19.25 - What Wall Street is not telling us about de-dollarization

Gold last traded at $3,315 an ounce. Silver at $37.39 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Wall Street has been very quiet on the BRICS alliance. There are some who remain unconvinced of the legitimacy of the alliance, but its continued expansion tells a different story.

What The Wall Street Is Not Telling You About De-Dollarization -Watcher.Guru

by Juhi Mirza De-dollarization has always been a significant topic for economies to discuss and build on. There was a time when de-dollarization would be dubbed a myth, a passing phase that would eventually dissolve on its own. However, in recent times, the myth has now become a legitimate phenomenon to pay heed to. Although gradual yet steady, de-dollarization is proving to be a real barrier, hurting the US dollar. At the same time, this development is also sabotaging the decades-long prestige that the US has earned for itself into dust.

In economic terminology, self-sufficient or autarkic economies are those that have learned to deal with their own economic affairs. With the US sanctioning nations in a rapid manner, countries have now started to adopt autarky, leading them to become self-sufficient. This development is marked by low dependency on the US dollar, while making moves that help the nation rely on its own sources for survival. This can be seen in terms of local currency fuels and usage, which has now become a regular phenomenon among many leading nations, including BRICS and ASEAN. Increased US sanctions have also compelled countries like Russia, Iran, and China to trade outside of the US dollar reign. This is also fueling mass dumping of the USD, making economies self-dependent in the process.

There was a time when the US dollar stood unbeatable. No currency could match the USD’s allure, let alone exhibit power dynamics that could derail the US dollar. The times have now changed. The US dollar is now at the edge of a moat, with currencies like the euro and renminbi, or the yuan, giving it stiff competition. As per Reuters, geopolitical tensions are prompting nations to use the yuan and euro in international trade, a system developed to maintain less dependency on US dollar-based assets, spearheading de-dollarization. READ MORE

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8.18.25 - Foreign Govts Now Hold Record Levels in US Treasuries

Gold last traded at $3,332 an ounce. Silver at $38.03 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: While record foreign investment in U.S. Treasuries shows confidence in the dollar, it also underscores America’s deepening reliance on debt to sustain its economy. This growing dependence could pose long-term risks, especially if interest rates rise or more nations seek alternative currencies. This level of debt puts the dollar in an extremely week position if these risks become a reality.

Foreign Governments Now Hold Record Levels in US Treasuries As National Debt Soars Past $37,000,000,000,000 -The Daily Hodl

by Henry Kanapi

The United States government is deepening its reliance on foreign powers to finance its swelling obligations as the national debt soars to new record levels.

The latest data from the Treasury Department shows that overseas holdings of US debt have reached a record $9.13 trillion as of June 2025.

At the top of the list is Japan, holding $1.147 trillion worth of Treasuries, followed by the United Kingdom with $858.1 billion and China with $756.4 billion. Other countries owning large amounts of US debt include the Cayman Islands with $442.7 billion, Canada with $438.5 billion and Belgium with $433.4 billion.

In total, the US national debt has now shattered $37 trillion, underpinning the growing weight of foreign financing in America’s balance sheet.

Despite the rising levels of US debt, a $1.3 trillion asset manager believes that Treasuries will remain in high demand due to the current macroeconomic landscape. According to Northern Trust, policy uncertainty in the UK and low yields on debt offered by the Japanese government have driven the two countries to seek shelter in the Treasury market. READ MORE

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8.15.25 - Central Banks buy 166 tons of Gold

Gold last traded at $3,336 an ounce. Silver at $38.00 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Big changes are happening throughout the economies of the world, with de-dollarization leading the charge. In Q2 alone, central banks had a 41% increase in gold purchases, gobbling up 166 tonnes of gold. To give you a visual, that is the weight equivalent of 16 school buses! Call us today to learn more about how you can follow their lead on a smaller scale and insure your portfolio.

Central Banks Buy 166t Gold as BRICS Pushes De-Dollarization Forward -Watcher.Guru

by Loredana Harsana

BRICS de-dollarization efforts are actually accelerating right now as central banks purchased 166 tonnes of gold in Q2 2025, and this marks a 41% increase above what we normally see. This surge in central banks gold buying reflects growing momentum toward alternatives to dollar-dominated reserves, along with member nations seeking more financial independence. The BRICS US dollar reserves decline comes as discussions about when will BRICS currency be released intensify, with the BRICS currency 2026 timeline gaining real traction among emerging economies.

Central banks gold accumulation strategies have revolutionized unprecedented levels during Q2 2025. This was engineered by emerging market authorities who are diversifying away from dollar assets through several key approaches right now. The World Gold Council reported that these institutional demand patterns actually differ from retail flows across various major market segments, remaining persistent and price-insensitive across numerous significant market conditions and economic cycles.

Jeff Quartermaine, CEO of Perseus Mining, stated:

“Gold isn’t just a hedge, it’s insurance against the fragility of the global monetary system.” READ MORE

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8.14.25 - Debt Now Surpasses $37 Trillion

Gold last traded at $3,335 an ounce. Silver at $37.98 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The US has surpassed yet another milestone. There have been many milestones in our country's rich history, but don't pop the cork on the champagne just yet. This one is a reason to mourn, not to celebrate.

US National Debt Now Surpasses $37 Trillion Milestone -Frank Nez

The United States’ gross national debt has officially crossed the $37 trillion threshold, according to the latest data from the Treasury Department, marking a historic high that arrived years ahead of pre-pandemic projections.

This surge, reported as $37,004,817,625,842.56, underscores a rapid escalation in federal borrowing driven by a combination of pandemic-era stimulus, recent legislative spending, and ongoing fiscal imbalances.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in January 2020 forecasted that the gross debt would not exceed $37 trillion until after fiscal year 2030.

However, aggressive government responses to the COVID-19 crisis under both the Trump and Biden administrations accelerated this timeline, with additional contributions from the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” under President Trump’s second term, projected to add over $4 trillion to the debt over the next decade.

The debt’s growth has been staggering, hitting trillion-dollar markers at an increasingly brisk pace. READ MORE

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8.13.25 - Billionaire Families Flocking to Gold

Gold last traded at $3,357 an ounce. Silver at $38.52 an ounce.

Trump Drafts the Fed Into Currency Wars -Daily Reckoning

Trump's currency wars continue; but the battle to dethrone the dollar began long ago. It's why we created our most requested report ever, The Secret War on Cash. There's no better way to describe what's happening in the financial world right now; and why we all need to be diversified into metals. Call Swiss America today.

by Dan Amoss

Last week President Trump made a big move in the currency wars.

He appointed Stephen Miran, head of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, to a vacated seat on the Fed’s Board of Governors.

I’m going to pull together some important threads. I’ll also speculate about what Trump’s plans for remaking the Fed might mean for international trade, and how Miran can assist.

This could translate into an acceleration of the bull market in gold, currency, mining, and energy. In these areas, we are confident we’re far ahead of the human and algorithmic trading crowd, who are still piled into overstretched Big Tech and AI trades.

First, I’ll set the stage.

Currency wars, the theme of Jim’s first best-selling book, are policy actions that a country takes to devalue its currency.

The intent is to subsidize local exporters by allowing them to price goods at a cheaper level than competitors when adjusting for exchange rates.

Other countries typically shoot back against the first shot by devaluing their own currencies.

Asian economies have done this for decades while the U.S. unilaterally disarmed – mostly on whispered orders from Wall Street and its political lobbyists. READ MORE

Billionaire Families Flocking to Gold As Currency Debasement Hits ‘Out of Control’ Levels: Report -The Daily Hodl

Headlines like this are becoming all too familiar as banks, governments, institutions, individuals and billionaires are seeking financial refuge in precious metals. The good news is, you don't have to be a billionaire to buy metals, you can get the same diversification the aforementioned are getting at your purchasing level.

Billionaire families in Asia are reportedly pouring their wealth into gold as concerns over local currency debasement rise.

According to a new Bloomberg report, investment allocations in gold are soaring in the region among the ultra wealthy as some family offices in Asia are now financing, shipping and buying and selling bullion.

Says Quentin Mai, CEO of mining exploration company West Point Gold,

“The hedge against the Hong Kong dollar is actually getting physical metal gold because Hong Kong is basically out of control of its own currency.”

According to a 2025 HSBC survey, wealthy investors in Hong Kong have more than doubled their allocation to the precious metal in just one year. On the mainland, 15% of portfolios are allocated to gold, up from 7% a year ago, says the survey of 10,000 wealthy investors in 12 markets.

The appetite for gold is growing due to several factors, including wars, inflation, central bank actions and uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, according to Bloomberg. READ MORE

America’s massive 'money illusion' is setting the S&P 500 up for a correction as stagflation takes hold, top analysts say - Fortune

We are hearing more rumblings of this "money illusion", not just in the S&P 500, but other areas of the markets as well. The indicators are all starting to line up, and are causing more and more concern over an imminent correction, to those who are paying attention.

by Nick Lichtenberg

A question looms over Wall Street as it digests the stock market highs in the dog days of summer 2025: Is this another version of the dotcom bubble? Apollo’s Torsten Slok has already calculated that the top 10 S&P 500 companies today are more overvalued than in the late ’90s tech boom. Now the investment bank Stifel is predicting that even as “euphoric markets party like it’s 1999,” a stock market correction and stagflation are ahead.

Stifel’s strategists, led by Barry Bannister and Thomas Carroll, wrote in a research note that they are simply “uncomfortable” with the S&P 500 gaining 32% off its April 7 intraday low as the latest GDP figures show the actual economy slowing almost to a crawl. They further warn that “hopium” is a powerful drug and that stock markets may be “whistling past the graveyard.”

Simply put, Bannister and Carroll say consumers are not as rich as their account balances show, following the “money illusion” of COVID-era fiscal stimulus that they described as a “World War–level” effort.

With the mighty American consumer running out of breath amid an economic slowdown in the second half of 2025, Stifel sees a decline of 10% or more in the S&P 500. READ MORE

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8.12.25 - Everybody Wants To Replace the US Dollar

Gold last traded at $3,351 an ounce. Silver at $37.92 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Which countries are looking to replace the dollar? As it turns out, most of them. BRICS has been leading the charge on supplanting the dollar for several months, but it now appears Europe has plans of its own.

Everybody Wants To Replace the US Dollar: Rise of Multicurrency World -Watcher Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

Everybody wants to replace the US dollar with a new currency, thus, coining the phenomenon ‘multicurrency world’. America’s closest allies in Europe are talking behind closed doors to make the euro the de facto currency. Many leaders from Europe and the European Union (EU) have called on countries to embrace alternative options. The world now seems to be fed up with the greenback as the White House weaponizes the currency.

The multicurrency world has many currencies, and various nations are simultaneously trading in it. For example, the Chinese yuan, euro, pound, yen, and rupee, among others, are seeing a surge in settlements. If that wasn’t enough, many others are using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and stablecoins such as USDT to settle payments.

The US dollar is no longer the de facto currency in a multicurrency world, as there are many other options. However, there is no strong contender against the USD that can take its place in the global sector. If a strong contender is found and gains trust, the endgame for the USD would begin.

“With no viable alternative to the US dollar as the world’s currency on the horizon, the more likely change is to a multicurrency world, where the dollar would still be dominant, but other currencies would play a larger role too,” wrote Bloomberg analysts Malcolm Scott and Saleha Mohsin. READ MORE

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8.11.25 - Kiyosaki: Financial Planners Are Lying About US Bonds

Gold last traded at $3,349 an ounce. Silver at $37.66 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Robert Kiyosaki has been quite vocal about the severe market correction he believes is coming; even going so far as to call it another Great Depression. He feels many in the financial planning community are not being completely forthright with their investors.

Rich Dad Poor Dad Author Says Financial Planners Are Lying About US Bonds – Here’s Why -The Daily Hodl

by Alex Richardson

Best-selling personal finance author Robert Kiyosaki says that financial planners are not being honest about US Treasury Bills.

In a post on the social media platform X, the Rich Dad Poor Dad author says the idea that US bonds are safe is a “lie” that will likely soon be exposed.

Kiyosaki says demand for bonds will continue to crater and eventually crash during an upcoming “Great Depression,” one that wipes out everything except a few key assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and precious metals.

“Financial Planners lie when they say ‘Bonds are safe.’ There is nothing safe in a market crash.

The commercial real estate market is crashing.

Moodys downgraded US bonds.

Asians buying gold.

No one is showing up to buy bonds.

I’ve been buying real gold, silver, and Bitcoin…. Oil, and cattle….for years….Because I plan on getting richer during the coming crash and the next Great Depression

Stock and bond holders will get F***ED.

What are you doing? Are you going to get richer or poorer?” READ MORE

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8.8.25 - Dollar Could Tumble 10% by 2026

Gold last traded at $3,397 an ounce. Silver at $38.40 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The US dollar lost 11% of its value in the first half of the year. Morgan Stanley is predicting another 10% drop by 2026. With 2026 only a few short months away, this means the dollar is down roughly 20%–accounting for recoveries–in one year.

Morgan Stanley Sounds Alarm: Dollar Could Tumble 10% by 2026 -Watcher.Guru

by Juhi Mirza

{Source: Watcher.Guru}

Morgan Stanley, in its recent press note, outlined new elements hounding the US dollar. The entry was quick to emphasize how the value of the US dollar has dropped 11% against major currencies, dubbing it as one of its biggest value declines to date.

“The value of the US dollar against other currencies dropped about 11% in the first half of this year, the biggest decline in more than 50 years, ending a 15-year bull cycle.”

The firm later explained that despite a 3.2% recovery in USD value this month, the American currency continues to battle pressure, rising due to Trump’s tariffs and their impact on jobs and unemployment.

“Despite a recovery of 3.2% in July, the delayed impact of tariffs on growth and unemployment—besides policy uncertainties—is likely to keep negative pressure on the dollar.”

The entity now predicts the dollar’s ominous fall, adding how the currency may end up declining 10% by 2026. READ MORE

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8.7.25 - 5 Reasons to Buy Gold in 2025

Gold last traded at $3,397 an ounce. Silver at $38.29 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you are looking for a good reason to buy gold, here are five of them. Call Swiss America today to learn about the best way to balance your portfolio with gold.

5 Reasons to Buy Gold in 2025 -Investing Haven

Gold demand remains strong and prices may rise further. We discuss the key reasons to consider adding gold to your portfolio now.

Gold prices reached about $3,377 per ounce by early August 2025. Investors drove total Q2 demand to 1,248.8 tonnes, a 3 % rise year-on-year and record-high value of $132 billion, according to data from the World Gold Council.

This means now is the right time to invest in gold.

In this article, we explain 5 reasons to buy gold in 2025 and why gold still offers value now, despite high prices.

1. Safe‑Haven Protection & Economic Uncertainty

Weak U.S. jobs data in July 2025 pushed expectations of Fed rate cuts to 92 % by September. The result is a weakening U.S. dollar and gold becoming more attractive as a safe haven.

Geopolitical tensions, especially U.S.-India trade frictions, also heightened investor risk perception. Usually, during such turbulence, gold acts as a reliable safe haven.

In fact, investment demand surged 78 % year-on-year in Q2 with gold ETFs and physical bar and coin purchases dominating flows, especially in Asia and the U.S.

That said, if you are looking to buffer economic shocks, now is a great time to buy gold. READ MORE

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8.6.25 - Canada Joining BRICS?

Gold last traded at $3,371 an ounce. Silver at $37.90 an ounce.

Banks Choose Gold Over Bitcoin & USD—Here’s Why -Watcher.Guru

Banks opting for gold over bitcoin seems like such an obvious choice, but maybe that's just me. The good thing is, the banks have a solid explanation for this move. Their reasoning is the same reasoning each and everyone of us should be following.

by Juhi Mirza

The demand for gold is steadily rising, as global banks continue to stockpile gold in a massive new spree. Donald Trump’s tariff regimens have weakened the US dollar to a point where the USD is unable to regain its former glory. This rush has also been strengthening other asset classes such as cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin, which is currently eyeing a new price spot of $123K. However, as of now, gold is emerging as the top asset for global central banks to hold around the world.

As per the new stats shared by the Kobeissi letter, the World Central Banks’ gold stockpiling spree is yet to catch a break. The new statistics shared by the KL platform noted how the world’s central banks have aggressively bought gold in Q2, amounting to 166.5 tonnes.

Moreover, the amount represents a hike of 41% above the average quarterly basis between 2010 and 2021.

“BREAKING: World central banks bought another 166.5 tonnes of gold in Q2 2025. This is ~41% above the average quarterly purchase between 2010 and 2021.”

The platforms noted how the demand for gold is likely to rise in the future, with 95% of central banks planning to increase their holdings in the next 6 to 12 months. READ MORE

Canada Joining BRICS Boldly Confronts US Economic Power Play -Watcher.Guru

The BRICS alliance has been on a steady growth spurt, and it continues as Canada joins their ranks. The global de-dollarization effort is taking a negative toll on the dollar, potentially putting the US in a financial stranglehold.

by Loredana Harsana

{Source: Watcher.Guru }

The escalation of Canada-US tariffs has been pushing Canadian leadership toward BRICS alternatives. Trump’s decision to raise tariffs to 35% on Canadian imports has actually been met with resistance from Prime Minister Carney’s administration. This makes Canada joining BRICS discussions more urgent right now.

Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters at a lumber mill in West Kelowna, British Columbia:

“We cannot count or fully rely on what has been our most valued trading relationship for our prosperity. That’s why we’re increasingly focused on building our strength at home and finding new opportunities for Canadian companies and workers abroad.” READ MORE

Scammer Steals $507,916 From US Benefits Program, Leaving Dozens of Families in Financial Ruin: DOJ -The Daily Hodl

As the world moves rapidly toward a fully-digital financial system, it seems like the vulnerabilities are endless. One of the most recent being a scammer who stole over a half of a million dollars from a US benefit program, ruining dozens of families financially; this according to the DOJ.

A 39-year-old Romanian man has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $500,000 from a US government benefits program and other crimes.

According to the Northern District of California’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, Marius Marian stole $507,916 in Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) funds from those who rely on the money to cover basic expenses.

He also pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States following an aggravated felony conviction and making false statements on his asylum application.

Beginning in March 2024, Marian fraudulently obtained EBT funds by using over 601 unique victim EBT account identifiers. EBT benefits are federal funds distributed through the California Department of Social Services to low-income individuals to use for such things as food, rent, childcare and medical expenses. READ MORE

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8.4.25 - What the BRICS 2025 Summit Achieved

Gold last traded at $3,375 an ounce. Silver at $37.41 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The most recent BRICS summit provided productive discussions for the growing alliance. There is tremendous uniformity in their focus on de-dollarization and in their development of alternative currency options. During the summit, the BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative was established, allowing for monetary cooperation among the BRICS nations.

BRICS 2025: What the Summit Really Achieved Behind Closed Doors -Watcher.Guru

by Loredana Harsana

The BRICS 2025 summit in Rio actually delivered some concrete outcomes, even though key leaders like Putin and Xi Jinping weren’t there. While much of the media focused on who was absent, the BRICS summit 2025 produced tangible agreements on currency cooperation and also infrastructure investment. The BRICS 2025 meeting established what’s called the BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative and made real progress on monetary cooperation among BRICS countries, which signals a shift toward practical implementation rather than just diplomatic talk.

The BRICS summit 2025 actually produced a joint declaration titled “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance” that all the participating BRICS countries adopted. The summit introduced what they’re calling the BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative, which the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency inspired.

This new institution aims to help with infrastructure investment across the Global South by providing investment guarantees that reduce political risk. The initiative shows continued interest in building parallel institutions to existing frameworks, and developers expect it to progress through 2025 and 2026, along with other cooperative efforts. READ MORE

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8.1.25 - India Lets 30 Countries Trade With Rupee

Gold last traded at $3,357 an ounce. Silver at $36.98 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As President Trump continues to navigate his way through choppy financial waters, he now has the added headache of BRICS nations operating independently by utilizing their own currencies. Another bold move forward in their efforts to dethrone the US dollar.

India Lets 30 Countries Trade With Rupee in New BRICS Strategy -Watcher.Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

US President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on India, accusing it of indulging in anti-American activities. Trump also imposed a penalty on India for buying Russian crude oil and military equipment despite the sanctions. The US President is coming down hard on BRICS, especially India, accusing them of advancing de-dollarization by putting the rupee ahead for trade and transactions.

Even before Trump imposed 25% tariffs, India had been closely working to allow nearly 30 countries, including BRICS members, to settle payments in the rupee through the special Vostro bank accounts. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently lifted the cap on Vostro accounts investments to push the rupee-denominated trade, according to a recent report from Reuters.

BRICS member India is aiming to internationalize the rupee with the new Vostro bank accounts, making it easier for other countries to settle payments. Vostro accounts enable domestic Indian banks to facilitate payments from various countries and overseas businesses in rupees. Countries that initiate cross-border transactions with India can open Vostro accounts and remit the rupee directly. This saves overseas clients from foreign exchange charges that eat up a chunk of their remittance.

Among the 30 countries, 22 nations have already settled trade using the rupee through Vostro bank accounts. The countries include Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Fiji, Germany, Guyana, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United Kingdom. BRICS members and partner countries, Russia, Belarus, Malaysia, and Uganda, among others, have used the rupee for settlements with India. READ MORE

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7.31.25 - Global gold demand up 3%

Gold last traded at $3,294 an ounce. Silver at $36.70 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Gold continues to climb in value, and has been capturing headlines along the way. There are several factors at work contributing to its gains, with one of the most important being good, old fashioned demand. We've seen a 3% increase in global demand in the second quarter of this year, according to the World Gold Council.

Global gold demand up 3% in second quarter as investment jumps, WGC says -Yahoo! Finance

LONDON (Reuters) -Global gold demand including over-the-counter (OTC) trading rose by 3% year-on-year to 1,248.8 metric tons in the second quarter of 2025 as investment jumped 78%, the World Gold Council said on Thursday.

Spot gold prices are up 26% so far this year after hitting a record $3,500 per troy ounce in April as uncertain global trade policy and geopolitical turbulence fuelled inflows into safe-haven assets.

Demand for gold bars rose 21% in the second quarter, offsetting a continuing slump in demand for coins, said the WGC, an industry body whose members are global gold miners.

Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their largest semi-annual inflow since the first half of 2020 from January to June, the WGC said earlier in July. READ MORE

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7.30.25 - Why are the BRICS accumulating gold?

Gold last traded at $3,275 an ounce. Silver at $37.12 an ounce.

Should you invest in gold? -Yahoo! Finance

Yesterday we wrote about Fidelity calling for $4,000 gold, today it's Goldman Sachs with the same prediction. As these forecasts roll in, gold sits at $3,300, which would mean a $700 increase in five months or less. Call Swiss America today to get in before it does.

by Pedro Goncalves

Gold’s allure has attracted retail investors in their droves and is trading well above $3,000 as the so-called “safe haven” asset has provided stability amid turmoil in the financial markets.

US president Donald Trump’s tariff blitz reignited fears of a full-blown trade war, prompting investors to seek refuge in the precious metal. Historically viewed as a hedge during political and financial instability, gold reached an all-time high of $3,500.05 in April.

Rick Kanda, managing director at The Gold Bullion Company, said: "Gold has been the go-to investment for centuries, and it’s easy to see why people buy gold. The timeless reliability is why gold remains a favourite for those wanting to protect their wealth, no matter what’s happening in the economy.

"It’s like a steady friend you can always count on. When currencies take a hit, gold often holds its ground or can even climb higher. This is particularly true when the US dollar, the heavyweight of global trading currencies, starts to wobble." READ MORE

Why are the BRICS accumulating gold? -Brics Brasil

As the dollar continues to decline in value, nations around the world–along with Central Banks–continue to accumulate gold at a record pace. It's a move to de-dollarize, as well as put global dollar dependence in the rear view mirror.

by Aleksandra Zakartchouk

Several countries are reinforcing their gold holdings to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar.

The escalation of geopolitical tensions since 2022 — marked by wars, economic sanctions, and asset seizures — has accelerated a shift in the global monetary system. In this context, BRICS countries like China, Russia, and India have been increasing their gold reserves at a record pace, reflecting a rising demand for security.

This strategy is a direct response to the use of the dollar as a tool of coercion, the institutional vulnerabilities of the SWIFT system, and the real risk of international asset freezes, as seen in 2022 with Russia. As a result, they helped pave the way for a multipolar financial system backed by real assets and supported by central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

The World Gold Council (WGC), the leading global authority on the gold market, monitors gold supply and demand, offering reliable data to investors, governments, and central banks. Headquartered in London, the WGC is a global benchmark for understanding how gold impacts the world economy. Its April 2025 report shows Q1 gold demand hit 1,206 tonnes — the highest since 2016 —driven by central banks, investors, and technology sectors. READ MORE

A Decade in Deficit: US National Debt from 2015 to 2025 -Direct News Centre

It's common knowledge that the US debt is more than just an abstract problem. This article will illustrate just how bad it has become over the last 10 years.

It's common knowledge that the US debt is more than just an abstract problem. This article will illustrate just how bad it has become over the last 10 years.

At the start of 2015, the total US national debt—combining debt held by the public and intragovernmental holdings—stood around $18.1 trillion, about 100% of GDP. By mid‑2025, total debt surpassed $36 trillion, more than double the level seen just ten years prior.

Two periods drove the most dramatic jumps: following the 2008–2009 financial crisis and, more recently, during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Between 2013 and 2023, the debt rose by roughly $16.8 trillion. Fiscal relief packages in 2020 alone pushed the debt to record highs; by early 2022 it topped $30 trillion for the first time .

As of June 4 2025, the US government owed approximately $36.21 trillion in gross national debt. Debt held by the public is about $28.9 trillion, with intragovernmental holdings (like Social Security trust funds) making up the remainder.

Interest payments on the debt have surged alongside it. In FY 2023, the government spent some $678 billion in cash interest, with total interest (including intragovernmental) near $875 billion . Experts warn interest is now the second-largest federal expense after Social Security .

The US debt-to-GDP ratio first exceeded 100% in 2013 and stayed above that level through the past decade. As of 2024, it hovered around 100%, climbing further to approximately 123% in May 2025. READ MORE

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7.29.25 - Fidelity Says $4,000 Gold Possible

Gold last traded at $3,326 an ounce. Silver at $38.21 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As the dollar continues its slide, the predictions for gold continue to be positive. This latest call is for a very bullish move. If things continue as they have been, Fidelity's $4,000 prediction could very well be a quick stop on the way to even higher gains.

Fidelity Says $4,000 Gold Possible as Fed Cuts, Dollar Drops -Yahoo! Finance

by Sybilla Gross

(Bloomberg) — Gold could hit $4,000 an ounce by the end of next year as the Federal Reserve cuts rates to cushion the US economy, the dollar drops, and central banks keep adding holdings, according to Fidelity International.

Multi-asset fund manager Ian Samson said the firm remained bullish on the precious metal, with some cross-asset portfolios recently increasing holdings as prices eased from an all-time high above $3,500 an ounce in April.

“The rationale for that was that we saw a clearer path to a more dovish Federal Reserve,” Samson said in an interview, adding that some funds had as much as doubled their 5% allocation over the past year. Also, August is often slightly weaker for markets, so more diversification “makes sense,” he said.

Gold is up by more than a quarter this year, as uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s aggressive attempts to reshape global trade, conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and central-bank accumulation buttressed gains. Still, the metal has traded within a tight range over the past few months, with demand for havens cooling a little as some progress in US trade talks eased fears about worst-case-scenarios for the global economy. READ MORE

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7.28.25 - How Shifting Debt Levels Are Driving Gold and Silver Prices

Gold last traded at $3,315 an ounce. Silver at $38.13 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you believe debt is a problem in this country, have I got the perfect investment for you: gold and silver. Don't take my word for it, you can read for yourself why it's not only a great financial step forward, but a necessary one.

How Shifting Debt Levels Are Driving Gold and Silver Prices -Investing Haven

Surging global debt is pushing investors toward gold and silver as safe havens amid fiscal stress and negative real yields.

Global debt has surged to record levels, topping $324 trillion in Q1 2025, a $7.5 trillion jump in just three months . As governments borrow more, investors increasingly turn toward hard assets. This rising global debt is shifting investor behavior toward precious metals like gold and silver.

Public debt is now nearing 100% of global GDP, with 80% of countries experiencing rising debt-to-GDP ratios .

In the U.S. alone, national debt exceeds $36 trillion, and China’s debt is expected to hit 100% of GDP by year-end.

This debt crisis weakens faith in fiat currencies, making gold a preferred store of value. Gold has rallied roughly 29% year‑to‑date, while silver has climbed about 25–36%, reflecting how debt levels boost silver prices and strengthen gold’s appeal. READ MORE

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7.25.25 - 'Bubbles Are About To Start Busting'

Gold last traded at $3,328 an ounce. Silver at $38.10 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As the old adage goes, "all good things must come to an end". Will this be true for bitcoin and the high-flying stock market? According to this journalist, the answer is yes. All markets have been through decades of ups and downs but bitcoin is a whole new financial frontier. Can bitcoin weather the storms as other markets have? Or is a collapse possible?

‘Bubbles Are About To Start Busting’—Huge Price Swings Spark Fear Of A Stock Market And Bitcoin Crash

by Billy Bambrough

Bitcoin has rocketed this year, soaring along with the stock market that’s hit repeated all-time highs (even as Elon Musk quietly moving bitcoin sets alarm bells ringing).

The bitcoin price has almost doubled since U.S. president Donald Trump retook the White House, hitting an all-time high of $123,000 per bitcoin as a crisis engulfs the Federal Reserve, while stock markets are also at all time highs.

Now, as traders bet on a controversial “infinite money glitch," some are warning the bitcoin price and stock market bubble could be about to burst as prices swing wildly.

“The crypto market took a nosedive, losing almost 4% of its market cap over the last 24 hours,” Alex Kuptsikevich, FxPro chief market analyst, said in emailed comments and pointing to double-digit percentage declines for some of the biggest cryptocurrencies that’s wiped $100 billion from the combined crypto market.

“A reversal to growth will be needed to stop the build-up of pessimism for the entire crypto market, where corrective sentiment is intensifying.”

Bitcoin and stock markets could see a sell-off in coming weeks due to fears over Trump’s latest trade tariffs, due to take effect from August 1, or changes to the Federal Reserve’s expected cuts to interest rates, according to analysts with Piper Sandler. READ MORE

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7.24.25 - 10 Economic Facts Nobody Can Deny

Gold last traded at $3,367 an ounce. Silver at $39.07 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We are all feeling the financial pinch of rising costs lately. Politicians–as well as some on Wall Street–continue to give empty assurances that our economy is robust and inflation is in check. The real numbers tell a different story. Here are ten examples.

10 Economic Facts That Nobody Can Deny -ZeroHedge

Authored by Michael Snyder via TheMostImportantNews.com

If you ask 1,000 different Americans about the state of the U.S. economy, you will get 1,000 different opinions. But what is the truth? In this article, I am going to share information with you that is indisputable. I like to examine things from an analytical point of view, and so I always want to know what the cold, hard numbers are telling me. And what the cold, hard numbers are telling me is very troubling.

The following are 10 economic facts that nobody can deny…

#1 The Conference Board’s index of leading economic indicators fell more than expected last month, and during the entire first half of 2025 it declined at an even faster rate than it did during the second half of 2024… READ MORE

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7.23.25 - Have stocks hit the 'line of death'?

Gold last traded at $3,387 an ounce. Silver at $39.27 an ounce.

Silver's hot streak gathers pace; market at highest since 2011-Yahoo! Finance

Silver prices continue to climb rapidly. Its industrial uses continue to grow, and now even crypto holders are using it as a hedge.

by Polina Devitt and Sherin Elizabeth Varghese

(Reuters) -Silver prices surged to their highest in almost 14 years on Wednesday, aided by worries about U.S. tariff policy, signs of tightness in the spot market and growing investor interest in alternatives to gold.

Spot silver was up 0.3% at $39.40 per troy ounce as of 1354 GMT, its highest level since September 2011.

Silver, both a precious and industrial metal, is up 36% this year, outperforming gold's 31% growth and coming within a whisker of the key $40-per-ounce mark. The metal hit a record high of $49 in 2011.

U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to impose 50% import tariffs on copper from August 1 and the U.S. import tariffs for Mexico widened the premium of the U.S. futures for silver and other metals against the London benchmarks in July, leading to a growth in lease rates in the spot market.

Gold, silver, platinum and palladium were excluded from Trump's April reciprocal tariffs, but "the broader market isn't trading it that way and is taking a page out of Comex copper's handbook", Nicky Shiels, head of metals strategy at MKS PAMP. READ MORE

Stocks just hit a 'line of death' last reached at the peak of the dot-com bubble, veteran investor Bill Smead warns -Business Insider

The stock market has been experiencing a pretty strong and sustained rally. Many wonder how long this rally will continue. According to Bill Smead, we just crossed a pivotal marker, and he's suggesting we may very well see another dotcom-esque bubble burst. Let's hope he's wrong.

by William Edwards

Bill Smead doesn't know how long the current stock-market rally can continue, but the veteran investor does think it's in a particularly vulnerable spot.

In his Q2 letter to investors on July 15, Smead — whose Smead Value Fund (SMVLX) has beaten 96% of peers over the last 15 years, Morningstar data shows — shared a chart displaying inflation-adjusted S&P 500 returns since the 1960s.

An upward trend line shows resistance at two major market peaks, in 1966 and in 2000, is also shown. In both of those instances when S&P 500 inflation-adjusted returns hit the trend line, a significant correction followed.

In recent weeks, the market has touched the line for the third time since 1960 as the S&P 500 has surged to all-time highs around 6,300. READ MORE

Brace For Soaring Electricity Bills: Biggest US Power Grid Sets Power Costs At Record High To Feed AI -ZeroHedge

Will AI make electricity impossible to afford? The energy consumption of AI is just one of the many negatives consequences of this technology that is growing at a "relentless,ravenous" pace.

by Tyler Durden

Very soon if you want AI (and even if you don't), you won't be able to afford AC.

Just this morning we warned readers that America's largest power grid, PJM Interconnect, which serves 65 million people across 13 states and Washington, DC, and more importantly feeds Deep State Central's Loudoun County, Virginia, also known as 'Data Center Alley' and which is recognized as one of the world's largest hubs for data centers...

... had recently issued multiple 'Maximum Generation' and 'Load Management' alerts this summer, as the heat pushes power demand to the brink with air conditioners running at full blast across the eastern half of the U.S.

But as anyone who has not lived under a rock knows, the deeper issue is that there's simply not enough baseload juice to feed the relentless, ravenous growth of power-hungry AI server racks at new data centers.

"There is simply no new capacity to meet new loads," said Joe Bowring to Bloomberg, president of Monitoring Analytics, which is the independent watchdog for PJM Interconnection. "The solution is to make sure that people who want to build data centers are serious enough about it to bring their own generation."

Well, there is another solution: crank up prices to the stratosphere. VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

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7.22.25 - Is AI mania worse than 1999's tech bubble?

Gold last traded at $3,431 an ounce. Silver at $39.30 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: There's no doubt that AI is spreading like wildfire, and it is likely here to stay. As its presence has grown at a breakneck pace, so have tech stock valuations. Is this a new dotcom bubble waiting to burst?

AI mania is worse than 1999's tech bubble, Apollo's top economist warns -Yahoo!Finance

by Francisco Velasquez

A top Wall Street economist is sounding the alarm on sky-high valuations in AI stocks — and drawing comparisons to the tech bubble of the late 1990s.

"Yes, AI will do incredible things for all of us," Torsten Sløk, chief economist at Apollo Global Management, said on Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid. "But does that mean I should be buying tech companies at any valuation?"

According to Sløk, the answer is increasingly no. In a research note to clients this week, he pointed to internal data showing the price-to-earnings ratios (P/E) of the 10 largest companies in the S&P 500 (^GSPC) — many of them AI stock picks like Meta (META) and Nvidia (NVDA) — have eclipsed P/E levels seen at the height of the dot-com bubble in 1999.

That signals a dangerous concentration of investor exposure in just a handful of tech giants, Sløk argued.

"Almost 40% of the S&P 500 is made up by the 10 largest companies," he said. "So if I take $100 as an investor and buy the S&P 500, I think I have exposure to 500 different stocks, but I'm really just betting on the Nvidia and the AI story continuing." READ MORE

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7.21.25 - Does the Fed need to be examined?

Gold last traded at $3,399 an ounce. Silver at $38.95 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Trump's ongoing angst over Fed Chairman Jerome Powell may be soon in the spotlight, as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is calling for more oversight of the Fed. The Fed's policies haven't produced results in quite some time so his call for a deeper look may be warranted.

US Treasury's Bessent says Federal Reserve needs to be examined as an institution -Yahoo! Finance

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday said the entire Federal Reserve needed to be examined as an institution and whether it had been successful.

Bessent, speaking with CNBC, declined to comment on a report that he had advised President Donald Trump not to fire Fed chair Jerome Powell, saying it would be the president's decision.

But he said the institution should be reviewed, citing what he called "fear-mongering over tariffs" despite the emergence thus far of little, if any, inflationary effect.

"I think that what we need to do is examine the entire Federal Reserve institution and whether they have been successful," Bessent said, adding that he would give a keynote speech at the U.S. central bank on Monday evening at the start of a regulatory conference.

