When Gold does this, Empires Fall

When Gold does this, Empires Fall

Heresy Financial:  2-21-2026

The price of gold has been on a spectacular rise over the last two years, more than doubling in value. This surge is not just a simple fluctuation in the precious metals market; it is a signal of deeper economic and geopolitical shifts that are underway.

Historically, sharp increases in gold prices have often been a harbinger of significant economic changes, sometimes even preceding the decline of empires.

The current trend is no exception, driven as it is by monetary instability and inflation.

One of the most telling indicators of the changing financial landscape is the behavior of central banks, which have emerged as major buyers of gold.

In a striking shift, central banks now hold more gold in their reserves than the US treasuries.

This move reflects a growing loss of confidence in fiat currencies, particularly the US dollar, as governments around the world grapple with mounting debt and unfunded liabilities.

The historical parallels are telling. The hyperinflation experienced in the Weimar Republic and the debasement of Roman coinage are stark reminders of what happens when governments resort to inflating their currencies to cover unsustainable spending.

 The United States today faces a similar predicament, with a national debt that has exceeded $38 trillion and projected deficits and liabilities that make the prospect of balanced budgets politically impossible.

In the face of such unsustainable fiscal trajectories, inflation—or debt monetization—appears to be the government’s primary tool to manage this crisis.

The heavy investment by central banks in gold is a clear signal that they anticipate these inflationary pressures escalating. It suggests that the era of cheap money and low inflation, which characterized much of the past few decades, is coming to an end.

Moreover, upcoming regulatory changes are poised to further fuel inflation and asset price increases. The likely deregulation of bank leverage ratios may enable banks to indirectly engage in quantitative easing by purchasing large amounts of US treasuries.

This move would effectively increase the money supply, driving up prices across various asset classes.

For investors, the rise in gold prices is not just a warning signal; it is also an early indicator of a broader commodities super cycle. This trend suggests significant opportunities in the materials, energy, and base metals markets. As the global economy navigates the challenges of sustained inflation and economic shifts, investors who are prepared to adapt to these changes stand to benefit.

To help investors navigate this evolving commodities landscape without taking on excessive risk, experts are sharing their insights and strategies. An upcoming free event promises to provide valuable guidance on how to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the current economic trends.

In conclusion, the rise in gold prices is more than just a market phenomenon; it is a guidepost for investors to prepare for the economic shifts that lie ahead.

 As the world grapples with the challenges of inflation, unsustainable debt, and the potential for significant regulatory changes, understanding the implications of these trends will be crucial for making informed investment decisions.

For those looking to gain a deeper understanding of these issues and to learn strategies for navigating the changing economic landscape, watching the full video from Heresy Financial could provide further insights and information.

As we move into a period of potentially significant economic change, staying informed and being prepared will be key to successfully navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

https://youtu.be/ebQJL8UIfJI

Global Monetary Reset: Gold - The New Standard

Global Monetary Reset: Gold - The New Standard

VRIC Media:

The global monetary system is not collapsing overnight. But it is being renegotiated in real time.

Central banks are buying gold at record levels. Parallel payment systems are expanding outside of SWIFT. Gold has overtaken the euro in central bank reserve rankings. And yet — the U.S. dollar remains dominant in global liquidity.

So what is actually happening?

Recorded live at VRIC 2026, Andy Schectman, Brent Johnson, Dr. Nomi Prins, Mark Moss, and Taylor Kenney debate whether we are witnessing a true global monetary reset — or a structural repositioning within a still-dollar-centric system.

This conversation goes beyond headlines and into mechanics:

• Why gold at $5,000 can coexist with a strong dollar

• The difference between reserve currency and reserve asset status

• China’s CIPS system, BRICS payment rails, and the Hong Kong gold window

• Why gold demand is being driven more by foreigners than U.S. investors

 • The BIS reclassifying gold as a Tier 1 asset — and why that matters

• Whether stablecoins could actually re-dollarize the world

 • Why fiat rejection is broader than just “anti-dollar” sentiment • What a fragmented, two-bloc monetary world might look like

• Why this transition — if it accelerates — will be chaotic for everyone

One side argues gold is becoming the neutral settlement anchor of a new system.

Another argues the dollar may remain dominant in liquidity — even if gold rises multiples higher. Both may be right.

This isn’t about a dramatic overnight collapse. It’s about a structural repositioning of reserves, payment rails, and trust.

 If central banks are diversifying… If parallel systems are scaling… If gold is rising while the dollar holds firm… Then the real question is not “Is the dollar finished?” It’s “What does the next system actually look like?”

Chapters:

00:22 – Central Banks Buying Gold: What Does It Signal for the Dollar?

