Swiss America Blog Archive

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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3.11.25 - 3 Reasons Why De-Dollarization Can’t Be Stopped

Gold last traded at $2,920 an ounce. Silver at $32.91 an ounce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We've been covering BRICS quite extensively on our podcast for over 18 months now. If you haven't subscribed already, please do; as we cover breaking financial topics both domestically and abroad. You can do so by clicking on HERE https://www.swissamerica.com/podcast.php. This very topic has been a frequent discussion lately as BRICS continues their charge at all costs.

3 Reasons Why De-Dollarization Can’t Be Stopped: Should the US Be Worried? -Watcher.Guru

by Juhi Mirza

Donald Trump has vowed to end de-dollarization, a phenomenon that has repeatedly wounded the US dollar ever since the currency dynamics began to spread out. The US dollar is now surrounded by credible foes and enemies who want to establish their own supremacy by detailing the dollar’s prestige. Will the American currency be able to withstand the test of changing global dynamics? The scenario points towards a negative stance, indicating that the phenomenon of de-dollarization is indeed unstoppable.

The geopolitical narratives are now increasingly taking a new turn. With nations coming up with their dynamics, infrastructures, and orders, their need to rely on USD for further help seems to be dissipating with each passing day. At the same time, alliances like BRICS and ASEAN are now vying for an independent world order, one that does not want the US dollar to stay on top of the radar. Rising USD weaponization and the sanctions imposed by the US are two of the key reasons driving this change.

Another striking element that has recently picked up speed is the diversification of reserves that the nations have started to opt for as of late. Several nations have started to diversify their reserves into other assets, including gold, in an attempt to reduce their dependence on the US dollar. This has been done to protect independent economies from experiencing massive fluctuations that the dependence on USD usually brings in. This has also prompted nations to adopt a proactive stance, with nations mulling over moving away from the dollar for good. 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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