"If this were the (Federal Aviation Administration) and we were having this many mistakes, we would go back and look at why. Why has this happened?" he said. "All these PhDs over there, I don't know what they do." READ MORE

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7.18.25 - Is Silver on the Way to a New High?

Gold last traded at $3,351 an ounce. Silver at $38.25 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Is silver on the way to a new high? I believe the answer is a resounding yes. It's hard to believe that roughly five short years ago–in 2020–silver reached an approximate low of $12 an ounce and today it is firmly trading in the mid $30 an ounce range; likely a brief pit stop on its way to $40 plus levels.

Is Silver on the Way to a New High? -Yahoo!Finance

by Andrew Hecht

A May 27, 2025, Barchart article on silver, I concluded with:

With silver over the $32 per ounce level, the critical upside target is the $37.58 technical resistance level. Silver’s relative value versus gold, the fundamental deficit, and the path of least resistance of silver prices since the 2020 low all point to a break above the resistance and a challenge of the 2011 and 1980 highs. However, buying on price weakness will likely remain optimal in the volatile silver market.

Nearby COMEX silver futures were at the $33.525 per ounce level on May 27. On July 8, my Q2 precious metals report on Barchart highlighted silver’s Q2 bullish key reversal pattern. I concluded with:

I remain bullish on the precious metals sector, but even the most aggressive bull markets rarely move in straight lines. Buying on price corrections has been optimal in gold since the 1999 low, and I expect that trend to continue in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium over the coming months.

Silver closed Q2 at $35.852 per ounce and was over the $38.50 level on July 18. Silver prices continue to make higher highs in July, with the price rising to a fourteen-year peak. READ MORE

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7.17.25 - Is Powell Out?

Gold last traded at $3,340 an ounce. Silver at $38.05 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The continued strain between President Trump and Jerome Powell has all markets on edge. Gold prices experienced a slight spike on rumors of Powell's dismissal, and then pulled back when the President stated he had no intention of doing so. Either way, this is one of many factors, that add to the mountain of uncertainties, creating a real push for metals.

Gold pares gains after Trump shoots down talk of ousting Powell -Reuters

by Sarah Qureshi

July 16 (Reuters) - Gold prices jumped on Wednesday following news reports that U.S. President Donald Trump planned to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, but trimmed gains after Trump denied the claim.

Trump said he was not planning to fire Powell, but declined to rule anything out, citing an investigation into cost overruns on a $2.5-billion Fed renovation project.

Spot gold rose 1% to $3,354.01 per ounce, as of 0153 p.m. EDT (1753 GMT) after rising as much as 1.6% earlier.

U.S. gold futures settled 0.7% higher at $3,359.1.

"Headlines suggesting Trump was considering firing Powell drove gold prices higher... he later clarified it's highly unlikely. Gold markets were whipsawed by the back and forth," said Daniel Ghali, commodity strategist at TD Securities.

Israel launched powerful airstrikes in Damascus, damaging the Defence Ministry and striking near the presidential palace. The attack added to geopolitical worries and supported purchases of safe-haven gold.

On the trade front, the European Commission prepared to target $84.1 billion worth of U.S. goods for possible tariffs if trade talks with Washington fail after Trump threatened last week to impose 30% tariffs on imports from the EU. READ MORE

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7.16.25 - Bank of America Warns Dollar May Collapse

Gold last traded at $3,351 an ounce. Silver at $37.94 an ounce.

2 Ways Countries Are Quietly Breaking Up With the US Dollar -Watcher.Guru

This is an amusing headline, with not so amusing implications. Countries are "breaking up" with the dollar. The breakup is not one of those "it's not you, it's me" situations, the reasons for the split are quite valid.

by Juhi Mirza

The US dollar is currently losing ground as the American currency is stuck in a compulsive downward spiral. Battered heavily due to Trump’s tariffs and rising external pressure spurred by reduced dollar dependence of global nations, the currency that once stood tall is now being cast out, as reasons related to USD weaponization continue to hammer the dollar. Here are two ways through which the world is now shunning the US dollar, with the currency experiencing a dramatic value fall in the process.

The world is now shifting towards the local currency narrative, embracing the multipolar currency order in its complete sense. The world has now become brazen and has started to speak outright about the dollar and how the currency’s constant weaponization has started to impact global economies.

“Weaponizing the dollar delivers potent, low-cost leverage for U.S. policymakers, but its overuse is eroding the very network dominance that makes the tactic possible. Each new sanctions package nudges central banks, companies, and even allies to build parallel rails—whether in gold, local-currency swaps, or digital ledgers—chipping away at dollar primacy bit by bit”, as shared by Investopedia. READ MORE

Bank of America Warns Dollar May Collapse After 10.8% Plunge -Watcher.Guru

The dollar has fallen nearly 10% year to date and, according to Bank of America, there could be worse to come. The de-dollarization efforts–along with mounting financial uncertainties–are causing investors to look for safer alternatives to the US dollar.

by Vladimir Popescu

The US Dollar’s collapse warning from Bank of America comes as the dollar actually suffers a dramatic 9% year-to-date decline, which is triggering concerns about currency stability right now. The Bank of America prediction highlights growing global trade uncertainty and also mounting investor anxiety over trade policy impacts. This US Dollar collapse warning reflects broader concerns about de-dollarization trends and potential global financial instability that are being felt across markets.

The de-dollarization trend has actually accelerated as Bank of America reported neutral dollar flows amid global trade uncertainty. This shift represents a significant change from the dollar’s traditional safe-haven status, with real money investors showing mixed sentiment toward the greenback at the time of writing.

Bank of America analysts stated:

“Bank of America reported that its proprietary dollar flows have turned neutral amid growing global trade uncertainty and unclear consequences for the greenback following recent post–Liberation Day developments.” READ MORE

Falling US Dollar Could Trigger ‘Full Bubble Cycle’ in Risk Assets, According to Ex-Goldman Sachs Exec Raoul Pal -The Daily Hodl

As the dollar continues to fall, there are some who believe it could create a more bullish opportunity for higher risk assets. A robust market is good, a bubble market is not so good. A bubble is what an ex-Goldman Sachs executive sees coming down the pike.

by Mark Emem

Macroeconomics expert Raoul Pal says risk assets could witness massive eruptions if the US dollar continues to weaken.

In a new video, Pal tells his 242,000 YouTube subscribers that if the US dollar index (DXY) falls further amid an improving business cycle, risk assets such as stocks and crypto could experience an extended bullish phase.

“So what happens is when the business cycle picks up, there’s more disposable income and businesses have more investment income and that gets driven out of the risk curve always…

And I think the inverse to the business cycle being so low for so long will be the flip side of the cycle will be longer than people expected because we’ve got this slight dislocation still working through post-Covid that then extends the business cycle…

But if financial conditions keep moving, if they really have done some sort of Mar-a-Lago Accord, and they get the dollar [DXY] below 90. Okay, then we’re going on further and yeah, maybe it’s a full bubble cycle then.”

The DXY, a measure of the value of the dollar relative to a basket of six other leading currencies from major economies, is currently at 98. READ MORE

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7.15.25 - Here's the inflation breakdown for June

Gold last traded at $3,325 an ounce. Silver at $37.71 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Price inflation is still with us; and will continue to be as the tariff wars continue. The chart contained within will show you exactly how inflation is affecting some of the core categories.

Here’s the inflation breakdown for June 2025 — in one chart -CNBC

by Jessica Dickler

The annual inflation rate ticked higher in June, in line with expectations, as lower prices at the gasoline pump somewhat offset higher prices at the grocery store.

Economists said they expect the full impact from the Trump administration’s tariff agenda to raise consumer prices more in the months ahead — but they said trade policies have already started to noticeably affect inflation.

The consumer price index, a key inflation barometer, rose 2.7% in the 12 months through June, up from 2.4% in May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Tuesday.

President Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to work their way through the U.S. economy, even as the risk of further escalation grows.

Trump announced Saturday that the U.S. will impose 30% tariffs on the European Union and Mexico starting Aug. 1. On Monday, Trump threatened to impose “secondary tariffs” on Russia’s trade partners, “at about 100%.”

Tariffs are a tax on imports from foreign nations, paid by U.S. companies that import the good or service. Businesses negatively affected are expected to pass on at least some of that additional cost to consumers through higher prices. READ MORE

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7.14.25 - Silver Extends Surge to Almost 14-Year High

Gold last traded at $3,344 an ounce. Silver at $38.25 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Silver continues its climb on tightening supply and investor demand, as many seek alternatives to volatile markets. The gold market continues to rally as well, drawing attention to silver as a less expensive alternative.

Silver Extends Surge to Almost 14-Year High on Tight Market -Yahoo!Finance

by Yihui Xie and Sybilla Gross

(Bloomberg) -- Silver climbed close to a 14-year high as investors sought alternatives to a near-record gold price, with increased demand tightening physical supply.

Spot silver rose as much as 1.9% on Monday, topping $39 an ounce, following last week’s 4% rally. The implied annualized cost of borrowing the metal for one month has jumped to more than 6%, compared with the typical rate near zero.

The expanding appetite for the metal has left the physical market under strain in London, where most silver is held by exchange-traded funds — meaning it isn’t available to lend or buy. Since February, the volume of silver-backed ETFs has expanded by some 2,570 tons, according data compiled by Bloomberg.

Silver’s outperformance relative to gold means that the ratio between the two has dropped in recent months, though silver still remains relatively cheap historically. It currently takes about 86 ounces of silver to buy an ounce of gold, compared with a 10-year average of 80. READ MORE

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7.11.25 - Silver Rises to Highest Since 2011

Gold last traded at $3,356 an ounce. Silver at $38.47 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Silver is making headlines and smashing price levels again; this time breaking through its most recent high from 2011. According to many, this is just the beginning of even greater gains to come. If you haven't taken advantage of our Walking Liberty Half introductory offer yet, you should do so today. Rock-bottom pricing for a limited time.* Call today!

Silver Rises to Highest Since 2011 as US Premiums Grow -Yahoo!Finance

by Jack Ryan

(Bloomberg) -- Silver jumped to its highest level since 2011, as US premiums rise and the spot London market shows signs of tightness.

Silver rose 1.6% to $37.59 an ounce, the most since September 2011. US silver futures climbed even higher, with September contracts hitting $38.46 an ounce. Such a wide price gap is unusual, as it is typically eliminated quickly through arbitrage.

Silver last experienced a price dislocation between its two major markets at the beginning of the year, when the prospect of US tariffs on silver imports drove US futures prices higher. The arbitrage opportunity also pushed leases up, as traders looked to secure metal for shipment to Comex-linked warehouses in New York. The rush to move silver ended abruptly once the White House confirmed that bullion would not be exempt from the levies. READ MORE

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7.10.25 - Visualizing The State Of Freedom Around The World

Gold last traded at $3,324 an ounce. Silver at $37.07 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The deterioration of personal freedom in our country has been a very common discussion for years. This graphic, and the accompanying list, shows where we land amongst the nations of the globe. Do you agree with this assessment?

Visualizing The State Of Freedom Around The World -ZeroHedge

by Tyler Durden

In 2024, 60 countries saw their freedom decline in a historic election year.

Strikingly, 40% of countries and territories that held elections experienced targeted attacks on candidates amid heightened instability.

Yet bright spots were seen in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Syria, driven by political reform.

This graphic, via Visual Capitalist's Dorothy Neufeld, shows the state of freedom by country, based on data from Freedom House.

For the 19th year in a row, the state of freedom declined globally.

In particular, freedom declined the most in 2024 for El Salvador, Haiti, and Kuwait. In absolute terms, the Gaza Strip and the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine have among the lowest scores of freedom amid ongoing, violent conflict. READ MORE

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7.9.25 - Economic Crisis Ahead? 64% of CEOs Say Yes

Gold last traded at $3,320 an ounce. Silver at $36.39 an ounce.

Copper now costs way more in the U.S. than elsewhere. This could hit its economy hard -CNBC

The trade wars have delivered a huge blow to those who buy copper in the US, with a 50% tariff now imposed on the metal. With copper's many industrial and manufacturing uses, this could trickle down to the consumer quickly.

by Jenni Reid

The cost of copper for U.S. buyers has rocketed after President Donald Trump said he would impose a 50% tariff on imports of the metal.

It means that already elevated prices are now even higher in the U.S. than elsewhere — and analysts warned of a hit to businesses and the wider U.S. economy as a result.

The U.S. imports just under half of its copper, which is used in products ranging from machinery, electronics and household goods to housing and infrastructure projects. Trump’s stated ambition is to increase domestic production, but experts say this will take years to ramp up and decades to fully meet demand — at a massive up-front investment cost.

Traders have been poised for a presidential announcement on copper duties since February, leading to major shifts in inventories away from Europe and Asia and into the U.S.

However, the rate and timing was unclear — and market participants say they remain so, given the ambiguity in official messaging this week, potential room for exemptions to be negotiated, and recent examples of swift policy changes from the White House. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC Tuesday the duties would likely be implemented at “the end of July, maybe August 1.” READ MORE

Economic Crisis Ahead? 64% of CEOs Say Yes -Watcher.Guru

The CEO confidence index on the future of the economy is not looking so confident. 64% of CEOs believe that the next six months will see a deterioration of current economic conditions.

by Juhi Mirza

The US economy is currently battling troubled waters as the nation continues to combat rising US debt tensions and inflation. At the same time, rising fears of recession are also gnawing at the US, making things harder for the nation to comply with and deal with. Moreover, Trump’s “renewed” tariff regimes have once again sparked fears of a possible trade spat with global economies, making things worse for the dollar and America’s economic future. In addition to this, the CEO sentiment is now also confirming this change, with the majority of CEOs predicting a bleak economic future for the US economy. Is the US brewing a new economic crisis ahead?

CEO sentiment, or a CEO confidence index, primarily measures the perceptions of CEOs and business entrepreneurs towards their respective economies. The index also measures the expectations that the CEOs have about the future economic conditions of a nation. This index has now started to show a wobbly stance, with nearly 64% of the CEOs projecting a weak economic future for America.

The CEO confidence index is now displaying a striking detail, adding how the majority of the CEOs believe that the US economy may worsen in the next 6 months. READ MORE

Wall Street Bets On 3 Currencies To Topple The US Dollar -Watcher.Guru

It looks like Wall Street is the latest to start betting against the dollar. Forex traders are opening long positions on what they believe to be the three most eligible currencies to replace the dollar. A couple may surprise you.

by Juhi Mirza

Forex traders have now started to short US dollars, playing on expectations underlining the prolonged weakness of the USD. This development has now led traders to bet big on new currency competitors, the ones that have remained underground for long but have now started to lead the economic world as the US dollar continues to weaken. If the aforementioned trend continues, these three currencies may very well end up toppling the US dollar.

The Wall Street traders are getting lucrative, busy shorting the US dollar. At the same time, these traders have now opened long positions on the euro, all while exploring new currency competitors that can help them secure stable profits. The US dollar’s plunge in recent times has shaken investor sentiment, leading them to explore alternatives in its wake. Per the recent SCMP report, traders are now betting big on the Australian dollar, Chinese yuan, and South Korean won to emerge as top competitors able to challenge the USD dominance. The investors are expecting this trifecta to gain confidence in the future as the US dollar continues to weaken due to Trump’s aggressive tariff policies. READ MORE

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7.8.25 - US Targets 50+ Nations in BRICS Tariff Threat

Gold last traded at $3,301 an ounce. Silver at $36.75 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Trump continues his fight to protect the US dollar; as BRICS-aligned nations continue to push back equally hard. If there's any truth to the notion of there being strength in numbers, President Trump definitely has his hands full as the list of BRICS nations continue to grow. It also doesn't help that BRICS was already full steam ahead well before the president took office.

Lula Defies Trump as US Targets 50+ Nations in BRICS Tariff Threat -Watcher.Guru

by Loredana Harsana

{Source: EAI}

The latest BRICS tariff from Trump controversy erupted when the US president threatened that retaliatory tariffs against nations would face consequences if they align with BRICS policies. This announcement came after the bloc’s leaders condemned recent military actions against Iran and also expressed concerns about rising global trade tensions.

At the time of writing, Trump’s administration has been preparing to finalize dozens of trade deals with various countries. According to sources familiar with the matter, the administration won’t immediately impose the additional 10% tariff but will proceed if individual countries adopt policies deemed “anti-American.”

Trump wrote in a post:

“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” READ MORE

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7.7.25 - US Dollar Witnesses Worst Performance in 52 Years

Gold last traded at $3,343 an ounce. Silver at $36.78 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The dollar has been getting a lot of negative attention this year given the tariff wars, de-dollarization efforts by BRICS nations, and central banks unloading dollars and replacing them with assets such as gold. If you find yourself wondering just how bad it's been going for the dollar, read on.

US Dollar Witnesses Worst First-Half Performance in 52 Years As Money Supply Explodes To $21,942,000,000,000 -The Daily Hodl

by Henry Kanapi

The US dollar index (DXY) has suffered its steepest first-half decline in over half a century amid new all-time high levels for the country’s money supply.

The DXY witnessed a 10.8% drop in the first six months of 2025, the worst since its 14.8% decline in the first half of 1973, back when Richard Nixon was the country’s president, reports Bloomberg.

The dollar dumping comes as the US money supply has exploded to a new record high.

The latest data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) shows that M2, which tracks the total amount of readily available money circulating in the US financial system, stood at $21.942 trillion as of May 2025, shattering its previous peak of $21.749 trillion recorded in April 2022.

As the amount of money surges in the country, JPMorgan’s co-head of global FX strategy, Meera Chandan, says that the second half of the year will likely not be better for the American currency. READ MORE

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7.3.25 - The US Government's Incoming 'Debt Bomb'

Gold last traded at $3,326 an ounce. Silver at $36.85 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It is no mystery how the US debt problem came to be. What is a mystery is what form of magic the government will use in an attempt to stop it. Here are a few things we might see happening in the immediate future.

Billionaire Ray Dalio Says US Government Will Be Forced To Deal With Incoming 'Debt Bomb' – Here's How -The Daily Hodl

Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio says that America is going to be forced to deal with its soaring debt problem.

The billionaire tells his 1.7 million followers on the social media platform X that the US will likely lower interest rates and print money to address the nation’s ballooning debt obligations.

However, he warns that such measures are not very effective.

“When countries have too much debt, lowering interest rates and devaluing the currency that the debt is denominated in is the preferred path government policy makers are most likely to take, so it pays to bet on it happening. At the moment of my writing, we know that the projections are for big deficits and big increases in government debt and debt service expenses ahead…

I also shared last week why I believe the political system in the US won’t be able to get its debt problems under control. We know how debt service costs (paying back interest and principal) will grow rapidly to squeeze out spending, and we also know that, at best, it is highly doubtful that there will be an increase in demand for the debt commensurate with the supply that needs to be sold. I laid out in detail what I think the implications of all this are in ‘How Countries Go Broke,’ where I offer a description of the mechanics behind my thinking. Others have stress tested it, and thus far there has been almost total agreement that the picture I am painting is accurate.”

Dalio believes the US will eventually have to both cut spending and raise taxes to save itself from the looming fiscal crisis. READ MORE

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7.2.25 - Too Late To Buy Gold? Not Even Close

Gold last traded at $3,357 an ounce. Silver at $36.56 an ounce.

Historic US Dollar Downfall: Worst H1 Drop in 40 Years -Watcher.Guru

The dollar continues to get hammered in the global markets on volatility. Some experts feel this is a temporary blip, while others see this as the end of the greenback as we know it. Whichever outlook proves to be true, a portfolio hedged with gold will be better equipped to weather any storm to come.

by Loredana Harsana

The US dollar downfall has reached historic proportions, and it’s posting its worst first-half performance in nearly 40 years. Right now, the Dollar Index has plummeted over 10% year-to-date, creating massive foreign exchange volatility and triggering widespread USD devaluation effects across global markets. This unprecedented US dollar downfall represents the steepest decline since 1973, also causing severe market volatility risks and extensive global trade disruption that’s reshaping international finance as we know it.

The current US dollar downfall isn’t just another correction—it’s engineered a complete structural breakdown. At the time of writing, the US Dollar Index has crashed to 97 points, implementing an 11% collapse that represents the worst first-semester performance in decades. This foreign exchange volatility has established traders scrambling to understand market dynamics.

Barry Eichengreen, professor of economics at UC Berkeley, told CNN:

“The dynamics observed in the foreign exchange market are a direct reflection of a crisis of confidence in US fundamentals and the stability of its economic governance.”

Trump’s strategies have enacted the opposite effect, restructuring increased market volatility risks and regulating uncertainty around trade policies. Right now, it’s clear these expectations were completely wrong. READ MORE

Too Late To Buy Gold? Not Even Close... -ZeroHedge

Mr. Piepenburg believes gold's recent all-time high at $3500 was not peak gold, it was simply an early indicator of its trajectory. As he sees it, "gold’s role, price direction and days are only just beginning." Read on for his clear-headed reasoning.

Authored by Matthew Piepenburg via VonGreyerz.gold

Many are wondering if it’s too late to buy gold, that gold has peaked and they have missed their opportunity.

We hope the below series of facts, figures and common-sense reality-checks will put such fears squarely to rest, as gold’s role, price direction and days are only just beginning.

In a world of geopolitical tensions, can-kicking monetary fantasies, falling bombs, rising debt, discredited leadership, impotent summits, weaponized trade and a comically discredited media narrative, it’s hard to find a lighthouse in such fog.

Even with the world closest to the brink of nuclear war since the Cuban missile crisis, the markets, forever certain that a life-boat of mega liquidity is just one crisis away, churned Titanically forward with no ice berg fears.

VON GREYERZ advisor, Ronnie Stoeferle, sarcastically described the recent S&P, NASDAQ and NIVIDIA behavior as being almost like that of a Zen monk.

But there’s nothing “Zen” about these markets, times, currencies or financial systems. And there’s certainly nothing “Zen” about the once-sacred 10Y UST…

How do we know this? How have we always known this?

In short, what has been our lighthouse?

The answer is as simple as it timeless, indestructible, and honest: Gold. READ MORE

Records of 166,953 Americans Now at Risk – Health Care Firm Says Attacker May Have Exposed Names, Addresses, Social Security Numbers and More -The Daily Hodl

It seems as though nobody's personal data is safe these days. Private data is constantly exposed and now scammers are posing as bank employees in order to steal from Americans. A reminder to keep your wits about you and to monitor your credit and financial statements regularly.

by Mehron Rokhy

A Kentucky-based health care firm says a major cybersecurity incident may have exposed the personal information of more than a hundred thousand Americans.

The latest records from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show that Central Kentucky Radiology (CKR) suffered a hacking/IT incident affecting 166,953 Americans.

In a notice, CKR says that an unknown attacker breached the firm’s systems, stealing patient data that may include names, Social Security numbers, addresses, dates of birth, dates of medical service and medical services charges.

“On October 18, 2024, CKR became aware of a network disruption in its environment. CKR immediately took steps to secure our systems and launched an investigation into the nature and scope of the event. The investigation determined that from October 16 to October 18, 2024, an unauthorized actor accessed and copied files from certain systems in its environment.

In response, CKR conducted a detailed review of the potentially impacted files to understand their content and to whom they relate. On May 7, 2025, CKR completed this review and determined that information related to you was contained in the potentially impacted files.” READ MORE

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7.1.25 - Bank Suddenly Shut Down by US Regulators

Gold last traded at $3,339 an ounce. Silver at $36.04 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We now have the second bank failure of 2025, this one due to suspected fraud by the lender. Regulators have stepped in to sort out the details, as some depositors wait to see whether or not they will receive protection from the FDIC.

Bank Suddenly Shut Down by US Regulators in Second Bank Failure of 2025 -The Daily Hodl

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) just announced the second bank failure of 2025.

Regulators say The Santa Anna National Bank has been shut down – and foul play at the small Texas lender is suspected.

The FDIC has not disclosed the nature of the suspected fraud, and the agency is not sure whether customers with uninsured deposits will be reimbursed.

“Once further information is available, the FDIC will consider whether to provide uninsured depositors an advance dividend (i.e. access to a portion of their uninsured funds) and will provide more information at that time…

Suspected fraud contributed to the failure of the bank and estimated cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF).”

The bank has reported $53.8 million in total deposits, and the FDIC says about $2.8 million of those deposits exceed its insurance limits at time of publishing.

The first bank failure of 2025 happened in January, when regulators shuttered Pulaski Savings Bank in Chicago, Illinois.

The FDIC Office of Inspector General later said the lender collapsed because it had $20.7 million in deposit liabilities that were unaccounted for, which left the bank critically undercapitalized. READ MORE

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6.30.25 - Abbott Signs Gold & Silver Legal Tender Law

Gold last traded at $3,304 an ounce. Silver at $36.13 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: While this move may prove more symbolic than substantive, it's an important part of the discussion regarding the future of American currency. As the dollar further declines, businesses may be more apt to adopt tried and true alternatives.

Texas Governor Abbott Signs Gold & Silver Legal Tender Law -Watcher.Guru

by Loredana Harsana

Texas has made gold and silver legal tender through new legislation signed by Governor Greg Abbott on June 29, 2025. The groundbreaking law allows residents to use precious metals for everyday purchases, and it’s creating quite a buzz in financial circles right now. This makes Texas one of the few states where gold and silver transactions are officially recognized for daily commerce.

What’s particularly interesting is that the legislation has structured merchant participation as completely voluntary, which means we’ll likely see a patchwork of adoption spearheaded across different businesses and regions throughout Texas. Some businesses might embrace silver as legal tender in Texas through certain critical operational changes, while others may stick with traditional payment methods across numerous significant transaction areas.

The legislation has revolutionized Abbott‘s conservative fiscal policies and his long-standing support for integrating precious metals into various major financial frameworks. Right now, the law doesn’t impose any immediate funding requirements across several key implementation areas, and the specifics of how it will actually function in practice remain somewhat uncertain. READ MORE

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6.27.25 - Has the Dollar become 'Toxic'?

Gold last traded at $3,270 an ounce. Silver at $35.94 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Is the de-dollarization movement forever changing the global marketplace? A Russian economist is calling the dollar "toxic". Others have referred to it as politically weaponized. Now matter what one labels it, there is no denying the scramble for alternate currencies—for trade and for reserve assets—is fast making the dollar a relic in the worldwide economy.

De-Dollarization Accelerates As US Dollar Becomes 'Toxic', Expert Warns

by Loredana Harsana

The US dollar has become increasingly toxic in global markets, and this reality is forcing countries around the world to seriously rethink their financial strategies right now. One of the most prominent economists in Russia has said that the dollar is now weaponized to the extent that global countries are scurrying around to seek alternative options and that this is already transforming foreign exchange reserves and currency diversification policies as well as global trade patterns in a manner and extent never experienced in the past.

Sergey Glazyev, commissioner at the Eurasian Economic Union and a commissioner of integration and macroeconomics is not beating around the bush in voicing his opinion about how bad Western currencies are doing at the present time. His evaluation has led to main discussions and also one that is an eye opener to anyone following money power in the world.

The only IMF reserve currency that is finally not politically toxic is the yuan. Quite the contrary, mistrust is the main issue of Western currencies like the US dollar, the euro, the pound, and the yen.

These are the weapons of a political war, Glazyev told an interview at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies. Many economists have been quietly discussing this profiling of the US dollar as a poison – that the dollar myth of being a neutral global currency has been tarnished and that nations are starting to reward major strategic measures. READ MORE

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6.26.25 - Central banks turn to gold over the dollar

Gold last traded at $3,324 an ounce. Silver at $36.66 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article points out how, 'a year must feel like a decade' to the investing public, given the volatility in today's markets. I think that assessment is spot on. It also takes a good look at what central banks are doing, which is accumulating more gold.

Central banks turn to gold over the dollar -OMFIF.org

by Nikhil Sanghani

A year must feel like a decade for public investors. Last year, our annual Global Public Investor survey showed the dollar was the most in-demand currency for reserve managers. Having recouped earlier losses, many were also willing to add risk to their portfolios. Fast forward 12 months and the script has flipped. Now there are growing questions over the dollar’s dominance in portfolios and public investors are seeking safe-haven assets.

OMFIF’s Global Public Investor has tracked central bank reserve managers’ investment strategies since its inception in 2014. In the first edition of the report, we wrote that ‘diversification into different sectoral and geographical categories is increasing’ owing to ‘sub-optimal returns from traditional currencies and instruments’ in a low interest rate environment.

For central banks, particularly those with growing reserves, there was appetite to move into higher-yielding currencies and riskier asset classes such as corporate bonds or equities. ‘Some official managers have reduced gold holdings to generate more balanced portfolios,’ we noted, adding that others were increasing gold weightings for the same reason.

Over a decade later, this year’s GPI report, based on a survey of 75 central banks, shows the appetite for diversification continues. But for very different reasons. The foundations of the global economic order, underpinned by globalisation and the dollar, are shaking.

Protectionism, geopolitical tensions and volatile policy-making are becoming norms. In this environment, close to 60% of surveyed central banks are seeking to diversify their portfolios within the next two years (Figure 1). This is primarily for risk management and resilience purposes, beyond bolstering returns.

Conducted from March to May this year, the survey revealed that 96% of reserve managers view US tariffs as a major geopolitical concern. This is not a temporary consideration: over 80% of reserve managers have geopolitics in their top three factors shaping longer-term investment decisions, ahead of inflation, real interest rates and technological change. READ MORE

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6.25.25 - Why Gold Makes Sense for Long-Term Investors

Gold last traded at $3,333 an ounce. Silver at $36.25 an ounce.

Currency News: Chinese Yuan Emerges as Top Threat to US Dollar Power -Watcher.Guru

The dollar is being dethroned; in large part due to the de-dollarization efforts spearheaded by the BRICS alliance. If the dollar is usurped, which currency will claim the throne? Currently at the top of the list, is the Chinese Yuan.

by Juhi Mirza

As the world rapidly embraces new financial orders and development packaged in the guise of a multipolar currency system, the US dollar is now standing in a questionable position. The dollar has weakened significantly, shedding nearly 10% of its value in the past year. That being said, a weak dollar is considered a vulnerable dollar and is now attracting credible foes that could derail its plan. The process of displacing the dollar has already begun, with the Chinese Yuan standing at the forefront of this very change. Can the yuan truly help accelerate the dollar’s decay? Let’s find out.

As the US dollar weakens due to an array of external forces, including Trump’s tariff stance and rising geopolitical tensions, China is leaving no stone unturned to capitalize on the aforementioned development. China is now using all its strength to bolster the internationalization of the Chinese Yuan by attracting more foreign investor attention towards its currency.

Pan Gongsheng, the governor of the People’s Bank of China, recently shared his opinion on promoting a multipolar currency order. Gongsheng was clear about his intent, adding how the world should move away from the dollar or the idea of relying on a singular currency for the long term. READ MORE

Why Gold Makes Sense for Long-Term Investors -Investing Haven

Gold's stability has shone for millennia. Its recent gains have proven, yet again, why it always has a place in every investor's portfolio. If you're wondering why its upward trajectory may continue, here are some reasons.

Gold remains a reliable long-term asset, offering inflation protection, diversification, and resilience amid global debt and market uncertainty. Analysts expect prices to rise further, with opportunities even during potential pullbacks.

In 2025, gold has once again proven its staying power as a trusted store of value. With prices surging nearly 30% year-to-date to hover around $3,400 per ounce, investors are paying close attention.

While gold often grabs headlines during crises, its true value lies in how it supports a long-term investment strategy—offering diversification, inflation protection, and a shield against systemic risks.

Here are some reasons why Gold is perfect for long-term investments. READ MORE

A Massive US Bank Is Now Freezing Money and Closing Accounts Per Reports -FrankNez.com

Banks are at it again ... freezing and closing accounts inexplicably. It had quieted down over the last several months, but seems to be making a comeback.

In recent years, a troubling trend has emerged among major U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase, where customer accounts are abruptly closed without clear explanation, leaving individuals and businesses scrambling to regain access to their funds.

One high-profile case, reported by The U.S. Sun, detailed the ordeal of Brian Adesman, a 32-year-old California attorney whose personal, business, and client trust accounts were shuttered by Chase, resulting in the loss of over $185,000 and severe personal and financial consequences.

Brian Adesman, a former Chase customer of over a decade, filed a lawsuit in California alleging that Chase Bank closed his accounts in early 2024 without notice or explanation, withholding $185,649 from his business account and funds from his personal and client trust accounts.

According to court documents, Adesman was promised a cashier’s check for his business account funds within 10 business days, but the check never arrived.

The closure led to a cascade of financial difficulties, including a collapsed credit score, canceled wedding plans, and forced relocation to a caravan. READ MORE

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6.24.25 - BofA sees $4,000 gold price on US debt concerns

Gold last traded at $3,322 an ounce. Silver at $35.94 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Many people are of the belief that global unrest is what caused gold prices to skyrocket. In reality, there's a bigger threat than war to our economy; our debt! That debt is aggressively moving toward an uncontrollable level, and that's what is creating the launching pad for record gold prices.

BofA sees $4,000 gold price on US debt concerns, not war -Mining.com

Analysts at Bank of America (BofA) see gold prices reaching $4,000 an ounce — an 18% jump above current levels — within the next year due to a ballooning US fiscal debt.

Gold — traditionally viewed as a safe haven during times of uncertainty — has risen by nearly 30% this year, driven by high global trade tensions and rising geopolitical risks.

In April, the yellow metal soared to an all-time high of $3,500 as an unprecedented tariff war ignited by the US rocked the global markets. A dragged-out US-Ukraine deal also did little to assuage investor concerns.

Contrary to popular opinion, another potential rally to $4,000 may have less to do with these factors, but more to do with US debt, BofA analysts say.

In a note published Friday, the analysts explained that wars and geopolitical conflicts typically “aren’t long-term growth drivers” for gold prices, pointing to the 2% dip in the metal’s prices since Israel began its airstrikes on Iran a week ago.

According to the bank’s analysts, the Israel-Iran conflict has drawn attention away from US President Donald Trump’s sprawling tax-and-spending bill that’s making its way through Congress. If passed, the bill is expected to add trillions of dollars in deficits in the coming years, raising concerns about the sustainability of US debts and the future status of the dollar.

“While the war between Israel and Iran can always escalate, conflicts are not usually a sustained bullish price driver,” they wrote. “As such, the trajectory of the US budget negotiations will be critical, and if fiscal shortfalls don’t decline, the fallout from that plus market volatility may end up attracting more buyers.” READ MORE

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6.23.25 - Survey Shows Global Faith in US Dollar Is Crumbling

Gold last traded at $3,369 an ounce. Silver at $36.15 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: According to a recent Bloomberg survey, global confidence in the US dollar is plummeting. It is doing so at the rate of just under 10 percent per year - in terms of lost value - which would give it about a 30 year lifespan before it hits zero. As this author cites, the chances of it only declining a mere 10 percent per year is implausible, given current circumstances.

Survey Shows Global Faith in US Dollar Is Crumbling -Watcher.Guru

by Juhi Mirza

A new survey shows how the world is now becoming increasingly disconnected from the US dollar. A Bloomberg survey has revealed staggering USD details, adding how the trend of de-dollarization is spreading like wildfire, putting the American currency in grave jeopardy. In response to this, the survey reveals how the world continues to think that the US dollar is bound to fall amid heightened scrutiny and speculation, the Bloomberg Pulse survey reveals.

According to Bloomberg’s pulse survey data, a “little more than half of 251” respondents think that the USD may continue to reign supreme. However, the remaining respondents have revealed how the current geopolitical uncertainty is pushing them to believe that the US dollar is undergoing a downward spiral. The latest survey further stated that half of the respondents are of the view that the USD may continue to fall in the future, plummeting to new lows amid tightened market policies and pressure.

“While we expect further dollar weakness, investors now perceive more two-way risks. Some argue the depreciation may be overdone, especially given resilient US asset returns.” Goldman Sachs Group Inc. strategists, including Christian Mueller-Glissmann and Michael Cahill, wrote in a note to clients.

In addition to this, Invesco Ltd. Senior Portfolio Manager Kristina stated how a weak dollar is currently a development that the world has to deal with.

“A weaker dollar is here to stay.” Kristina later shared. READ MORE

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6.20.25 - Central banks see further gold accumulation

Gold last traded at $3,367 an ounce. Silver at $36.00 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Not only are Central Banks continuing to buy gold, many of them plan to increase their holdings above their currently set percentages. This move is an attempt to hedge against the swirl of economic factors they believe will negatively impact the global economy.

Central banks see further gold accumulation, de-dollarization: WGC survey -Mining.com

Central banks around the world continue to hold favourable expectations for gold, with most looking to add to their reserves over the coming months and even years, an annual survey by the World Gold Council (WGC) showed.

Central banks have been aggressively buying gold, accumulating over 1,000 tonnes in each of the past three years versus an average of 400-500 tonnes in the preceding decade.

These purchases coincided with a blistering gold rally during that period, which saw prices nearly doubling from around $1,800/oz. to the current $3,400 level. This year alone, gold has gained more than 26% and set multiple records, including a new high of $3,500 in mid-April.

Driving the acceleration in central bank purchases and soaring gold prices was an unstable geopolitical landscape — beginning with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — that clouded the overall economic outlook.

