Political Metals

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Our generation grew up with the USD as the global reserve currency, and until recently, few would have questioned its status. Since the global financial crisis of 2008, and more so in the last few months, increasingly large segments of the global community have been questioning the status quo to the extend of actually preparing themselves for the inevitable day when the USD loses its reserve currency status.

While the average lifespan of global reserve currencies is around 100 years, the average lifespan of fiat currencies is only 27 years.  Most if not all of the above global reserves currencies had some form of gold or silver backing in one form or another, that is they were not fiat currencies. The USD has been serving as a global reserve currency for over 90 years, 40 of which as a fiat global reserve currency.

If history is any guide, the USD is fast approaching its “use by date”. It is little wonder that many are preparing not just for the inevitable loss of its reserve status but also the demise of the currency itself.