03:27 – “Structural Change”: Is This a Once-in-a-Lifetime Reset?

04:12 – CIPS, BRICS & Gold Settlement Outside SWIFT

 07:03 – Re-Anchoring the System: Gold, Reserves & Credibility

09:17 – Chaos Ahead? Stablecoins & Re-Dollarization Debate

12:29 – Gold at $5,000 While the Dollar Stays Strong

15:08 – Bitcoin vs Gold: The Neutral Settlement Argument

 17:02 – COMEX Deliveries, Silver & Strategic Stockpiles

22:39 – What Should Investors Actually Do?

29:22 – A Fragmented World & the End of the Rules-Based Order

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4VsHbIXSys

The Return of the Gold Standard and Why the US Economy is Stronger than ever

The Return of the Gold Standard and Why the US Economy is Stronger than ever

Palisades Gold Radio:  2-19-2026

In a recent, in-depth interview on Palisades Gold Radio, Dr. Arthur Laffer, a distinguished economist and former member of President Reagan’s economic advisory board, shared his expert insights on the current and historical state of the U.S. economy, monetary and fiscal policy, trade, globalization, debt, and the evolving roles of gold and cryptocurrencies.

The discussion, rich with analysis and perspective, offers a comprehensive look at the factors shaping economic prosperity and the policies that can foster or hinder it.

Dr. Laffer drew significant parallels between the economic policies of the Reagan and Trump administrations, highlighting their shared focus on five critical pillars of prosperity: taxes, spending, monetary policy, regulatory policy, and trade policy.

Under both administrations, these pillars have been instrumental in shaping economic outcomes. Dr. Laffer expressed optimism about the U.S. economy under Trump’s policies, particularly citing the positive impacts of tax cuts, deregulation, a more assertive monetary policy, and trade agreements that reduce barriers.

These measures, he argued, have been crucial in stimulating economic growth and competitiveness.

One of the more intriguing aspects of the discussion centered on trade and globalization. Dr. Laffer challenged prevailing concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities and the perceived hollowing out of U.S. industrial capabilities.

 Instead, he advocated for free trade and cooperation, even with geopolitical adversaries like China. While acknowledging the tensions, Dr. Laffer supported Trump’s approach to reshoring supply chains and using tariffs as negotiation tools rather than blunt instruments of protectionism.

 This nuanced view underscores the complexity of balancing economic interests with geopolitical realities.

A significant portion of the conversation was dedicated to monetary policy, where Dr. Laffer critiqued the recent interventions by the Federal Reserve that led to an expansion of its balance sheet, resulting in inflation and higher interest rates.

He welcomed the appointment of incoming Fed Chair, Kevin Walsh, drawing comparisons to the steadfast leadership of Paul Volcker.

Dr. Laffer advocated for a return to a “price rule” or a stable price-level policy, reminiscent of the gold standard era, which historically produced long-term price stability and fostered economic growth.

This perspective highlights the ongoing debate about the appropriate role of monetary policy in managing the economy.

On the fiscal side, Dr. Laffer offered a nuanced view of the U.S. debt situation, clarifying the distinction between the stock of debt and the flow of GDP. He emphasized that the real concern lies not in the absolute level of debt but in its productive use and the spread between borrowing costs and the returns on investment.

 According to Dr. Laffer, debt incurred for productive investments, as seen under Reagan and Trump, can foster economic growth, whereas debt used for non-productive transfers can be detrimental. This analysis underscores the importance of fiscal prudence and the need for a thoughtful approach to public spending and investment.

Dr. Laffer also delved into the economic consequences of redistribution policies, explaining the “transfer theorem.” This theorem posits that transferring wealth from the rich to the poor reduces the incentives to produce, ultimately shrinking the overall economic pie.

He warned against the dangers of wealth taxes and excessive redistribution, arguing that true equality of outcome can only be achieved by making everyone equally poor. This perspective offers a conservative critique of progressive economic policies and highlights the ongoing debate about the role of government in addressing income inequality.

The discussion also touched on the role of gold and cryptocurrencies as safe-haven assets during times of monetary policy mismanagement.

Dr. Laffer lamented the abandonment of the gold standard in 1971, seeing gold and stablecoins like Tether as private sector attempts to restore sound money in the face of government currency mismanagement.

 While expressing hope for the future of private money and stablecoins, he also cautioned about the risks involved, reflecting the complex and evolving landscape of digital currencies.

Finally, Dr. Laffer touched on geopolitics and the importance of peace through strength, lauding U.S. military capabilities while criticizing European economic policies and their handling of defense and trade.

He believed that Trump’s leadership style, with its emphasis on enforcing peace and stability while promoting prosperity through trade, is best suited to resolving ongoing conflicts.