The new WGC survey sheds light on central banks' decision-making process during turbulent times. READ MORE

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6.19.25 - Foreign central banks are shrinking US asset exposure

Gold last traded at $3,370 an ounce. Silver at $36.40 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have read this newsletter for some time now, you know central banks have been gobbling up gold in recent years. Now, some of these same banks are also actively backing away from US (read: dollar-denominated) assets; this is an anomaly considering there is typically a demand for treasury holdings when the dollar is faltering. This points to an "official sector diversification away from dollar holdings" for many central banks. Very bad news for the buck.

Foreign central banks are shrinking US asset exposure -Reuters

by Jamie McGeever

As debate rages around 'de-dollarization' and the world's appetite for dollar-denominated assets, one major cohort of overseas investors appears to be quietly backing away from U.S. securities: central banks.

That's the conclusion to be drawn from the New York Fed's latest 'custody' data, which shows a steady decline in the value of Treasuries and other U.S. securities held on behalf of foreign central banks.

There are many ways to gauge foreign demand for U.S. assets, and they often send conflicting signals. Moreover, the broadest and most accurate measures, like U.S. Treasury International Capital (TIC) or the International Monetary Fund's 'Cofer' FX reserves data, come with a long lag of two months or more.

The New York Fed custody holdings figures are weekly, which is as 'real time' as it gets in the world of central bank flows.

These figures last week showed that the value of U.S. Treasuries held at the New York Fed on behalf of foreign central banks fell to $2.88 trillion. That's the lowest since January, and the $17.1 billion decline was also the biggest fall since January.

It's not easy to get a firm handle on the exact composition of central banks' dollar-denominated assets, which are worth trillions and are spread across multiple sectors, jurisdictions and continents. This is why different cuts of central bank data can tell different stories. READ MORE

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6.18.25 - China Grants 53 Countries Tariff-Free BRICS Market Access

Gold last traded at $3,371 an ounce. Silver at $36.75 an ounce.

$3,000,000,000,000 Bank Says It’s Being Attacked ‘All the Time’ by Hackers, With Cybersecurity Now Lender’s Biggest Expense -The Daily Hodl

You may have heard the expression 'crime pays'. In this article you will see that crime actually costs. The cost, in this case, is what banks must spend to fend off cyber-criminals. Yet another example of the vulnerabilities ever present in our financial system.

by Conor Devitt

The British banking giant HSBC is being attacked “all the time” by cybercriminals, according to the firm’s chief executive.

The $3 trillion bank’s CEO Ian Stuart spoke to United Kingdom lawmakers last month about the threat, according to a new report in The Guardian.

“The amount of money [that] banks, all of us, will be spending on our systems is enormous today. And it has to be. We are being attacked all the time.”

Stuart reportedly said cybersecurity is now HSBC’s biggest expense, with the bank spending hundreds of millions of pounds to prevent hacks.

EY reports that banks are expecting to use 11% of their IT budgets on cybersecurity this year, according to the Guardian.

It’s not just a UK problem: A 2024 study from consumer insights and analytics firm J.D. Power indicated 29% of US bank customers and 22% of credit card users – at banks like Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs – experienced fraudulent activity on their accounts in the past 12 months. READ MORE

China Grants 53 Countries Tariff-Free BRICS Market Access -Watcher.Guru

China is getting more and more accommodating to nations interested in tariff-free BRICS market access. These efforts have been providing greater strength for various currencies throughout the world, all the while continuing to chip away at the US dollar.

by Vinod Dsouza

BRICS member China is negotiating a new economic deal with 53 African countries that will eliminate all tariffs and give special market access. The latest development could significantly benefit all the least developed countries (LDCs) in Africa and boost their respective economies. “China is ready to welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market”, said the Foreign Ministry.

The duty-free market access to BRICS member China could make African countries rewrite policies that benefit the two nations. The Xi Jinping administration is leveraging the dissatisfaction with Trump’s policies and is pulling emerging economies into its fold. The new Pew Research Center report shows that 66% of countries have no confidence in Trump’s global policies. Only 24 countries show confidence in Trump and trust him to “do the right thing in world affairs.”

China knows that a handful of countries from Africa are part of the BRICS bloc including ‘partner countries’. South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, and to an extent Egypt are all a part of the same region. “It enables middle-income countries like Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco to be able to now enter the Chinese market duty-free,” said Hannah Ryder, founder of Africa-focused consultancy Development Reimagined to Reuters. READ MORE

Goldman Sachs Says US Experiencing Disinflation if Not for Tariffs, Predicts Federal Reserve Cutting Rates Later This Year – Here’s When -The Daily Hodl

It's been a few weeks since the buzz surrounding inflation and interest rates, but rest assured the situation is still a hot topic in need of addressing. Goldman Sachs has come out with what they are expecting to see later this year; they may just be right.

Goldman Sachs vice chairman Robert Kaplan thinks the US economy would be in a deflationary situation right now if not for President Donald Trump’s wave of tariffs.

Kaplan, the former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, tells CNBC in a new interview that recent inflation numbers suggest the possibility of rate cuts later this year.

We’re in a disinflating world, and I think if it weren’t for these prospective tariffs that will flow through and are flowing through, I think the Fed would be on their front foot to be looking to cut rates now.”

Inflation rose by 2.4% in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was slightly less than the 2.5% increase predicted by economists.

Kaplan notes that the Fed will watch to see where the tariffs are set in the next several weeks and how they flow through the economy.

“I think if I were at the Fed, it would encourage me that, after we get over the horizon, maybe the tariff impact could be more muted than I fear.” READ MORE

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6.17.25 - Time for Major Leg Up in Silver Prices

Gold last traded at $3,384 an ounce. Silver at $37.13 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The price of silver is getting ready to take off; this according to a veteran cryptocurrency trader and analyst. It's not at all surprising to hear this from him, as it is a forecast echoed by many over the last several months. He believes a 20% jump up in price could be right around the corner.

Time for Major Leg Up in Silver Prices, According to Veteran Trader – Here’s His Price Targets

A widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader says silver is about to have a massive breakout.

The analyst pseudonymously known as Bluntz tells his 320,800 followers on the social media platform X that silver may start to outshine gold, which has been hitting new all-time highs.

“Silver gearing up for the next major leg up in my opinion, gold probs about to take a backseat for a bit as gold-to-silver ratio starting diverge heavily again on low timeframes.”

Bluntz practices Elliott Wave theory, which states that a bullish asset tends to go through a five-wave move up before an ABC correction. Based on the trader’s chart, he appears to suggest that silver is in the process of its third-wave surge. He predicts silver may reach the $40 level, then have a slight correction before soaring to around $43.

Bluntz also says other indications of a silver breakout include the possible formation of a bullish inverse head-and-shoulders (IHS) pattern against the S&P 500 (XAG/SPX) on the monthly chart.

Four months later and now silver is also on the cusp of the same massive breakout against equities. Four year IHS breakout brewing with volume increasing substantially in the breakout. Multiple extremely high timeframe bull divergence. Decade-long downtrend broken.” READ MORE

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6.16.25 - New Currency Steals the US Dollar's 'Crown'

Gold last traded at $3,388 an ounce. Silver at $36.32 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Another currency is taking a bite out of the US dollar. This time it's a couple of "crowns". Scandinavian currencies have been on the rise, as the dollar continues its downward spiral; with no slowdown in sight.

New Currency Steals the US Dollar’s ‘Crown’ in 2025

by Vinod Dsouza

In the latest development, Scandinavian crown currencies have emerged as star performers, outperforming the US dollar by 16.74% in 2025. The Swedish crown is up 15%, delivering its best-ever performance against the USD in over 50 years. Norway’s crown is also up 13% against the greenback, its highest since 2008.

Not just the US dollar, the Swedish crown is up 4.5% against the euro and Norway’s crown surged 2% against the euro. Both the US dollar and the euro are losing their ‘crown’ to the Scandinavian currencies this year. Institutional funds are mostly moving abroad as clients perceive the US markets as volatile due to recent policy changes.

The crown (krona) is an English translation of the Scandinavian currencies used in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. It is also used in the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, and the Czech Republic. Sweden is expected to cut interest rates this month and the move could bolster the crown further vs the US dollar.

The US dollar has slipped to its lowest in three years as the DXY index touched the 97 to 98 range. Leading local currencies are strengthening in the charts as the USD is slipping in the currency markets. The USD is no longer considered a safe haven as the interest has turned solidly into gold. READ MORE

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6.13.25 - Why Gold and S&P 500 Are Rallying in Tandem

Gold last traded at $3,429 an ounce. Silver at $36.23 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: While the parallel climb of gold and stocks is rare, it speaks to mindset of the average investor in 2025, "chasing growth while guarding against geopolitical tensions, inflation, fiscal imbalances, and dollar weakness." Read on to see what's next for both markets.

The Unusual Bull: Why Gold and the S&P 500 Are Rallying in Tandem -Investing Haven

Gold and the S&P 500 are rallying together. This reflects investor optimism tempered by macro uncertainty and central bank support.

Mid-2025 has witnessed a rare market phenomenon: gold, typically a defensive asset, and the S&P 500, a growth barometer, both pushing toward record highs. This unusual co-movement reflects a deeply balanced market where investor optimism is matched by underlying caution.

Equities have surged on the back of solid economic data and big-tech optimism. The S&P 500 is hovering around 6,020, less than 2.3% below its all-time high of 6,144.15, supported by strong jobs numbers and improved U.S.–China trade sentiment.

Concurrently, gold has soared nearly 27% year-to-date, trading just 2.1% shy of its April record. Investors are “eating salad and dessert at the same time” — chasing growth while guarding against geopolitical tensions, inflation, fiscal imbalances, and dollar weakness.

Institutional flows are reinforcing this dual rally. Central banks are on track to buy around 1,000 metric tons of gold this year—marking a fourth consecutive year of heavy accumulation, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, gold ETFs, despite holdings still trailing post-2020 levels, have seen renewed inflows, reinforcing a new price floor above $3,000/oz.

Technically, gold recently broke resistance in the $3,300–3,350 range, sitting well above its 200-day moving average, while the S&P’s RSI suggests elevated momentum. Historically, such elevated indicators often signal short-term consolidation risks—especially when growth and risk aversion coexist.

A base-case scenario sees both markets coexisting: equities could crest at 6,500, while gold holds between $3,100–$3,500. Upside surprises—like renewed fiscal stress or inflation—could push gold toward $3,700–$4,000, whereas a hawkish Fed could reverse the correlation, sending equities lower even as gold remains a safety anchor. READ MORE

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6.12.25 - Gold Gains on Middle East Tensions, Trump Tariffs

Gold last traded at $3,386 an ounce. Silver at $36.28 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Gold continues to capture the attention of investors, as global tensions persist. These tensions are proving to be very beneficial to gold owners, especially given this uncertainty is expected to remain in the markets for some time to come.

Gold Gains as Traders Weigh Middle East Tensions, Trump Tariffs -Yahoo! Finance

by Yvonne Yue Li and Jack Ryan

(Bloomberg) -- Gold rose after another soft inflation report bolstered bets that the Federal Reserve may need to cut interest rates later this year.

US producer price inflation remained muted in May across the board, another sign that tariffs have yet to result in higher prices for consumers and businesses. Meanwhile, a jobs report showed recurring applications for US unemployment benefits rose to the highest since the end of 2021, adding to evidence that it is taking unemployed Americans longer to find a new job.

Treasury yields and the dollar pushed lower after the prints, lifting bullion by as much as 1.1% before paring some of the gains. Traders boosted their bets on rate cuts by the US central bank later this year. Gold typically benefits in a lower-rate environment.

Gold earlier was supported by haven demand following a CBS report that Israel was ready to launch an operation aimed at Iran, prompting the US to move some embassy staff out of Iraq and allowing military families to leave the region. READ MORE

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6.10.25 - Wells Fargo employee steals close to $1M

Gold last traded at $3,322 an ounce. Silver at $36.57 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We have covered hundreds of banking stories over the years, and we are often amazed at the many ways banks lack oversight in the simplest terms. How was a bank employee, who was responsible for filling the ATMs, skimming cash off the top for almost two years without anyone noticing?

$947,000 Allegedly Stolen From Wells Fargo ATM Machines As Employee Scrambles To Cover Trading Losses: Report -The Daily Hodl

A former Wells Fargo employee in California is reportedly facing charges over allegations he stole $947,000 from the bank’s ATM machines during a span of nearly two years.

In a new report in the San Francisco Chronicle, Tamim Ghulam Haidar, the former Wells Fargo Union City branch operations associate manager, is accused of putting less money into the bank’s ATMs than he reported and pocketing the difference for his own use.

Haidar allegedly deposited the ill-gotten gains he is accused of “knowingly and intentionally” embezzling into his own bank accounts or those he controlled and used the funds to cover losses that “he incurred while trading in the foreign currency markets,” according to legal documents filed in the U.S. District Court Northern District of California.

Haidar allegedly committed the crimes from February 2021 to October 2022.

Prosecutors accuse Haidar of sometimes using other bank employees’ credentials to deposit cash in the ATM to “conceal the fact he was inputting false and inflated dollar amounts.” READ MORE

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6.9.25 - The Truth About Fort Knox

Gold last traded at $3,325 an ounce. Silver at $36.75 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It looks like the presidential field trip to Fort Knox has been cancelled. But why? The biggest reason may be that most of the gold is potentially leased. How does that impact the reserves and the large investment banks with huge positions in gold? Read on to find out, but as Mr. Rickards concludes, "for the rest of us, the solution to this problem is simple – buy gold."

The Truth About Fort Knox and Gold Leasing -Daily Reckoning

by James Rickards

Whatever happened to the Donald Trump and Elon Musk visit to Fort Knox?

You’ll recall the buzz from earlier this year. Trump and Musk loudly announced they were going to visit the U.S. bullion depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky to make sure the U.S. gold was actually there. The press was invited to tag along. Musk claimed that his DOGE team was ready to “audit” the gold bars to see that there were none missing. I had my own views on the announcement (described below) but I certainly agreed this would be the mother of all photo ops.

For the record, the U.S. Treasury holds 8,133.5 metric tonnes of gold in the U.S. reserve position. Slightly less than half of this gold is stored in Fort Knox. The remainder is mostly stored in a secure vault at West Point, New York. The exact location of that vault is classified although I happen to know where it is. A small amount is held at the Denver Mint for coinage purposes. Legally the U.S. Treasury owns the gold reserve, but I point out that the U.S. Army actually controls it since almost all of the gold is stored on two Army bases – Fort Knox and West Point.

None of this nuance about storage and location deterred Trump and Musk. In the popular imagination, all of the gold is in Fort Knox. That’s where they were headed to prove once and for all that the gold was actually there. Elon Musk planned to livestream the entire visit using his Starlink satellite system. Trump vaguely threatened that if any gold were missing, there would be disastrous consequences for any wrongdoers who removed it. The plot was set. The drama seemed irresistible. READ MORE

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6.6.25 - Silver jumps to highest level in 13 years

Gold last traded at $3,319 an ounce. Silver at $36.00 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As predicted, silver is making some major moves. With the asset now up over 20% year to date, will it follow the same trajectory as gold? Demand is high enough to see it shine just as brightly.

Silver jumps to highest level in 13 years, following gold’s 2025 rally -CNBC

by Jesse Pound

The price of silver moved sharply higher Thursday morning and hit its highest level in more than a decade.

Silver futures rose as high as $36.27 per troy ounce on Thursday, notching the highest price for the metal since early 2012. Silver futures were last up more than 3% on the day at $35.81 per troy ounce.

Silver has been a high-performing asset in 2025 and is now up more than 20% year to date. That is still lagging the move in gold, however, which has jumped about 28%. The price of gold was down slightly on Thursday, meaning silver’s rally closed some of the gap between the two.

Silver has industrial uses, including in solar panels, and is also seen by some investors as a defensive precious metal, similar to gold. A recent survey from the Silver Institute estimated that the supply of silver was about 15% lower than demand in 2024 and projected another deficit in 2025. READ MORE

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6.5.25 - Could Gold Hit $4,000?

Gold last traded at $3,354 an ounce. Silver at $35.67 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As price predictions for gold keep rising, UBS is also warning its clients to limit their dollar exposure and has suggested a basket of other investments, including precious metals. Will the dollar weaken enough to see $4000/oz. gold?

Gold Could Hit $4,000 as U.S. Dollar Weakens, Experts Warn -Watcher Guru

by Vladimir Popescu

Gold price forecast models are pointing toward $4,000 per ounce as the U.S. dollar continues its decline, according to leading market strategists. This gold price prediction reflects mounting concerns over US dollar weakness, accelerating dedollarisation trends, and sustained central bank gold demand driving precious metal prices to historic levels.

The gold price forecast from State Street Global Advisors suggests unprecedented gains ahead, with bullion already reaching record $3,500 per ounce in late April. Current spot prices hover around $3,370 per ounce as investors pile into the precious metal amid trade uncertainty.

State Street Global Advisors gold strategy head Aakash Doshi had this to say:

“The early days of the Trump administration have corresponded with heightened US economic uncertainty, consumer anxiety, and a weaker US dollar, buttressing investor demand for gold as a tail risk and geoeconomic hedge.” READ MORE

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6.4.25 - Is De-Dollarization Winning?

Gold last traded at $3,374 an ounce. Silver at $34.53 an ounce.

Gold Soars When Sh*t Hits the Fan - Daily Reckoning

Forgive the title, but there's probably no better way of putting it. Historically, gold has performed best when things get bad. The unfortunate part is, there's probably a whole lot of it about to hit that fan.

by Adam Sharp

After a disturbing weekend where the world flirted with WW3, gold and silver flew higher on Monday.

Silver stood out, popping nearly 5%, with the largest silver miner ETF (SIL) rising more than 6%. Spot gold rose mildly, but gold miners jumped by about 5%.

This is the strange part of being a gold/silver bug. Bad news can be great for your portfolio.

It’s important to maintain the right state of mind. We do not root for bad events to happen, we prepare for them.

In this case, gold and silver are soaring due to a combination of factors: READ MORE

US Dollar Is Down 8.9% In A Year: Is De-Dollarization Winning?- Watcher.Guru

In a word, yes; at least in my opinion. And it doesn't appear I am alone in this sentiment.

by Juhi Mirza

The US dollar is suffering gravely at the moment, hitting its lowest in terms of its valuation and worth. The currency evolution has hit USD hard, with Trump’s fierce tariff policies adding more to the rising de-dollarization narratives. That being said, the US dollar is now losing its prestige gradually, shedding value, and at the same time, documenting a pivot of investors and countries dumping the US dollar for other alternatives. If this development continues, will the US dollar be able to survive it all and live to tell the tale?

Per a recent post by Koyfin Charts, the US dollar is currently down 8.9% in a year, which is a depressing development to document at the moment. The currency has lately been hit from all sides, battered by Trump’s tariffs that have partially revived the de-dollarization agenda. Trump’s tariff policies have lately been trying to revamp the US economy. While Trump’s sole intent has been dedicated towards bolstering the US economy via tariffs, these tariffs have taken another direction, sparking the ominous trade war fears in hindsight.

The American currency’s low price explorations have led several analysts to come up with their own predictions. A notable analyst, Otavio Costa, shared how the USD’s spiralling performance is poised to decay further in the future. READ MORE

Comparative Analysis: Gold vs. Silver Investment Opportunities in Mid-2025 -Investing Haven

This is an interesting read as it looks at the benefits of investing in gold compared to the benefits of investing in silver. Spoiler alert: there are strong and equal arguments to be made for both.

Gold prices have surged past $3,300 per ounce while silver remains undervalued with analysts predicting a rise to $50 per ounce by the end of 2025.

As we move into the second half of 2025, investors are closely watching the dynamics of gold and silver, two assets that have traditionally offered protection and growth during turbulent times.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, potential central bank rate cuts, and growing industrial demand, both metals present compelling but distinct opportunities.

This analysis explores gold and silver’s investment prospects by examining technical trends, underlying fundamentals, and forward-looking predictions.

Gold prices have surged past $3,300 per ounce, bolstered by geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and expectations of interest rate cuts by major central banks. READ MORE

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6.3.25 - Is the Silver Bull Market Coming?

Gold last traded at $3,353 an ounce. Silver at $34.57 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: All eyes are on silver for the next wave of explosive growth. Gold's counterpart has been quietly and steadily moving along, and now may very well be thrust into the investment limelight.

Is the Silver Bull Market Coming? Analysts Emphasize That $34 Is a Key Level! -SSM

Amid economic uncertainties and ongoing geopolitical turmoil, international prices of gold, silver, and crude oil surged during China's Dragon Boat Festival holiday. An analyst noted that gold prices still have significant room to rise, but now might be a more opportune time to focus on silver.

Michele Schneider, Chief Market Strategist at MarketGauge, stated that gold and silver prices have been consolidating, leading her to maintain a neutral stance on both. However, if silver prices firmly break above $34 per ounce, she will seek to buy, as reaching $40 is only a matter of time.

As of press time, the latest quote for London silver was $34.106 per ounce, down over 1.7% on the day but still up over 3.4% from Friday's close. Schneider emphasized the need for patience in the silver market, as there is still some resistance in the sector, but she hopes to see sustained buying following this breakout.

She stressed that when buyers are strong, it will signal the beginning of a more significant rally in silver.

Despite gold's strong performance this week, Schneider pointed out that the surge in the gold-silver ratio may indicate that silver is poised to shine. Currently, the gold-to-silver price ratio has fallen below the 50-day moving average, possibly signaling an anticipated rotation into silver. READ MORE

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6.2.25 - Fed Has No Way To Slow Down Debt Growth

Gold last traded at $3,381 an ounce. Silver at $34.75 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: 'Nothing stops this train' isn't a comforting sentiment regarding our national debt. With no tools left in its toolbox, it will be interesting to see how the Fed handles this mess. One thing is for certain, having a position in stable assets in no longer a luxury.

‘Nothing Stops This Train’ – Macro Guru Lyn Alden Warns Fed Has No Way To Slow Down Debt Growth in US Financial System -The Daily Hodl

by Henry Kanapi

Macro expert Lyn Alden is issuing a dire warning, saying that the Federal Reserve has effectively lost control of debt expansion in the United States.

Speaking at the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas, Alden explains how the Fed typically controls credit growth in the US financial system.

According to the macro guru, the Fed jacks up interest rates to slow down credit growth and inflation – a strategy which she notes has been effective for many decades.

But Alden warns that the US has reached a turning point where the national debt is now so massive that raising interest rates, meant to curb credit expansion, ultimately pushes the government to borrow more, causing public debt to balloon even faster than private debt can shrink.

“The problem is that many decades ago, when federal debt was low and most of the money creation was coming from the private sector, whenever they raised interest rates, they would slow credit growth. They would slow the private sector faster than they would blow out fiscal deficits.

The problem now is that the [US debt] is 100% of GDP, which only happened in recent years. When they raise interest rates, they ironically increase the deficit at a faster pace than they slow down private sector credit growth.

Basically, what that means is they don’t have brakes anymore. Nothing stops this train because there’s no brakes attached to it anymore.” READ MORE

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5.30.25 - Demand for US Dollar Drops in Global Copper Trade

Gold last traded at $3,292 an ounce. Silver at $33.00 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The US dollar is not only suffering due to the de-dollarization efforts of BRICS, it is also being replaced out of preference for industry-specific items. The real problem is not simply anti-dollar sentiment, it is that the other options are also superior.

Demand for US Dollar Drops in Global Copper Trade -Watcher Guru

by Loredana Harsana

Right now, copper trading markets have fundamentally transformed as China and Russia spearheaded various major shifts away from traditional US dollar settlements. These nations have accelerated their adoption of yuan settlements across several key commodity transactions, revolutionizing how this critical industrial metal gets traded worldwide. Through numerous significant de-dollarization initiatives, copper yuan trade has emerged as a strategic battleground, and it’s reshaping multiple essential aspects of international commodity markets.

China-Russia trade has reached an unprecedented $244.8 billion in 2024, and here’s what makes this transformation remarkable. It seems that various major transactions totaling 95% are now being settled in yuan or rubles rather than dollars. Western sanctions following Russia’s invasion accelerated this shift, forcing both nations to architect alternative payment systems across several key commodity sectors including copper.

The currency transformation has leveraged multiple strategic advantages. Yuan settlements in Russia’s international trade jumped dramatically from less than 2% before 2022 to over 30% by early 2023, according to Central Bank data. Russia has now pioneered numerous significant yuan adoption initiatives and it turned into the largest user outside China and surpassing even Hong Kong in settlement volumes. READ MORE

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5.29.25 - Why is Gold Rising Despite High Treasury Yields?

Gold last traded at $3,287 an ounce. Silver at $32.97 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Despite the chaos roiling financial markets, gold continues to shine brightly. When uncertainty abounds, the yellow metal's stability attracts everyone looking for a safe haven. Right now, the only harbor in this tempest is gold.

Why is Gold Rising Despite High Treasury Yields? -Investing Haven

Gold prices continue to climb even as Treasury yields rise, driven by fiscal concerns, central bank demand, and shifting monetary policy expectations.

Gold prices typically fall when Treasury yields rise. After all, rising yields increase the appeal of interest-bearing assets, making gold, which pays no yield, relatively less attractive. But in May 2025, gold has defied that logic.

Spot gold prices surged to $3,336.43 per ounce on May 21, up 0.7% in spot transactions, marking the highest level since May 9. U.S. gold futures also rose 0.7% to $3,337.60.

This marks four consecutive days of gains, part of a 4% rise this week and more than 25% since the beginning of the year.

A major driver behind this divergence is growing investor unease over U.S. fiscal policy. The Treasury’s recent $16 billion 20-year bond auction saw weak demand, triggering a broader sell-off in bonds and pushing the yield on 30-year Treasurys to 5.1%.

Yields on 20- and 30-year notes were last seen at 5.136% and 5.128%, respectively. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.593%.

These surging borrowing costs, following Moody’s downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and ahead of the passage of a major tax-and-spending bill likely to add trillions to the national debt (now at $36.2 trillion), have prompted some investors to rethink Treasurys as a safe-haven asset.

In this environment, gold has gained favor as a hedge against fiscal instability and geopolitical tension. READ MORE

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5.28.25 - Police Warn Against New Bank Fraud Scheme

Gold last traded at $3,287 an ounce. Silver at $32.97 an ounce.

De-Dollarization: 9 Global Alliances Abandon US Dollar -Watcher Guru

The list of nations opting out of the US dollar continues to grow. These countries are looking for a more stable alternative and to bolster their own currency.

by Loredana Harsana

Global alliances pushing de-dollarization are accelerating their departure from American monetary hegemony, and at the time of writing, nine major economic blocs are actively reducing their reliance on the greenback. This unprecedented shift represents the most serious challenge to US financial dominance since World War II. Major partnerships pursuing BRICS de-dollarization initiatives, combined with currency blocs emerging across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, signal a fundamental restructuring using US dollar alternatives and local currency settlements.

Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE, now part of the broader BRICS+ group, have joined in taking action against the influence of the dollar. Here, Iran’s central bank governor, Mohammad Reza Farzin said:

“We (BRICS members Iran and Russia) have entered into a currency agreement with Russia and fully removed the US dollar. Now we only trade in rubles and rials.”

Almost half of all global transactions now take place in yuan, reflecting the choice to use US dollar substitutes. READ MORE

'Your Bank Account Is Under Attack' – Police Warn Against New Bank Fraud Scheme Targeting Seniors by Stealing Cards and Draining Accounts -The Daily Hodl

Bank fraud has become so prevalent that the police are now at the forefront of warning people to be cautious; but isn't that the banks' job?

A new bank fraud scam has been targeting senior citizens on Long Island.

At a press conference last week, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine warned that a ring of con artists has been calling seniors and impersonating their banks.

The fraudsters tell the seniors, “Your bank account is under attack,” and their credit and debit cards don’t work anymore. The con artists then offer to pick the cards up from the victims and deceptively convince them to disclose their PINs, Romaine explained.

“And guess what? Then they go to the ATM machine and steal their money. And this happened to a number of seniors.”

The Suffolk County Police Department encourages people not to answer unknown calls.

“Scammers can spoof a number to make it look like a legitimate company is calling. If they start asking for money or making demands, hang up and call the company directly. READ MORE

$65,000,000,000 Pension Fund Issues Warning to US Money Managers, Says Industry Abandoning 'Basic Principles of Stewardship': Report -The Daily Hodl

Pension funds are supposed to be safe, with steady growth and a stable future. Apparently those days may be behind us as pension fund managers have become a little more aggressive, and even reckless in some cases.

The $65 billion Dutch pension fund PME is reportedly warning US money managers not to abandon their “basic principles of stewardship” during the Trump era.

According to a new Bloomberg report, PME says US money managers are allegedly risking significant business by “caving into pressures” from President Donald Trump’s administration by abandoning basic principles of responsible investing.

Says Daan Spaargaren, PME’s senior strategist for responsible investing,

“[US money managers] aren’t condemning what Trump is doing and how he is operating and how he is handling issues like climate change and demolishing the judiciary. We are worried about that.”

The PME warns America’s investment industry that a Trump capitulation is prompting it to think twice about its US investments.

The PME is reconsidering its $5.7 billion mandate with BlackRock Inc., after the world’s largest asset manager withdrew from the Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiative. A decision from PME is expected within weeks. READ MORE

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5.27.25 - Gold Challenges US Dollar

Gold last traded at $3,304 an ounce. Silver at $33.27 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Gold is quickly taking over as the cornerstone of assets throughout the global economy. As the dollar continues to be replaced as the world's reserve currency, many nations are replacing those positions with gold. As investors, we should all be doing the same.

Gold Challenges US Dollar: These 5 Countries Control Over Half of Global Reserves -Watcher Guru

by Loredana Harsana

Five nations control over half of the world’s official gold reserves in 2025, and this concentration is reshaping global finance right now. The United States leads with 8,133.5 metric tons, followed by Germany with 3,351.5 tons, Italy with 2,451.8 tons, France with 2,437.0 tons, and Russia with 2,335.9 tons.

In total, these nations together own roughly 18,706.2 metric tons out of the current estimated total reserves of 35,938.6. Central banks purchased more than 1,000 metric tons in 2024, and this excessive buying is spurring the trend away from the dollar.

The landscape today looks different because of the massive amount of assets that central banks worldwide have purchased. Poland purchased a record amount of 3.24% of the world’s gold in 2024 and this huge rise moved Poland up into the ranks of significant gold buyers.

Turkey managed to accumulate 74.79 metric tons last week, after facing strong selling pressure earlier due to currency crises. India added 72.62 metric tons this month and China maintained the regular accumulation it started in late 2022. READ MORE

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5.23.25 - 1.2b social media users' data stolen

Gold last traded at $3,357 an ounce. Silver at $33.50 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It's unsettling when tech behemoths, who should be able to keep data secure, have a massive data breach. If this breach is verified, it would be the largest data-scraping incident to date. Only time will tell if this hacker got away with the goods; but in the meantime, officials are warning users to change their password, freeze their credit and place fraud alerts on their banking accounts.

1.2b social media users' data stolen in historic breach: Check your bank account NOW -Daily Mail

by Chris Malore

Over a billion Facebook users have had their private account information stolen in one of the largest data breaches in social media history.

A cybercriminal using the alias ByteBreaker claims to have scraped 1.2 billion Facebook records and is now selling the data on the dark web.

Scraping, or web scraping, involves using automated tools to collect large amounts of data from websites, similar to copying and pasting information at scale.

Cybersecurity researchers at Cybernews revealed that the stolen data includes names, user IDs, email addresses, phone numbers, birthdates, gender information, and location data such as city, state, and country.

Investigators say ByteBreaker exploited a flaw in a specific Facebook tool designed to let apps or programs access user data.

If verified, ByteBreaker’s trove would represent the largest single data-scraping incident from a social media platform to date.

Officials are urging all Facebook users to change their passwords, freeze their credit, and activate fraud alerts on their bank accounts.

They warn that the dataset scraped by ByteBreaker contains enough information for cybercriminals to open credit cards in victims’ names or access their financial accounts. READ MORE

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5.22.25 - 20 Reasons Why Nations Are Abandoning The US Dollar

Gold last traded at $3,293 an ounce. Silver at $33.10 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a simple explanation as to why the US dollar is in desperate trouble. The amount of pressure it's under is not only enormous, but the list of where those pressures are coming from is quite enormous as well.

De-Dollarization: 20 Reasons Why Nations Are Abandoning The US Dollar -Watcher Guru

{Source: Watcher Guru}

by Juhi Mirza

De-dollarization has now become a raging phenomenon, the one that vehemently pushes the US dollar to encounter new lows. The phenomenon is now being aggressively considered by a majority of global nations, who are trying their best to put their currency forward or introduce new payment mechanisms to counter dollar supremacy. It seems as if the currency dynamics are also evolving rapidly, with accommodation elements supporting the US dollar's demise. With Trump's rampant US tariff policies coupled with the dollar’s increased weaponization, here are the 20 leading reasons why nations are now pushing the dollar to a corner.

The leading reason that kick-started the de-dollarization phenomenon would always be the US dollar's dominance and its ability to sanction other nations. At the same time, nations are now desiring a change, wishing for reduced influence of the dollar on their economy.

The rising geopolitical chaos tied with the United States' swift policy changes is also leading countries to dump the USD. The constant weaponization of the dollar, alongside nations wanting to have more financial stability, are a few prominent reasons to support this air of change. READ MORE

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5.21.25 - 5 Countries Pay 93% of Trade in National Currencies

Gold last traded at $3,317 an ounce. Silver at $33.45 an ounce.

Congress To Seize Control Of AI: States Stripped Of Regulatory Power -ZeroHedge

AI has been stealing headlines for quite some time now, but today it's for a different reason. Congress has just passed legislation that takes all regulatory control away from states, and hands it over to the federal government.

Via JonFleetwood.substack.com

Buried deep in Congress’s 1,116-page “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is a provision so sweeping, so dystopian, and so underreported that it’s hard to believe it was passed at all.

Section 43201 of the bill, blandly titled the “Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology Modernization Initiative,” doesn’t just fund the federal government’s full-scale AI expansion—it removes every state’s right to regulate artificial intelligence for the next decade.

Let that sink in: For the next ten years, no state in America—not even your state—will be allowed to create its own safeguards, protections, or liability standards for how AI is developed or deployed.

“No State or political subdivision thereof may enforce any law or regulation regulating artificial intelligence models… during the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.”

- Sec. 43201(c)(1) of the bill

This is not a theoretical threat.

It’s a federal ban on local AI regulation—handing the reins to the very bureaucrats and corporate tech giants already embedding AI into military systems, healthcare, financial markets, education, and law enforcement.

This section of the bill is a preemptive strike against state sovereignty. READ MORE

BRICS: 5 Countries Pay 93% of Trade in National Currencies -Watcher Guru

De-dollarization is happening rapidly. Five BRICS nations now do 93% of their commerce in their own currencies. Not only are the number of nations transacting outside the dollar growing, but the number of nations jumping on board as well.

by Vinod Dsouza

BRICS member Russia is advancing the de-dollarization agenda with every alliance it is a part of, and convincing them to settle trade payments in national currencies. In the latest, Russia confirmed that 93% of cross-border payments within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) alliance have been settled in national currencies, not the US dollar.

After BRICS, every other alliance is teaming up for trade settlements in national currencies. The development will add strain on the US dollar and dampen its prospects as the world’s reserve currency. Emerging economies are reshaping the global financial order on their terms and not following the dictation of Western powers.

The EAEU alliance comprises five countries: Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. In 2015, the bloc announced that it used 70% of payments in national currencies. Now, 10 years down the line in 2025, the trade settlements have increased to 93%. Russia has used the BRICS ideology on the EAEU alliance to push national currencies ahead of the US dollar. READ MORE

Bank of America Branch Closures Now Surge This Year -Frank Nez

Major banks are majorly shrinking, as it relates to branches throughout the country. Some of it has to do with technology replacing the need for locations, and part of it is banks struggling to stay profitable. It all speaks to the rapidly changing financial world we are living in today.

Bank of America branch closures now surge this year as the giant and others prepare for more shutters in the upcoming weeks alone.

Major banks like Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo are at the forefront of a significant wave of branch closures, totaling 42 in just a few weeks — a trend that resembles a financial crisis for local communities.

The sector is facing substantial losses, resulting in diminished banking services for many areas.

According to the Daily Mail, U.S. banks have filed plans to shut down these branches, with notifications to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) occurring between April 1 and April 26.

A total of 14 banks are involved in these closures. READ MORE

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5.20.25 - US Dollar Dethroned

Gold last traded at $3,290 an ounce. Silver at $33.10 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The dethroning of the US dollar has been an ongoing discussion for years, but it has now gone from discussion to "measurable reality". Will this be a temporary beating for the dollar? Or will the global shift away from US assets become the new normal?

US Dollar Dethroned: Only 60% Global Reserves Still Bet on Its Reign -Watcher Guru

by Loredana Harsana

The US dollar dethroned from its long-held position as the world’s undisputed reserve currency is now a measurable reality. Recent data shows that the dollar’s share of global reserves has declined to approximately 60%, down from about 67% two decades ago. This gradual but persistent shift signals a significant transformation in global finance as central banks are increasingly diversifying their holdings away from the greenback. The ongoing de-dollarization trend represents, at the time of writing, one of the most consequential changes in the international monetary system in decades.

The dollar’s position in global reserves has eroded steadily over the past 20 years. This shift reflects a deliberate diversification strategy by central banks worldwide as they seek to reduce dependency on any single currency and also to protect themselves from potential geopolitical risks.

