1. US-Saudi Tensions Escalate as Crown Prince Abandons US Interests
Saudi Arabia's unexpected oil production cuts in 2023 signaled a significant departure from U.S. policy preferences, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman openly disinterested in appeasing the United States. This move coincided with broader global realignments, including the reassessment of economic ties among BRICS nations and Saudi Arabia's consideration of trade in non-U.S. dollar currencies.
2. Former Treasury Official Warns of Economic Implosion if US Dollar Loses Reserve Currency Status
Monica Crowley, a former U.S. Treasury official, issued a stark warning about the grave repercussions if the U.S. dollar ceases to be the world's reserve currency. She emphasized the dollar's pivotal role since World War II and its critical linkage to oil trade, highlighting the risks posed by recent geopolitical tensions and policy missteps.
3. Economist Peter Schiff Advises Divestment from US Dollars
Economist Peter Schiff cautioned against holding U.S. dollars, citing the global shift away from USD reliance, particularly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. He warned of the potential devaluation and urged individuals to divest from the dollar and related financial assets to mitigate personal financial loss in the face of hyperinflation and economic upheaval.
4. Economist Warns of 'Catastrophic' Fall in American Living Standard
Economist Peter St Onge sounded the alarm about rapid de-dollarization and the consequences of the U.S. leveraging the dollar as a political tool. He predicted severe inflation, plummeting American living standards, and a diminished global role for the U.S. Tesla and Twitter CEO Elon Musk echoed these concerns, suggesting that continued currency weaponization would prompt nations to abandon the dollar.
5. Elon Musk Urges Shifting Funds from Banks to Treasury Bills
Elon Musk highlighted the significant incentive for individuals and companies to move funds from banks to Treasury Bills due to the large interest rate disparity. He cautioned about the potential rapid withdrawal of deposits, even from traditionally secure banks, raising concerns about the stability of the U.S. banking system amidst recent crises.
These stories captivated readers in 2023, reflecting the growing concerns and uncertainties surrounding the global economy and the role of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. As we bid farewell to this eventful year, the lessons learned and challenges faced will undoubtedly shape the path forward for bitcoin and the broader crypto economy in the years to come.
In 2024, many crypto enthusiasts predict a bullish trend, driven by widespread acceptance through spot bitcoin ETFs and the tokenization of tangible assets. Optimistic shifts in the broader economic landscape, such as anticipated interest rate cuts, are likely to boost market morale, benefiting BTC and the broader crypto economy. With promising liquidity scenarios and ongoing blockchain innovations, the coming year holds potential rewards for crypto proponents.
What are your thoughts on the hottest Bitcoin.com News stories in 2023? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should you have of gold in your portfolio
The amount of capital that you require will determine how much money you can make. A small investment of $5k-10k would be a great option if you are looking to start small. As you grow, it is possible to rent desks or office space. So you don’t have all the hassle of paying rent. You only pay one month.
Consider what type of business your company will be running. In my case, I run a website-creation company. Our clients pay us between $1000-2000/month and depending on their order. So if you do this kind of thing, you need to consider how much income you expect from each client.
You won’t get a monthly paycheck if you work freelance. This is because freelancers are paid. So you might only get paid once every 6 months or so.
You need to determine what kind or income you want before you decide how much of it you will need.
I recommend starting with $1k to $2k of gold, and then growing from there.
What is the best way to hold physical gold?
Not just paper money or coins, gold is money. It is an asset that people have used over thousands of years as money, and a way to protect wealth from inflation and economic uncertainties. Investors use gold today as part of their diversified portfolio, because it tends to perform better in times of financial turmoil.
Many Americans are now more inclined to invest in precious metals like gold and silver than stocks or bonds. It is possible to make money by investing in gold. However, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll make a lot of money.
Another reason is the fact that gold historically has performed better than other assets in times of financial panic. Between August 2011 to early 2013, gold prices rose close to 100 percent while the S&P 500 fell 21 per cent. During turbulent market conditions gold was one of few assets that outperformed stock prices.
Gold is one of the few assets that has virtually no counterparty risks. If your stock portfolio goes down, you still own your shares. If you have gold, it will still be worth your shares even if the company in which you invested defaults on its debt.