Dr. Laffer also underscored the importance of market-based solutions to environmental issues, such as carbon taxation offset by income tax cuts, and called for minimal regulations and sound economic policies globally, warning against the dangers of overregulation and excessive taxation.

The interview with Dr. Arthur Laffer on Palisades Gold Radio offers a wide-ranging and insightful analysis of the current economic landscape, from monetary and fiscal policy to trade, globalization, and the emerging role of digital currencies.

 As the world grapples with complex economic challenges and geopolitical tensions, Dr. Laffer’s perspectives provide valuable context and guidance. For those seeking a deeper understanding of these issues and the policies that can lead to prosperity, watching the full video is a must.

https://youtu.be/WuReFi9aqiw

$1.28 Trillion Wiped Out as Gold & Silver Crash—Is Lunar New Year Liquidity Driving the Drop?

$1.28 Trillion Wiped Out as Gold & Silver Crash—Is Lunar New Year Liquidity Driving the Drop?

Lockridge Okoth   Tue, February 17, 2026

Gold and silver markets are in a sharp correction, with prices falling for a second consecutive session. Commodity-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are also declining by as much as 4%.

The sudden downturn has erased an estimated $1.28 trillion in combined market value, reflecting how even traditional safe-haven assets remain vulnerable to macro shocks and liquidity shifts.

Lunar New Year Liquidity and Macro Pressures Fuel Gold and Silver Correction

The decline follows a powerful rally earlier in 2026 that pushed gold above $5,000 per ounce and drove silver to record highs.

Analysts now say the pullback reflects a mix of seasonal factors, macroeconomic pressure, and profit-taking after an extended run-up.

Silver has been hit particularly hard, falling nearly 40% from its all-time high (ATH) of $121.646 recorded in late January.

As of this writing, Silver (XAG) was trading at $74.11, reinforcing its reputation as a more volatile counterpart to gold, given its smaller market size and stronger industrial demand.

“Gold and Silver wiped out $1.28 trillion today… even ‘safe havens’ bleed,” wrote one analyst, emphasizing the speed of the decline and the risks of assuming stability in any asset class.

Others pointed to the role of market structure and liquidity, arguing that temporary dislocations may occur when key physical markets slow, particularly in Asia.

Lunar New Year Liquidity Effects Come into Focus

Against this backdrop, one of the most widely cited short-term drivers is the Lunar New Year holiday period, during which trading activity across major Asian financial centers declines sharply.

Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea all experience reduced participation as traders, manufacturers, and market makers step away.

Lower liquidity can amplify price movements in global futures markets, especially for commodities like silver, where physical demand from the Chinese industry plays a major role.

Weaker demand during the holiday period could temporarily pressure prices, with physical buying potentially resuming once factories and exchanges return to full activity.

Analysts Warn of Continued Volatility As Macro Pressures Weigh on Bullion

Beyond seasonal factors, broader macroeconomic developments are also contributing to the downturn. Precious metals came under pressure as investors focused on narratives that strengthen the US dollar in the short term. These include:

• Signals from the US Federal Reserve and

• Geopolitical developments, including US–Iran negotiations

A firmer dollar typically weighs on bullion by making gold and silver more expensive in other currencies, reducing demand from international buyers.

ETF flows reflect the cautious sentiment. Several gold and silver ETFs declined between 2% and 4%. This mirrors weakness in futures markets and suggests that some investors are locking in profits after the recent rally.

Meanwhile, market strategists say precious metals are now in a “volatile consolidation phase.” After such a strong advance, corrections and sideways trading are common as markets digest gains and rebalance positions.

Therefore, a disciplined approach may be advisable, rather than chasing prices at elevated levels; instead, consider staggered buying during corrections.

To Continue and Read More:  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-28-trillion-wiped-gold-115143688.html

Monetary Collapse: Gold Standard or Chaos? with John Rubino

Monetary Collapse: Gold Standard or Chaos? with John Rubino

WTFinance: 2-18-2026

On this episode of the WTFinance podcast I had the pleasure of welcoming back John Rubino.

The conversation painted a stark picture of a financial system teetering on the edge of a massive structural shift.

From the unsustainability of the fiat currency system to the explosive risks in the AI stock market and the rising importance of tangible assets, Rubino offered a roadmap for investors navigating what could be a turbulent decade ahead.

The conversation began with a look at the macroeconomic foundations that have supported the global economy for the last 50 years. Rubino points to the pivotal year of 1971, when the U.S. abandoned the gold standard, effectively transitioning the world into a pure fiat currency system.

According to Rubino, this shift allowed governments and central banks to print money without restraint, leading to an explosion of global debt that has become mathematically impossible to repay through traditional growth. He argues that this prolonged monetary policy has created a system that is inherently unstable.