Ever since the introduction of the euro in 1999, central banks have actively reduced their dollar reserves. The British pound and Canadian dollar have slightly increased their share of global reserves as well. Recent disputes and conflicts in world trade have moved the world toward rejecting US dollar dominance.

Economically stressed nations and countries that desire greater freedom with their money, have mused about discontinuing using the US dollar as their main currency for trade. At the moment, “de-dollarization” is a major topic of discussion in financial markets. READ MORE

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5.19.25 - Gold Gains Following Moody's US Downgrade

Gold last traded at $3,230 an ounce. Silver at $32.36 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The US government was delivered quite a blow, as Moody's has downgraded their debt rating. This is no surprise to anyone, and the concern remains that one of these financial straws may ultimately break the camel's back.

Gold Gains as Dollar Slides Following Moody's US Downgrade -Yahoo! Finance

(Bloomberg) -- Gold rose as the dollar tumbled after Moody’s Ratings stripped the US of its last top credit rating due to ballooning debt and deficits.

Moody’s blamed successive administrations and Congress for swelling budget deficits that it said show little sign of abating. And there’s concern the situation could get worse, with Republican lawmakers discussing a tax and spending package from US President Donald Trump that critics say would add trillions more to the federal debt over the coming decade.

The precious metal has experienced swings in recent months. It suffered the biggest weekly loss since November last week on easing geopolitical tensions, after a blistering rally that saw it climb above $3,500 an ounce for the first time last month. Gold is still up by more than one-fifth this year, driven by global conflicts, Trump’s tariff spree and inflows to exchange-traded funds.

“We expect gold to be volatile in the short term as we see a mix of good and bad news headlines,” said Vasu Menon, managing director of investment strategy at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. In the long run, Trump’s policies and diversification away from dollar-denominated assets are “structural tailwinds for gold that could see it scaling new heights in the coming years,” he said. READ MORE

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5.16.25 - Why is the Fed quietly buying billions in bonds

Gold last traded at $3,201 an ounce. Silver at $32.28 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Fed appears to be up to some shenanigans, yet again. They are trying to sneak in some quantitative easing, and hoping no one notices; but the jig is up.

Opinion: Why is the Fed quietly buying billions in bonds — and hoping nobody notices?

by Charlie Garcia

The U.S. Federal Reserve just pulled off something stealthy — over four days last week, without fanfare, the Fed vacuumed up $43.6 billion in U.S. Treasurys. That’s $8.8 billion in long-dated 30-year bonds on May 8 alone, plus another $34.8 billion earlier in the week. Not exactly small change.

Quietly returning to the quantitative-easing trough isn’t standard Fed housekeeping — it’s like a bank robber returning to the scene because he forgot his car keys.

Let’s talk straight: This isn’t tightening. It’s stealth easing. It’s monetary policy on tiptoes. Some traders have begun to notice, and smart investors should too.

Commodity traders, in particular, have a nose for monetary sleight-of-hand. Gold, the ultimate financial cynic’s metal, has risen sharply since early 2024. Gold doesn’t believe in politicians, central bankers or economists — even the Ivy League types who wave their hands and promise stability. It believes numbers.

But this isn’t just a U.S. game. China has jumped into the gold pit too, and brings a bigger shovel. China’s central bank just cranked open the vault doors by dramatically raising gold-import quotas, letting local banks swap U.S. dollars directly for bullion.

That’s China quietly telling Uncle Sam that holding all those U.S. Treasurys is starting to feel less like prudent investing and more like playing roulette with the house on fire.

Think about it. Even if China converts into gold a modest 10% of the $784 billion Treasury stash it held as of February, it would send tremors through global markets. READ MORE

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5.15.25 - BRICS Erodes Trust in the US Dollar

Gold last traded at $3,230 an ounce. Silver at $32.56 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: BRICS is eroding the US dollar. That erosion is spreading beyond BRICS nations to non-participating nations; along with corporations who no longer want to settle transactions in dollars. I'm not sure how much more pressure the dollar can take before something gives.

BRICS Erodes Trust in the US Dollar -Watcher Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

The BRICS alliance is making developing countries trust local currencies more than the US dollar. The initiative of the White House to levy sanctions on Russia in 2022 obliged emerging economies to protect their GDP. The move prompted the bloc to give the de-dollarization a serious thought because the White House was in a position to bring down their economy. Trade power of the emerging economies are more in comparison with the west combined.

The US dollar, which was a rock-solid currency for global payments, is seeing its roots being shaken by BRICS. The alliance of the developing countries is now serious in pushing the local currencies forward and developing their native economy. They were in the greenback’s clutches for so many decades and are now trying to clip its wings. The local currencies can rise in the markets while the American dollar goes down within the next few years.

The US dollar’s supremacy stood on trust for several decades, and the belief in the currency is now eroding. As developing nations realized that the White House is weaponizing the US dollar for its benefit, things began to fall apart. The main goal of BRICS is now to topple the US dollar and push local currencies ahead for trade. READ MORE

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5.14.25 - Should Investors Worry About The Future Of Gold?

Gold last traded at $3,181 an ounce. Silver at $32.24 an ounce.

BRICS: JP Morgan Predicts 20% Decline in the US Dollar -Watcher Guru

A 20% decline in the US dollar won't be good, but given the pressure it's been recently, I am surprised the forecast isn't worse. When any market drops that much, there is a risk of a panic causing an even more severe decline.

by Vinod Dsouza

Leading investment bank JP Morgan is closely monitoring the de-dollarization initiative kick-started by BRICS to topple the US dollar. After Trump’s ascension to the White House, the DXY index has fallen to a new low of 98 this year. Local currencies are racing ahead in the forex markets while the greenback is reeling under macroeconomic pressures. An influx of forex traders taking entry positions in local currencies is increasing for the first time in decades.

Political instability and the relentless de-dollarization pursuit of BRICS can trim the US dollar’s market share, says JP Morgan. The leading global bank wrote in its latest research piece that the US dollar could decline by another 10% to 20%. The DXY index is hovering around the 101 mark on Tuesday and is attracting bearish sentiments.

A decline of 10% in the US dollar’s DXY index could make it plummet to the 90 range. If the 20% dip forecast turns accurate, then the US dollar could plunge to a low of 80, which is worrisome to the economy. BRICS is adding more pressure on the US dollar’s prospects that could make things worse for the currency, wrote JP Morgan.

“The dollar’s longstanding overvaluation is beginning to unwind, which could result in a 10%–20% decline against major peers such as the euro and Japanese yen over the medium-term. We don’t see this as a breakdown in the dollar, but it is a reset,” wrote JP Morgan on the US currency amid the BRICS onslaught. READ MORE

Should Investors Worry About The Future Of Gold? -Investing Haven

In our modern world, some question the wisdom of investing in an asset as ancient as gold; however its history as a solid investment over millennia counters their arguments. The factors that have contributed to its performance over time are now more prevalent than ever.

Gold has long been the go-to safe haven during economic turmoil—but with rising interest in Bitcoin, booming stock markets, and shifting global power dynamics, is gold losing its shine?

For more than a century, gold has stood the test of time as the best hedge against inflation, economic uncertainty, and currency collapse. Over the last 10 years, however, new and more lucrative assets like Bitcoin and stocks like Tesla have stolen its spotlight.

In light of these, investors are questioning gold’s appeal as an investment of the future. To understand whether Gold is still worth buying today, we need to look at its past and expected future price action.

Gold’s greatest feature has been its resilience. Over last century, the yellow metal has survived some of the most devastating news – from world wars to global recessions.

It also survived a period of extended economic boom when stock markets and interest rates soared to new heights. These include during the shift to Brenton woods system in 1970 and during the stock market boom in 2000.

The proven resilience has most analysts convinced that gold will continue surviving even the highest interest rates. READ MORE

US Dollar To Fall Significantly Against Chinese Yuan Amid Trade Negotiations, According to Goldman Sachs: Report -The Daily Hodl

It seems that the tariff war has settled down recently, and yet not enough to offer any strengthening of the US dollar; especially in comparison to what some believe is an undervalued Yuan.

Analysts at the financial giant Goldman Sachs reportedly think the onshore Chinese yuan (CNY) will rise against the dollar over the next 12 months.

One US dollar is currently worth 7.2 CNY (USD/CNY), but Goldman forecasts that number will fall to 7.0 yuan per dollar over the next year, Bloomberg reports.

A falling USD/CNY chart indicates that the yuan is appreciating against the dollar.

Explain the investment bank’s analysts, “The undervalued levels of the currency, both on a real trade-weighted basis but especially versus the dollar, all point to the possibility for a stronger onshore yuan as a potential offset to tariff reductions.”

The analysts had previously predicted the yuan would be at the 7.35 level over 12 months.

The CNY is up 1.24% against the USD in the past month and 0.31% in the past five days.

Analysts at BNP Paribas Asset Management echo Goldman and also predict the CNY will surge in value against the USD, according to Bloomberg.

Rick Cheung, a fixed income portfolio manager at BNP, tells the news outlet that the yuan will have additional upside if the dollar continues to depreciate. READ MORE

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5.13.25 - Robert Kiyosaki Says Silver Will Surge To $100

Gold last traded at $3,254 an ounce. Silver at $32.93 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Gold and silver continue to shine, as institutions and investors alike seek financial refuge. Robert Kiyosaki believes silver may shine the most in the coming months. Read on to see why.

Robert Kiyosaki Says Silver Will Surge To $100 -Frank Nez

Renowned financial guru and author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, has long been a vocal advocate for investing in tangible assets like gold, silver, and Bitcoin as hedges against inflation and economic instability.

In a recent YouTube Shorts video, Kiyosaki boldly predicted that silver, often overshadowed by its more glamorous counterpart gold, is poised for a dramatic price surge to $100 per ounce.

This forecast aligns with his broader narrative of an impending economic collapse driven by government debt, inflation, and the devaluation of fiat currencies.

As retail investors increasingly rally behind silver, they are also raising alarms about the alleged suppression of silver prices by major banks, a practice they claim stifles their ability to maximize profits in the commodities market.

Today we are going over Kiyosaki’s bullish outlook on silver, other optimistic price predictions, the growing awareness of price suppression, and the urgent need for investors to continue exposing this perceived injustice. READ MORE

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5.12.25 - JP Morgan Predicts $6000 Gold Price

Gold last traded at $3,234 an ounce. Silver at $32.60 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: JP Morgan is suggesting gold prices could reach $6,000 an ounce, if the current trend of dumping US assets continues. It's not all that farfetched given gold's performance over the last few years, coupled with our continued economic spiral.

JP Morgan Predicts $6000 Gold Price If This Key US Asset Shifts Unfolds -Watcher Guru

by Juhi Mirza

Analysts at JP Morgan have once again delivered a surprising price prediction for gold. The leading financial players have shared how gold has the power to hit $6000 in the long run, provided a key shift in the US assets takes place.

Analysts at JP Morgan, a leading financial giant in the space, have predicted new price thresholds for gold. Per the analysts, gold has the power to soar 80% in value, moving to the $6000 price level if 0.5% of US Assets held by foreign investors are allocated towards the precious yellow metal. In a detailed note issued, JP Morgan analysts predicted a hypothetical scenario, a threshold where gold could surge as high as $6000 if foreign investor diversification shifts meticulously towards the yellow asset.

“While hypothetical, this scenario illustrates why we remain structurally bullish on gold and think prices have further to run,” analysts wrote.

Gold has seen new meteoric price surges at a rapid pace as geopolitical turmoil continues to deepen. With the Russia-Ukraine war, followed by Trump’s aggressive trade orders, gold has been noting significant price changes, gaining traction within the global forces at a rapid speed. These violent trends of investor sentiment shifting away from US tariffs are what primarily are fueling the metal price rallies. READ MORE

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5.9.25 - The World Is Ditching The US Dollar For These 3 Currencies

Gold last traded at $3,326 an ounce. Silver at $32.73 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Not only is the dollar fighting against the efforts of BRICS, it is also quickly being replaced with other currencies as concerns continue to mount over its future.

De-Dollarization: The World Is Ditching The US Dollar For These 3 Currencies -Watcher Guru

by Juhi Mirza

The currency dynamics are changing at a rapid pace, with calls to dump the US dollar gaining widespread momentum. In other words, the world is now filled with calls for de-dollarization, with nations questioning the US dollar’s legitimacy as a reserve currency asset that has been highly weaponized in recent times. The matters have now been worsened due to Trump’s aggressive tariff regimes, compelling the world to find viable alternatives to the dollar. This quest to find a competitive US dollar replacement is leading nations to ditch the USD and find refuge in emerging new currencies that are defining the current financial landscape of the world.

The US dollar has remained the world’s leading currency, a reserve asset, for decades. This crown is now being sabotaged by active calls for de-dollarization, spurred primarily as trade war tensions gnawing at the dollar, due to Trump’s aggressive tariff policies. Trump’s tariff ordeal has led other nations to adopt a cautious stance, wounding the dollar heavily in the process.

Financial giants like Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs have already predicted a declining USD performance for the future, adding how the US dollar is bound for further decay and value erosion.

“The market is rapidly de-dollarizing. It is remarkable that international dollar funding markets and cross-currency basis remain well-behaved. In a typical crisis environment. The market would be hoarding dollar liquidity to secure funding for its underlying US asset base. This dollar imbalance is what ultimately results in the triggering of the Fed swap lines. Dynamics here seem to be very different: the market has lost faith in US assets. So that instead of closing the asset-liability mismatch by hoarding dollar liquidity. It is actively selling down the US assets themselves.” Deutsche Bank shared. READ MORE

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5.8.25 - 'Avalanche' of Selling Could Hit US Dollar

Gold last traded at $3,306 an ounce. Silver at $32.46 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: How serious are these trade wars? In a word, very. It is being predicted that $2.5 trillion worth of US assets could soon be crashing back on our shores. This "avalanche" of US assets could very well bring the type of destruction associated with that word.

Analysts Say $2,500,000,000,000 ‘Avalanche’ of Selling Could Hit US Dollar, Warn Trade Wars Threatening Greenback’s Appeal: Report -The Daily Hodl

The US dollar could suffer a major sell-off by Asian investors and exporters triggered by trade tensions, according to a pair of macroeconomic and currency strategists.

Eurizon SLJ Capital’s analysts Stephen Jen and Joana Freireat say in a new investment note that Asian investors have accumulated a massive pile of USD that could be ditched en masse if trade wars intensify and the dollar weakens, reports Bloomberg.

According to the analysts, if the US-driven trade conflict grows, a significant number of Asian investors could bring substantial capital back home or seek to bolster their defenses against a declining USD.

That, they warn, could leave the dollar facing a $2.5 trillion “avalanche” of selling.

“We suspect these dollar hoardings by Asian exporters and institutional investors may be extremely large – possibly on the order of $2.5 trillion or so – and pose sharp downside risks to the dollar vis-à-vis these Asian currencies.”

Bloomberg says its dollar gauge has dropped about 8% from a February high. Meanwhile, Asian currencies have strengthened versus the greenback in the past month. READ MORE

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5.7.25 - Is the 'biggest market crash' in history happening?

Gold last traded at $3,369 an ounce. Silver at $32.42 an ounce.

Is Silver A Good Investment Right Now? -Investing Haven

If you didn't have enough reasons to be buying silver already, here are few more. Several analysts are expecting to see some explosive gains in silver in the very near future.

Silver is playing catch-up to gold in the precious metal bull market, with 6% year-to-date gains. But that’s not the only reason to buy Silver right now.

Over the last 16 months, Silver prices have been on a sustained uptrend. And it has culminated with a climb back above $30, after the precious metal reached the current peak of $34.4, for the first time in 13 years.

At the time of writing, Silver has already been up by 7% in the last four months and by as much as 19% in the past year.

The spirited gains have rekindled the debate of whether Silver can outshine gold and added to the reasons why precious metal investors should add the metal to their portfolio. READ MORE

Rich Dad Poor Dad author warns 'biggest market crash' in history is happening now -Yahoo! Finance

There has been no shortage of people predicting a stock market crash. According to Robert Kiyosaki, it's crashing right now. He believes this will be the biggest market crash in history. Could he be correct?

by Mehab Qureshi

Robert Kiyosaki, the outspoken author of Rich Dad Poor Dad — has issued yet another urgent warning: “The biggest market crash in history is now happening now.”

In a post shared on X, Kiyosaki didn’t hold back. “I hope I am wrong… but as I forecasted… the biggest market crashes in stocks, bonds, and real estate… are about to happen in the very very near future.”

The bestselling financial author first predicted a catastrophic collapse in his 2002 book Rich Dad’s Prophecy. Now, with volatility rising, he believes that warning is playing out in real time.

Kiyosaki’s solution? He’s been steadily investing in what he calls real assets: “This is why I have been investing in gold, silver, and Bitcoin.”

He predicts silver, currently trading at around $35, could “explode 2X in price” and hit $70 by 2026.

Kiyosaki said he expects the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury to turn to their old playbook when the crash deepens — printing more money. And that, he says, could be disastrous for the average American. READ MORE

BRICS: Only 33% of Trade Settled in US Dollars -Watcher Guru

It's no secret that the US dollar is under attack, specifically from BRICS nations who have embarked on a de-dollarization campaign. How effective have their efforts been?

by Vinod Dsouza

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that BRICS members have settled 67% of trade in local currencies, and only 33% of deals were paid in US dollars. The significant difference highlights the seriousness of the de-dollarization agenda, and the motive to topple the greenback is succeeding.

Read here to know how many sectors in the US will be affected if BRICS ditches the dollar for trade. “National currencies already account for more than 65% within the framework of trade among BRICS members, said Lavrov. “The dollar’s share declined to one-third against such a background,” he revealed to Tass.

BRICS members have overall settled cross-border transactions close to 67% for goods and commerce, while the payments in the US dollar account for just 33%. De-dollarization is a serious concern, and the White House brushing it under the carpet will only do harm in the long run.

Developing countries are now more powerful than before, with a robust and growing GDP. They’re also equipped with manufacturing, leverage Brent Crude oil, and command a larger portion of the markets. In addition, their local currencies are also outperforming the US dollar, adding salt to the wound. The BRICS alliance is growing in power and could challenge the US dollar by the end of the next decade. READ MORE

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5.6.25 - Buffett Chooses This Foreign Currency Over U.S. Dollar

Gold last traded at $3,380 an ounce. Silver at $33.03 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Warren Buffett has recently said the US dollar is going to hell. So if he doesn't like the dollar, what does he like? If you have a "yen" to find out, keep reading.

Buffett Chooses This Foreign Currency Over U.S. Dollar to Fund 5 Major Investments -Watcher Guru

by Loredana Harsana

Warren Buffett has recently become the main focus of attention regarding currency substitution strategies versus U.S. dollar usage because the famous investor revealed his unique foreign currency investment method. Berkshire Hathaway’s 2025 shareholder meeting hosted a detailed discussion between Warren Buffett about how currency replacement of the U.S. dollar shapes his present investment choices during current economic transitions worldwide.

Berkshire Hathaway addresses U.S. dollar trend replacement by taking direct action through purposefully selected foreign currency positions. The investment strategy adopted by Buffett delivers important insights to investors who must contend with U.S. dollar depreciation until 2025.

Berkshire’s currency risk management now involves actively borrowing in Japanese yen to effectively hedge against currency fluctuations in its Japanese investments, which is something not many investors are doing.

Warren Buffett stated:

“The Japanese situation is different because we intend to stay so long with that position and the funding situation is so cheap that we’ve attempted to some degree to match purchases against yen-denominated funding.” READ MORE

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5.5.25 - Buffett Says the Dollar Is Going to Hell

Gold last traded at $3,331 an ounce. Silver at $32.51 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Oracle of Omaha is not holding back when it comes to the US dollar. Many share his sentiments, but he's been given the moniker of 'oracle' for a reason.

De-Dollarization: Warren Buffett Says the U.S. Dollar Is Going to Hell -Watcher Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

Ace investor Warren Buffett announced his retirement at the age of 94 during Berkshire Hathaway’s 60th annual shareholders summit on Saturday and joined the de-dollarization bandwagon issuing a stark warning by bluntly saying that the U.S. dollar is a currency that’s “going to hell”.

Warren Buffett’s statements coincide with the developing countries who are looking to sideline the U.S. dollar through the de-dollarization initiative. “We would not really invest in a currency that’s going to hell,” he said at the 60th annual shareholders summit.

The 94-year-old Warren Buffett hinted that Berkshire Hathaway would consider investing in foreign currencies and not the U.S. dollar for better prospects, mimicking the de-dollarization trend. “There could be things happening in the U.S. that make us want to own a lot of other currencies,” he said.

De-dollarization is quickly gaining steam and now Warren Buffett is questioning the U.S. dollar’s effectiveness in the global currency markets. Berkshire Hathaway might “do a lot of financing in their (foreign) currency,” he noted during the recent shareholder summit.

Trump’s tariffs have reignited the de-dollarization trend and Buffett explained that it damages the prospects of the U.S. dollar. “Trade should not be a weapon. There’s no question that trade can be an act of war. And I think it’s led to bad things. Just look at the attitudes it has stirred up in the United States,” he said. READ MORE

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5.2.25 - Is the dollar being pushed to collapse?

Gold last traded at $3,238 an ounce. Silver at $32.03 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Is BRICS driving a new US dollar down cycle, or pushing it to collapse? If that's the question being asked rhetorically, my question is whether or not there's actually a difference? I think the end result is pretty similar.

BRICS Driving a New US Dollar Down Cycle or Pushing it to Collapse? -Watcher Guru

by Joshua Ramos

The United States’ global relations have been at the forefront of geopolitical affairs throughout this month. Amid an influx of America-first trade policies, several global collectives have warned over the protectionist approach. Now, the BRICS bloc is positioning itself, alongside US policy, to either drive a new dollar down cycle or push the currency closer to collapse.

At the start of his return to the White House, US President Donald Trump had assured the importance of the greenback’s global status. Indeed, he said that the dollar’s loss of status as a global reserve currency would be akin to “losing a war.” Now, his administration is being confronted with a weakening currency and an influx of global policies to help facilitate its struggle.

Just one week ago, Goldman Sachs gave a gloomy prediction for the future of the US dollar. Indeed, the bank aligned with the prevailing belief that the global reserve asset could be on its way toward a concerning position. Not only has it faced pressure from growing de-dollarization efforts, but it has now felt the ire of nations challenged by US tariff plans.

That has provided a key question for both the Western nation and its global south opposition. Is BRICS driving the US dollar to a notable down cycle or pushing it closer to collapse? The economic alliance has, for the last several years, remained at the forefront of alternative currency promotion and development. That could only fast-track this year. READ MORE

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5.1.25 - BlackRock: Gold Over US Dollar And Bonds

Gold last traded at $3,288 an ounce. Silver at $32.62 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We have always been proponents of a long-term hold for any gold investment. Vivek Paul of BlackRock Investments is echoing our sentiments. As he puts it, gold is "a stable asset capable of safeguarding investments in a long-term perspective". Gold is one of very few, if not the only, stable and solid investments right now.

BlackRock Picks "This" New Asset Over US Dollar And Bonds -Watcher Guru

by Juhi Mirza

The US tariff mayhem continues to weaken global markets, as uncertainty spread by the trade war narratives continues to pose global volatility. This new development has compelled investors to explore new assets, new dominions that could help them safeguard their assets. In this wake, BlackRock’s Vivek Paul has come up with a new asset, which, in his opinion, is the new attractive element beating the traditional finance leaders like the US dollar and bonds when it comes to lucrative returns amid weak economic prosperity.

Per BlackRock’s Vivek Paul, the rising universe spurred by the US tariff regime and global market mayhem is pushing gold to hit a new price high. This asset is now attractive to investors like moths, emerging as a solid safe haven amid the stark market volatility.

Paul, the head of portfolio research at BlackRock Investments, later shared how the current environment is conducive to gold’s growth. He later added how the yellow metal is beating the likes of the US dollar and bonds, emerging as a stable asset capable of safeguarding investments in a long-term perspective.

“Part of the traction for gold in the near term is that other diversifiers like bonds and the dollar cannot play the safe-haven role. Dollar, since April, has not been able to play the safe-haven role,” Paul noted. READ MORE

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4.30.25 - 5 Oil Giants Now Settling in Yuan, Not USD

Gold last traded at $3,288 an ounce. Silver at $32.62 an ounce.

Will Gold Ever Hit $4,000 an Ounce? -Investing Haven

The answer to the question, will gold ever reach $4,000 an ounce, seems a bit more obvious now than it did five months ago. The better question might be, why is it going to go to $4,000 an ounce? Read on for the answer.

The prevailing macros have most analysts convinced that gold will eventually breach $4,000.We will tell you when it will likely get here.

Coming into 2025, our analysis indicated that gold had a high chance of hitting $3,000. We expected it to reach this historic price in May.

However, trade war escalations, a weakening US dollar, Trump-Powell tiff, and rate cut threats brought forward gold’s fortunes and helped it climb above $3k in mid-February.

At the time of writing, gold prices have shot to a new all-time high above $3,500 after a meteoric 33% in the first four months of the year.

We have been consistently bullish about gold prices and are of the informed opinion that the gold price will eventually breach the $4,000 mark.

Previously, our analysis showed that gold will likely reach this price level in 2027. However, if the prevailing macroeconomic conditions continue, the rally to $4,000 may come way sooner, most likely late 2026. READ MORE

De-Dollarization: 5 Oil Giants Now Settling in Yuan, Not USD -Watcher Guru

What started as a movement away from the dollar by a few nations is now making its way across the global economy. The most recent move is by nations who are settling their oil purchases in other currencies, rather than dollars; which runs contrary to the OPEC agreement.

by Vladimir Popescu

{Source: Watcher Guru}

The Chinese refiner Sinopec stands as the biggest oil refinery in China and leads the way for yuan payment deals. Sinopec established the important milestone of Saudi Aramco in creating a $4 billion yuan-denominated joint venture during April 2025 while accelerating worldwide de-dollarization initiatives.

According to Reuters:

“Sinopec and its unit shall contribute 7.20 billion yuan and 14.40 billion yuan in cash, respectively. The remaining amount, representing 25% of the registered capital of the joint venture, will come from AAS (Aramco Asia Singapore Pte).” READ MORE

$10,000 Invested In Gold 10 Years Ago Is Now Worth? -Investing Haven

We've all been hearing that now is the time to buy gold. Gold has already experienced tremendous gains. How great were these gains? This article will show you, as well as provide some comparisons to other markets.

What would a $10k investment in the ultimate store of value ten years ago look like today? And what will it look like ten years from now?

On 21st April, gold made history when the price of one ounce of the precious metal set a new all-time high of $3,050. The record price came about one month after gold hit the news for reaching the coveted $3k mark.

Having stormed into 2025 trading at around, gold had one of the most successful first quarter in close to 40 years. And even though its price has slipped back to around $3,287, it still is up by more than 25% in the year to date and 42% in the last 12 months.

Over the last 5 years, the price of gold has appreciated by more than 95% and the period was marked by aggressive value gains.

This has played a key role in propping the 278% gains reported by metal over the last ten years. This implies that if you invested $10,000 in gold ten years ago, this investment would be worth $27,800 at the time of writing. READ MORE

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4.29.25 - Paulson sees gold near $5,000 by 2028

Gold last traded at $3,317 an ounce. Silver at $32.94 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A common question those of us in the precious metals business have been asked recently is, "do you think gold is going to go higher?". It seems only natural to answer yes, if for no other reason than natural bias. However, that bias is being supported by several outsiders who seem to have clear perspective as to why the answer is a definite "yes".

Billionaire investor John Paulson sees gold near $5,000 by 2028 -Yahoo! Finance

By Ernest Scheyder

(Reuters) - Central bank gold buying and global trade tensions are likely to push bullion prices to near $5,000 an ounce by 2028, billionaire investor John Paulson said in an interview during which he reinforced his commitment to U.S. mining projects

The price forecast is one of the most bullish yet as banks and others move to increase their own estimates after gold hit a record high just above $3,500 last week. Deutsche Bank, for one, expects bullion to hit $3,700 an ounce by next year.

Already the largest shareholder in Idaho gold and antimony developer Perpetua Resources, Paulson last week bought a 40% stake in NovaGold's Donlin gold project in Alaska from Barrick.

Asked where he expects bullion prices to head, Paulson cited a recent estimate put to him for levels at the "high $4,000 range" within three years.

"It's a well-informed prediction. I think that's a reasonable number," Paulson said.

"As central banks and people look to put their money in a more stable source... I think gold will increase its position in the world," he added. READ MORE

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4.28.25 - Global Capital Not Flowing Into the US

Gold last traded at $3,347 an ounce. Silver at $33.16 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a first, and not a good one. For the first time, global capital is not flowing into the US. Several nations have traded in their positions in US treasuries, and are replacing those positions with gold.

De-Dollarization 2025: For the First Time, Global Capital Not Flowing Into the US -Watcher.Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

De-dollarization in 2025 is rapidly advancing as the global flow of capital is not flowing into the US economy. China and several other developing countries are offloading US bonds and treasuries and replacing them with gold. While China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, and India were the usual preparators, European nation Poland has also joined the league. Just recently, Poland purchased 16 tonnes of gold to diversify its assets in the central bank reserves. The accumulation beat China in terms of volume for April making it the biggest purchase of the month.

In addition, Reuters reported that global funds through equities, bonds, and US Treasuries are declining as trade wars loom. A portion of global capital from institutional funds and retail investors is now moving toward other countries, currencies, and bonds. This is for the first time that demand for US financial assets is declining as de-dollarization takes hold in 2025. Heightened tensions over trade wars and tariffs are causing a paradigm shift in how investors think and are moving away from owning US assets.

Unlike previous instances of turbulence in the US economy, this time around and for the first time, global funds are not fully flowing into American assets. “The recent soaring volatility in the US Treasury market marks a watershed event,” said Yang Changjiang, a finance professor at Fudan University. De-dollarization in 2025 is taking shape in different forms and the US needs to address the issue and clip its wings before it starts to completely take off. READ MORE

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4.25.25 - Gold: The Everything Hedge

Gold last traded at $3,318 an ounce. Silver at $33.11 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The simplest explanation for gold's stellar performance this year is supply and demand. Everyone - from centrals banks to individual investors - wants it, and there is only so much to go around. Gold's popularity right now stems from its ability to hedge against uncertainty.

Gold: The Everything Hedge -Daily Reckoning

by James Rickards

It's a subject we analyze continually, and we have recommended gold as part of a sound investment portfolio for years. Today the dollar price of gold is hovering near all-time highs over $3,300 per ounce.

Gold has been on a tear lately. It was $1,830 as of October 5, 2023. At today's prices, that marks a 75% surge in just 18 months. Gold has outperformed stocks by a wide margin this year, but it has also outperformed stocks for the past twenty-five years. Gold was around $250 per ounce in 1999. The gain since then is 1,180% or almost 12 times the starting price.

This is not the first bull market for gold. In the gold bull market of 1971 to 1980, gold rose 2,185%. In the gold bull market of 1999 to 2011, gold rose 670%. There were notable gold bear markets from 1981 to 1999 and again from 2012 to 2015. There were no bull or bear markets before 1971 because the world was on a gold standard and the price was fixed at $35.00 per ounce from 1944 to 1971. Still, the upward trend in gold prices is relentless and undeniable. Taking the entire period from 1971 until today including bull and bear markets gold has risen over 9,000%. Not bad.

Of course, that's all in the past. What investors want to know is where do we go from here? The short answer is up significantly. READ MORE

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4.24.25 - Are silver prices set for a breakout?

Gold last traded at $3,349 an ounce. Silver at $33.58 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Gold has comfortably risen above the $3,000 mark; but what about silver? It's believed by many that silver will soon experience a major breakout of its own. Read on to learn the fundamentals behind these predictions.

Are silver prices set for a breakout? -Investing.com

by Vahid Karaahmetovic

Silver may be setting up for a breakout, according to Sevens Report’s Tom Essaye, who highlights a rare divergence between gold and silver pricing that could soon correct in favor of the latter.

While gold continues to dominate headlines with new record highs above $3,000 an ounce, silver has quietly posted a 16% gain year-to-date. Yet, relative to gold’s 25% surge, it appears undervalued.

“The Gold-to-Silver Ratio (GSR) is a simple and compelling measure with historical significance. It tells you how many ounces of silver it takes to buy one ounce of gold. Today, that number is around 100:1,” Essaye said in a Thursday report.

“Typically, it runs between 40:1 and 60:1, and it doesn’t get above 100 very often,” he added.

Historically, such stretched ratios have been followed by silver outperformance as the metals revert to their long-term pricing relationship.

Silver’s appeal extends beyond technical signals. Unlike gold, which is driven primarily by monetary and geopolitical fears, silver carries dual demand from both investors and industry. READ MORE

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4.23.25 - Silver: The Catch-Up King

Gold last traded at $3,279 an ounce. Silver at $33.58 an ounce.

Triple Threat to U.S. Markets: Stocks, Bonds, and U.S. Dollar Dive -Watcher.Guru

The US markets have been battling for positive territory all year. The factors that continue to batter and bruise the markets are likely not going away soon. This author points to the triple threat causing it. In reality, there are more than three factors, but these are on the top.

by Loredana Harsana

The U.S. markets crisis has intensified this week as stocks, bonds, and the U.S. dollar are all simultaneously plunging. This triple threat traces directly to policy choices made by the Trump administration, creating some unprecedented challenges for investors right now.

The bond yield surge has reached pretty alarming levels on April 21, with 20-year bonds exceeding 4.9% at the time of writing. This bond yield surge reflects growing concerns about Trump’s proposed $4.5 trillion tax cuts and also the already historic $1.3 trillion budget deficit that’s been accumulating. The U.S. markets crisis has investors piling into short-term debt while selling off long-term Treasuries.

Trump’s tax cuts proposal from 2025 has Republican lawmakers already drafting legislation despite some serious questions about funding. With national debt standing at a staggering $36.6 trillion right now, Trump’s tax cuts plan could simply worsen the U.S. markets crisis if international investors start to demand higher risk premiums. READ MORE

Silver's History: The Catch-Up King -Daily Reckoning

Gold has been dominating the financial news this year, but what about silver? Silver has been quietly moving higher - comparatively speaking - and it may realize even bigger gains in the near future. See why silver has historically been considered "the catch-up king".

by Kevin Bambrough

Gold may be the crown jewel of precious metals, rising during economic uncertainty, but silver has repeatedly proven itself to be the underdog ready to take the throne. History reveals a compelling trend where silver, initially lagging behind gold during its surges, catches up with dramatic flair, often delivering returns 2 to 5 times greater.

For investors seeking both safety and explosive potential, the current market conditions suggest silver might be poised for another dazzling comeback.

Gold has been on an epic run driven by central bank buying and a rush to safe-haven assets amid global uncertainty. These factors have pushed the gold-silver ratio to extreme levels. Yet, as history shows time and time again, this widening ratio is often the signal for silver’s next big act. READ MORE

US Dollar Is On A Deathbed: Here’s Why -Watcher.Guru

The dollar is in trouble. We hear it and we experience it. Now some believe the dollar is on its death bed. It's already down 10% for the year, and the worst may be yet to come.

by Juhi Mirza

The currency dynamics are now evolving at a rapid pace, with the US dollar standing at a precarious global threshold. President Donald Trump has declared a tariff war against nations, levying heavy tariffs on nations to bolster the US economy. This development has led the US dollar to suffer great volatility. At the same time, new markers have emerged that are indicative that more USD volatility is already underway.

The US dollar is currently on the losing side, with other assets emerging victorious amid the recent market downturn. The rise of gold and Bitcoin as major league assets is delivering a clear signal, highlighting how dollar volatility may haunt the currency in the long run.

Gold has hit a new high amid the recent market pressure, hitting its 55th ATH, crossing beyond $3500 for the first time in history. At the same time, Bitcoin is also rising high, with investor sentiment pivoting towards BTC, often being touted as digital gold. These two assets have been emerging as the latest safe haven options as the US continues to battle increased capital outflows triggered by ongoing tariff tensions spurred by President Donald Trump. READ MORE

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4.22.25 - Gold Hits Historic Milestone of $3,500

Gold last traded at $3,379 an ounce. Silver at $32.48 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, gold has reached a new high...again! Gold has risen above the $3,500 mark and is expected to continue this trend for quite a while. Many analysts are calling for very aggressive, upward movement through 2026; which is a long runway for growth. Call us today to learn how you can buy gold, and take advantage of this opportunity of a lifetime.

Gold Hits Historic Milestone of $3,500 Per Ounce -Watcher.Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

Gold prices hit a historic high of $3,500 per ounce on Tuesday and reached the milestone much sooner than expected. The precious metal has surged nearly 34% year-to-date and is among the top-performing assets in the broader financial markets. It entered 2025 trading at $2,640 and touched a high of $3,500 in less than four months in the charts.

The massive price rise can be attributed to the large accumulation of the precious metal by all forms of investors. Retail traders, institutional funds, and central banks of developing countries have been relentlessly accumulating gold since 2022. Countries such as China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Russia have purchased tonnes worth of gold in the last three years.

Senior Commodity Bloomberg Intelligence strategist Mike McGlone predicted in a recent interview that gold will hit $4,000 next. He explained that the precious metal has a solid foundation at $3,000 and might never dip below that price range. He revealed that the glittery metal will only go up from here as Trump’s trade wars have solidified the XAU/USD index.