Gold provides liquidity. You can sell your gold at any time without worrying about finding a buyer, which is a major advantage over other investments. It makes sense to buy small quantities of gold, as it is more liquid than other investments. This allows one to take advantage short-term fluctuations within the gold price.
Who holds the gold in a gold IRA?
The IRS considers gold owned by an individual to be “a type of money” and is subject taxation.
This tax-free status is only available to those who have owned at least $10,000 of gold and have kept it for at minimum five years.
Gold can be used to protect against inflation and price volatility. However, it is not a good idea to own gold if you don’t intend to use it.
If you plan on selling the gold someday, you’ll need to report its value, which could affect how much capital gains taxes you owe when you cash in your investments.
To find out what options you have, consult an accountant or financial planner.
What are the benefits to having a gold IRA
You can save money on retirement by putting your money into an Individual Retirement Account. It will be tax-deferred up until the time you withdraw it. You have total control over how much each year you take out. There are many types and types of IRAs. Some are better suited for college students. Some are for investors who seek higher returns. Roth IRAs are a way for individuals to make contributions after the age of 59 1/2, and then pay taxes on any earnings upon retirement. However, once they begin withdrawing funds, these earnings are not taxed again. This type of account might be a good choice if your goal is to retire early.
The gold IRA allows you to invest in different asset classes, which is similar to other IRAs. Unlike a regular IRA that requires you to pay taxes on the gains you make while you wait to access them, a gold IRA does not have to do this. People who prefer to save their money and invest it instead of spending it are well-suited for gold IRAs.
You can also enjoy automatic withdrawals, which is another benefit of owning your gold through an IRA. This eliminates the need to constantly make deposits. You could also set up direct debits to never miss a payment.
Gold is one of today’s most safest investments. Its value is stable because it’s not tied with any one country. Even during economic turmoil the gold price tends to remain fairly stable. Gold is a good option for protecting your savings from inflation.
Statistics
- Gold is considered a collectible, and profits from a sale are taxed at a maximum rate of 28 percent. (aarp.org)
- Indeed, several financial advisers interviewed for this article suggest you invest 5 to 15 percent of your portfolio in gold, just in case. (aarp.org)
- The price of gold jumped 131 percent from late 2007 to September 2011, when it hit a high of $1,921 an ounce, according to the World Gold Council. (aarp.org)
- Instead, the economy improved, stocks rebounded, and gold plunged, losing 28 percent of its value in 2013. (aarp.org)
- You can only purchase gold bars at least 99.5% purity. (forbes.com)
External Links
irs.gov
finance.yahoo.com
wsj.com
- Saddam Hussein’s InvasionHelped Uncage a Bear In 1991 – WSJ
- You want to keep gold in your IRA at home? It’s Not Exactly Legal – WSJ
law.cornell.edu
- 7 U.S. Code SS7 – Designation of boards for trade as contract markets
- 26 U.S. Code SS 408 – Individual retirement accounts
How To
3 Ways to Invest in Gold for Retirement
It’s crucial to understand where gold fits in your retirement strategy. There are several options to invest in precious metals if your employer has a 401k. You might also be interested to invest in gold outside the workplace. A custodial account can be opened by a brokerage firm like Fidelity Investments if you already have an IRA. You may also want to purchase precious metals from a reputable dealer if you don’t already have them.
These are the three rules to follow if you decide to invest in gold.
- Buy Gold with Cash – Avoid using credit cards or borrowing money to fund investments. Instead, cash in your accounts. This will help you to protect yourself against inflation while also preserving your purchasing power.
- Physical Gold Coins: You should own physical gold coins, not just a certificate. The reason for this is that physical gold coins are much more easily sold than certificates. Physical gold coins don’t require storage fees.
- Diversify Your Portfolio. Never place all your eggs in the same basket. This is how you spread your wealth. You can invest in different assets. This reduces risk and allows you to be more flexible during market volatility.
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By: Jamie Redman
Title: The Top 5 Most Read Bitcoin.com News Stories in 2023
Sourced From: news.bitcoin.com/2023-in-review-the-years-most-impactful-crypto-news-stories-and-economic-trends/
Published Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2023 07:30:01 +0000