The inevitable conclusion? A “monetary reset.”

Rubino suggests that the current system is unsustainable and will eventually break, likely forcing a return to a form of gold standard or a system backed by hard assets.

 While this might sound like a return to stability, the transition would be chaotic. A reset would drastically devalue the U.S. dollar and government bonds—the bedrock of most retirement accounts—potentially leading to widespread financial disruption and political unrest.

One of the most timely aspects of the discussion was the analysis of the current stock market, specifically the explosive growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology stocks.

Rubino draws a direct parallel between the current AI boom and the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s and early 2000s. He acknowledges that AI is a transformative technology that will profoundly reshape the economy. However, he warns that the stock market’s reaction to this technology has detached from reality.

Many AI-related companies are currently trading at astronomical valuations that are not supported by their current earnings or realistic future cash flows. Rubino predicts that a substantial market correction or crash in this sector is probable. Because the AI sector has become a massive driver of the broader market, a crash here wouldn’t be isolated; it could pull down the entire stock market and trigger a deep recession.

So, where should investors look for safety in an environment of currency debasement and stock market overvaluation? Rubino is bullish on precious metals, particularly gold and silver.

He describes a potential “crack-up boom”—a scenario where fiat currencies rapidly lose purchasing power, driving capital out of paper assets and into tangible stores of value.

For miners, this environment spells strong earnings growth. As the price of gold and silver rises, the profit margins for mining companies expand exponentially, making them a leveraged play on the underlying metals.

As the conversation concluded, Rubino offered a crucial piece of advice for investors: focus on long-term fundamentals, not short-term volatility.

In a volatile market, it is easy to get shaken out by daily price swings. However, Rubino argues that the underlying value of commodities and precious metals is driven by structural supply and demand dynamics that won’t change overnight.

While weaker investors may panic and sell during dips, those who understand the inevitability of the monetary reset and the fragility of the fiat system are positioned to benefit as the current financial order undergoes a significant shift.

The WTFinance episode with John Rubino serves as a sobering reminder that the current financial system is built on shaky ground.

While the timing of a “monetary reset” is impossible to predict, the warning signs—excessive debt, overvalued stocks, and currency debasement—are flashing red.

 0:00 - Introduction

1:18 - Overview of economy

3:23 - Tech bubble?

8:51 - Precious metals major driver?

11:31 - Preventing deficits?

16:37 - Potential collapse?

18:14 - Gold & Silver trend

22:57 - Silver volume

29:44 - One message to takeaway?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwwGTjsiHaE

Ariel: The Silver Market Manipulation

Ariel: The Silver Market Manipulation

2-18-2026

The Line In The Sand Has Been Drawn

The Cabal knows darn well that once a credible floor price on silver is locked in whether through national security tariffs or forced physical delivery the entire house of paper cards collapses.

Trillions in unbacked derivatives evaporate overnight.

The fraudulent fractional-reserve shell game ends.

And the Crypto Market Structure Bill (H.R. 3633 / S.3755 Digital Asset Market Clarity Act) is their next kill target because it opens the floodgates to asset-backed digital instruments that bypass their cartel entirely.

They delayed it to spring for one reason: buying time to engineer one last crash.

The undisputed kingpin. Their precious metals desk has been caught red-handed spoofing silver futures for over a decade.

$920 million DOJ fine in 2020, two traders (Michael Nowak and Gregg Smith) sent to federal prison in 2023 for exactly this. Yet in 2025 they hoarded 169 million ounces of physical silver while flooding COMEX with paper shorts classic two-faced warfare.

 Dimon personally signs off on the strategy that keeps silver artificially capped so the derivatives book doesn’t explode.

HSBC (London Precious Metals Desk – 8 Canada Square):

Long-time co-conspirator. Multiple class-action settlements for silver price rigging alongside JPM. They dominate London Fix and COMEX clearing every major raid on silver price in 2025-2026 traces back to their algorithmic sell walls.

Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, UBS, Deutsche Bank:

The supporting cast. All named in ongoing Canadian and U.S. class actions for conspiracy to suppress.

They coordinate margin hikes on COMEX the instant retail starts piling in exactly what triggered the February 2026 flash crash after silver hit $83/oz in late 2025.

Source(s):   https://x.com/Prolotario1/status/2023745006297600160

https://dinarchronicles.com/2026/02/18/ariel-prolotario1-the-silver-market-manipulation/

THE GOLD & SILVER MOVE THAT WILL SHOCK THE WORLD

THE GOLD & SILVER MOVE THAT WILL SHOCK THE WORLD

Gold Switzerland by Egon /vib Greyerz:  2-18-2026

We are now looking at nearly $3 quadrillion in total debt: a clear sign of the end of the monetary era.