“We’re putting in a pretty good base now around $3,000,” McGlone said. “It’s going to head into $4,000, the question is time. Anything in between there is for the traders, which I used to do.” If gold prices hit $4,000, it would have surged a staggering 14.5% from its current price of $3,500.

McGlone was the first analyst to predict in 2023 that gold prices would breach the $3,000 mark. All his forecasts have turned accurate and the $4,000 prediction might also turn true. The XAU/USD index is attracting heavy bullish sentiments with an influx of funds from all corners. The uncertainty of trade and tariffs by US President Donald Trump has made traders take entry into the precious metal. READ MORE

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4.21.25 - US Dollar Crashes 10% YTD

Gold last traded at $3,424 an ounce. Silver at $32.69 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The US dollar could be collapsing before our very eyes. As gold prices continue to rally, the dollar is dropping like a rock; and it doesn't look like the situation will improve any time soon. Diversification into gold has never been more critical for investors.

USD Collapse: US Dollar Crashes 10% YTD, Gold Prices Reach Near $3,400 -Watcher.Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

The year 2025 has to be the worst time for the US dollar and the best for gold prices. The DXY index, which tracks the performance of the USD shows the currency trading at the 98.3 level on Monday’s opening bell. It has dipped nearly 10% year-to-date and is attracting heavy bearish sentiments in the charts. It started the year at a high of 109.25 but relentlessly dipped in the indices in the last four months.

Commodity traders are losing confidence in the US dollar and relying on gold instead, as it has been the most sought-after asset since 2022. Gold prices have surged nearly 29% year-to-date, entering 2025 trading at $2,660. Its price reached a high of $3,385 on Monday’s opening bell and surged close to 1.5%, rising nearly 50 points.

While gold prices display extreme bullish sentiments, the US dollar is seeing harsh bearish conditions. The two leading assets are two poles apart with one generating stellar returns while the other printing massive losses. The USD’s decline comes as a shock as currency investors were bullish on its prospects in 2025. READ MORE

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4.17.25 - U.S. Dollar Sees Worst Drop in 50 Yrs

Gold last traded at $3,321 an ounce. Silver at $32.47 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We've been hearing for some time now about the trouble the US dollar is in, but how bad is it? The worst it's been in 50 years. The dumping of dollars by countries across the globe is creating tremendous concern, and a real threat to the future of the US dollar.

Scope Issues Downgrade Alert as U.S. Dollar Sees Worst Drop in 50 Yrs -Watcher.Guru

by Loredana Harsana

{Source: LSEG Datastream}

Berlin-based Scope, which is used alongside S&P Global, Moody’s and Fitch by the European Central Bank, currently rates the U.S. at AA with a “negative” outlook. This rating actually sits below the AA+ scores from S&P and Fitch, while Moody’s remains the only major agency still giving America a top-grade “triple A.”

Scope’s head of sovereign ratings, Alvise Lennkh-Yunus, stated:

“If doubts about the exceptional status of the dollar were to increase, this would be very credit negative for the U.S.” READ MORE

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4.16.25 - Will Market Plunge 50% when Tariffs Resume?

Gold last traded at $3,354 an ounce. Silver at $32.90 an ounce.

Tech Bros vs. Gold Bugs -Daily Reckoning

Tech vs. gold may seem like a strange comparison, and yet it proves to be a very interesting association. Long story short, precious metals are now the safest place to invest. This is a time to buy the pullbacks, and hunker down in stable assets, while the next decade plays out.

by Adam Sharp

For the past few years, the world has been infected with a common strain of tech stock fever.

Symptoms include buying stocks at 50x revenue, chasing a handful of big names to ridiculous prices, and believing the bull market can last forever.

This particular strain of tech mania has been around for centuries:

• Railway mania, England 1840s, U.S. 1860 – 1870s
• Electricity and telephone boom, U.S. 1880 – 1900
• Internet boom and bubble, U.S. 1990 – 2000

Technological innovations change, but human behavior never does. It starts out with real tech breakthroughs, and evolves into a raging out-of-control mania. Only the strongest companies survive, and even those almost always crash hard towards the end of the bull market.

The current bubble in tech stock prices has gotten so extreme, that the so-called Magnificent 7 (Apple, Nvidia, Alphabet, Meta, Tesla, Microsoft, and Amazon) were, near the peak, worth a remarkable 62% of U.S. GDP. READ MORE

US Stock Market Could Plunge 50% After Tariffs Resume -Watcher.Guru

Tariff policy continues to plague the stock market, and it appears it will most assuredly get worse. The recent recovery is merely a moment in a recession that may take years to recover from.

by Vinod Dsouza

The US stock market experienced a major crash in early April after Trump announced tariffs on 185 countries. Dow Jones and Nasdaq plunged close to 2,000 points after Liberation Day wiping $2.85 trillion worth of wealth. The heat of the market crash reached the White House and President Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs. The markets recovered after the tariff pause making leading stocks briefly surge in value.

Leading economist and financial author Harry Dent said there’s no need to cheer about the recent recovery. He warned investors that taking an entry position now, believing that the storm has weathered, will only bring doom. The analyst predicted that the US stock market could crash another 30% to 50% once tariffs resume in July.

“This first crash takes us down into the summer 50% from the top on the NASDAQ and QQQ NASDAQ 100 and 40% on the S&P 500,” said Dent in a recent interview with David Lin. “It makes sense to sit through most (US stock market) corrections. This is not one of them, and we’ve got a bounce here where you can get out and at least be cautious in the summer. But, corrections and crashes like this tend to take at least two years and more like three years to play out, like 1929 to 1932, 2000 to 2002, the first tech bubble.”

He added that recessions are a healthy way of cleaning the US stock market to pave the way for the next bull run. Dent cautioned that entering a stock before bottoming out could be disastrous. “The economy has to have recessions to clean things out, and we haven’t had one. I don’t count COVID, it was a few weeks, it was a minor thing, it was artificial. We haven’t had a recession to do this in 16 years, the longest time in history,” he summed it up. READ MORE

Gold Surges to $3,317.90 as Central Banks Dump Dollars – $3900 In 3 Months? -Watcher. Guru

More dollar dumping by central banks is part of the fuel responsible for gold's recent historical increases. The trend of dumping dollars is certainly not isolated to the central banks, but they are definitely at the forefront of the effort.

by Vladimir Popescu

Gold prices surge to an unprecedented $3,317.90 per ounce this week as central banks accelerate dollar dumping and global unrest intensifies. This remarkable climb in the commodity market strengthens gold’s safe haven appeal amid mounting tensions.

Gold prices surge following U.S. President Donald Trump’s order for an investigation into potential tariffs on critical mineral imports. This move, targeting China, has sparked investor flight to safe haven assets.

Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank, stated:

“Trump’s trade war shows no signs of easing after the President ordered a probe into critical minerals, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, sparking a fresh move towards safe havens and out of stocks.” READ MORE

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4.15.25 - Bank of America Data Breach

Gold last traded at $3,231 an ounce. Silver at $32.33 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Another major financial institution data breach is a sad reminder of the many cracks we have in our financial system. These types of events always leave account holders, at all banks, feeling uneasy. Read on to see what you can expect if you were part of this breach. If you would like to take steps to privatize your assets, give us a call today.

Bank of America Data Breach 2025: What You Need to Know About the US Bank Breach

In April 2025, Bank of America disclosed a significant data breach that has left customers concerned about the safety of their personal and financial information.

This US bank breach, widely reported as a data breach at Bank of America, exposed sensitive details, including names, addresses, account information, and Social Security numbers.

As one of the largest financial institutions in the United States, this incident has raised alarm bells about data security in the banking sector.

Here, we dive into the details of the Bank of America data breach, its impact, what the bank is doing to address it, and how you can protect yourself. READ MORE

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4.14.25 - Goldman Puts $4,000 Gold on the Agenda

Gold last traded at $3,210 an ounce. Silver at $32.35 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We began the year with many analysts calling for conservative and steady growth for gold. As the world is scrambling to find financial safe havens, gold is outpacing those expectations with explosive gains. The yellow metal is providing a classic double-play opportunity serving up safety, as well as growth.

Goldman Puts $4,000 Gold on the Agenda as Hunt for Havens Grows -Yahoo! Finance

by Sybilla Gross

(Bloomberg) -- Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and UBS Group AG issued another round of bullish calls for gold, with stronger-than-expected central bank demand and the metal’s role as a hedge against recession and geopolitical risks underpinning expectations for even higher prices in 2025.

Goldman analysts including Lina Thomas now see gold rallying to $3,700 an ounce by the end of this year — with prices set to hit $4,000 an ounce by mid-2026 — while UBS strategist Joni Teves pointed to $3,500 an ounce by December 2025, according to two separate notes on Friday.

The new targets come after gold surged 6.6% last week, with prices clinching a fresh record above $3,245 an ounce on Monday. The two banks issued their previous outlook upgrades in March, signaling strong bullish consensus on bullion in an environment of uncertainty as US President Donald Trump’s trade policies roil global markets.

The Goldman analysts said official-sector purchases are likely to average about 80 tons per month this year — up from their previous estimate of 70 tons — and reiterated their long gold trade recommendation. Rising recession risks would also likely juice inflows into bullion-backed exchange traded funds, they added. READ MORE

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4.11.25 - Gold the 'Best Place to Be'

Gold last traded at $3,238 an ounce. Silver at $32.28 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If the tariff war has you concerned about your investments, gold is the place you want to be. This according to Yahoo! Finance. The increase in gold prices - which has been nothing short of meteoric - is only going to go higher from here, according to many analysts.

Gold 'Best Place to Be' as Tariff Turmoil Sparks Climb to Record -Yahoo! Finance

by Yihui Xie and Yvonne Yue Li

(Bloomberg) -- Gold rose to a new record high above $3,200 an ounce as concerns about the impact of tariffs on the global economy boosted bullion’s appeal as a haven for investors.

Prices gained as much as 2.1% to $3,244.15 on Friday, eclipsing the previous all-time high posted Thursday. Prices are heading for a weekly increase of more than 6%.

Gold’s haven status has been underpinned this week, with President Donald Trump’s flip-flopping on tariffs sparking frantic selloffs for US stocks, bonds and the dollar, as fears of a worldwide recession engulfed Wall Street. In particular, the selloff in US government bonds highlighted eroding appetite for US assets and prompted questions about whether the nation’s debt remains a haven.

“Gold’s very strong recovery back to a fresh all-time high sent a signal that all is not well,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank AS. “Its continued strength suggests that despite the tariff pause, underlying concerns remain—geopolitical and economic tensions, mounting fiscal debt, and ongoing central bank demand.”

With tariffs at levels now set to halt almost all trade between the US and China, the concern now is that the economic fight between the world’s biggest economies could spill into other areas of the relationship. China retaliated against Trump’s latest tariffs by hiking duties on all US goods, while calling the administration’s actions a “joke” and saying it no longer considers them worth matching.

“Gold is the best place to be in the market now,” said Liu Yuxuan, a Shanghai-based precious metal researcher at Guotai Jun’an Futures Co. “The unprecedented trade tension has deepened the distrust of US dollar, intensifying the demand for” other safety assets. READ MORE

Further Reading

Gold Breaches $3,200: Here’s When It Can Reach $3,300 & $3,500 Next

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4.10.25 - Can Gold Surge Even Higher?

Gold last traded at $3,187 an ounce. Silver at $31.19 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It has long been a concern that the BRICS movement might spread to Europe; and now it has. Poland is dumping US dollars and using their central bank to buy up gold, falling right in line with the BRICS method. If there are other European nations who employ this strategy, the US dollar will be in a world of hurt.

Gold Hits New All-Time High of $3,132: Can It Surge Even Higher? -Watcher.Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

Gold prices are skyrocketing on Thursday as the XAU/USD index touched a new all-time high of $3,132. The precious metal spiked more than 1.25% surging close to 40 points in the day’s trade. The bullish trajectory comes after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs. The new policy made the global markets rally with Dow Jones rising nearly 3,000 points in the charts.

The prices of gold have surged close to 19% year-to-date and are among the top-performing assets in the commodity markets. Retail investors, institutional funds, and central banks of developing countries have been aggressively buying the metal since 2022. The glittery asset has delivered profits to all who took an entry position two years ago.

Leading investment bank Goldman Sachs recently predicted that gold prices are on the way to hitting the $3,300 mark. “The increased forecast is underpinned by higher-than-expected demand for gold from central banks, which have been increasing their reserves of the commodity since the freezing of Russian central bank assets in 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This scenario would drive the gold price as high as $3,300 per troy ounce by the end of 2025,” the investment bank wrote.

That’s a surge of another 6% from its current price of $3,122. Therefore, an investment of $1,000 in gold could turn into $1,060 if the forecast turns out to be accurate. Gold remains in heavy demand due to the uncertainties of the global markets which is being affected by Trump’s tariffs. READ MORE

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4.9.25 - US Dollar Under Siege

Gold last traded at $3,083 an ounce. Silver at $30.89 an ounce.

Spot Gold Extends Gains in Biggest Intraday Jump in Five Years -Yahoo! Finance

Those who have already diversified into gold are patting themselves on the back, as that investment has seen hefty gains in the first quarter. Haven't entered the gold market yet? It's not too late, gold still has a long way to go.

by Yvonne Yue Li

(Bloomberg) -- Gold extended gains for the biggest intraday jump in five years as global markets gyrated and bonds sold off after US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping new import tariffs and China and Europe hit back with levies of their own.

Spot gold rose as much as 3.8% to as high as $3.095.13 an ounce Wednesday, the biggest intraday increase since March 2020.

An exodus from longer-dated US government bonds — typically a safe haven in times of turmoil — underscored a jittery day for investors as Trump’s historic trade measures came into effect. Bullion extended recent declines before swinging higher by as much as 3.4%, the biggest intraday jump since October 2023.

The selloff in Treasuries sent long-term yields soaring worldwide, threatening to deliver another hit to the US economy. Rising yields would normally weigh on bullion given its inverted relationship with inflation-adjusted rates.

“Gold is currently the ultimate safe haven as worries about US fiscal stability continues to rise,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank AS. READ MORE

US Dollar Under Siege as Central Banks Ramp Up Gold Reserves – What’s Next? -Watcher.Guru

The increasing central bank gold purchases are happening at a great cost to the US dollar. As banks - and governments - continue to unload dollars, it has become a race to see who can de-dollarize the fastest.

by Vladimir Popescu

The US dollar is currently experiencing alarming weakness, and right now in 2025, the currency is actually seeing its worst start to a year since the 2008 financial crisis. At this moment, central banks worldwide are also rapidly increasing their gold reserves as market volatility continues and fears about global financial instability grow stronger. This ongoing shift suggests an acceleration in de-dollarization efforts that might, in the near future, permanently alter the international monetary system as we know it.

In early April, the US dollar suddenly fell about 1.7% in value in just a single day after the new tariff announcements, and this also represented its largest daily drop since back in November 2022. Such unexpected behavior essentially contradicts its traditional and long-standing role as a safe haven during times of market uncertainty.

Thierry Wizman, global foreign exchange strategist at Macquarie, stated:

“What we’re seeing today is a further indication that the structure and nature of the U.S. dollar’s relationship to global markets has changed. There’s an underlying basis for this, which is the changing role of the U.S. in the world.” READ MORE

Currency: E-Yuan is Here – How China’s CBDC Could Destroy the Dollar -Watcher.Guru

In addition to the aggressive tariff war the US is having with China, we will also be fighting against the E-Yuan - their new CBDC. Some are suggesting the E-Yuan alone could sink the dollar.

by Vladimir Popescu

E-yuan, China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), is quickly emerging as a potential threat to the U.S. dollar’s global dominance. The digital yuan represents, at this moment in time, China’s bold step into the future of finance, as the world’s second-largest economy is now aggressively positioning its CBDC to reshape international monetary systems. This new digital currency isn’t just another cryptocurrency – it’s actually a state-backed financial instrument with significant and far-reaching geopolitical implications.

The e-yuan was introduced as a pilot program back in 2019, after the People’s Bank of China began developing its centralized digital currency strategy in 2014. Initially tested in major cities like Shenzhen, Suzhou, Chengdu, and Xiong’an, the digital yuan has already accumulated approximately 261 million wallets according to statements from the PBOC, though a full nationwide launch is still pending and might take some time to fully materialize.

China’s CBDC development comes with several strategic advantages that position the e-yuan as a potential dollar challenger. Right now, at the current moment, the country leads the world in transitioning toward cashless economies and has, over the years, pioneered vast FinTech ecosystems including platforms like Alipay, WeChat Pay, and also UnionPay. The renminbi is currently the fourth most active currency for global payments by value according to SWIFT, already ahead of both the Japanese yen and Canadian dollar, which is quite significant. READ MORE

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4.8.25 - Poland: ditching the dollar and buying gold

Gold last traded at $2,980 an ounce. Silver at $29.79 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It has long been a concern that the BRICS movement might spread to Europe; and now it has. Poland is dumping US dollars and using their central bank to buy up gold, falling right in line with the BRICS method. If there are other European nations who employ this strategy, the US dollar will be in a world of hurt.

New Country Begins Ditching US Dollar, Accumulates Gold in Central Bank -Watcher.Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

It’s no longer the Asian countries that are aggressively accumulating gold in their central banks and ending reliance on the US dollar. A new European country joined the league to become the biggest buyer of gold last month diversifying its assets in the central bank and not giving foremost importance to the US dollar. If European countries start the trend of diversification in central banks, it could cause major financial havoc in the US.

The new European country to accumulate tonnes of gold in their reserves and sideline the US dollar is Poland. Poland’s central bank brought 16 tonnes of gold last month making it the biggest buyer of the precious metal in March. It even raced ahead of China, India, Russia, and Brazil who were actively accumulating the glittery metal since 2022.

Several countries are keeping the US dollar aside in 2025 and refilling their coffers with gold. The US dollar comes with risk as the debt ceiling is high and a recession could impact their native economies. JP Morgan has already increased the chance of a recession in 2025 from 30% to 60% after the tariffs went live.

54% of Poland’s central bank purchases have been gold since 2024 and reduced US dollar, according to the latest data. “That increases its YTD net purchases to 49 tonnes, equivalent to 54% of its total purchases in 2024 (90 tonnes),” said David Miller, Chief Investment Officer at Catalyst Fund.

The total Poland spent to accumulate 16 tonnes of gold was $894,181,760 in April 2025. If more countries begin relying less on the US dollar and more on gold, the greenback could face a deficit. Central banks hoarded USD the most for decades and the diversification is a cause of worry. READ MORE

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4.7.25 - Investors brace for margin calls

Gold last traded at $2,985 an ounce. Silver at $30.04 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A long-lingering concern in the stock market is being realized this week. The leverage in the market - through hedge funds and margin plays - is taking on a life of its own. This is creating chaos in the markets; for investment firms, banks and investors alike.

Hedge funds capitulate, investors brace for margin calls in market rout -Yahoo! Finance

By Summer Zhen, Samuel Shen and Carolina Mandl

HONG KONG/SHANGHAI/NEW YORK (Reuters) -Some hedge funds say they are offloading all or most of their holdings of stocks as U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war wipes out trillions of dollars of market value and forces them to curtail trading using borrowed cash.

In the three trading days following Trump's announcement of broad reciprocal tariffs on almost all countries, stock markets across the world have plummeted, and bonds have become both a haven and a bet on rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, turning on their head market assumptions before Trump took office.

The selloff on Wall Street has been vicious as investors that bet on U.S. exceptionalism and economic might stampede out of its markets.

The benchmark S&P 500 index fell 10.5% over two days and lost about $5 trillion in market value. China's CSI300 blue-chip index fell more than 5% on Monday, while the pan-European STOXX index is down over 14% from its March 3 all-time closing high and in correction territory.

William Xin, chairman of hedge fund Spring Mountain Pu Jiang Investment Management based in Shanghai, said he had liquidated all of his stock positions as the current geopolitical landscape is messy, and the risk of a global recession is rising.

"The macro picture is getting very chaotic, and I cannot see the future clearly at all," said Xin, who sold his China and Hong Kong-listed shares last Thursday, ahead of a public holiday on Friday. READ MORE

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4.4.25 - Central Banks Rush to Buy Gold at ATH!

Gold last traded at $3,020 an ounce. Silver at $29.41 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Central banks have been buying up gold in earnest since 2022, but that buying has hyper-accelerated since Trump's inauguration. Now, strategists are suggesting central banks should amass even more gold to shore up their holdings. That advice also applies to individual investors. With this level of market volatility, a hedge is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

Trump’s Tariffs Trigger De-Dollarization – Central Banks Rush to Buy Gold at ATH! -Watcher.Guru

by Vladimir Popescu

{watcher.guru}

Trump’s economic policies have certainly prompted central banks worldwide to rethink their reserve strategies, leading to unprecedented gold purchases in recent months. This shift represents a really significant move toward de-dollarization as countries try to insulate themselves from US policy volatility and the potential fallout from trade disputes.

The de-dollarization movement has, at this point in time, central banks purchasing over 1,000 metric tons of gold annually since 2022. In the final quarter of 2024, following Trump’s election victory, central bank purchases jumped about 54% year-on-year to approximately 333 tons.

Michael Widmer, commodity strategist at Bank of America, stated: “Emerging market central banks currently hold around 10% of their assets in gold. They should really hold 30% of their assets in gold.”

Gold prices have, as a result, responded dramatically, hitting $3,167.57 per troy ounce in April 2025—essentially a 19% gain this year and an impressive 71% rise since 2022. READ MORE

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4.3.25 - Gold is glittering for good reasons

Gold last traded at $3,113 an ounce. Silver at $31.84 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you are still not sure if gold is right for your portfolio, here are a few more reasons you may want to consider it. The list of reasons to buy continues to grow, as do the projections by many analysts for huge appreciation.

Gold is glittering for good reasons. Here's why it still fits in your portfolio.-MorningStar

By Charles Collyns and Michael Klein

Gold can be an effective hedge against other risks, including global uncertainty and volatility

The main factor behind the recent surge in the price of gold is the increase in global economic uncertainty.

The price of gold has jumped more than 40% since the end of 2023, topping $3,000 per ounce in March 2025 and now approaching $3,200. This leap cannot be explained by a sudden increase in the demand for gold as jewelry or for its use in industrial production. Rather, it reflects the shifting demand for the yellow metal as a financial asset.

Historically, gold has been held by private investors who see gold as a good way to protect wealth during inflationary periods or when there is substantial economic or political uncertainty as well as by central banks as part of their international reserves. Can shifts in these motivations explain the recent dramatic rise in the gold price?

The recent spike in economic uncertainty worldwide has sent the gold price soaring. Consider:

-- Large gold price fluctuations mainly reflect its role as a financial asset: As a commodity, gold is mined and used as an input for both industrial and consumer goods, which can imply some modest shifts in supply and demand, and hence the price of gold, over time. But gold also has a long history of being held by private investors and central banks, which can be the source of much larger shifts in gold demand. These shifts in the demand for gold as a financial asset have tended to dominate gold price movements.

-- For private investors, gold offers no explicit yield, unlike bonds, which pay an annual interest rate or stocks that pay dividends. But holding gold can still provide benefits in an investment portfolio: People will purchase gold when they expect the price of gold to go up and to be able to cash it in at a higher price - although there is also a risk of capital losses in the face of a price decline. Current price swings reflect shifting beliefs about gold's future price, and the difference between the current and future prices provides a source of speculative gain (or loss) and a possible hedge against losses from other assets. Gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have substantially broadened the investor base for gold and allowed for more rapid shifts between gold and other assets in response to such shifting beliefs. READ MORE

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4.2.25 - Gold to Surge 10.7% by May

Gold last traded at $3,131 an ounce. Silver at $33.98 an ounce.

De-Dollarization: New Non-Traditional Currencies Are “Eating” The US Dollar -Watcher.Guru

It's no secret the dollar is in a dog fight, and to hear some say it's getting "eaten" is not encouraging. As President Trump continues to make moves in this global game of economic chess, it feels as if he's losing ground at every turn. Hopefully he finds a window of opportunity to reverse this trend.

by Juhi Mirza

The US dollar seems to be in great jeopardy from the start of the year. The year 2025 has ushered in great instability for the US economy, spurred primarily by the US’s rising trade war narrative. President Donald Trump is adamant about imposing tariffs on nations that do not comply with the trade norms laid down by the United States, sparking widespread volatility in the US dollar’s global status. This development has led to the US dollar falling, with nations pivoting to “non-reserve currencies” to save face. Will this phenomenon destabilize the USD to a greater extent and usher in de-dollarization? Let’s find out.

The US dollar is declining rapidly, displaying shaky metrics amid a rising trade war narrative. Per an article by Kitco, the US dollar is gaining new competitors, contenders that are vying for its reserve currency status. Per Wolf Richter, analyst and Wall Street analyst, the US dollar’s status as a dominant reserve asset is declining, a statement that was recently echoed by BlackRock’s Larry Fink.

“The reserve currency status comes from other central banks (not the Fed) having purchased trillions of USD-denominated assets such as Treasury securities, other government securities, corporate bonds, and even stocks. The dollar’s status as the dominant reserve currency has been crucial for the US, and as that dominance declines ever so slowly, risks pile up ever so slowly.” Richter stated. READ MORE

Gold to Surge 10.7% by May 2025 – Safe-Haven Demand Drives Price to $3,448.54 -Watcher.Guru

With the price of gold already surpassing the performance estimates for 2025, several analysts have re-calibrated and raised their predictions. As the tsunami of economic pressure builds, people across the globe continue to seek the safe haven gold provides.

by Vladimir Popescu

Gold prices are currently projected to climb about 10.7% to $3,448.54 by May 2025, and this rise is being driven by strong safe-haven demand amid increasing market volatility and also economic uncertainty. Gold is trading at a value of about $3,114.25 right now, and it also recently hit an all-time high of $3,148.88 as investors are actively seeking shelter from the global economic turbulence that we’re seeing.

Philip Newman, managing director of Metals Focus, stated:

“The main reason for these successive record highs has been safe-haven buying, and the geopolitical uncertainty underpinning this shows no sign of letting up.”

At the time of writing, market anxiety has intensified ahead of U.S. reciprocal tariffs, which were actually dubbed “Liberation Day” by President Trump. These tariff policies could potentially trigger inflation, and also slow economic growth, as well as worsen trade disputes – conditions where gold typically thrives as a hedge against instability.

Gold investment sentiment remains quite bullish with technical indicators showing about 23 green days out of the last 30 (77%), despite the moderate price volatility of around 2.33%. READ MORE

Elon Musk says Fort Knox gold reserves should be livestreamed -Fox Business

Just when it seemed like the Fort Knox gold reserves audit discussion had gone away, it has reemerged. I support the idea of an audit. If there is nothing to hide, why not?

by Aislinn Murphy

Tesla CEO and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk on Sunday voiced his support for setting up a livestream of Fort Knox and its gold reserves.

In response to a question about Musk checking on the gold at Fort Knox, the billionaire said he thought it "would be awesome to livestream Fort Knox."

Fort Knox’s U.S. Bullion Depository is one of several places across the country where the U.S. government keeps its gold reserves. It is located in Kentucky.

"I mean, that would be really fun. And after all, it is actually the gold of the American people, so the American people, it seems to me, have a right to see their gold," he said.

"Hopefully, it looks really cool. You know, open the doors like, ‘Is it there? Is that really gold? Let’s check.’ Maybe it’ll be really interesting," he continued.

Musk said he was "all for it" and that President Donald Trump "says he’s interested in doing it, so hopefully it happens."

Conspiracy theories about the status of Fort Knox’s gold have been rampant on social media, and Musk and Trump have also speculated about whether the bullion remains present at the highly secure depository, saying it needs to be confirmed. READ MORE

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4.1.25 - Central Banks Diversify into Other Currencies

Gold last traded at $3,118 an ounce. Silver at $33.68 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As President Trump continues to battle with BRICS nations over their de-dollarization maneuvers, it appears there is another enemy of the dollar; central banks. Central banks have been diligently divesting themselves of dollars, as they position in other currencies; as well as gold. The dollar is definitely getting bent, how much can it take before it breaks?

Status of US Dollar as Global Reserve Currency: Central Banks Diversify into Other Currencies and Gold -Wolf Street

by Wolf Richter

The status of the US dollar as the dominant global reserve currency has helped the US fund its twin deficits, and thereby has enabled them: the huge fiscal deficit every year and the massive trade deficit every year. The reserve currency status comes from other central banks (not the Fed) having purchased trillions of USD-denominated assets such as Treasury securities, other government securities, corporate bonds, and even stocks. The dollar status as the dominant reserve currency has been crucial for the US, and as that dominance declines ever so slowly, risks pile up ever so slowly.

The US dollar lost further ground as top global reserve currency in 2024, according to the IMF’s COFER data released today. Total holdings of USD-denominated securities by other central banks (not the Fed) fell by $59 billion to $6.63 trillion at the end of 2024, from $6.69 trillion at the end of 2023.

And the dollar’s share declined to 57.8% of total allocated exchange reserves at the end of 2024, the lowest since 1994, down by 7.3 percentage points in 10 years, as central banks have been diversifying their holdings for years to assets denominated in currencies other than the dollar, and into gold. VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

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3.31.25 - Paper Promises, Golden Truths

Gold last traded at $3,121 an ounce. Silver at $33.99 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Fiat currencies always fail, it’s just a matter of how long it takes them to fall. The dollar is, sadly, knocking on death’s door. It may take years for its ultimate demise, but that isn’t stopping central banks from buying as much gold and silver as they can get their hands on. Individual investors would be wise to do the same. Gold and silver have saved governments, and citizens, from failed paper experiments for millennia.

Paper Promises, Golden Truths -Daily Reckoning

by Adam Sharp

In films and TV shows set in the future, money is usually a digital government currency.

Credits, cubits, and chits are a few names I recall. This is a globalist CBDC-based vision of the future. Bleak.

But in one of my favorite sci-fi movies, Looper, precious metals reign supreme as money. In that film, the inevitable breakdown in fiat currency has already occurred and hard money has made a comeback.

This latter scenario is far more likely. Time and time again, central banks and governments have proven they cannot be trusted with the power to create unlimited money. It doesn’t matter whether it’s paper or digital money, central bankers will print too much of it given the chance.

Without exception, every fiat currency in history has trended towards zero. Government digital money will be no different.

Voltaire wasn’t exaggerating when he said, “paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value – zero”. In fact, he had just experienced it first-hand following France’s disastrous fiat experiments of the 1700s.

It’s a question of when, not if. And time is running short. READ MORE

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3.28.25 - Trump and the Fate of the Dollar

Gold last traded at $3,077 an ounce. Silver at $33.97 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This headline alone represents an ocean's worth of discussion, and the article does a great job of it; but the last paragraph is the one worth heeding, "The big winner in this context is gold. The BRICS are moving toward gold as fast as they can. Investors can do the same. Don’t be left behind."

Trump and the Fate of the Dollar -Daily Reckoning

by James Rickards

What is the Mar-a-Lago Accord? And what would a Mar-a-Lago Accord mean for the value of the U.S. dollar?

We begin our analysis with the name itself. Mar-a-Lago Accord is an echo of the three major international currency accords since the original Bretton Woods Agreements reached in 1944.

The first was the Smithsonian Agreement in December 1971. This came in the aftermath of President Nixon’s decision on August 15, 1971, to end the convertibility of U.S. dollars into physical gold by U.S. trading partners at the fixed rate of $35.00 per ounce. The major countries in the global system (U.S., UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Belgium, and Netherlands) met at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC to decide how to reopen the gold window.

The main U.S. goal was to devalue the dollar. In the end, the price of gold was increased by 8.5% to $38.00 per ounce (revalued to $42.22 per ounce in 1973), which equaled a 7.9% dollar devaluation. Other currencies were revalued against the dollar, including a 16.9% upward revaluation of the Japanese yen.

The effort to reopen the gold window failed. Instead, major countries moved to floating exchange rates, which remains the norm to this day. Gold moved to free market trading and is currently about $3,050 per ounce. That gold price represents a 98.8% devaluation of the dollar measured by weight of gold since 1971. READ MORE

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3.27.25 - Silver's 3x Upside

Gold last traded at $3,056 an ounce. Silver at $34.44 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Silver has appreciated over 40% in just the last year, and that's the tip of the iceberg. Many analysts are now suggesting we may soon be seeing a 300% increase in the price of silver, and quite possibly even more.

Silver’s 3x Upside -Daily Reckoning

by Adam Sharp

{Daily Reckoning}

Despite the healthy price action, the thought of selling hasn’t crossed my mind.

Today I will lay out the case that silver could triple to over $100/oz over the next few years.

When pondering how high silver could go, historical prices are a logical place to start. To do so properly, however, we need to account for inflation.

Silver reached its all-time high of around $50 in 1980, but that was a special situation. Specifically, it was a scheme orchestrated by the Hunt brothers to corner the market.

So unfortunately, we can’t really use the 1980 $50 price as a benchmark. If we did, according to the BLS’ official inflation calculator, $50 in 1980 would equate to around $205 today.

However, I also don’t trust the official government inflation numbers. Many of us suspect that federal inflation data is severely understated.

You see, in both 1980 and 1990 the U.S. government changed the way inflation (CPI) was calculated. The new methods dramatically lowered the rate of price increases.

Shadowstats.com, operated by economist John Williams, offers an alternate inflation data set which attempts to re-create the pre-1980 methodology. As you can imagine, Shadowstats arrives at a wildly different inflation picture: VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

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3.26.25- Prepare for the Looming Recession

Gold last traded at $3,019 an ounce. Silver at $33.63 an ounce.

US Treasury Could Default As Soon As August, CBO Warns -ZeroHedge

As President Trump races to right our financial ship, is there enough time left on the clock to do so? He's created a lot of stir - and some good results - with his early moves; but there are still problems, like our debt, that could prove too insurmountable.

by Tyler Durden

Earlier this week we pointed out the striking plunge in the Treasury's cash balance which had averaged around $800 billion for the past 18 months, and which plunged by $480 billion in the past month.

Regular readers are aware of the reason for this plunge: ever since the US hit the debt ceiling in the last days of the Biden administration, the US Treasury has been unable to issue new debt and so has been forced to draw down its cash to fund day to day operations.

Obviously, there is a limit to how much longer this can continue: after all, once the cash balance hits 0, the Treasury will have to start prioritizing payments, and eventually, it may even have to delay payments of interest or repayments of principal... better known as default.

Which brings us to the latest report from the Congressional Budget Office published this morning which warned that the federal government could run out of enough money to pay all of its bills on time as soon as August if lawmakers fail to raise or suspend the debt limit, to wit:

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that if the debt limit remains unchanged, the government’s ability to borrow using extraordinary measures will probably be exhausted in August or September 2025. The projected exhaustion date is uncertain because the timing and amount of revenue collections and outlays over the intervening months could differ from CBO’s projections.

On Monday, the Bipartisan Policy Center said that according to public data the Treasury will be forced to start defaulting on obligations sometime between mid-July and early October. VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

Prepare for the Looming Recession -Daily Reckoning

Looks like the "R" word is rearing its ugly head again. Add it to the long list of potential gut punches looming over the US economy.

by Byron King

“Will we have a recession?” was the question.

My answer was… Yes, count on it.

And to give away the punchline, prepare now for rough seas ahead, so to speak. Take some money off the stock market table, stash cash, lighten up expenses, throttle back generally, and own gold and silver for the long-term.

Here’s the background…

During the 1980 presidential campaign, Ronald Reagan offered a memorable quip: “A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours.” Then Reagan added, “A recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his.”

The delivery and timing were perfect, befitting Reagan’s years on the stage, both in Hollywood and California politics. His line resonated with voters. In 1980 Reagan hit an exposed political nerve during a tough spell for the U.S. economy, at a time of roaring inflation and general industrial decline. If you were around, you may recall the rising prices for everything, plus widespread factory closures and layoffs.

The Gipper’s pithy summation was great political drama. His point remains valid. Voters appreciate politicians who deliver a strong economy with good jobs, economic growth, and prices under control. And voters punish politicians who fail, hence Carter’s one term in office.

Over and above Reagan’s use of the term recession, the word has a more formal definition in the field of economics. Namely, a recession is a period of economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced, generally identified by a fall in GDP over two successive quarters.

In this sense, the definition of recession makes it more difficult properly to use the term. That is, a recession isn’t a real “recession” except in retrospect, looking back after long delay. READ MORE

Local Currencies Defeat the US Dollar in 2025 -Watcher.Guru

The new normal for the dollar is continually losing ground against local currencies. This trend is building momentum at a time when the dollar is in desperate need of an uptick. The year is still young, but so far, it's not looking good.

by Vinod Dsouza

The big currency winners in 2025 are everybody except the US dollar, reported Reuters. The DXY index, which tracks the performance of the US dollar against a basket of six currencies shows the greenback falling to a low of 103.60 this month. It fell from a high of 109.80 early this year to a low of 103.60. That’s a decline of nearly 4.5% year-to-date and is a steep dip in the forex markets. Local currencies have outperformed the US dollar this year as the greenback remains on the back foot.

The mighty US dollar has plummeted against eight out of nine leading local currencies in 2025. The main culprit that weakened the USD is the trade tariffs imposed by Trump that caused disruption in the forex sector. The tariffs are dividing the markets as investors are sending mixed reactions in the indices.

