Raghuram Rajan explains that central banks are increasing gold reserves not just for diversification, but as a direct response to geopolitical risks like the seizure of Russian assets. This 'weaponization of payments' erodes trust in holding reserves in foreign currencies, making physically controlled gold more attractive as a neutral asset.

Unlike previous price rallies, the recent spike in gold has not prompted owners to sell their secondhand holdings. This indicates a fundamental shift in behavior: people are holding gold as a long-term store of value against currency debasement, not for short-term profit, signaling deep-seated distrust in government-issued money.

Facing unprecedented government debt, a cycle of money printing and currency devaluation is likely. Investors should follow the lead of central banks, which are buying gold at record rates while holding fewer Treasury bonds, signaling a clear institutional strategy to own hard assets.

Global central banks are buying gold not just for diversification, but as a strategic hedge against geopolitical risks. The use of financial sanctions against nations like Russia has accelerated this trend, as countries seek assets outside the direct control of the US-dominated financial system.

Unlike Bitcoin, which sells off during liquidity crunches, gold is being bid up by sovereign nations. This divergence reflects a strategic shift by central banks away from US Treasuries following the sanctioning of Russia's reserves, viewing gold as the only true safe haven asset.

During episodes of US government dysfunction, such as shutdowns, the dollar tends to weaken against alternative reserve assets. The concurrent strength in gold and Bitcoin provides tangible market validation for the 'dollar debasement' thesis, suggesting investors are actively seeking havens from perceived fiscal mismanagement.

As foreign central banks' demand for U.S. debt wanes, the rapidly growing stablecoin market has emerged as a major buyer. By backing tokens with U.S. Treasuries, issuers like Tether and Circle have created a powerful new demand vector, surpassing countries like Saudi Arabia and Germany.

For stablecoin companies like Tether seeking legitimacy in the US market, the simplest path is to back their assets with US treasuries. This aligns their interests with the US government, turning a potential adversary into a welcome buyer of national debt, even if it means lower returns compared to riskier assets.

While Bitcoin has money-like properties (limited supply, perceived value), it has a critical flaw compared to physical gold. Governments can monitor all transactions on the blockchain and interfere with them. Gold is the only asset that an individual can hold that is free from this kind of control and surveillance.