Dollar Collapse, this is Why Global Money is Fleeing the US
Dollar Collapse, this is Why Global Money is Fleeing the US
Lena Petrova: 2-1-2026
In a recent episode of the World Affairs and Context podcast, Lena Petrova sat down with Larry McDonald, a New York Times best-selling author and founder of the Bear Traps Report, to discuss the recent decline in the US dollar and its implications on the global economy.
The conversation was enlightening, offering insights into the complex dynamics driving the dollar’s downtrend and the shifting landscape of financial markets.
According to Larry, the dollar’s decline is not a short-term phenomenon but rather a consequence of long-term fiscal irresponsibility, political sanctions, trade conflicts, and the global transition from a uni-polar to a multi-polar world.
The US government’s actions, including bipartisan sanctions and property confiscations, have alienated global trading partners, prompting them to reduce their reliance on the dollar. This trend is evident in the increasing diversification of global reserves away from the dollar.
Larry highlights that there are internal divisions within the US government regarding the dollar’s future. A faction within the government advocates for a weaker dollar to rebalance global trade, support the rust belt, and help repay the enormous national debt via debt monetization.
Essentially, debt monetization involves keeping interest rates below inflation, thereby inflating away debt over time. This concept is often misunderstood, but Larry clarifies that inflation reduces the real value of debt, making it a viable strategy for managing the US’s substantial debt burden.
The podcast discussion touches on the migration of capital from financial assets, particularly US treasuries and growth stocks like the MAG7, into hard assets such as gold, copper, and other commodities.
This shift is driven by skepticism toward US fiscal policy and a weakening dollar. Central banks globally are increasing gold reserves as a hedge against dollar risk, further underscoring the declining confidence in the dollar.
Despite the weak dollar, the US stock market has shown remarkable resilience. Larry attributes this to capital flowing away from mega-cap tech growth stocks toward international and value equities, signaling a broadening market trend.
However, he expresses concern about an emerging AI bubble, fueled by speculative valuations, massive capital expenditures, and rising memory chip costs. This bubble could potentially hamper sustainable returns and lead to a market correction.
The discussion also highlights recent moves by European pension funds exiting US treasuries due to concerns about US fiscal stability and political uncertainty.
This reinforces the theme of global capital reallocating away from traditional dollar-denominated safe havens. As investors become increasingly wary of the dollar’s stability, they are diversifying their portfolios into alternative assets.
Larry offers a nuanced perspective on the future of the dollar and gold. While the dollar is under pressure, a complete collapse is unlikely due to the US’s geopolitical power and military strength.
He foresees a scenario where inflation resurges later in the year, prompting the Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy, which would strengthen the dollar once again. Thus, the dollar’s decline is a complex, ongoing process with potential reversals, rather than an inevitable collapse.
In conclusion, the dollar’s decline is a multifaceted issue driven by a combination of factors, including fiscal irresponsibility, political sanctions, and global economic shifts.
As the global economy continues to evolve, investors must stay informed and adapt to the changing landscape. For further insights and information, watch the full video from Lena Petrova, where she delves deeper into the complexities of the dollar’s decline and its implications for the global economy.