Below is the list of leading local currencies that the US dollar has dipped in 2025: READ MORE

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3.25.25 - 10 US Sectors Vulnerable To Tariffs

Gold last traded at $3,020 an ounce. Silver at $33.74 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As we continue to ride the seesaw of tariffs, we haven't begun to feel the consequences yet. While the Trump administration feels imposing tariffs is the best strategy to bolster the buck, and the overall economy, which sectors will be impacted the most. Read on to see the list of ten.

De-Dollarization: 10 US Sectors Vulnerable To Tariffs & Dollar Decline -Watcher.Guru

by Juhi Mirza

In a world that is increasingly pivoting towards the multi-polar narrative, the US is now struggling to maintain its dollar diplomacy intact. While the efforts to curb de-dollarization have always been initiated by the US, Trump’s sudden tariff sprees have now cast a shadow of doubt, with analysts questioning whether such tariff moves are in sync with the US economic infrastructural health. Moreover, Trump’s tariff ordeals have started to affect the US dollar, with USD encountering heavy fluctuations in its valuation. Will the US economy be able to handle the aftermath of Trump’s bold tariff ordeals? Or will it prompt nations to pursue de-dollarization holistically? Let’s find out.

Donald Trump is currently pursuing an aggressive tariff policy and is busy levying tariffs on nations to bolster the US economy. In one of Trump’s recent statements, the US president stated how April 2nd is the day when America liberates itself, as it is the day when the president will be issuing reciprocal tariffs on nations.

While his strategy is solely based on bolstering the US economy and making it more productive than ever, the repercussions of his policies cannot be ignored. For instance, experts have long been stating how Trump’s aggressive tariff policies may backfire, ushering in economic instability in the domain.

“The President is right to focus on major problems like our broken border and the scourge of fentanyl, but the imposition of tariffs won’t solve these problems and will only raise prices for American families and upend supply chains.” Said John Murphy, senior vice president and head of international at the US Chamber of Commerce.

At the same time, experts have also expressed concerns over retaliatory tariffs that the US may face in the process. Other than that, issues such as supply chain disruptions and the global trade war narrative may also gain steam, battering the US and the US dollar in the process. READ MORE

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3.24.25 - Any Country Buying Venezuelan Oil Slapped With 25% Tariff

Gold last traded at $3,011 an ounce. Silver at $33.04 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: When the talking heads said a tariff war was coming, they weren't kidding. President Trump has been actively pursuing countries - who are conducting trade with other countries - he believes are unfavorable to the US. Time will tell how effective his approach proves to be, but if nothing else, he's definitely brought these issues to the forefront.

Trump: Any Country Buying Venezuelan Oil Slapped With 25% Tariff -ZeroHedge

by Tyler Durden

President Donald Trump is imposing a 25% 'Secondary' tariff on Venezuela, and a 25% tariff on "any Country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela," payable to the United States "on any Trade they do with our Country."

The tariffs, which would go into affect April 2 should Trump implement them, would cut a major source of revenue for the Maduro government - while ratcheting up pressure on China, a major purchaser of Venezuelan crude that's already looking at 20% tariffs under Trump.

Trump cited "the fact that Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent to the United States, undercover, tens of thousands of high level, and other, criminals, many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature," in his 25% tariff on Venezuela, and says the additional 25% tariff punishing anyone buying oil or gas will begin on April 2nd.

Needless to say, the news sent oil immediately higher in Monday trade.

The move would particularly affect China, which has been a major purchaser of Venezuelan crude - and it's unclear i) if China will agree to be impacted by unilateral tariffs and ii) how the US would enforce them against China.

Venezuelan crude exports had risen to a five-year high in February before the Trump administration said it was forcing Chevron to wind down its operations by April 3. Chevron had sought more time to conclude operations with Venezuela's state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela. In canceling the deal, Trump announced in a post on Truth Social that he was "reversing the concessions" of the "oil transaction agreement, dated November 26, 2022."

These were concessions enacted by his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, which had allowed Chevron Corp - active in the Latin American country for a century - to produce and sell oil in Venezuela despite sanctions. VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

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3.21.25 - Peace in Ukraine: Investor Implications

Gold last traded at $3,021 an ounce. Silver at $32.89 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: While the war in Ukraine has shown the world that warfare will never be the same, gold has once again proven itself a steadfast and enduring way to preserve wealth; for world powers and individual investors alike. In a time when electronic assets can be seized by enemies, physically held precious metals shine. As Mr. Sharp concludes, "Gold is back as a reserve asset, and its importance is only set to grow over the coming decades."

Peace in Ukraine: Investor Implications -Daily Reckoning

by Adam Sharp

After 3 terrible years of fighting, the war in Ukraine may finally be nearing its conclusion.

This week Presidents Trump and Putin had a 2+ hour phone call which apparently went well. Both leaders expressed a strong desire to end the war, and more than that, expand bilateral relations.

On the battlefield, Russia is on the verge of pushing the last of Ukraine’s forces out of its Kursk region. It is almost certain that President Zelensky had hoped to trade Kursk for Russian-occupied lands, likely including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

If and when Russia succeeds in clearing Kursk, it will be a major disappointment to the Ukrainian side. President Zelensky clearly would like to regain some of his lost territory as part of any peace deal. But it is increasingly looking like Putin is not open to negotiation on this point.

Ukraine is losing the war, low on troops and equipment, and experiencing widespread electricity blackouts and brownouts.

While I am sure President Trump will work to get Ukraine the best deal possible, at this moment it appears Putin holds most of the leverage.

Today, let’s look at the implications of a hypothetical end to the war for investors. READ MORE

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3.20.25 - Utah Approves Gold Payments for State Vendors

Gold last traded at $3,044 an ounce. Silver at $33.58 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As Rep. Ken Ivory puts it, "In uncertain economic times, Utah is providing vendors and service providers with the option to receive payment in gold and silver. This law gives Utahns an alternative to choose how they preserve the purchasing power of their earnings and savings." Utah is the first state to legally acknowledge what many gold investors have known for generations: gold preserves wealth; always has, and always will.

Utah becomes 1st in nation to approve gold and silver payments for state vendors -St. George News

The Utah Legislature passed the precious metals amendments bill authorizing the state treasurer to issue a competitive procurement for a precious metals-backed electronic payment platform, allowing state vendors to opt for payment in physical gold and silver.

Sponsored by Rep. Ken Ivory and carried in the Senate by Sen. Keith Grover, the bill, designated HB 306 in Utah's 2025 legislative session, passed with strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature. This landmark move positions Utah as the first state in the nation to pass a transactional gold bill, according to a news release issued by the Utah Office of State Treasurer.

The legislation is an outcome of the Utah Precious Metals Study Workgroup, formed under HB 348 passed by Ivory in the 2024 General Session, which authorized Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks to invest a portion of Utah’s rainy day funds in precious metals and review how precious metals can enhance Utah's economic security and prosperity.

"A key takeaway from the workgroup is citizens should have a choice in how they conduct financial transactions," Oaks said in the press release. "HB 306 gives state vendors the option to be paid in precious metals, while ensuring the physical assets backing the system are stored in Utah and subject to regular audits. This not only supports a secure and transparent system, but also takes an important step toward making transactional gold a viable option for all citizens.”

“In uncertain economic times, Utah is providing vendors and service providers with the option to receive payment in gold and silver,” Ivory said. “This law gives Utahns an alternative to choose how they preserve the purchasing power of their earnings and savings.” READ MORE

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3.19.25 - Gold’s Warning Signal

Gold last traded at $3,048 an ounce. Silver at $33.81 an ounce.

De-Dollarization: 3 Reasons Why The World Is Ditching The US Dollar -Watcher.Guru

Even as some BRICS nations are softening on their anti-dollar position, there is a strong contingency of nations with a laser focus when it comes to distancing themselves from the dollar. Here are three reasons why.

by Juhi Mirza

De-dollarization, otherwise known as the phenomenon that denotes the dumping of the US dollar on a global scale, is now a burning concept running amok among global nations. The concept is now gaining maximum steam, primarily due to the rising narratives that continue to hammer the US dollar’s prestige and valuation. The American currency is now subject to wild allegations, including its growing weaponization and ability to sanction other nations, that are primarily compelling nations to consider shifting away from the dollar. Will the dollar be able to survive this transition?

Donald Trump is now the 47th president of the United States. Trump has long proposed the idea of imposing tariffs on nations to bolster the US economy, which is now backfiring in the form of a bubbling trade war. This phenomenon is now compelling nations to discuss an alternate strategy, which includes putting counter-tariffs on the US to seek vengeance.

At the same time, this concept is also pushing the US dollar to encounter new lows, compelling nations to revisit their investments and tweak the areas where improvement is possible. If this continues, it may have a lasting impact on the dollar’s prestige, which may push nations to consider alternate payment systems. READ MORE

Gold’s Warning Signal -Daily Reckoning

Gold continues to make headlines, and many analysts believe it's just begun to shine. Unfortunately this is due, in large part, to the unraveling of the US economy. Despite the best of efforts from this administration, it's looking pretty grim at the moment. But this is what we were expecting. Read on to see why gold can help your portfolio weather the storm.

by Adam Sharp

Over the course of COVID, the U.S. government spent absurd amounts of money to prevent a total financial collapse.

At least $4.6 trillion was pumped into the economy in the form of stimulus checks, forgivable loans, tax breaks, and healthcare spending.

For the past five years, we’ve been coasting off of this stimulus. But now, the effects are finally beginning to wear off.

And it’s showing up in the data, particularly sentiment. Take a look at the chart below, which shows the ongoing results of the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Survey.

As you can see, the percentage of people who think business conditions will be worse in one year has doubled over the past month or so.

Investor sentiment regarding the stock market has also turned sharply negative. Here’s the latest data from the American Association of Individual Investors Sentiment Survey (red is bearish).

As you can see, almost 60% of those surveyed are currently bearish. That’s high above the historical average bearish percentage of around 30%.

So we’re in deeply red sentiment territory, in both markets and business.

Ever since 2008 (and arguably 2000), our entire system has been propped up by artificial supports. Low interest rates. Excessive deficit spending. Periodic stimulus checks to qualifying individuals. VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

US Dollar Drops 4.7% in 2025: What’s Next for Your Portfolio? -Watcher.Guru

The dollar has seen some deep drops recently. Is regaining a "strong dollar" even a possibility, given the gravity of the financial circumstances surrounding us? Read on to see what possible impact a weaker dollar might have on your portfolio.

by Loredana Harsana

The US dollar drop has surprised many investors as the greenback continues to weaken against nearly all major developed market currencies. The rather significant 4.7% decline represents a major shift in global currency trends and also raises some crucial questions about portfolio risk management strategies going forward.

Currency market volatility has increased following President Trump’s second term, though not exactly as many analysts had anticipated. While tariffs typically tend to strengthen the dollar, the current uncertainty around trade policies is seemingly undermining confidence in the US economy at the time of writing.

The US dollar drop in 2025 continues alongside strengthening currencies across multiple regions these days. This ongoing shift in US dollar performance creates both challenges and also opportunities for investors with any kind of international exposure.

The Euro has emerged as one of the top performers against the weakening dollar recently. The common currency posted its largest weekly gain versus the dollar since 2009 and is also heading for its best quarter since 2022, with an impressive 5% rise. READ MORE

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3.18.25 - Mid East tensions, tariff jitters fuel gold's record rally

Gold last traded at $3,034 an ounce. Silver at $34.01 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: With the globe in turmoil, the gold bull charges forward. Precious metals will likely continue to outperform all other asset classes as instability in the economy will be present for the foreseeable future. If you are feeling priced out of the gold market, consider silver. It has been slowly rising alongside gold and many metals experts believe it may see some robust gains soon as it, too, is a safe haven in turbulent times.

Middle East tensions, tariff jitters fuel gold's record rally -Reuters

By Daksh Grover

March 18 (Reuters) - Gold prices rose 1% to hit a fresh record high on Tuesday, anchored above the $3,000/oz mark, as rising Middle East tensions and trade uncertainties due to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff plans fueled demand for the safe-haven asset.

Spot gold hit a peak of $3,038.26 per ounce and by 12:00 p.m. ET (1600 GMT) was up 1% at $3,031.22 an ounce. Prices climbed above $3,000 for the first time on March 14.

Bullion, which had a stellar run last year, has maintained its momentum this year as well, gaining over 15% year-to-date and hitting record highs 14 times.

"The escalation in the Middle East tensions – as Israel launched military strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, which threatens to undermine the ceasefire – has injected a new bid into gold," said Nicky Shiels, head of metals strategy at MKS PAMP SA.

Israeli airstrikes killed more than 400 people in Gaza, threatening a two-month ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has floated a series of U.S. tariff plans, including a flat 25% duty on steel and aluminum that came into effect in February, as well as reciprocal and sectoral tariffs that he said will be imposed on April 2.

Gold is traditionally regarded as a safe-haven investment during periods of economic or geopolitical instability. READ MORE

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3.17.25 - Gold Eyes $3,300 Price Target Next

Gold last traded at $3,001 an ounce. Silver at $33.83 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Banks are staying bullish on gold, as demand from central banks and concerned investors continues to grow. Analysts from several major financial houses have forecast price increases from $3,100 an ounce, to over $4,000. As market turmoil roils on, both here and abroad, expect the gold bull to continue its charge.

Gold Eyes $3,300 Price Target Next -Watcher.Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

{Watcher.Guru}

Leading investment bank Goldman Sachs has revised its price prediction for gold in 2025. It was among the first ones to predict last year that the precious metal could reach $3,000 during the first half of 2025. However, the global bank now predicts that gold prices could touch $3,300 this year. That’s another 10% from its ATH and an overall surge in value of approximately 25% year-to-date.

The increasing demand for gold from retail investors, institutional funds, and central banks will drive the price higher. Since the stock market is on a slippery slope due to tariffs, gold is seen as a safe haven. “The increased forecast is underpinned by higher-than-expected demand for gold from central banks, which have been increasing their reserves of the commodity since the freezing of Russian central bank assets in 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” the investment bank wrote.

“Those factors may be somewhat offset by speculators reducing their net long positions on gold in futures markets, which is projected by Goldman Sachs Research to weigh on the gold price somewhat. Net long positions are currently very high as concerns of sustained tariffs from the Trump administration drive investors towards safe-haven assets including gold. This scenario would drive the gold price as high as $3,300 per troy ounce by the end of 2025,” Thomas wrote in the report. READ MORE

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3.14.25 - Gundlach: Gold’s going to reach $4,000

Gold last traded at $2,987 an ounce. Silver at $33.79 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yesterday, Bloomberg reported that Macquarie Group was suggesting gold would hit the $3,500 mark soon. Today, MarketWatch reports that Jeffrey Gundlach sees it going to $4,000 an ounce. Either forecast represents some tremendous gains for those holding the yellow metal. If you don't already own gold, don't wait another minute. Put tangible protection and profit potential into your portfolio today.

Gold’s going to reach $4,000, says Gundlach. He also puts recession probability at 60%. -MarketWatch

by Steve Goldstein

The so-called bond king has been a gold bull for a while, and he says the yellow metal will get to $4,000.

“Gold continues its bull market that we’ve been talking about really now for a couple of years ever since gold was down to $1,800,” DoubleLine Chief Executive and Chief Investment Officer Jeffrey Gundlach told investors on a call he hosted that was held this week, but before gold futures reached the $3,000 per ounce milestone for the first time.

“I’d be so bold to say I think gold will make it to $4,000. I’m not sure that’ll happen this year, but I feel like that’s the measured move anticipated by the long consolidation at around $1,800 on gold,” he said.

Gundlach said central-bank purchases of gold have increased at a “very sharp, steep trajectory. And I don’t expect this to stop.”

“I think that that’s in recognition of gold as a storehouse of value that’s more outside of the financial system, which seems to be in a state of flux at this point in time,” he added.

Gundlach said he also hasn’t been surprised that European stocks are starting to outperform the U.S. now that there’s a downtrend in the dollar. DoubleLine first started investing in Europe around 2021. “So if you bought Europe versus the United States in 2021, it was painful for a couple of years from 2023 to 2025, but now it’s got a lot of momentum,” he said.

He said the “Magnificent Seven” stocks were viewed to be invulnerable but now it’s clear they are.

“Every sector is always vulnerable and we’re starting to obviously see that,” he said. READ MORE

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3.13.25 - Gold could reach new $3,500 high, but when?

Gold last traded at $2,983 an ounce. Silver at $33.81 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: There have been many lofty predictions on gold's performance over the last few years - and most have proven to be spot on - as gold has been one of the best performing asset classes during that time. This latest forecast from Macquarie Group is calling for $3,500 an ounce gold and it could be as soon as Q3 this year.

Gold could reach new $3,500 high, but when? -Bloomberg

by Yihui Xie

Gold’s burgeoning safe-haven allure may see it surge to a record high of $3,500 an ounce during the third quarter, according to Macquarie Group analysts.

Bullion could average $3,150 an ounce over that period, analysts led by Marcus Garvey said in a note. The precious metal — which was trading around $2,940 an ounce on Thursday — will get further support from concerns about a potentially growing US deficit, they said.

Bullion has risen by 12% this year, driven by uncertainties around geopolitics and US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. A worsening US budget outlook is signaling inflation could increase, which would benefit gold as a hedge, according to Macquarie.

“We view gold’s price strength to date, and our expectation for it to continue, as primarily being driven by investors’ and official institutions’ greater willingness to pay for its lack of credit or counterparty risk,” the analysts said.

There is “ample scope” for bullion-backed exchange-traded funds to increase holdings, they said. Gold will also find additional support from the physical market — jewelry, bars, coins and technology — which has held up despite elevated prices, they added.

Last month, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its year-end gold target to $3,100 an ounce, while Citigroup Inc. said earlier in February that it expected prices to hit $3,000 an ounce within three months. READ MORE

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3.12.25 - U.S. debt problems could lead to 'shocking developments'

Gold last traded at $2,934 an ounce. Silver at $33.25 an ounce.

Gold Climbs as Investors Seek Safety Amid Tariff Flip-Flop -Yahoo! Finance

I believe I have heard the word 'tariff' more times since President Trump took office, than I had cumulative in my entire life beforehand. We don't know what the impact of the tariffs will ultimately be, but what we do know is gold has continued to shine as a safe haven during this period of uncertainty.

by Yvonne Yue Li

(Bloomberg) -- Gold climbed — regaining a small foothold above $2,900 an ounce — as traders sought safety in bullion, with President Donald Trump’s latest tariff announcement intensifying concern that a global trade war could risk tilting the US economy into a recession.

Trump said he was increasing the steel and aluminum tariff on Canadian goods to 50% to retaliate against Ontario’s move to place a levy on electricity sent to the US, ramping up his fight with the US’s largest trading partner. US equities pushed lower and the dollar fell, helping lift bullion as much as 1.2% higher.

Tariff headlines in recent weeks have created large swings in equities and kept investors on edge. A slew of tepid economic reports in the US have also sparked fears of stagflation, where there’s upside risk for inflation as well as downside risk for economic growth. Altogether, traders were increasingly convinced that a trade-induced growth slowdown will lead the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates multiple times this year.

“That’s going to be a tailwind for gold,” said Stephen Jury, global commodity strategist at JPMorgan Private Bank, in an interview. Increasing talk of the possibility of a recession in the US will likely lead to an environment where rates and the dollar may head lower, according to Jury. “That’s going to set up a very constructive scenario for a higher gold price in the second half of this year.” READ MORE

Ray Dalio warns that mounting U.S. debt problems could lead to ‘shocking developments’ -CNBC

Dalio says our debt situation could lead to "shocking developments". In a nutshell, the world may want nothing to do with our debt; potentially creating disruptions in the US, as well as the global economy.

by Sam Meredith and Ernestine Siu

Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio on Wednesday warned that a significant supply-demand problem regarding U.S. debt could have a profoundly disruptive impact on the global economy.

It is the latest in a series of stark warnings about America’s mounting debt from the U.S. hedge fund billionaire, with the country’s national debt currently standing at more than $36.2 trillion.

“The first thing is the debt issue, we have a very severe supply-demand problem,” Dalio told CNBC’s Sara Eisen at CONVERGE LIVE in Singapore. ”[The U.S. has] to sell a quantity of debt that the world is not going to want to buy.”

He said this was imminent and of “paramount importance.”

The U.S. deficit needs to go from a projected level of 7.2% of gross domestic product to about 3% of GDP, Dalio said.

“That’s a big deal. You are going to see shocking developments in terms of how that’s going to be dealt with,” he added. READ MORE

Why does the government store gold at Fort Knox? -The Week

Fort Knox has been in the spotlight recently, as DOGE has been blazing a trail to get to the bottom of pretty much anything related to the finances of the United States. All of us have grown up with the idiom, "as safe as Fort Knox". Is it as secure as we have been led to believe?

by Joel Mathis

Fort Knox has long been home to the U.S. government's gold reserves. It has also suddenly become an object of keen interest to President Donald Trump.

Trump has said he wants to visit the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox "to see if the gold is there," said The Louisville Courier Journal. There have been "unsubstantiated claims" — amplified by Trump and Elon Musk — suggesting some of the gold could be missing. "We're actually going to Fort Knox to see if the gold is there. Because maybe somebody stole the gold," Trump said to reporters. That seems highly unlikely. Fort Knox has "stringent security protocols" to safeguard the reserve, said the Courier Journal. Officials at the base "know to the nanogram what you weigh going in and what you weigh going out," said former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, who visited in 2017.

Why does America store gold at Fort Knox?

"Just in case we need it," former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan once reportedly said. Gold is "the ultimate in money," former Congressman Ron Paul said to CBS News in 2010. The gold vaults at Fort Knox were built in 1937, and the gold shipped in "on a special nine-car train manned by machine gunners," said CBS.

Since then, the precious metal has been "pretty much off limits" to the public and most officials. America once linked the value of the dollar to its gold holdings, but that ended in 1971. The gold at Fort Knox is now "an asset on the Federal Reserve's balance sheet, not a key part of our monetary system." READ MORE

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3.10.25 - US Dollar Having the Worst Year Since 2008

Gold last traded at $2,888 an ounce. Silver at $32.11 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: On a day when the Dow is experiencing a 1000 point drop, the US dollar is in a battle of its own. It's anyone's guess what the future will hold for the dollar, for Wall Street and for the finances of individual Americans. Gold always shines in times of uncertainty, now is the time to shore up your portfolio with a hedge against the unknown.

Currency: US Dollar Having the Worst Year Since 2008 -Watcher.Guru

by Loredana Harsana

The worst year for USD continues as the U.S. dollar is right now experiencing its most significant decline since 2008. In fact, the dollar has dropped about 4.2% since January, marking the largest USD depreciation in 17 years or so. This dramatic dollar decline has intensified especially after tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods took effect last week. Such USD market volatility is definitely raising serious questions about how these currency changes will actually affect everyday Americans in the coming months.

The worst year for USD is clearly shown in the U.S. Dollar Index falling around 4.2% between January and March, a decline that hasn’t really been seen since the 2008 financial crisis when it dropped approximately 4.8%.

Most of this dollar decline actually happened just last week as new trade policies were implemented by the administration. European currencies have definitely benefited from this situation, with the euro gaining about 4.5% against the dollar in just one week. READ MORE

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3.7.25 - Coming Soon: The European Digital Identity Wallet

Gold last traded at $2,911 an ounce. Silver at $32.55 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The idea of a digital wallet, and all it entails, is a frightening concept. From loss of privacy and government control to stricter taxation and constant surveillance; and these concerns are just the tip of the iceberg. It appears the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet is moving forward, despite the concerns of citizens and the warnings of global experts.

Coming Soon: The European Digital Identity Wallet -OffGuardian

by Kit Knightly

The elite are already running large-scale pilot schemes for the future they want and we don’t. They are not being subtle about this. They are not hiding it.

The plan is a single government-issued app that holds your medical records, employment records, travel records, education records, vaccination records, tax records, financial records as well as (potentially) copies of your signature, fingerprints, facial scans, voice samples and DNA.

All stored handily on your phone…and shared with the governments of nineteen countries (plus Ukraine) and over 140 other public and private partners. Everyone from Deutsche Bank to the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Progress to Samsung Europe.

You will use this app to make payments, apply for loans, pay your taxes, pick up your prescriptions, cross international borders, start businesses, book doctor’s appointments, apply for jobs and even sign digital contracts online.

Businesses and government agencies would access this data from the back-end to conduct “automated background checks”.

The German Federation of Consumer Organizations (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband, VZBZ) has raised concerns that such an app would “pose privacy and data risks”, to which the only response is “duh, that’s what it’s for!”.

None of this a hypothetical, by the way. It’s Potential. READ MORE

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3.6.25 - FDIC: 66 Banks on 'Problem List'

Gold last traded at $2,911 an ounce. Silver at $32.64 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: There has been so much talk about tariffs lately, it seems like problem banks have all but disappeared. Unfortunately they haven't, and it may be getting worse. Unrealized losses are surging, and the banks don't appear to be in any rush to address them.

US Banks’ Unrealized Losses Explode by $118,400,000,000 in Three Months As FDIC Declares 66 Banks on ‘Problem List’ -Daily Hodl

The amount of unrealized losses on American banks’ balance sheets is surging.

In its new Quarterly Banking Profile for the fourth quarter of 2024, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) says US banks reported a massive $118.4 billion increase in unrealized losses on securities, bringing the total to $482.4 billion.

The FDIC says spikes in longer-term interest rates like the 30-year mortgage and 10-year Treasury rates lowered the value of bank securities, triggering the increase in unrealized losses.

Unrealized losses are the difference between the price banks paid for securities and the current market value of those assets.

Concern over such paper losses played a major role in the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023, as depositors panicked and withdrew funds after learning the bank sold securities at a steep loss to cover liquidity needs.

Amid a 2.3% rise in banking profits, the FDIC said 66 banks are now on its “problem bank list,” a slight decrease from 68 in the prior quarter.

Problem banks receive a rating of 4 or 5 on the CAMELS rating system since, indicating that the firm is experiencing financial, operational or managerial weaknesses – or a combination of such problems.

The issues are so severe for these banks that they could threaten their soundness if unresolved. READ MORE

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3.5.25 - Gold Remains Well Supported as Central Banks Continue To Buy

Gold last traded at $2,919 an ounce. Silver at $32.67 an ounce.

BRICS: 3 Nations Invited to 2025 Summit Amid Potential Expansion -Watcher.Guru

The tariff threats don't seem to be having the desired effect of slowing down the BRICS alliance; as three more nations are expected to be in attendance at the next summit. The markets are already experiencing the tension related to these added tariffs, and it would appear there is more to come.

by Joshua Ramos

Despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions that have emerged regarding the BRICS economic alliance, three new nations have been invited to the 2025 annual summit as the bloc eyes potential expansion. Indeed, the group could look to build off of its growing numbers in what is a critical year.

US President Donald Trump has sought to challenge the group, imposing 150% tariffs for its efforts to end the US dollar. However, that doesn’t seem to have phased the collective thus far. Brazil, its 2025 chairmanship holder, has reiterated the need to settle trades in currencies outside of the greenback.

Over the last several years, the BRICS annual summit has been a key geopolitical event. Indeed, it has seen the group gather and expand their influence. In 2024, the bloc welcomed the presence of partner nations as its ongoing expansion efforts continued.

Now, it is set to face what is perhaps its most important summit yet. As tension with the US grows, BRICS has invited three new nations to its 2025 summit as it eyes even more expansion in the near future. Specifically, it could be set to expand its reach amid challenges with the West. READ MORE

Gold Remains Well Supported as Central Banks Continue To Buy -Watcher.Guru

Central banks are still at it, aggressively buying up physical gold. It is no wonder given the growing uncertainties across the globe. Gold is one of the best things to be holding when the financial dam finally breaks.

by Vinod Dsouza

Gold prices soared to a record high of 28% in 2024 after previously rising around the same value in 2010. It continued the spike in 2025 and entered the year on the front foot surging 18%. However, it faced corrections this month and dipped below the $2,900 mark. Now that Trump’s trade tariffs went live on Tuesday, the US stock market and the dollar went south in the charts. The dip is alarming as the development suggests that investors remain skeptical about trade tariffs and their fallout.

Marissa Salim, Senior Research Lead at the World Gold Council wrote in a recent note that gold prices could surge much higher. She wrote that central banks of developing countries are massively accumulating the precious metal in their reserves. This would lead to higher gold prices as the demand for the glittery metal is higher than usual.

“The sustained buying highlights the strategic importance of gold in official reserves, particularly as central banks navigate heightened geopolitical risks,” wrote Marissa. “The shift from armed conflict to broader economic tensions has reinforced their net buying trend, especially apparent since 2022.”

Marissa explained that central banks purchased more when gold prices dipped entering the accumulation phase. “Many central banks appear to have strategically leveraged temporary price pullbacks as buying opportunities, while sales have remained limited and largely tactical during price rallies,” read the note. READ MORE

"America Is Back" - 12 Takeaways From Trump 47's First Major Policy Speech To Congress -ZeroHedge

After President Trump's first policy speech to Congress, we have some much needed positive news; America is back! Here are 12 reasons to be encouraged.

by Tyler Durden

President Donald Trump capped off his first six weeks in office with a 100-minute speech to a joint session of Congress

The March 4 address followed a blitz of more than 100 executive actions that impacted nearly every aspect of government and U.S. relationships with other nations.

Americans largely approved of Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress.

Below, via Lawrence Wilson, Joseph Lord, Travis Gillmore, and Sam Dorman of The Epoch Times, are the highlights of the speech, which began with the statement “America is back” and ended with a call to “renew the unlimited promise of the American dream.” READ THE LIST

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3.4.25 - Dow falls nearly 800 points

Gold last traded at $2,915 an ounce. Silver at $31.91 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If the Dow is any indication, Wall Street is not looking forward to a trade war via tariffs. Unfortunately for them, that war appears to be inevitable as this point; given Brazil - and other BRICS nations -are doubling down on their de-dollarization positions.

Dow falls nearly 800 points, heads for worst day since December as trade war intensifies: Live updates -CNBC

by Alex Harring

Stocks recovered a chunk of their earlier losses Tuesday, as investors tried to shake off the latest escalation in global trade tensions.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 146 points, or 0.4%, building on Monday’s plunge of nearly 650 points. The Nasdaq Composite added 1.2%, while the S&P 500 ticked 0.2%, with both boosted by gains of more than 4% in Nvidia.

Stocks were rebound significantly in afternoon trading. The Dow fell more than 840 points and the S&P 500 slid 2% at session lows. The Nasdaq had dropped more than 2% and at points flirted with correction territory, a term that refers to an index falling 10% from a recent high.

All three indexes had plunged in morning trading as investors initially responded to the U.S.′ 25% duties on Canada and Mexico that took effect at midnight. Trump also slapped an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods.

China retaliated with additional tariffs of up to 15% on some U.S. products, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the U.S.′ southern neighbor would respond with tariffs that would be announced this weekend. After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would also put a 25% levy on U.S. goods, Trump said in response that he would add even higher tariffs on the country.

While the broader market was able to make up ground as the session went on, shares of companies with significant imports remained under pressure. Shares of GM and Ford dropped around 3% and 2%, respectively. Chipotle, which sources about half of its avocados from Mexico, slipped more than 2%. READ MORE

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3.3.25 - Why gold prices could hit $3,000 despite volatility

Gold last traded at $2,883 an ounce. Silver at $31.53 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Gold at $3,000 an ounce? This price has been predicted by several market experts. In fact, many believe $3,000 is just a pit stop on the way to greater heights. This is all great news for those who own gold.

Why gold prices could hit $3,000 despite volatility -Fox Business

by Suzanne O'Halloran

Gold prices likely won’t lose their shine, even after a 40%-plus run over the last 12 months.

The SPDR Gold shares, or GLD, the largest exchange-traded fund backed by physical gold, saw the largest one-day inflow ever of $1.9 billion on Feb. 21, 2024.

"We believe the demand is across the board. We see institutions either adding to or establishing long term strategic asset allocation type positions. We see individual investors doing the same. We see a certain amount of FOMO. There's a fear of missing out whenever the price gains momentum to the upside" George Milling-Stanley, Chief Gold Strategist at State Street Global Advisors, told FOX Business.

He highlights three longer-term growth drivers aligning for more gold gains this year.

"We have continued very strong central bank buying for official reserves. This has been a feature of the last 15 years at the gold market, and it's been very important, ranging anywhere from 10% to 25% of total end-user demand in any given year. And I think that's very important support for the price whenever it's shown any sign of weakening", Milling-Stanley explained. "Central bank buying basically doubled in 2022 to more than 1000 metric tons," he added.

"Additionally, we've seen a big increase in investment in the emerging markets and especially China, but in India and elsewhere over the last year, year and a half, toward the end of last year, that was joined by a big increase in emerging market jewelry demand as well, again, across the emerging markets" he added. "We've seen a revival in investment in gold in the Western world, in Western Europe and North America, I think mostly because of concerns about the outlook for the US economy and for the European economies, for that matter." VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

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2.28.25 - BRICS Confirms Development of New Payment Systems

Gold last traded at $2,848 an ounce. Silver at $31.10 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Not only is BRICS still going strong, the bloc is moving at a record pace to establish their own economy. The tariff threats seem to be falling on deaf ears as member nations focus on strengthening their own currencies and economies, instead of the consequences of tariffs.

BRICS Confirms Development of New Payment Systems in 2025 -Watcher.Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

Brazil, which chairs the upcoming BRICS summit in 2025 confirmed that they plan on the formation of new payment systems. Under the leadership of Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva, the alliance will discuss alternative payment options to the US dollar. The BRICS Sherpas meeting will take the ideas forward and the upcoming 17th summit could see massive changes in the way the bloc operates and settles cross-border transactions.

The move could lead to a paradigm shift in global trade and tilt the financial powers from the West to the East. Developing countries are looking to cut ties with the US dollar and strengthen their local currencies in the forex markets. The US dollar is in the crosshairs of a major shift that could pave the way for native currencies to take the driver’s seat of the financial markets.

Brazil’s President Luiz Lula da Silva made a strong statement saying that BRICS will continue advancing the de-dollarization agenda. The President also added that under their leadership, BRICS will work towards developing new payment systems as an alternative to the US dollar.

“Brazil is going during the period of its presidency to fully develop transparent and safe payment systems,” he said. The bloc will work towards launching safe payment systems to uplift their GDP and strengthen their native economies. The move will give a boost in the arm to their local currencies making businesses thrive.

The next BRICS summit is scheduled to be held in Brazil’s Rio De Janeiro on July 6th and 7th. All the nine member countries will meet at the summit and discuss policies and sign new trade deals. Details on the new payment systems could be revealed at the 17th summit in July this year. READ MORE

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2.27.25 - FDIC Ends Disclosing Total Assets of Banks on “Problem Bank List”

Gold last traded at $2,876 an ounce. Silver at $31.23 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: In the era of better transparency, the Federal Reserve is looking to obscure instead. As Mr. Richter points out, "forced disclosures of sins, and fears of the consequences of these disclosures, are part of what is supposed to keep banks from doing stupid things." It's hard to imagine bank CEOs will make wiser choices, if there is no longer a fear of public ramifications.

FDIC Ends Disclosing Total Assets of Banks on “Problem Bank List,” as Disclosure Might Suddenly Trigger a “Disorderly Run”-Wolf Street

by Wolf Richter

Acting Chairman of the FDIC Board of Directors, Travis Hill, who was sworn in as FDIC Vice Chairman on January 5, released a statement today, along with the materials of the quarterly report by the FDIC on the FDIC-insured banks, that the FDIC would no longer disclose as of today the total assets on its “Problem Bank List.”

The list had previously shown total assets and the total number of banks on the Problem Bank List. As of today, it only shows total number of banks on the Problem Bank List, forget the assets.

This sudden end of the disclosure is a problem because a jump in assets on the list used to indicate that a bigger bank had gotten on the list, something we’d need to start paying attention to, and now we don’t know if a bigger bank has gotten on the list. We just see the total number – 66 banks in Q4 2024, according to the FDIC today. This is what the FDIC’s chart used to look like through Q3 2024.

In the chart above, by jump in the gold columns in Q4 2021, we could tell that a bigger bank had gotten on the Problem Bank List as assets of Problem Banks spiked. Then, in 2022 SVB went to hell for all to see and finally imploded in Q1 2023, followed by ultimately two other banks. We didn’t know which banks had gotten on the list, but we knew something was going on with one or more bigger banks. And people guessed rightly or wrongly. Now we won’t see that anymore.

And this is what the FDIC’s Problem Bank List chart looks like today. Q4 2024 is the first time since 1990 that total assets of Problem Banks are not disclosed. The gold columns now represent the number of banks (which used be indicated by the black line), and the total assets data (used to be the gold columns) has vanished: VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

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2.26.25 - Sticky Inflation Means Gold Will Keep Rising

Gold last traded at $2,915 an ounce. Silver at $31.81 an ounce.

Gold Investment Return: What’s Your $10,000 Worth After 20 Years? -Watcher.Guru

Gold has always been seen as a safe haven, but now it is finally getting the attention it deserves as a solid investment. The fundamentals that have promoted this consistent growth are continuing to push the yellow metal to new heights.

by Vladimir Popescu

Gold investment return has catalyzed significant attention across various major financial sectors. This is particularly true as investors seek shelter from market volatility. Some precious metal analysts point to its historical performance. They see it as a compelling case for those considering long-term investment returns in their portfolio diversification strategy.

