Pre Holiday Update

As we head into the Holiday Season, I expect that there is not likely to be much new information to report here related to any kind of major monetary system reform. This post will attempt to serve as an update on things based on the information available at this time. Below is a Q&A style format to discuss the status of the issues as they appear at this time.
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Q: Do you see any indications that some kind of major change in the monetary system is likely?

A: Not right now. We have been reporting here for some time that we do not see any signs of major change unless some kind of new major financial crisis were to emerge that basically forced the system to make major changes or even be fully reset. That is still what we would report for now. This analysis is based on following news reports and from direct input I get from a number of experts around the world that I view as highly credible.

Q: So what could trigger the kind of major crisis that might prompt major change?

A: There are a number of potential triggers that are always out there that we have covered here extensively. Global debt (private and public) is at all time highs. We still have trillions in derivatives contracts in an interconnected global banking system. Geo political negative surprises are always possible at any time (trade wars, currency wars, etc.) So far the powers that be (mostly central banks) have managed to keep the system functioning in a way that most people don't sense an imminent crisis is coming. Perhaps the most noticed event recently is the ongoing efforts by the US Fed to support overnight lending markets with liquidity and an apparent resumption in their policy to expand their balance sheet. The Fed says there is nothing worrisome to see here, while Fed critics and skeptics are suspicious that the Fed may be trying to hide something going seriously wrong behind the scenes. It is certainly worth following to see what happens. As always, time will tell us the answer.

Q: How does the ongoing political war in the US impact the chances for some kind of financial system or monetary system disruption?

A: That has been an interesting irony so far. Despite three years of intense political fighting virtually daily and constant news stories that well known officials may be indicted for crimes, the markets have almost completely ignored it all. We have told readers here that perhaps the best thing to do is just monitor market reactions. They are more likely to let you know if anything truly disruptive to the present system is really going on. So far the stock market has been strong, the US dollar has been strong, and gold and silver prices have been trading in a range with upward, bias but are not indicating any kind of major crisis is at hand yet. If you see gold move sharply up to or above all time highs around $2000, that would be a possible signal. The same for a move in silver above the $25-$26 level or even back up to all time highs around $50. Until you see things like that, the markets are not indicating they are too concerned with all the political maneuvering we see virtually daily now. It's always possible something truly significant could arise. However, the sources I hear from do not expect the impeachment process to result in a removal of President Trump from office and the markets also seem to view things that way. While rumors have persisted for years now that some former high officials in the Obama Administration could be charged with crimes related to efforts to remove President Trump, nothing has happened yet on that front either. So far, everything seems to be more related to political strategies to try and gain an advantage in the 2020 elections If anything major does emerge from this, it will be obvious to us all. For now, the markets are not the least bit concerned about it. One prediction that seems pretty safe is that we will see the political war continue and even escalate into the elections and that will probably suck all the oxygen out of the room until the 2020 elections are over. If President Trump is re elected, not much is likely to change unless a crisis forces change. If a Democrat is elected, change is more likely and the US will likely move more sharply towards socialism. That is pretty easy to predict.

Q: What will this blog do if nothing much changes any time soon?

A: Just continue as we are now. Try to watch for any major signs of trouble. Post a few articles when we can find something relevant to our mission here. Report any change in the situation if we hear of that from any of the experts that provide input from time time. We try to report things (like input from some experts we hear from) you are not likely to see reported in mainstream news since those stories are already widely reported. We do also monitor several alternative media sites in case something of note appears there. We will pass along anything we see that we think might be useful information.
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Added note: If all the political fighting has you thinking we are a nation with no hope for the future, take a look at this short video and perhaps you will change your mind:

https://twitter.com/dcexaminer/status/1190335635078467584

Added note 11-14-2019: After the first impeachment hearings in the US Congress, we are still seeing no market reaction that would suggest anything disruptive is going on or that markets think the President will be removed from office. So no change from the analysis posted above for now.

Nomi Prins Offers Her Outlook for 2018

Nomi Prins has issued her outlook for 2018. She sees some potential triggers for systemic instability out there to keep an eye on. For the most part, her analysis is in line with what we have been reporting here on a variety of the issues she talks about. Below are a few excerpts.

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"In last year’s roadmap, I forecast that 2017 would end with gold prices up and the dollar index down, both of which happened.  I underestimated the number of Fed hikes by one hike, but globally, average short term rates have remained around zero. That will be a core pattern throughout 2018.

Central banks may tweak a few rates here and there, announce some tapering due to “economic growth”, or deflect attention to fiscal policy, but the entire financial and capital markets system rests on the strategies, co-dependencies and cheap money policies of central banks.  The bond markets will feel the heat of any tightening shift or fears of one, while the stock market will continue to rush ahead on the reality of cheap money supply until debt problems tug at the equity markets and take them down."   ..... read more here

. . . . .

Here are her thoughts on cryptocurrencies and central banks

8)  Cryptomania Grips More Tightly

As for Bitcoin, despite its predisposition to being a Ponzi scheme, it should rise (and sustain its high degree of volatility) through 2018 for a few reasons. First, many funds have been green lighted to get involved in the second half of 2018 and ETF’s are on the horizon, albeit with a plethora of surrounding problems and regulatory hesitations. Second, futures exchange activity will broaden the market. Third, establishment banks like Goldman Sachs have announced plans to set up crypto-trading desks and promoted the possibility of bitcoin becoming a legitimate global currency.

There will be growth of the number and diversity of exchanges beyond Coinbase in the manner of PayPal which is already a player in that space, as well as for Coinbase itself. Expect the start of many payment exchanges that can process both regular currencies and cryptocurrency transactions ala the dot com bubble, rendering the idea of crypto-independence more and more fuzzy.

Conversations amongst the financial elite at G7 gatherings and other similar forums will encapsulate more crypto focus. Central banks will ultimately create or utilize some elements of crypto currencies for themselves, and adopt ways to regulate the market, as will regulatory agencies that will focus more on crypto than regular banking activities (both need that monitoring to protect people.)  Meanwhile, there will be more buying of cheaper crypto currencies (or assets as I consider them) like Litecoin and Ripple. The fight between those that believe in crypto’s decentralized nature will hit a wall of resistance from banks and central banks, but that fight might take years.   . . . .  read full article here

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Added notes: Wall Street on Parade reviews her new book (Collusion) in this article. In this new interview with Greg Hunter, she says investors should look at silver in 2018. Interestingly, Jim Rickards also touted silver recently in this article.

Jim Rickards on Potential Market Risks

In this recent article we noted that Yale School of Management has a blog that covers potential systemic risk and also offers a masters degree in the study of systemic risk. In this recent interview, Jim Rickards gives his latest thoughts on a couple of risks he sees out there at this time.

Jim mentions that he sees the economy starting to roll over in many different areas which could lead to a significant stock market down turn into the end of this year. He also provides an update on the prospects for war with North Korea. In that regard, Jim told me in an email earlier this year to pay close attention to the time frame between November 2017 and February 2018 for the potential for an actual shooting war to break out. Obviously that event would have significant impact on the markets if it were to happen.

Here is a followup interview in CNBC on North Korea

Added note: It appears that both Russia and China are getting increasingly nervous that a war will break out between the US and North Korea. Also, Australia agrees to join with the US if such war does happen.