In this discussion, Egon von Greyerz mentions why this debt can never realistically be repaid and what that means for bonds, currencies, and the financial system built on constant borrowing.

Egon also makes the case for holding physical gold, silver, and real assets outside the banking system as protection against the consequences of excessive leverage.

Watch the full video if you want to know what to expect after the biggest debt bubble in history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knnsLpC99GY

Gold vs. the Federal Reserve, is America about to Reinvent its Money?

Gold Telegraph: Gold vs. the Federal Reserve, is America about to Reinvent its Money?

2-16-2026

Gold Telegraph   @GoldTelegraph

Gold vs. The Federal Reserve: Is America About to Reinvent Its Money?

“Gold and silver are the only true measure of value.” — James Madison

For years, I have focused on restoring the conversation around sound money, not as some blind belief, but as a discipline.

Today, the United States faces record sovereign debt, a weakening dollar, widening wealth inequality, and deep political division. These conditions are not isolated. They are monetary symptoms.

It is no coincidence that, in this environment, gold has quietly reasserted itself. Central banks are accumulating it. Nations are repatriating it. Investors are rediscovering it.

Gold is not simply a “safe haven.” It is a measuring stick, one that has endured for thousands of years when paper systems have failed.

And now, as serious discussions around Federal Reserve reform begin to surface, a deeper question emerges:

Is America preparing to reconsider the foundation of its money?

Nearly two years ago, I raised a question that at the time seemed improbable:

Was the United States considering a gold-backed Treasury instrument?

Today, that question no longer feels speculative.

One of the world’s leading monetary thinkers and former economic advisor to the President of the United States Judy Shelton has continued to advance the idea of a 50-year gold-backed Treasury bond aimed at restoring discipline and credibility to the American financial system.

The signals surrounding a potential transition have not been subtle.

At the outset of the current presidential term, the sitting U.S. Treasury Secretary spoke openly of a coming “global economic reordering,” adding, “I’d like to be a part of it. I’ve studied this.”

Those words matter.

Because monetary systems do not change overnight, they evolve through deliberate signals, intellectual groundwork, and policy preparation.And the groundwork has been underway.

In fact, one can trace the modern political interest in gold directly to the sitting President of the United States.

Nearly a decade ago, President Trump said in an interview with GQ:

“Bringing back the gold standard would be very hard to do, but boy would it be wonderful. We’d have a standard on which to base our money.”

He also stated:

“We used to have a very, very solid country because it was based on a gold standard.”

Gold Telegraph: President-Elect Donald Trump in 2016: “We used to have a very, very solid country because it was based on a gold standard.” He added that America no longer has the gold.

Watch on X: https://twitter.com/i/status/1863321274463961552

At another point, he suggested that America may no longer have the gold and that this, in itself, is the problem.

Gold Telegraph: The last audit of the gold in Fort Knox was in 1953. Eisenhower was president. Elvis Presley hadn’t even released a record. Is this still happening?   @elonmusk

Then in 2025, something even more telling happened.

For months, both the President and Elon Musk publicly and repeatedly referenced a visit to Fort Knox.

The President stated: “We’re going to Fort Knox. I’m going to go with Elon. We want to see if the gold is still there.”

Gold Telegraph: The President of the United States: “We're going to Fort Knox. I'm going to go with Elon. We want to see if the gold is still there." The conversation across America on gold is alive. Talk about a plot twist.

Watch on X: https://twitter.com/i/status/1893536526425862435

Adding: “I don’t want to open it and the cupboards are bare. It could happen.”

Watch on X: https://twitter.com/i/status/1893035882501837106

To date, no formal audit or public verification of America’s gold reserves has been conducted under this administration.

But these remarks are not random.

The tension between gold and fiat currency has followed American presidents for decades even if the mainstream has often dismissed serious monetary debate as fringe thinking.

In January 1986, President Ronald Reagan walked into a meeting of his economic advisory board frustrated by inflation.

“I used to pay $50 for a suit,” he said. “Now $50 will hardly get it cleaned.”

Reagan pointed directly at fiat currency money not backed by gold or any tangible anchor, but created at will.

He questioned whether “mere human beings” should decide how much money enters circulation. In his view, inflation was not mysterious. It was structural. The remedy, as he saw it, was a return to monetary discipline to a time when money was tied to gold and could not be expanded by political discretion.

What is often overlooked is that during Reagan’s presidency, the United States returned to issuing a silver dollar, the American Silver Eagle not for commerce, but for savers, first issued in 1986.

While technically a bullion coin rather than circulating currency, it marked a symbolic return of precious metal coinage backed by the U.S. government.