Gold price growth has revolutionized numerous significant investment portfolios over the past two decades. Through several key performance periods ending in 2024, gold posted a 20-year average annual return of 9.47%. This remarkable performance means a $10,000 investment made 20 years ago would have grown to approximately $65,967 today. This represents a total gain of roughly 560%.

The substantial gold investment returns were achieved despite periods of significant market volatility. This highlights gold’s reputation as a stable investment during economic uncertainty. READ MORE

Sticky Inflation Means Gold Will Keep Rising -Daily Reckoning

It would appear that price inflation is here to stay, and now is the time to protect your money. If you haven't contacted Swiss America to learn more diversifying your portfolio, please do so. It could make all the difference to your investment success in 2025. Call or text 800-289-2646, or visit us online at swissamerica.com.

by Byron King

{Source: Daily Reckoning}

Don’t you wish you had some of these? This is a $20 gold coin from 1914, the first year of the Federal Reserve. And back then, just over 110 years ago, gold was $20 per ounce.

Today’s gold price is over $2,900, which means that the purchasing power of a dollar over the past century-plus has shrunk by a factor of 145x. In other words, a single dollar back in 1914 is the equivalent of $145 today. This is why people and institutions (certainly central banks) are buying gold. And it’s why gold deserves a place in every portfolio.

Let’s dig into what’s happening with gold, what it means, and how to deal with it. READ MORE

Currency: 3 Reasons Why The US Dollar May Go Down Under Trump’s Rule -Watcher.Guru

Trump may not be able to save the dollar, and that's no fault of his own. The deck seems to be pretty heavily stacked against him, as he continues to navigate the US's financial ship through a sea full of icebergs.

by Juhi Mirza

The 47th US President, Donald Trump, is busy forging new policies, starting with his infamous tariff policy imposition on nations to bolster the US economy. Trump’s intention is clear, stating how he wants to strengthen US productivity levels by boosting the narrative of manufacturing in the US. While his narrative is largely appreciated, his idea of imposing tariffs on nations is also gaining widespread criticism, with analysts mulling over how his aggressive tariff regime may end up backfiring, impacting the US dollar in the process.

One of the most obvious reasons that may end up derailing the US dollar is Trump’s tariff policies on various nations. Trump has earlier halted tariffs on Mexico and Canada but has now decided to levy a 25% tariff on imports from both nations, sparking widespread criticism.

At the same time, Trump has also imposed a 10% tariff on imports from China, which again sparked a heavy debate on Trump’s administrative stance. If this tariff war continues, it could eventually end up sparking a global trade war, with nations contemplating retaliating tariff stances. This could end up impacting the US dollar the most, pushing the currency to hit a new low. READ MORE

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2.25.25 - China and India Dump US Bonds for Gold

Gold last traded at $2,915 an ounce. Silver at $31.76 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It seems like the de-dollarization train continues to chug along, despite President Trump's assurances of severe tariffs to those nations who do not comply. The latest challenge, China and India are dropping US bonds for gold.

De-Dollarization: 2 Leading Economies Have Dumped US Treasury Bonds For Gold -Watcher.Guru

by Juhi Mirza

The de-dollarization narrative is yet to die down completely. With Donald Trump busy deploying aggressive tariffs on nations, the retaliatory forces have become quite active, mulling over launching counter-tariffs on the US. At the same time, 2 leading economies have decided to ditch the US treasury bonds, ending their reliance on the US dollar to bag gold in an attempt to stabilize their economic strata. Will this phenomenon derail the US economic anatomy and usher in de-dollarization? Let’s find out.

India and China, the two global superpowers, have decided to depend on gold and have decided to move away from US Treasury bonds. Per a recent post uploaded by the Kobeissi Letter, India and China have lately been diversifying their holdings, moving away from the dollar in all ways. This includes a pattern in which both nations have dumped US Treasury bonds and are consistently accumulating gold at a rapid pace. This move is sparking de-dollarization fears, mounting further pressure.

Per KL, India has tripled its gold reserves in the last ten years. The post outlined how India’s gold reserves are currently valued at $70.9 billion. On the other hand, China is also aggressively pivoting towards gold, with its reserves amounting to $73.5 billion over the last 10 years.

“Gold demand in Asia has never been stronger: China’s gold reserves hit a record $73.5 billion last month. India’s gold reserves reached $70.9 billion, also an all-time high. Over the last 10 years, India’s reserves have more than tripled while China’s reserves have more than doubled. Both China and India have been diversifying out of US Treasury bonds and reducing dependence on the US Dollar. Meanwhile, global gold demand jumped 24% year-over-year in 2024 to a record $382 billion. Gold is the global hedge.” READ MORE

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2.24.25 - Repricing US reserves would be bullish for gold

Gold last traded at $2,949 an ounce. Silver at $32.37 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It only took gold performing - as one of the best asset classes for several years in a row - for Wall Street to start believing it is not a "barbaric relic" after all. Gold has reached several new highs in 2025 already, and it doesn't appear prices will be losing steam any time soon.

Repricing US gold reserves would be bullish for the market, signaling the precious metal is not a ‘barbarous relic,’ analyst says -Fortune

by Jason Ma

Much attention has been focused on U.S. gold reserves in recent days, especially the stockpile in Fort Knox. While Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismissed the possibility of revaluing the stash of gold to market levels, an analyst said that would be bullish for prices, which have already been on a tear.

Revaluing U.S. gold reserves to match current market conditions would add more momentum to prices as it would signal the precious metal isn't an anachronistic asset, according to a Wall Street analyst.

In an interview on Bloomberg TV on Friday, Francisco Blanch, head of commodities and derivatives research at Bank of America Securities, acknowledged that repricing the gold would be an accounting exercise but still result in an increase in the Federal Reserve's balance sheet.

"I think it would probably be bullish for the gold market because it would show that gold is no longer this barbarous relic that has been sitting in central banks and been dismissed a little bit, but now even the biggest central bank of them all is taking a renewed interest in gold," he said.

The Fed doesn't own gold anymore after transferring it to the Treasury Department under the Gold Reserve Act of 1934. In exchange, the Fed received gold certificates.

The U.S. owns 261.6 million troy ounces of gold, valued at a 1970s-era rate of $42.22 an ounce, producing a book value of $11 billion. At gold’s current spot price of about $2,950 per ounce, however, the value would top $750 billion. READ MORE

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2.20.25 - Trump’s Tariff Threats and the Dollar

Gold last traded at $2,937 an ounce. Silver at $32.91 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As Trump continues to battle the issues plaguing our economy, he also continues to fire off threats of higher tariffs. He is doing so in the hopes of saving the dollar. The problem, however, is it appears to be encouraging exactly what he's trying to avoid; de-dollarization.

Trump’s Constant Tariff Threats May Usher In Rapid De-Dollarization -Watcher.Guru

by Juhi Mirza

Donald Trump, the 47th president of the United States, has once again struck the world with a new warning. Trump, in a news conference in Miami, reiterated his call to impose taxes on other sectors, triggering market mayhem in the process. While the world is scrutinizing Trump’s tariff calls, investors can’t help but speculate whether the move will trigger the process of de-dollarization or lessen it in reality.

Donald Trump has once again unveiled plans to impose new tariffs on multiple commercial realms. In a conference in Miami, Florida, Trump shared how he plans to impose more tariffs on new sectors, possibly the realms of semiconductors, cars, lumber, and pharmaceuticals.

Speaking more on the matter, Trump shared how such impositions may come as early as next month. He later shared how they may impose nearly 25% tariffs on lumber and forest products.

“I’m going to be announcing tariffs on cars and semiconductors and chips and pharmaceuticals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, and lumber, probably, and some other things over the next month or sooner.”

The constant tariff threats have triggered worldly market volatility in the process, with nations expressing their criticism over America’s hard tariff stance. Trump has been fiercely imposing taxes on multiple imported goods, belonging to nations like Canada and Mexico, and has recently announced fresh tariffs on India as well. READ MORE

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2.19.25 - Goldman and UBS predict more gold gains

Gold last traded at $2,933 an ounce. Silver at $32.74 an ounce.

‘Currency Wars’ Predictions Come True -Daily Reckoning

As more uncertainty floods the market, more investors and nations are flocking to gold - since it acts as a portfolio hedge against a host of economic scenarios. Globally, many have lost trust in the dollar and are seeking out tangible alternatives. Those chickens are coming home to roost.

by Dan Amoss

Jim Rickards’ best-selling 2011 book, Currency Wars, was prophetic.

He painted a stark picture of the flaws in the modern paper monetary system, warning that “a new crisis of confidence in the dollar is on its way.”

Although the U.S. dollar has been strong against most other paper currencies for years, it has weakened dramatically against gold.

Most people think of gold as a derivative of the U.S. dollar. That’s the blue line below.

Inverting the relationship is another way to think about gold. As shown in the red line, the dollar has lost 62% of its value against gold since 2015.

Reframing your perspective on the U.S. dollar as a derivative of gold, a timeless money, can be enlightening.

Let’s revisit currency wars 15 years after Jim popularized the term. Currency wars are no longer a theoretical discussion amid President Trump’s efforts to strike fairer trade deals. READ MORE AND VIEW CHARTS

Goldman predicts more gold price gains as Trump tariff fears swirl -Yahoo! Finance

As of today, gold is well on its way to the $3000/oz mark, with no end in sight. Multiple financial firms are revising their forecast higher as well. Gold may seem expensive at the moment, but it will look like a steal if the yellow metals stays on its current trajectory.

by Brian Sozzi

Gold's glittering run in 2025 may have more room to rise higher, Goldman Sachs believes.

On Tuesday, the investment bank lifted its year-end price target for gold to $3,100 an ounce, from $2,890 previously. Goldman said "structurally higher" central bank demand will add 9% to the price of gold by the end of the year, also helped by a slight boost from ETF holdings.

But Goldman added that concerns about President Trump's tariffs could be an "upside" risk to gold prices.

"However, if policy uncertainty — including tariff fears — stays high, higher speculative positioning for longer could push gold prices as high as $3,300 an ounce by year-end," Goldman strategist Lina Thomas wrote in a note to clients.

In a gold note of its own today, UBS said it could see a path for gold hitting $3,200 an ounce. READ MORE

Trump Warns 25% Tariffs On Cars, Drugs And Chips Coming In April -Zero Hedge

While many believe Trump's tariff talk is merely bravado, others have taken steps to offset the stressors they will face if supply chains and trade flows are disrupted overnight.

by Tyler Durden

With Wall Street growing more confident by the day that Trump's tariffs are nothing but hot air, and pushing stocks to new record highs, today after the close President Donald Trump tried to reassure the market that tariffs are indeed coming and said he would likely impose tariffs on auto, semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports of around 25%, with an announcement coming as soon as April 2.

The new duties, if implemented, would widen the president’s trade war. Trump previously announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum that are set to take effect in March, but Tuesday’s comments are his most detailed yet in specifying other sectors that would be hit with fresh barriers.

“I probably will tell you that on April 2, but it’ll be in the neighborhood of 25%,” Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago club when asked about his plan for auto tariffs.

Asked about similar levies on pharmaceutical drugs and semiconductor chips, the president said: “It’ll be 25% and higher, and it’ll go very substantially higher over a course of a year.” Trump added that he wanted to give companies “time to come in” before announcing new import taxes.

“When they come into the United States and they have their plant or factory here there is no tariff, so we want to give them a little bit of a chance,” he said.

As noted last week, Trump also threatened other streams of tariffs, all part of an effort to rebalance the US’s trading relationships across the globe. The president has long accused other countries of ripping off the US and views import duties as a way to bring industries back to America and collect more revenue. Many economists say they would raise consumer prices for Americans and stymie the fight against inflation.

The president has said he would apply “reciprocal” levies on a country-by-country basis as soon as April, though specifics are still being determined. He has also threatened duties on some of the US’s biggest trading partners, such as a 10% rate already applied to China and 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico that have been deferred until at least March 4. The measures would stack on top of one another, meaning that Mexican and Canadian producers in certain sectors could pay as many as three tariffs. READ MORE

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2.18.25 - D.O.G.E. Set to Investigate Fort Knox’s $425B Gold Reserve

Gold last traded at $2,934 an ounce. Silver at $32.88 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Many of us in the metals industry have long been doubtful that Fort Knox still contains the full gold reserve. Many believe it's possible there is just a fraction in reserve, and perhaps, none at all. If Elon Musk and D.O.G.E. have anything to say about it, they are going to find out for sure. Stay tuned.

Elon Musk’s D.O.G.E. Set to Investigate Fort Knox’s $425B Gold Reserve -Watcher.Guru

by Vladimir Popescu

A groundbreaking D.O.G.E. investigation has catalyzed some more intense debate across multiple financial sectors after Elon Musk brought to the surface questions about the Fort Knox’s $425 billion gold stockpile verification process. The Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.) has engineered a comprehensive review to verify whether Fort Knox actually maintains its reported 4,580 tons of gold, revolutionizing traditional Treasury oversight.

The D.O.G.E. investigation has leveraged significant political momentum, with several key lawmakers spearheading support initiatives.

This pivotal D.O.G.E investigation comes after Senator Lummis created the groundbreaking Bitcoin Act, which aims at creating a strategic reserve formed out of 1 million Bitcoins, which would be optimizing a whopping amount of 5% of the total BTC supply. The initiative deploys secure Bitcoin vaults operated through some sophisticated Treasury protocols. This would be leveraging the existing Federal Reserve and Treasury resources. VIEW TWEETS AND READ MORE

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2.14.25 - JPMorgan flying billions worth of gold on planes

Gold last traded at $2,880 an ounce. Silver at $32.29 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We have all seen an old oater with gold being transported by horse or rail across the country. In almost all of them, those transporting the gold ran into bandits along the way. In today's economy, what would something like that look like? Probably exactly like what JP Morgan and others are currently doing. Rather than horses and trains, they are using jets. The bandits of today? Tariffs.

JPMorgan and other big banks are flying billions of dollars worth of gold on planes. Here's why -Quartz

by Bruce Gil

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs are already having unintended and somewhat strange economic repercussions. For example, they have led to big banks transporting billions of dollars of gold via commercial planes from London to New York City.

The price of gold, which investors tend to buy during times of heightened risk, has been on the rise. Gold futures, contracts for the future delivery of gold at a set price, that trade in New York’s Commodity Exchange (Comex (CME-0.95%)) have risen 11% this year and closed at $2,909 a troy ounce on Wednesday. The Wall Street Journal reports that some analysts project that future contracts could soon reach $3,000 for the first time.

However, following Trump’s election and his threat to impose tariffs on Europe, the price of physical gold in London has been trading about $20 lower since early December.

Normally, prices in these two markets move in sync because traders can ship gold between them whenever there is a price gap. Banks play a big role in these markets by holding gold bars in London, lending them out to earn returns, and protecting themselves from potential price drops by selling futures contracts in New York. JPMorgan (JPM+0.48%) and HSBC (HSBC-0.14%) are key players, as they handle gold transactions and store gold for other banks in London.

However, banks that had sold gold futures are now facing losses, as U.S. prices surged above those in London. READ MORE

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2.13.25 - Gold Price Soars Above $2,900

Gold last traded at $2,926 an ounce. Silver at $32.31 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As we've written about in prior newsletters, many market experts were forecasting a $3000/oz mark for gold by year's end. We are barely half way through February and we are almost there.

Gold Price Soars Above $2,900, Eyes $3,000 Milestone By February End -Watcher.Guru

by Juhi Mirza

In a historic new feat, gold has crossed an ambitious price pedestal of $2,900, marking another high within the predicted timelines. The precious yellow metal is now inching closer to hitting another historic all-time high of $3,000. Will the metal be able to claim this spot by the end of February 2025?

Gold, otherwise touted as “the” solid hedge option for investors, has successfully crossed a high price mark of $2,900. The precious yellow metal is already eyeing its next target of $3,000, which the metal may breach by the end of this month if the market forces allow the metal to thrive and prosper on the go. The US economic demographics have had a key role in bolstering gold’s price hike to $2,900. For instance, uncertainty around global trade wars with Trump imposing tariffs on nations was one of the key reasons for gold spiking to a high price.

Donald Trump is still vying for a local narrative, which includes bolstering the US economy and keeping it prioritized on all fronts. This development may compel the US president to issue tariffs on nations, with an intent to bolster productivity in the US manufacturing domain. While the idea holistically supports the US economy, it may put the US dollar in jeopardy, sparking aggressive trade war fears. This situation may prove lucrative for assets like gold that have often been noted to thrive in a crisis, with investors sentiment shifting towards the precious yellow metal to help stabilize and safeguard their assets.

Per a notable finance expert, Rashad Hajiyev, gold has crossed the $2,900 mark, delivering a slingshot after undergoing slight consolidation.

“Gold formed a nice slingshot all th way until $2,863 and is now back above $2,900. Looking good, and after further consolidation, I expect another all-time high. But at this point I would like gold to pause a bit, allowing silver to do some work…” READ MORE

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2.12.25 - Chinese Banks Run Out of Gold

Gold last traded at $2,901 an ounce. Silver at $32.23 an ounce.

US Inflation Rises to 3% in January 2025 -Watcher.Guru

If inflation - true inflation - were only 3%, everyone would be quite pleased. I suppose we should be encouraged that there is some acknowledgment of rising inflation; instead of the rhetoric promising temporary and mitigated inflation over the past few years.

by Joshua Ramos

In what is a concerning development for Americans, US inflation has officially risen to 3% for January 2025. Indeed, the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) has arrived above what many analysts had expected. Moreover, it is up slightly from December’s 2.9% inflation rate.

The monthly figures are important as the Federal Reserve continues to develop its plan forward with regard to interest rate cuts. Just this week, Fed Chair Jerome Powell discussed the next potential cuts. Specifically, he noted that the country didn’t “need to be in a hurry.” Conversely, January’s inflation is the highest record mark since June 2024.

Over the last several weeks, the US economy has been confronted with what could be a concerning start to the incoming Trump administration. He has enacted several tariffs on a host of countries, extending beyond just the BRICS nations. With a global trade war brewing, all eyes are on the state of inflation to start the year.

The data is in, showing that US inflation jumped to 3% in January 2025. The increase continues a trend and has seen the cost of living for Americans reach its highest level since June of last year. Moreover, the figure exceeded what many had projected. READ MORE

Chinese Banks Run Out of Gold as Soaring Prices Spark Buying Frenzy -YiCai Global

Gold purchasing in China - by its banks, citizens and government -has reached a fever pitch; so much so it would appear they are running out. This is the reason to hold gold, it is a real asset with a limited supply; which is where it derives its true value.

by Chen Junjun

(Yicai) Feb. 12 -- Several Chinese banks have sold out their gold products after surging prices of the safe-haven asset fueled investors’ enthusiasm.

On the app of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Ruyi Gold bars of 5 grams, 20 g, 50 g, 100 g, and 200 g are out of stock, with only the 10 g option showing limited availability.

The gold spot price at the London Stock Exchange rose over 1 percent to an all-time record of USD2,942.71 per ounce yesterday, marking the eighth time this year that the price of the precious metal hit a new record.

The 10 g and 20 g Chuan Shi Zhi Bao gold bars of Agricultural Bank of China are sold out on the lender’s app, and the 100 g and 200 g ones are on a tight inventory. Meanwhile, the China Construction Bank app shows that only the 50 g and 100 g investment gold bars are available, priced at CNY688.80 (USD94.23) per gram.

Gold bars on the apps of Postal Savings Bank of China and Bank of China are in the preorder status.

A China Gold store in Shanghai told Yicai that it sold out the 100 g gold bars before the Chinese New Year holiday started at the end of last month, with only smaller bars available for sale at the moment.

“Even though gold prices may continue to rise in the short term, the related risks are also likely to gradually accumulate,” said Wu San, a researcher at the Bank of China Research Institute. “Investors need to consider different strategies, such as portfolio diversification, to effectively mitigate risks based on their individual situation.” READ MORE

De-Dollarization: Two Economic Giants Ditch the Dollar in 90% of Transactions -Watcher.Guru

Tariffs or not, Russia and India are operating from their own playbook; despite the financial threats from the Trump administration. This seems to be the party line for all BRICS-participating nations, as the alliance continues to build economic momentum.

by Vladimir Popescu

The De-dollarization process is reshaping international trade as Russia and India strengthen their financial partnership, with 90% of direct transactions now conducted in national currencies. This strategic shift marks an important change in the dynamics of the global economic stage, particularly affecting trade relationships between major economies. The Russia economy and India economy demonstrate how national currencies can replace traditional dollar-based trading systems.

Bilateral trade between Russia and India has shown remarkable growth in their de-dollarization efforts. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov stated:

“Mutual payments in national currencies are stable. As of today, national currencies account for around 90% of direct payments between Russia and India.”

Trade statistics reflect this growth, with bilateral exchange reaching $64.5 billion in the first 11 months of 2024. The Russia economy saw exports to India reach $60 billion, marking a 7.7% increase, while the India economy experienced a 23.3% growth in exports to Russia, reaching $4.5 billion. READ MORE

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2.11.25 - Become More Independent Of The System

Gold last traded at $2,898 an ounce. Silver at $31.82 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It is no surprise that one of the items on this list is, Protect Your Assets With Gold And Silver. Right now it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of gold's run; but this is a great reminder that the security of gold has been valued for millennia. There is a reason central banks around the globe never stop buying gold. Now is the time to buy gold for yourself, both for inflation protection as well as profit potential.

12 Simple Things That You Can Start Doing Right Now To Become More Independent Of The System -ZeroHedge

Authored by Michael Snyder via TheMostImportantNews.com

The more dependent you are, the less free you are. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article about how our system is designed to beat us down and make us weak and dependent, because when we are weak and dependent we are easier to control. Most of us don’t even realize why the majority of the population is so sick, exhausted, depressed and confused much of the time. Our bodies, our minds and our spirits are constantly being poisoned by the system, and those that are in control of the system know exactly what they are doing. If you do not choose to break free, you could end up under the oppression of their system for your entire life.

Of course for many people inertia seems like the easiest option. It is just so easy to keep doing what you have always done, and that is especially true once you get older.

But what are you going to do once the system that you have become so dependent upon starts to crumble all around you?

Over the past several years, our world has been getting increasingly unstable. Major wars have erupted, the cost of living has become very painful, pestilences have been raging all over the globe, and historic natural disasters have been hitting us one after another.

The chaos that we are experiencing now is just going to intensify in the months ahead.

So what will most people do when the system that they depend on for their survival is shaken to the core?

The following are 12 simple things that you can start doing right now to become more independent of the system… READ MORE

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2.10.25 - Gold sets 11 record highs in early 2025

Gold last traded at $2,905 an ounce. Silver at $32.04 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: 2025 has just begun and gold is on track to break through the $3,000 an ounce price point many analysts weren't expecting to see until year end! The $4,000 an ounce predictions are now gaining credibility by the day. Here's a look into what's causing these increases.

Gold sets 11 record highs in early 2025 surge, rises nearly 11% – What’s driving the rally? -Mint

by A Ksheerasagar

Gold price today: The price of gold has been breaking record after record this year, continuing its unwavering rally from the previous calendar year without any significant pullbacks. The yellow metal, which is seen as the safest investment, has been drawing support from all market participants, including investment firms, central banks, and retail investors, leading it to see one of the best record rallies after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In just under two months of the current calendar year, spot gold prices have already hit 11 record highs, with the latest peak reaching $2,906 per troy in today's session, bringing year-to-date (YTD) gains to 10.52%. In the domestic market, gold prices surged past ₹85,000 per 10 grams, setting a new record at ₹85,880 per 10 grams—an increase of nearly 11.70% in 2025.

The unstoppable run in gold prices is indicating that investors and consumers are shifting their wealth away from risky assets, such as stocks, to gold, which is considered a safe-haven asset.

Also, major central banks worldwide, especially in Asia, are continuing to diversify their foreign exchange reserves away from the U.S. dollar. China has been at the forefront of this effort, reducing its holdings of U.S. Treasuries to purchase substantial amounts of gold instead.

For centuries, gold has earned a reputation as a reliable safe-haven asset, with its inherent ability to retain or even appreciate in value making it an attractive option for investors seeking stability amid market volatility. Consequently, investors often turn to gold as a reliable investment during periods of uncertainty. READ MORE

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2.7.25 - Citi Predicts $3k Gold

Gold last traded at $2,861 an ounce. Silver at $31.86 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The time to buy gold is now, even as prices climb. According to Citi analysts, "gold prices could reach $3,000 during the start of Q2 2025." As more investors, and central banks alike, gobble up gold; its future continues to shine brightly.

Citi Predicts Gold Prices Could Hit $3,000 in 3 Months -Watcher.Guru

by Vinod Dsouza

Gold prices are experiencing a bullish divergence as its price has reached $2,861 on Friday’s opening bell. It has surged by more than five points in the day trade with an uptick of 0.18%. The XAU/USD index is now looking to breach the $3,000 mark and usher into a new territory of optimism. The yellow metal remains bullish in 2025 and has continued the positive momentum of 2024. Leading investment bank Citi published a recent prediction forecasting that gold prices could reach $3,000 in the next three months.

Commodity analysts from Citi predict that gold prices are all set to touch the $3,000 mark in the next three months. The geopolitical tensions raised by Trump through tariffs will make institutional investors seek a safe haven in gold, wrote the report. The development will only help the XAU/USD index which could soon experience an uptick in the indices.

“The gold bull market looks set to continue under Trump 2.0 with trade wars and geopolitical tensions reinforcing the reserve diversification/de-dollarization trend and supporting emerging market (EM) official sector gold demand,” Citi analysts wrote in a note.

According to Citi, gold prices could reach $3,000 during the start of Q2 2025. That’s an uptick and return on investment (ROI) of approximately 5% from its current price of $2,861. Therefore, an investment of $10,000 could turn into $10,500 if the forecast turns out to be accurate.

Citi also wrote that if gold gets exempt from tariffs, it would be best to accumulate the precious metal and hold on for the long term. “A Russia/Ukraine peace deal, and confirmation of whether gold would be exempt from broad tariffs (or not), could provide a buying opportunity over the next 2-3 months,” wrote the commodity analysts. READ MORE

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2.6.25 - Gold demand hits record levels

Gold last traded at $2,855 an ounce. Silver at $32.22 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Central Banks are putting the pedal to the metal, when it comes to buying gold. As the global financial system seems to be changing before our very eyes, smart money is playing it safe by hedging their holdings with gold.

Gold demand hits record levels as central banks buy at 'eye-watering' pace -Yahoo! Finance

by Ines Ferré · Senior Business Reporter

Gold demand is surging to new records, driven by accelerating purchases from central banks as well as investors seeking a safe haven amid the threat of escalating tariffs.

On Wednesday gold hit record highs for the fifth consecutive day, surpassing $2,877 per ounce in trading, as futures (GC=F) also climbed to new highs above $2,900.

"Central banks continued to hoover up gold at an eye-watering pace" in 2024, according to a report by the World Gold Council, as purchases accelerated sharply in the fourth quarter. Total demand last year reached a new high of 4,974 tonnes.

Joe Cavatoni, market strategist at the World Gold Council, said central bank purchases were driven by "concerns about ongoing inflation, geopolitical tensions, and needs to add diversification to their portfolios."

The Federal Reserve's rate-cutting cycle, which began last year, prompted global inflows into physical-backed gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs), including from Western investors. A lower interest rate environment is bullish for gold since it doesn't have to compete with yield-bearing assets.

Global ETF demand remained steady, with 2024 marking the first year since 2020 in which holdings were essentially unchanged, in contrast to the heavy outflows of the prior three years, according to the report.

Gold is up roughly 8% year to date after gaining over 27% in 2024, outpacing the S&P 500's (^GSPC) gain of 23.1%.

In late January, Goldman Sachs analysts reiterated their bullish call on the precious metal as the threat of escalating tariffs drives continued demand.

“We reiterate that long gold remains our highest conviction trading recommendation across commodities, driven by structural (Central Bank buying) and cyclical (ETF buying) factors,” the analysts said, reiterating a $3,000 per troy ounce price forecast for the second quarter of 2026. VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

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2.5.25 - China Prepared for Trade War With US

Gold last traded at $2,867 an ounce. Silver at $32.31 an ounce.

Job Openings Unexpectedly Crater By More Than 500K As Wheels Start To Fall Off The Job Market -ZeroHedge

The job market continues to take it on the chin, as reflected in the most recent numbers. It was just a few months ago - at the tail-end of the Biden administration - it was discovered the actual job numbers had been grossly misstated; and it appears that trend is continuing.

by Tyler Durden

One month after we reported that job openings "unexpectedly" soared on "a record 2 month surge in professional services", moments ago the BLS reported that the biggest rollercoaster series in the US data set just collapsed, when December job openings "unexpectedly" cratered by 556,000, from 8.156 million to just 7.600 milion, the second lowest print since the covid crash...

... and all Wall Street estimates with the exception of one, SocGen's 7.5 million job openings forecast.

According to the BLS, the number of job openings decreased in professional and business services (-225,000), a sharp reversal from last month's +273,000 surge, as well as health care and social assistance (-180,000), and finance and insurance (-136,000). Job openings increased in arts, entertainment, and recreation (+65,000). VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

BRICS: China Prepared for Trade War With US, Experts Say -Watcher.Guru

Tariffs or not, China is preparing to go to war with the US; a trade war that is. This comes as no surprise, but that doesn't mean it is of any less concern as it speaks to some of the economic vulnerabilities we're facing.

by Joshua Ramos

{Source: Watcher Guru}

The arrival of such tariffs could have dire implications for the collective. However, the bloc has continued to say its intention is to not target the US dollar. Specifically, several BRICS nations have noted its desire is to only increase international economic participation from nations in the global south. To do that, the group has sought to increase the use of its own native currencies in global trade.

The last few months have seen geopolitical tension between the US and the global south reach a fever pitch. Following Donald Trump’s election in late 2024, one of his focuses was on maintaining the global status of the dollar. That has placed one specific economic alliance in his sights.

This week, he has once again reaffirmed his commitment to impending tariffs. Moreover, they are expected to be enacted within the next week. As those BRICS and Western confrontations persist, China is reportedly prepared for a trade war, experts have said. READ MORE

US Factory Orders Declined Overall In 2025 -ZeroHedge

Factory orders being down is not a sign of a healthy economy. Even though our stock market continues to rally, at some point the reality of our economy - and the numbers reflected by the various exchanges - have got to cross paths.

by Tyler Durden

Despite a surge in the Manufacturing (soft) survey data in December and January, 'hard' data continues to disappoint...Source: Bloomberg

...as US Factory Orders fell 0.9% MoM in December (worse than the 0.8% decline expected) with November revised dramatically lower (to -0.8% MoM from -0.4% MoM)...Source: Bloomberg

This left US Factory Orders in Bidenomics' final year down 1.1% YoY while Core Factory Orders (ex-Transportation) rose 0.3% MoM - the fourth straight monthly rise - and up 1.4% YoY... READ MORE

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2.4.25 - JPMorgan Plans $4 Billion US Gold Delivery

Gold last traded at $2,842 an ounce. Silver at $32.15 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Some countries may not be taking Trump's tariff threats seriously, but JP Morgan sure seems to be. How seriously? Enough to move billions of dollars' worth of gold back to the US, so it doesn't get swept up in this tariff storm.

JPMorgan Plans $4 Billion US Gold Delivery Amid Tariff Fears -Yahoo! Finance

by Jack Ryan and Jack Farchy

(Bloomberg) -- JPMorgan Chase & Co. will deliver gold bullion valued at more than $4 billion against futures contracts in New York in February, at a time when surging prices and the threat of import tariffs are fueling a worldwide dash to ship metal to the US.

The bank, which is by far the world’s biggest bullion dealer, was one of several institutions to declare plans on Thursday to deliver bullion against contracts traded on CME Group’s Comex that will expire in February. The delivery notices — which total 3 million troy ounces of gold — were the second largest ever in bourse data going back to 1994. Traders on Friday declared their intent to deliver another 1.1 million troy ounces on Tuesday, according to the latest notice from CME Group.

Fears of imminent tariffs on imports following the election of US President Donald Trump have caused prices for gold futures on Comex to surge over spot prices in London. Spot prices shot to record highs last week, but the additional premium on Comex has created a lucrative arbitrage opportunity for the handful of banks that can quickly fly bullion between key trading hubs.

Similar pricing dynamics have emerged in other Comex contracts too, and the disparity has become so large that traders have started flying silver into the country. The precious metal is usually too cheap and bulky to justify the cost of airfreight, and one industry veteran says it’s the first time they’ve seen it happen. READ MORE

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2.3.25 - Gold Hits New Record High

Gold last traded at $2,814 an ounce. Silver at $31.58 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Add to the ongoing de-dollarization efforts the threat of tariffs - and you have the perfect storm to send investors running to safe havens, namely, gold. Gold hit fresh highs today as uncertainty runs rampant through the domestic and global economies. Read on to see why.

Gold Hits New Record High; Dear Jerome Powell, Is Everything Under Control? -MishTalk

by Mike Shedlock

Gold does not believe the Fed has things under control and neither do I.

Reuters reports Gold hits record high on safe-haven demand amid tariff threats.

At the beginning of 2021, the US dollar index was 89. The US dollar index is now 108.

The price of gold advanced from $1962 to nearly $2900. It’s now about $2850.

Yet, people still believe moves in the dollar determine moves in the price of gold.

I suggest the price of gold moves in accordance with long-term inflation and faith in the Fed.

From 1980 to 2000 there was inflation every step of the way, but gold fell from $850 to $250. There was inflation from 2011 to 2015 when gold fell from $1923 to $1045.

People thought Greenspan was “The Great Maestro” and Mario Draghi saved the Euro.

Gold tends to do very poorly in such times and in periods of disinflation.

A friend of mine emailed some thoughts on what’s changed. VIEW LINKS AND READ MORE

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1.31.25 - The Gold Bull Continues its Charge

Gold last traded at $2,796 an ounce. Silver at $31.32 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Gold has been consistently reaching new highs in just the first month of 2025, and it appears it's not stopping. There's always someone out there who has lofty predictions for the future, but there is compelling data compiled here as to why experts anticipate the more upward movement.

A Gold Price Prediction for 2025 2026 2027 – 2030 -Investing Haven

Our gold price prediction for the coming years remains firmly bullish. Some periods of weakness characterized by gold price pullbacks can be expected. Gold price targets: $3,260 in 2025, near $3,775 in 2026, peak gold price prediction of $5,120 by 2030.

January 30th – This gold article is now up to date with the ‘latest and greatest’ gold price charts:

Gold chart over 20 years (stunningly bullish).
Inflation expectations chart – strongly correlated with gold (hint: bullish).
Gold price to inflation expectations ratio (must-see chart).
Gold chart over 50 years – a potential bearish pattern is being invalidated

We strongly recommend to check the latest gold charts in this article.

They are worth your time and attention, especially since this article including charts are very well researched. VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

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1.30.25 - More Americans Reliant On Food Banks

Gold last traded at $2,793 an ounce. Silver at $31.65 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: How severe is the inflation crisis in our country? In a word, very. Many Americans are experiencing food insecurity; and the sharpest increase is among households earning $100,000-$150,000. In addition, 59% of Americans don't have enough in savings for a $1,000 emergency.

Inflation Storm Leaves Americans More Reliant On Food Banks -ZeroHedge

by Tyler Durden

Emily Engelhard, Vice President of Research at Feeding America, told Bloomberg that elevated and persistent inflation ushered in a "new era of food insecurity," emphasizing that "this is no longer an unemployment issue."

Feeding America, the largest charity working to end hunger in the US, has a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies.

"Everyone sees prices getting high — for food, clothes, everything," Kersstin Eshak told Bloomberg, who recently visited a food bank in Loudoun County, Virginia. She said the inflation nightmare over the last several years depleted her pocketbook.

America's cost-of-living crisis mostly erupted during the Biden-Harris regime's first term.

Ethan Amos, the head of the Flagstaff Family Food Center in Arizona, said his food bank broke records in 2022 by serving an average of 28,000 meals per month. That figure has now surged to a staggering 40,000 meals per month, driven by the inflationary pressures unleashed during the Biden-Harris administration's disastrous "Bidenomics."

Believe it or not, Washington, DC, has a hunger crisis. The largest food bank in the area, Capital Area Food Bank, distributed 64 million meals last year—five million more than the previous year. Data from the food bank shows that food insecurity has risen most sharply among households earning $100,000–$150,000. READ MORE

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1.29.25 - Biden Leaves Office With All-Time-Record US Trade Deficit

Gold last traded at $2,756 an ounce. Silver at $30.89 an ounce.

Gold: Forget ATH, The Real Secular Breakout Confirmation Is Here -Investing Haven

The really big breakout for gold may finally be here; and this is on top of the stellar run it's already had over the last 15 months. If you don't own gold, it's time to change that.

On the quarterly gold price chart, we observe a gold secular breakout. For now, it qualifies as an attempt. Confirming is pending, and a decisive date will be March 31st, 2025.

There is a lot of chatter about gold’s test of ATH.

What goes unnoticed is gold’s attempt to invalidate a secular bearish chart structure.

Gold’s ATH is not a secular breakout

There is a tremendous supply of financial content related to gold.

However, financial and social media are very short term oriented.

Take the focus on gold’s ATH (here and here for instance). Gold’s test of ATH is attracting a lot of attention.

Why?

Because it’s easy to create content.