It was not a restoration of the gold standard.

But it was not nothing.

Reagan left office in 1989. The modern monetary experiment continued.

Yet even in the height of the fiat era, the symbolic reappearance of government-issued silver suggested that the debate over sound money had never fully disappeared.

And if the United States were ever to reconnect its financial system directly to gold, something not seen since 1971, confidence in its physical reserves will be incredibly important.

This is not a new conversation.

It is a recurring one.

Which brings us back to the proposal advanced by Judy Shelton:

A 50-year gold-linked Treasury instrument, issued July 4, 2026, running through 2076 would offer a symbolic and structural bridge between the American founding and its monetary future.

Gold Telegraph: As reported by Bloomberg: Judy Shelton met privately with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss Federal Reserve reform. Read that again. @judyshel

Judy Shelton is one of the most original monetary thinkers of our time... unapologetically focused on restoring discipline, credibility, and integrity to the American financial system. When serious minds start talking about reforming the Federal Reserve, watch closely. The United States Treasury Secretary has also hinted at full reform. In our conversation, she laid out a bold proposal: A U.S. Treasury GOLD-convertible bond: Issued July 4th, 2026 Maturing July 4th, 2076 A 50-year signal to the world that America is willing to anchor its debt to something real. Think about what that would mean for demand for U.S. debt.

Watch on X: https://x.com/i/status/2023133931957305650

The proposal may sound ambitious. It is not.

The United States cannot afford to wait while rival nations move to redefine the monetary order.

In October 2025, Judy Shelton published a Wall Street Journal op-ed titled How American Gold Can Shore Up the Dollar.

In it, she outlined a practical proposal: a U.S. Treasury security that would offer gold convertibility at maturity.

The idea is simple but powerful.

If investors knew that, decades from now, their Treasury bond could be redeemed in gold rather than depreciated dollars, it would send a message to markets, to allies, and to adversaries that the United States is serious about protecting the integrity of its currency.

This is not theoretical. It is geopolitical.

Xi Jinping has made it clear that China intends to elevate the renminbi onto the global reserve stage. Just last month, he publicly called for the Chinese currency to strengthen its international role his clearest statement yet on that objective.

Beijing has spent years building the infrastructure to support that ambition: expanding trade settlement agreements, developing alternative payment systems, and steadily accumulating gold.

The world is moving.

The real question is whether the United States moves first or reacts later.

Shelton’s proposal suggests the United States still has the ability to lead.

At the same time, the world has watched China steadily reduce its U.S. Treasury holdings now at their lowest level since 2008.

This is not accidental.

Chinese regulators have reportedly advised financial institutions to curb their exposure to U.S. government debt, citing concentration risks. Banks have been encouraged to limit new purchases of Treasuries, and those with elevated positions have been instructed to gradually reduce them.

Less dependence on U.S. paper. Greater emphasis elsewhere and most notably on gold.

There is still a larger question hovering over all of this:

How much gold does China truly own?

China’s central bank extended its official gold-buying streak to 15 consecutive months in January. Bullion held by the People’s Bank of China rose by another 40,000 troy ounces last month alone.

But the official numbers may only tell part of the story.

Even the mainstream financial press has begun to acknowledge what many have long suspected: China’s true gold accumulation may be far greater than publicly disclosed. The country is already the world’s largest producer and consumer of gold. The scale of its domestic supply chain provides structural opacity.

In late 2025, the Financial Times reported that China’s unreported gold purchases could be more than ten times its official figures as it quietly diversifies away from the U.S. dollar.

Unlike oil, which can be tracked via shipping data and satellite imagery, gold is far more difficult to trace once it enters vaults. There is no transparent ledger. No global tracking mechanism. Once refined and stored, it disappears into sovereign balance sheets.

And this direction is not new.

In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, former People’s Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan published an essay titled Reform the International Monetary System.

His argument was direct: a dollar-centric system was structurally unstable. The world, he wrote, needed a reserve asset divorced from the political discretion of any single country.

That was 2009.

The actions since then speak louder than the essay.

Judy Shelton told me in late 2025 that it is reasonable to assume China is not fully transparent about its gold reserves. Historically, major powers have treated gold as a strategic state secret, the Soviet Union did exactly that and there is little reason to believe China would operate differently.

Through the Shanghai Gold Exchange and related yuan-linked pricing mechanisms, China has steadily built infrastructure that connects its currency more closely to physical gold markets.

Even Western policymakers including a former UK chancellor have publicly suggested that China could one day propose a new international monetary framework with gold playing a central role.

China has been accumulating gold quietly for years.

We do not know the full extent.

But there is a growing body of evidence suggesting it may be positioning itself for a larger role in the next phase of the monetary order.

Gold Telegraph:  CHINA’S GOLD STRATEGY: THE QUIET ACCUMULATION Dr. Judy Shelton told me something striking. China, the world’s largest producer and consumer of gold, is almost certainly not being transparent about how much it really holds. Through the Shanghai Gold Exchange, Beijing has quietly built the infrastructure to merge gold and the yuan — setting the stage for settlement through digital instruments or stablecoins. She warned that China may soon propose a new international monetary system anchored to gold — a move that could redefine global finance. Her message was clear: “We still have the world’s largest gold reserves. Let’s use that to our advantage before China does.” The United States has a big opportunity to lead with gold... @judyshel

Watch with X: https://x.com/i/status/1977814268587454783

And China is not acting in isolation.

Over the past decade, countries including Germany, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, the Netherlands, Turkey and India and the list goes on have repatriated gold back to domestic soil or aggressively expanded their reserves.

Central banks globally are buying gold at the fastest pace in modern history.

That is not coincidence.

It is coordination through self-interest.

Gold repatriation is not about optics. It is about sovereignty. When nations bring their bullion home, they are reducing counterparty risk and preparing for a world where trust in paper promises may be tested.

The United States reportedly still holds the largest official gold reserve on the planet more than 8,000 metric tonnes.

That is a strategic advantage.

But advantage only matters if it is reinforced.

As debt climbs past historic thresholds and geopolitical realignment accelerates, the credibility of the dollar cannot rest solely on tradition. It must rest on structure.

The world is quietly rebuilding monetary defences.

Gold accumulation. Reserve diversification. Payment systems outside Western rails.

This is not theory. It is happening.

If the United States chooses to reconnect its financial system, even partially, to gold through a long-dated Treasury instrument, it would not signal weakness.

It would signal strength.

Recent reporting from Bloomberg noted that Judy Shelton has been in open dialogue with the current Treasury Secretary regarding monetary reform. That alone suggests the conversation is no longer confined to academic circles. It is entering policy space.

And that matters.

Because the real risk is not reform.

The real risk is assuming the existing order will endure unchanged while others prepare for what comes next.

Monetary history does not reward hesitation. It rewards those who anchor first. That moment is here.

Gold is not at the edge of this transition. It is at the center of it.

The only question now is whether the United States leads the next monetary chapter or is forced to adapt to one written by others.

Source(s):  https://x.com/GoldTelegraph_/status/2023553212306030964

https://dinarchronicles.com/2026/02/16/gold-telegraph-gold-vs-the-federal-reserve-is-america-about-to-reinvent-its-money/

Gold and Silver Price Plunge as US Financial Crisis Signals Flash Red

Gold and Silver Price Plunge as US Financial Crisis Signals Flash Red

Lockridge Okoth  Thu, February 12, 2026

Gold and silver tumbled sharply on Thursday, rattling markets already on edge amid surging US financial stress.

Spot gold dropped by more than 3% while silver plunged by more than 10%, reversing a portion of their recent rally.

Bad News for Gold and Silver Amid Record US Debt and Rising Bankruptcies

As of this writing, gold was trading for $4,956, down 3.97% while silver exchanged hands for $76.74 after losing 10.65% in the last 24 hours.

 The sudden sell-off has prompted analysts and investors to question whether a broader repricing of hard assets is unfolding.

The metals’ retreat comes amid intensifying economic stress. Over the past three weeks, 18 US companies with liabilities exceeding $50 million have filed for bankruptcy.

Notably, this is the fastest pace since the pandemic and approaches levels last seen during the 2009 financial crisis.

Meanwhile, the New York Fed said in a press release that household debt has reached a record $18.8 trillion, with mortgages, auto loans, credit card balances, and student loan balances all at historic highs.

Serious credit card delinquencies climbed to 12.7% in Q4 2025, the highest since 2011, with younger households under particular strain.

Such conditions typically emerge late in the economic cycle, often preceding policy interventions like rate cuts or liquidity injections.

Bitcoin has also remained under pressure, falling to the $65,000 range as the pioneer crypto lags both equities and traditional safe-haven assets over the past few months.

While digital assets often present as a hedge against macroeconomic uncertainty, recent trends suggest they are not yet playing that role effectively in this cycle.

Analysts Split on Metals Sell-Off as Fed Watchers Eye Rate Cuts and Asset Repricing

Analysts are at a crossroads, offering differing interpretations of the metals’ pullback. Some argue it reflects short-term volatility within a broader trend of hard-asset repricing.