Investors are left with the perception that exceeding ATH is the most important thing.

We don’t think so, as there is a much more important ‘chart event’ to watch in the gold market.

Gold’s real secular breakout

The really important news comes from gold’s longest timeframe.

That’s not the daily gold price chart but rather the quarterly gold chart. Below is the 50-year gold chart.

As seen below, a true gold secular breakout is in progress now. And the secular breakout on gold’s chart coincides with the invalidation of the rising wedge which, by default, is a bearish structure.

What we are saying is that the only thing holding gold back, currently, is the potential rising wedge.

Conversely, once this rising wedge is cleared, gold is invalidating any potential bearish dynamics. By exclusion, that’s very (very) bullish. VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

Biden Leaves Office With All-Time-Record US Trade Deficit In December -ZeroHedge

It's hard to argue that Biden did anything good for the economy when we are still discovering more ways in which is was damaged during his term. This damage has been felt by every American household for years now, even though it took the "official numbers" a few years to catch up. The hope is that the new administration has the cure for what economically ails us.

by Tyler Durden

It wasn't just his approval rating that was at a record low when President Biden left office; data from the Commerce Department today shows that Biden's last month in office saw the US merchandise-trade deficit widen to a record low (high). The shortfall in goods expanded 18% to $122.1 billion...

This was dramatically worse than the expected $105.5 billion...

Breaking down the details:

Imports grew nearly 4% to $289.6 billion.

Exports decreased 4.5% to $167.5 billion.

Additionally, the Commerce Department report showed retail inventories slid 0.3% last month, the first drop in a year.

Inventories at car dealers fell 1.2%, marking the third straight decline after more than two years of gains.

Stockpiles at wholesalers declined 0.5%.

The figures suggest trade will be a bigger drag on fourth-quarter gross domestic product, which will be reported on Thursday.

Prior to the data, the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow forecast had net exports barely adding to GDP and inventories subtracting 0.23 percentage point.

US manufacturers remain challenged by weak overseas economies and a strong dollar that risk keeping the trade gap wide this year. VIEW CHARTS

American AI Strikes Back -Daily Reckoning

Can America win the AI race against China? Only time will tell. Hopefully the DeepSeek threat spurs us to action and encourages American AI to dig deeper.

by Adam Sharp

American AI firms have rung the alarm bell and all personnel have reported to battle stations (their computers).

Yesterday, we got a response from OpenAI (ChatGPT owner) CEO Sam Altman. Here’s what he posted on X about DeepSeek:

deepseek’s r1 is an impressive model, particularly around what they’re able to deliver for the price.

we will obviously deliver much better models and also it’s legit invigorating to have a new competitor! we will pull up some releases.

Altman’s comments suggest that the DeepSeek threat is real. And as a result, OpenAI will “pull up some releases”, meaning they will accelerate the release of more advanced models.

Last Friday, OpenAI took the first step. They released “Operator” to Pro users ($200/month). Operator is an AI agent which can directly control your computer and complete tasks on your behalf.

This is likely a model which was ready for some time, but was held back due to safety concerns. Imagine what hackers and scammers could do with an upgraded version of ChatGPT which can control your computer! Look ma, no hands!

Those safety concerns are now out the window. Legitimate competition from China has emerged, and winning is now the only thing that matters.

OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google will go full speed ahead. Think about how powerful these reasoning AI agents will be. Eventually they’ll be able to do your taxes, check emails, and complete work tasks.

With President Trump back in the White House, domestic AI companies will finally be able to unleash their full potential.

Will it be enough? The continued dominance of America’s tech sector depends on the answer to this question. READ MORE

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1.28.25 - Gold Price Sends 'Important Message' On Recession

Gold last traded at $2,763 an ounce. Silver at $30.42 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Are we headed for a recession? Patrick Karim believes that gold and silver prices are warning us that we are; and quickly. All the more reason to make sure your holdings are properly diversified.

Gold Price Sends ‘Important Message’ On Recession, Expert Says -Watcher.Guru

by Joshua Ramos

With the new presidential administration in place, all eyes are on the United States’ economic health. The country has not ceased to engage in some concerning geopolitical tensions while also championing its position on digital assets. Yet, one expert has recently stated that the gold price and silver have both sent a “very important message” on a potential US recession.

The US dollar had been thriving following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. However, the greenback has recently slid to reach a January low. That pushed the interest in gold higher, as the metal neared its all-time high price of $2,790 set in October of 2024. Moreover, there are expectations that it could be on a record trajectory as January comes to a close.

Although the US dollar has been the world currency since post-World War II, there is no denying that gold still holds an important role. Indeed, the yellow metal is viewed as a critical hedge to the inflationary pressures the US currency faces. Moreover, with cryptocurrencies enjoying a rising relevance, that has not shifted the potential that the metal still has.

Now, one expert has recently shared that the asset also holds robust information. Similar to stock market trading, the price of these resources can help to give insight. For the gold price, one expert claims it is trying to give a “very important message” on an impending recession in the United States.

“Gold and Silver are possibly sending a VERY important message to those that are listening,” Patrick Karim said in a post to X (formerly Twitter). Alongside all other evidence, it is tough to see we are not heading into a recession. Sooner rather than later,” he added. READ MORE

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1.27.25 - Gold Flirts With Record High

Gold last traded at $2,740 an ounce. Silver at $30.20 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The dollar is weakening, as the gold price strengthens. This is a direct result of Trump softening his stance on trade with - and tariffs on - China. The dollar will likely continue to experience volatility as as Trump navigates his way through the Biden economy he inherited.

Gold Flirts With Record High as Trump’s China Remarks Hit Dollar -Yahoo! Finance

by Jack Ryan and Yvonne Yue Li

(Bloomberg) -- Gold rose close to a record high after US President Donald Trump signaled a less aggressive approach to China, weakening the dollar.

Bullion traded near $2,780 an ounce, the highest since it touched an all-time high in October. Trump said he’d “rather not have to use” levies against China during an interview that aired on Fox News on Thursday. A gauge of the dollar fell as much as 0.7%, making the precious metal cheaper for most buyers.

Gold is up almost 3% this week, mainly on haven demand amid uncertainty over the global economic outlook. New US-imposed tariffs would benefit gold even in spite of accompanying dollar strengthening, according to Joni Teves, a strategist for UBS Group AG.

“We expect investors to be willing to look through dollar strength,” Teves wrote in a note, adding that gold would draw demand as a safe haven and diversifier in a period of volatility and macro uncertainty.

Traders have been glued to Trump’s commentary on trade and tariffs since he took office earlier this week. The president has identified China, the EU, Canada and Mexico as potential targets for import levies, raising concerns about how other governments might respond. Trump on Thursday told the World Economic Forum in Davos via video that he intends to hit Europe with import levies in a bid to bring manufacturing back to the US. READ MORE

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1.24.25 - Buffett Indicator flashing a warning sign

Gold last traded at $2,773 an ounce. Silver at $30.68 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Is the stock market headed into bear territory? Even the most seasoned investors cannot always accurately predict the future. This is why it's so important to have a portfolio that is properly diversified. Call us today to ensure you are protected, whether the stock market crashes or has more room to rise.

The stock market gauge named after Warren Buffett just hit an all-time high, sending a warning worse than before the dot-com bubble burst -Yahoo! Finance

by Paolo Confino

(Fortune) --- One of Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett’s favorite market metrics is flashing a warning sign.

The Buffett Indicator, which calculates the ratio of market cap of all U.S. publicly traded stocks to the country’s gross domestic product, is at the highest level in several decades, according to research from Kailash Capital Research. As of November 2024, the figure reached 230%, the highest on record, according to Kailash’s data. That type of market dynamic hasn’t been seen since March 2000 around the time the dot-com bubble burst. Back then, the market-to-GDP ratio had reached a record level of 175%.

For Buffett Indicator supporters, the gauge is a useful metric in predicting when a stock market slump might happen. If company valuations exceed total GDP, it can indicate that they aren’t creating enough genuine economic value that gets recirculated in the economy. In other words, those companies are valued higher than the actual value they create.

“There has to be actual, real economic profits in order to justify valuations,” said Matthew Malgari, one of the report’s authors. “The data is unforgiving,” he and coauthor Sanjeev Bhojraj warned.

The metric is especially useful in Buffett’s eyes for gauging the current valuations of companies—are they too high, too low, or just right? If they are too high, as the Buffett Indicator would currently suggest, then investors should expect paltry returns in the stock market. Buffett outlined his views on the matter in a 1999 Fortune interview.

“You need to remember that future returns are always affected by current valuations and give some thought to what you’re getting for your money in the stock market right now,” Buffet said. READ MORE

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1.23.25 - A New ‘Golden Age’ for America

Gold last traded at $2,756 an ounce. Silver at $30.43 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It's pretty customary to see presidential pardons issued when a president leaves office, granted for a variety of reasons. When it comes to Biden's pardons, that reason was covering the crimes of his corrupt family members and political cronies. In brighter news, the Trump is already taking action on his campaign promises.

A New ‘Golden Age’ for America -Daily Reckoning

by James Rickards

With the exception of the presidential election last November, no period will be more full of political headlines than the weeks just past and the few weeks ahead. The transition from one administration to another on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025, was both politically momentous and historic. This is especially true when the two political parties are handing over power from one to the other.

It’s fair to say that Americans are most interested in Trump’s first day actions in the form of executive orders, policy statements and moves that will be made in the days ahead. We cover that in detail below. But Inauguration Day for a new president is also the final day for the outgoing president. We’ll begin with a quick look at Joe Biden’s final desperate acts.

Biden Remains Dirty to the End

Biden remained true to form as a dirty political hack who seemed not to know where he was or what he was doing but could at least sign any document shoved in front of his face by his far-left-wing staff. Among his last-minute acts were blanket pardons of some of the worst criminals of the past four years.

Most egregious were Biden’s pardons of members of the Biden Crime Family including his brothers Frankie and Jim, his sister Valerie and their spouses. The reasons for this are clear. The Biden money laundering and tax evasion operations that were ancillary to the main bribery operation required various parties to open bank accounts, receive wires, write checks to the Big Guy, and otherwise blur the paper trail on the corruption. That’s where family members including spouses and children came in.

Of course, Hunter Biden was the main bagman and shakedown artist, but he was pardoned last month. Now the cover-up of the Bidens receiving bribes from China, Ukraine and even Russia in exchange for selling out U.S. national security is complete. READ MORE

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1.22.25 - Saudi Arabia To Join BRICS?

Gold last traded at $2,756 an ounce. Silver at $30.82 an ounce.

Gold Advances to 11-Week High as Trump Hints at China Tariffs -Yahoo! Finance

Gold is off to a great start in 2025. The projections are very bullish for the year ahead, as economic developments continue to take shape around the globe. Now is the time to be diversified into metals.

by Yvonne Yue Li

(Bloomberg) -- Gold climbed to its highest intraday level since the end of October, with traders monitoring the outlook for the global economy as US President Donald Trump continued sketching out his views on trade and immigration policies.

Trump has widened his tariff threats to China and the European Union on top of his signals targeting Canada and Mexico in the coming weeks. Investors are focused on the implications of the Trump administration’s tariff and tax cut policies, which economists say may reignite inflation — limiting the Federal Reserve’s ability to keep easing monetary policy. Higher borrowing costs typically pose a headwind for bullion since it doesn’t pay interest.

Gold set a series of records last year, with gains driven by the Fed’s pivot to cutting interest rates, geopolitical tensions and central-bank buying. The precious metal may receive a further boost from demand for safe-haven assets amid concerns about the Trump’s immigration policy, as well as scope for increasingly fraught US relations with other nations. READ MORE

Saudi Arabia Considering To Join BRICS -Watcher.Guru

The anticipated slow down in BRICS activity as Trump took office hasn't materialized. The latest invitation to join the bloc was issued to Saudi Arabia. The momentum seems to be building in the wrong direction for the US.

by Vinod Dsouza

Saudi Arabia received an invitation to join the BRICS alliance in 2023 and be a part of the global grouping. However, the Kingdom did not officially accept or reject the invitation but kept the decision on hold. They are yet to make a final decision on whether they want to join the alliance or not.

The country’s Economy and Planning Minister Faisal bin Fadhil Al-Ibrahim confirmed that Saudi Arabia is still assessing the BRICS membership. “The kingdom is always focusing on fostering more global dialogue,” Faisal Al-Ibrahim said in an interview with Bloomberg at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He said that the Kingdom will come to an “appropriate decision.”

He revealed that Saudi Arabia is looking at the pros and cons of joining BRICS and will make a decision soon. “We’ve been invited to BRICS, similar to how we’ve been invited to many other multilateral platforms in the past historically. We assess many different aspects of it before a decision is made and right now, we are in the middle of that,” he said.

The BRICS alliance will get a boost in the arm if Saudi Arabia accepts the invitation and joins the bloc. Saudi Arabia is rich in cash flow and can fund the projects of the New Development Bank (NDB). The Kingdom is also oil-rich and can make BRICS control nearly 42% of the world’s natural oil and gas sector. READ MORE

Better Markets CEO Now Predicts A Financial Crash Worse Than 2008 -FrankNez.com

We've been hearing a lot of projections that our equity markets are due for a correction, thankfully it's been all talk so far. The reality of a market that is overvalued, combined with an economy that's struggling, is definitely cause for concern. Some are expecting even bigger corrections than those of 2008. Let's hope not.

Better Markets CEO, Dennis Kelleher, now predicts a financial crash much worse than 2008, stating “the clock is ticking”.

Dennis Kelleher, the tireless Co-Founder and CEO of Better Markets, has just unveiled the organization’s January 2025 newsletter, and it’s a compelling call to action for anyone concerned about the future of our financial system.

However, despite the claims, it is important to mention that many retail investors have expressed optimism in the stock and crypto markets for 2025.

The markets are expected to surge significantly this year under Trump, though only time will tell.

Below is the CEO’s analysis.

The Impending Crisis: A Dire Prediction

Kelleher raises an alarming red flag regarding the incoming administration of President Donald Trump, particularly highlighting the financial deregulators he has appointed.

He warns that “the clock is ticking on a coming catastrophic financial crash that will likely be much worse than 2008.”

This is not mere rhetoric; Kelleher backs his claims with historical evidence, noting a consistent pattern of financial instability following deregulation. READ MORE

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1.21.25 - Trump’s tariff plan

Gold last traded at $2,742 an ounce. Silver at $30.82 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Trump was sworn in a mere 24 hours ago and the world is already preparing for substantial changes to the global economy. Many are hopeful these will be positives changes, but it may be a rocky journey. All the more reason to ensure your portfolio is diversified as we navigate these waters.

Here are the products and companies most at risk from Trump’s tariff plans -CNBC

by Melissa Repko, Gabrielle Fonrouge, Michael Wayland and Amelia Lucas

Many of the items that U.S. shoppers browse and buy in retailers’ aisles come from far-away factories or farms — a reality that could soon force many consumers to change their buying habits.

Sneakers, T-shirts, beer and other common household items are often made in countries like China, Mexico and Canada before they wind their way to a big-box retailer, grocer or mall in the U.S. That complex global supply chain was front and center Monday as President-elect Donald Trump was inaugurated. He is widely expected to announce new tariffs on imports in the coming weeks.

While tariffs have become a familiar concept for more Americans since Trump implemented them on metals and other key materials during his first term in office, the levies he has threatened for his return to the White House could have a much bigger effect on household budgets.

Most people have little grasp of just how many items could see price hikes due to the duties: from avocados to children’s toys, to chocolate and cars, experts told CNBC. Proposed tariffs on products from China, Mexico and Canada — the three-largest U.S. trading partners — would likely affect U.S. consumers the most. READ MORE

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1.17.25 - America's Rapidly Growing Retirement Crisis

Gold last traded at $2,702 an ounce. Silver at $30.35 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The current state of our economy has created a retirement crisis. A crisis which has long been predicted, but now has aggravating factors. The facts and figures in this article provide an in-depth look at exactly what it means.

18 Incredible Statistics About America's Rapidly Growing Retirement Crisis That Will Blow Your Mind -ZeroHedge

Authored by Michael Snyder via The End of The American Dream blog

We are facing an unprecedented retirement crisis in this nation. Millions upon millions of Baby Boomers are retiring, and most of them are struggling. In fact, it has been estimated that 80 percent of our retirees are either struggling right now or are in serious danger of falling into financial insecurity. We are supposed to be the economic powerhouse of the world. How could we have allowed this to happen?

There are several reasons why our retirement crisis has become so severe.

First of all, people are living significantly longer than they did decades ago, and so retirees need more money these days.

Secondly, most retirees did not save enough for retirement, and many of them entered their retirement years carrying high levels of debt.

Thirdly, healthcare costs are completely and utterly out of control in this country. We desperately need to do something about this.

Fourthly, high inflation has made the cost of living extremely oppressive.

Fifthly, pension plans are less common then they once were, and so more retirees than ever are depending upon Social Security as their primary source of income.

When you step back and consider the big picture, it is clear that we have a major problem on our hands, and there are no easy solutions. READ MORE

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1.15.25 - Gold and Silver - 2025's Bullish Signals

Gold last traded at $2,695 an ounce. Silver at $30.71 an ounce.

A Gold Price Prediction for 2025 2026 2027 – 2030 -Investing Haven

Gold saw several favorable predictions at the beginning of 2024, and delivered quite nicely. The yellow metal started the year around $2,000 an ounce and finished the year over $2,600. The next few years may see similar appreciation.

Our gold price prediction for the coming years remains firmly bullish. Some periods of weakness characterized by gold price pullbacks can be expected. Gold price targets: $3,275 in 2025, near $3,800 in 2026, peak gold price prediction of $5,150 by 2030.

The summary of our gold price prediction is presented the first section of this article. The remainder of this article provides a deep understanding of the true dynamics driving the gold price.

We start with a quick summary of our gold price prediction and continue presenting the extensive research of how we got to these gold price predictions.

1. Gold price forecast for 2025, 2026, 2027, 2030

This is the outcome of our gold price prediction analysis outlined in the remainder of this article.

2025: max gold price right above $3,275.
2026: max gold price around $3,800.
2027: max gold price around $4,400.
2030: peak gold price prediction $5,050.

The ranges indicated in this summary are estimates produced by InvestingHaven’s research, based on current and predicted intermarket trends and secular gold charts. READ MORE

Silver: This Beautiful Failed Breakdown May Be A Bullish Signal For 2025 -Investing Haven

2025 may also be a breakout year for silver. Some may have lost heart with the recent pullbacks, but this could be a signaling of its next upward move. The fundamentals are certainly in place for tremendous appreciation.

Silver broke down on December 18th. It recovered on January 9th, 2025, exactly after 13 trading days, a Fibonacci number. Silver’s failed breakdown is inherently bullish.

In this article, we focus on the silver chart. We combine time and price analysis.

In doing so, we find that silver’s recent weakness coincided with a failed breakdown, invalidated on Thursday, January 9th, 2025.

That’s potentially great news for silver investors, as silver’s failed breakdown has a legacy of leading to selling exhaustion by creating a turning point.

Silver’s failed breakdown – price

We look at the price axis of the silver chart.

The 2024 rising trendline was violated on December 18th, 2024.
The FOMC press conference combined with the rate cut decision pushed the price of silver strongly lower.
In doing so, the rising trendline got broken down.

Strictly looking at price, silver is now in a long term consolidation, below the rising trend (still flat). READ MORE

A global bond sell-off is deepening as investors pare Fed rate-cut expectations -CNBC

The Fed continues to lose ground - as well as favor - in the investment world, and their losses are accelerating. The US has its work cut out for itself when it comes to regaining strength, in the midst of the tsunami of debt.

by Lee Ying Shan

A sell-off in global bond markets is accelerating, fueling concerns over government finances and raising the specter of higher borrowing costs for consumers and businesses around the world.

Bond yields have mostly been rising globally with the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield touching a fresh 14-month high of 4.799% on Monday, as investors reassess the pace at which the Federal Reserve might lower interest rates.

In the UK, the 30-year gilt yields are hovering at their highest level since 1998, and the country’s 10-year yield recently hit levels not seen since 2008.

Japan, which has been striving to normalize its monetary policy after ending its negative interest rates regime early last year, has seen its 10-year government bond yield rise over 1%, hitting its highest in 13 years on Tuesday, LSEG data showed.

In Asia-Pacific, India’s 10-year bond yields rose the most in over a month on Monday and are near 2-month highs at 6.846%. Yields on New Zealand and Australia’s 10-year benchmark government bonds were also near two-month highs. READ MORE

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1.14.25 - Gold vs Interest Rates

Gold last traded at $2,676 an ounce. Silver at $29.91 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: With economies the world over in turmoil, more and more nations - and central banks - are turning back to gold; and looking to make gold the reserve currency of choice. As Mr. Sharp puts it, "Gold is apolitical. As long as it's in a vault within a country's own borders, there's really no safer asset one can own. It is the ultimate sovereign form of money." This could mark the beginning of the resurgence of one of the most time-honored assets on earth.

My Favorite Way to Play Gold’s Rise -Daily Reckoning

by Adam Sharp

The past few years have been unusual for gold and interest rates.

Both have ripped higher together.

Historically, these two are often inversely correlated, meaning when the bond yields are high, gold is weak. And vice versa. But no longer.

The chart shows the price of gold vs. U.S. real interest rates (10y bond yield minus inflation expectations).

As you can see, the two traded inversely up until 2022. When yields rose, gold fell. When yields fell, gold rose.

The old paradigm made sense. When real yields on bonds are high, more investors will switch out of gold and into Treasuries. When yields are low, gold becomes more attractive as a way to preserve purchasing power.

So why did this relationship change beginning in 2022?

Well, there was that minor incident where the U.S. confiscated $300 billion of Russian central bank assets. Remember that? It was part of Uncle Sam’s punishment package after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Surely that couldn’t be related. Right? VIEW CHART AND READ MORE

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1.13.25 - Gold Is Targeting A Solid $3200 Price Spot

Gold last traded at $2,659 an ounce. Silver at $29.60 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Will gold crest over $3000 in the near-term? Rashad Hajiyev seems to think so. The fundamentals are in place for another historic rise. Call us today to shore up your portfolio with gold; some sizeable profits could be ahead.

Gold Is Targeting A Solid $3200 Price Spot: Here’s When It Can Claim It? -Watcher.Guru

by Juhi Mirza

Gold is currently putting all its efforts into breaking beyond the $2665 price mark. The current positioning of XAU is met with intense resistance, disabling the asset from breaking new boundaries. In this wake, Gold is also eyeing a new possible target, which could help XAU claim new price highs. Here’s how gold could hit $3200 in the near future.

Per Rashad Hajiyev, a notable asset analyst, Gold is already surging ahead, targeting a new price spot, a rather ambitious one in a new attempt. The expert clarified how Gold is putting all its efforts into breaking the $2665 price level that it’s currently in. Once it moves behind the aforementioned price spot, the asset could catapult to new highs, as the expert cautiously remarked.

Gold has been trying hard to overcome $2,665 level for the past week. Once it breaks out there is no turning back…
— Rashad Hajiyev (@hajiyev_rashad) January 9, 2025

Similarly, Hajiyev later clarified how XAU is already on the verge of hitting $3200 but may ultimately find some pressure when it comes to claiming the $2690 price level.

Looks like silver is making its move. Gold will find resistance just under $2,690. Overall looking good, pity US stock market closed…
— Rashad Hajiyev (@hajiyev_rashad) January 9, 2025

Once the said level breaks, gold may hit a new price spot of $3200, rallying 19% in the process. READ MORE

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1.10.25 - Why investors are still buying gold

Gold last traded at $2,690 an ounce. Silver at $30.41 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Investors are catching on to what the central bankers have known for years: when the US is in turmoil, buy gold. Gold is rising despite the headwinds against it. All the more reason to stake your claim now.

Why investors are still buying gold despite a strong dollar and rising Treasury yields -MarketWatch

By Myra P. Saefong

Gold futures are trading 1.8% higher so far in the new year.

Gold prices settled Thursday at their highest level in four weeks, defying their usual inverse relationship with strength in the U.S. dollar and gains in Treasury yields, as fiscal worries prompt investors seek out safe-haven assets.

"Dollar strength, rising Treasury yields and a rising gold price are all evidence of global concerns with the U.S. fiscal situation," Brien Lundin, editor at Gold Newsletter, told MarketWatch. "The 'bond vigilantes' are demanding higher returns in light of the risk that Treasurys represent, with the U.S. debt and deficits at such elevated levels relative to GDP."

"The dizzying rise in the 10-year Treasury yield began with the [Federal Reserve's] rate cuts, and that's not coincidental," Lundin said. "The fact that the Fed may be losing some control over rates is in itself concerning, and is also adding fuel to the rise in yields."

Meanwhile, despite U.S. fiscal concerns, the dollar is strengthening because it "represents a safe haven in times of trouble, and also because of those higher yields," Lundin said. READ MORE

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1.9.25 - BRICS to Keep Ditching the US Dollar

Gold last traded at $2,670 an ounce. Silver at $30.11 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The fight against de-dollarization is likely to be one of the Trump administration's top priorities. Despite the threats of tariffs, several BRICS countries are going full steam ahead in their efforts to supplant the dollar. Although, some member nations have expressed a desire to work with Trump. It will be interesting to watch this unfold in the early months of the Trump White House.

BRICS to Keep Ditching the US Dollar in 2025: Alliance Confirms -Watcher.Guru

by Joshua Ramos

On the heels of immense threats from the West and geopolitical concerns brewing, the BRICS economic alliance appears to remain steadfast in its commitment to ditching the US dollar in 2025. Indeed, the collective has seemingly confirmed the matter, as recent discussion pointed to their belief in de-dollarization as a certain necessity.

US President-elect Donald Trump has been outspoken in his defense of the greenback. Throughout this campaign for reelection, he continually reiterated the importance of keeping the dollar as the world’s currency. After his victory, he issued a warning to BRICS specifically, threatening 100% tariffs on the bloc seeking to create their own dollar alternative.

The last year has seen the BRICS economic alliance continue their notable ascent. Once just a five-nation collective, the group phase doubled in size with its most recent expansion. Moreover, it has big plans for the global economic market that have seen the West take an undeniably favorable stance.

Although Trump has warned of impending repercussions, the BRICS bloc has reiterated that they are likely to keep ditching the US dollar in 2025 through a recent confirmation. Indeed, the group discussed the reality that de-dollarization is a necessity so long as the United States continues doing one thing. READ MORE

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1.8.25 - Dollar's Share Of Global Reserves Hits 30-Year-Low

Gold last traded at $2,661 an ounce. Silver at $30.11 an ounce.

US Trade Deficit Widens on Largest Jump in Imports Since 2022 -Yahoo! Finance

As we get ready to swear in President-Elect Trump in a few weeks, he has made it very clear that trade - and our trade deficits - is at the top of his list. This will likely be no small feat as that deficit has seen a large widening recently.

(Bloomberg) -- The US trade deficit widened in November, reflecting the biggest jump in imports since March 2022 as companies accelerated shipments ahead of a possible dockworkers’ strike and in anticipation of potential tariffs by the Trump administration.

The gap in goods and services trade grew 6.2% from the prior month to $78.2 billion, Commerce Department data showed Tuesday. The figure was in line with the median projection of economists in a Bloomberg survey.

The value of imports increased 3.4% from a month earlier to $351.6 billion. Exports rose 2.7%. The figures aren’t adjusted for inflation.

The jump in imports was broad, including increases in consumer goods, capital equipment and motor vehicles, likely reflecting a preference by US companies to secure shipments in advance of potential tariffs. Moreover, many are hoping to mitigate disruptions from a potential strike by dockworkers with a mid-January deadline to reach a deal.

The figures follow an October downshift in demand for foreign merchandise after companies doubled up efforts to ensure they were well-stocked ahead of holiday-shopping season.

Goods and services trade in the third quarter subtracted from gross domestic product, and the latest net exports figures suggest a similar impact is possible in the final three-month period of 2024. READ MORE

Dollar's Share Of Global Reserves Hits 30-Year-Low As Central Banks Pile Into Gold, Alternates -Zero Hedge

The dollar has been steadily losing ground in the global marketplace, over the last few years in particular, and it doesn't appear the downward slide is even close to over. As gold, and other alternatives, offer a better option to the dollar; our currency becomes more at risk by the day.

by Wolf Richter via WolfStreet.com

The US dollar lost further ground as global reserve currency among many reserve currencies held by central banks. Its share has been zigzagging lower for many years as central banks have been diversifying their holdings to assets denominated in currencies other than the dollar. And they’ve also been diversifying into gold. But the dollar remains by far the dominant global reserve currency.

The share of USD-denominated foreign exchange reserves fell to 57.4% of total exchange reserves the lowest since 1994, according to the IMF’s COFER data for Q3 2024. USD-denominated foreign exchange reserves include US Treasury securities, US agency securities, US MBS, US corporate bonds, US stocks, and other USD-denominated assets held by central banks other than the Fed.

In Q1 2015, the USD’s share was still 66%. Over these 10 years, the dollar’s share of global reserve currencies has dropped by 8.6 percentage points. If this pace of decline continues, the dollar’s share will fall below 50% in less than 10 years, by the end of 2034.

The dollar’s share had already been below 50% in 1990 and 1991, at the final leg of its long plunge from a share of 85% in 1977 to 46% in 1991, after inflation had exploded in the US in the 1970s, and eventually the world lost confidence in the Fed’s ability or willingness to get this inflation under control.

But by the 1990s, central banks loaded up on dollar-assets again, until the euro came along. This chart shows the dollar’s share at the end of each year (2024 = Q3). VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

The Age Of Debt And Monetary Destruction -Daniel Lacalle

Spending and debt have been the cornerstones of growth and expansion in our economy, but how long can this method continue before it becomes untenable? Some say not much longer, as the "bubble" is getting ready to burst.

by Daniel Lacalle

If you want to really understand the current monetary system and the risks and opportunities it creates, you must read “The Age of Debt Bubbles“. This is a comprehensive, informed, and thorough analysis of the current global monetary system.

Debt bloats the global economy. Spending and debt, rather than savings and prudent investment, form the foundation of economic development.

This debt-based system, where sovereign debt is allegedly the safest asset and governments continue to stretch their solvency ratios, is constantly generating boom and bust cycles. Through a meticulous examination of historical data and trends, this book analyses the risks posed by the ever-expanding debt bubbles.

The book explains that debt has become a pervasive and inescapable feature of modern economies. The relentless pursuit of growth and profit with little equity involved has driven individuals, corporations, and governments to take on increasingly larger amounts of risk through indebtedness in exchange for lower returns, creating a fragile house of cards that is the root of all financial crises.

The Era of Increasing Debt Bubbles and Economic Instability: “An In-depth Analysis of Debt Crises, Asset Bubbles, and the Role of Monetary Policy” offers a thorough and exhaustive exploration of contemporary monetary policy, debt-fueled bubbles, and the economic consequences they entail. READ MORE

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1.7.25 - Will the stock-market boom end in 2025?

Gold last traded at $2,648 an ounce. Silver at $30.08 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The stock market cruised through the holidays - and into the new year - on a high note, but will that momentum continue? According to some, the stellar performance of the market is "unsustainable".

America's stock-market boom will end in 2025 as markets punish the US for its yawning deficits, Rockefeller chairman says -Yahoo! Finance

by Jennifer Sor

The market expert Ruchir Sharma says that the stock market's momentum looks likely to sputter in 2025 and that it could falter as investors grow wary of the US's mounting debt problems.

In an op-ed article for the Financial Times published on Monday, the Rockefeller International chairman said he believed the US stock market could soon underperform global peers, breaking a long-running trend of US outperformance.

He estimated that over the next year the top stocks in the US could underperform the global market by about 10% — reflecting a much worse performance than in 2024, when the top US stocks outperformed the market by about 20%.

"Momentum investing looks poised to crash in a way that could hit many investors hard," Sharma wrote.

Speaking to CNBC later on Monday, Sharma pointed to signs that the trend of US outperformance looked unsustainable.

For one, valuations in the US remain high, but sentiment is more bullish compared with other areas of the world.

The US economy makes up about 30% of the global economy, but US stocks make up about 70% of the global equity market, Sharma said. Still, nearly all investors expect the US to keep outperforming the rest of the world. READ MORE

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1.6.25 - 2025: The Year of $3K Gold

Gold last traded at $2,633 an ounce. Silver at $29.93 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Could 2025 be the big, breakout year for gold? Dozens of market watchers have said they believe gold is headed to $3,000-plus in value. For protection, diversification, and profit; now is the time to balance your portfolio with precious metals.

2025: The Year of $3K Gold -Daily Reckoning

by Zach Scheidt

Investors are eyeing gold very carefully right now. And it’s not hard to see why.

As you can see from the chart below, the yellow metal had a great year…

Long-time readers will know that I’ve been bullish on gold for a while.

Many investors have been flocking to gold in the last few years — and for good reason. It’s a great diversifier, it protects against inflation, and it’s a safe-haven asset when things go awry.

All of these things have led to a rise in gold demand and, subsequently, a run-up in gold prices. In fact, the average price of gold reached record highs several times this year — surpassing $2,700 by October.

Gold prices have been a bit more volatile, following Trump’s inauguration. But now that investors have had time to adjust to Trump’s win and a Republican sweep of the House and Senate, gold appears to be ready for its next leg higher.

I’ve had my eye on a price target of $3,000 per ounce since 2021.

And the post-election gold pullback is a good time to look at miners before it finally takes on $3k.

But first, let’s look at how gold reacted to Trump’s victory… VIEW CHARTS AND READ MORE

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1.3.25 - Can The Silver Price Rise To $100?

Gold last traded at $2,651 an ounce. Silver at $30.09 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We now find ourselves starting our charge into the new year. New goals, new dreams, maybe even some new beginnings. One of the things everyone should be looking at this year is adding more silver to their portfolio. Once you read this report, you'll see why.

Can The Silver Price Rise To $100? -Investing Haven

In particular, silver might rise to $100 /oz in the timeframe 2027-2028.

Silver requires either exceptional market conditions like rising inflation or an extreme shortage in order to rise to $100 /oz which might not be its endpoint once it clears ATH at $50.

In this article, we analyze the long term silver charts in order to understand if a silver rise to $100 an Ounce is a feasible path. Particularly, we look at:

*Long term silver chart dynamics.

*Silver charts factoring in CPI impact.

*Potential catalysts to trigger a silver rally to $100.

*Intermarket correlations.

Our latest silver prediction is based on historical data, market correlations and chart readings. It’s a data driven way to analyze precious metals.

Note – the analyst team at InvestingHaven.com is unbiased. No silver perma-bulls over here.

An important quote from the article mentioned above:

To be honest, our viewpoint is that all conditions are in place for silver to run to its two higher targets: $34 and $50. The question why silver is not trading at those levels is a good question to ask. The ‘silver manipulation’ theme comes up as an answer. Concurrently, the other answer that comes up is ‘opportunity’: if an asset is undervalued, it usually is a matter of time until a rebalancing act occurs.

With that said, we will take a big picture viewpoint in this article. While the points outlined above are relevant in 2024 and 2025, we think in terms of “how high can silver go this decade” in this article.

Remember, a silver price rise to to $100 an ounce is not an idea that will materialize in 2025. If silver were to rise to $100, it would mark a secular top which is likely to happen late(r) this decade. VIEW FULL REPORT AND LINKED ARTICLES

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1.2.25 - The Real Inflation Number

Gold last traded at $2,657 an ounce. Silver at $29.56 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I find this article, in a strange way, refreshing. We are being told inflation is settling down - resting in the 3.5% range - and yet everything in our lives seems to cost considerably more today than it did a year ago. Mr. King explains below ...

The Real Inflation Number -Daily Reckoning

by Byron King

What’s happening with inflation?

Allegedly, it’s back down in the 3.5% range, give or take; and to do it right one must give and take quite a bit. That is, again, the government number jockeys shamelessly cook the books, as we see from reviewing a site like ShadowStats.com.

if the government used the same methodology today as it used back in, say, 1980, we’d see a much higher rate of inflation. Instead of the advertised 3.5%, it might be more like 12%. And if you do things like buy a house, rent an apartment, buy a new car, pay insurance premiums, enjoy a top-shelf cut of meat from the grocery store, etc.?

Well, you know what I mean. There’s plenty of sticker shock out there, awaiting the unwary shopper. Still, prices for some things are stable, if not declining.

Yes, the cost of car insurance is soaring, but the price of gasoline in your car is down at least a bit over the past two years. And crude oil, for example, sells at around $70 per barrel, which is a source of relief at the pump; although you may also have noticed that lower-cost petroleum somehow doesn’t seem to translate into cheaper airline tickets if you travel much and track those eye-popping prices.

Meanwhile, prices for many other goods actually are falling appreciably. Look at, say, consumer electronics like new laptop computers (one of which I just bought at a remarkably low number), or a large-screen television set, and much more.

But consider where these electronic devices are made…

Those super-duper bargains on American shelves represent hard times in Asia. There, cutthroat competition and a general recession have forced companies and workers to scramble for every sliver of business and market share they can find. Many Asian firms are selling products at below production cost, just to keep the factories humming and avoid closure issues. Sure, it’s nice to have cheaper oil and low-cost electronics, but that’s not the be-all and end-all of growing the American economy. So, let’s move closer to home, where in Washington, D.C., the Federal Reserve still hints towards rate cuts. READ MORE

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