To Continue and Read More:  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gold-silver-price-plunge-us-183512253.html

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Physical Metals Enter the State Economy: Texas Unveils Official Bullion Program

Physical Metals Enter the State Economy: Texas Unveils Official Bullion Program

Kitco News:  2-11-2026

In this Kitco News exclusive, Jeremy Szafron sits down with Josh Phair, CEO of Scottsdale Mint, live from the Texas State Capitol to break down a historic shift in state level finance.

 Texas has officially launched its own state branded gold and silver bullion program, integrating physical metal directly into the state economy through a first of its kind dot gov storefront.

Phair explains the mechanics of the new program, including the issuance of official Texas gold bills and commemorative coins tied directly to the Texas Bullion Depository.

With gold pushing 5,100 dollars and silver at 83 dollars, this move marks a transition from passive storage to active state distribution.

The interview also covers the impact of Basel Three regulations, which now classify physical gold as a 100 percent risk free asset, and how other states like Wyoming are positioning themselves in this new sovereign metals race.

 Interview Recorded: February 11, 2026

Timestamps:

 00:00 Introduction and Breaking News

00:57 Interview with Josh Fair: Insights from the Capitol

01:28 Historical Context and Legislative Background

02:56 Distribution and Sales Mechanics

05:28 Comparing State Initiatives: Wyoming vs. Texas

06:48 The Broader Impact on Precious Metals Market

11:32 State-Level Gold and Silver Strategies

14:14 Future of Precious Metals in State Economies

21:02 Market Dynamics and Future Predictions

29:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrCsUQcJou8

Gold to Become the New Monetary Standard

Gold to Become the New Monetary Standard

VRIC Media:  2-10-2026

The United States is facing an unprecedented economic and manufacturing crisis, with far-reaching consequences for the nation’s future.

A recent video analysis by VRIC Media sheds light on the intricate web of factors contributing to this crisis, including the roles of gold, debt, and monetary policy.

The discussion is both alarming and enlightening, offering a glimpse into the potential trajectory of America’s economic landscape.

At the heart of the issue lies Triffin’s Dilemma, a concept that highlights the inherent contradictions of the U.S. dollar’s status as the global reserve currency. This has led to trade imbalances and the outsourcing of manufacturing to countries with cheaper labor costs, ultimately eroding America’s industrial base.

 The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) further exacerbates the problem, threatening to eliminate millions of jobs and widening economic inequality in a K-shaped recovery.

Despite being overlooked or dismissed by many, gold is playing a pivotal role in the unfolding economic strategy.

 A significant surge in gold imports into the U.S. signals a substantial shift among central banks and sophisticated traders, who are accumulating physical gold in anticipation of dollar devaluation.

This movement, largely invisible to main stream media and retail investors, underscores the growing recognition of gold’s importance as a safe-haven asset.

The video analysis proposes a two-part plan to restore American manufacturing and economic stability.

The first component is the Genius Act, which aims to revolutionize money movement in the U.S. by mandating stablecoins backed by short-term U.S. Treasuries for instant payments. This will create synthetic demand for Treasury bills, suppressing interest rates and funneling the earned interest to stablecoin issuers, who are expected to reinvest heavily in gold.

 As a result, the price of gold is likely to rise, further devaluing the dollar.

The second element involves pegging long-term U.S. government bonds to gold, effectively linking the dollar’s value to the rising price of gold.

 According to Judy Shelton, a key economic advisor and former Fed nominee, this peg is expected to debut on July 4, 2026, the nation’s 250th anniversary. The introduction of zero-coupon, gold-backed bonds will enable the U.S. to borrow at ultra-low or zero interest rates, funding the return of manufacturing to American soil.

As the dollar’s value declines, American goods will become competitively priced globally, fostering economic recovery.

The speaker warns that failure to adopt this plan will lead to economic collapse, emphasizing that saving in dollars now will result in financial ruin.

The rising gold price and falling dollar value are inevitable, and only a contrarian understanding of these forces can protect wealth in the coming years.

The video concludes with a call to recognize the “golden dots” connecting America’s economic future, urging viewers to understand the critical role gold and innovative monetary policy will play in restoring prosperity.

The United States is at a crossroads, facing a complex economic crisis that requires a comprehensive solution. The proposed plan, centered on gold and monetary policy reform, offers a potential path forward.

 As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to stay informed and adapt to the changing landscape. For those seeking to protect their wealth and navigate the uncertain economic future, understanding the critical role of gold and innovative monetary policy is crucial.

To gain a deeper understanding of the issues discussed in this blog post, watch the full video analysis by VRIC Media. The video provides a detailed examination of the United States’ economic crisis and the proposed plan to restore prosperity.

By staying informed and recognizing the “golden dots” connecting America’s economic future, viewers can position themselves for success in the years to come.

https://youtu.be/X9t1lurnnds