Check out the latest episode of BullionStar Perspectives video series, in which Alasdair MacLeod joins Ronan Manly to discuss important upcoming changes in the London Gold Market, as well as the geopolitical and monetary ramifications of Russia’s and China’s gold accumulation strategies.
Alasdair Macleod is Head of Research for GoldMoney, and is an expert on the gold market and how macro factors affect precious metals.
This is a wide-ranging and must see interview, as Alasdair drills down into the unallocated gold market in London, the role of COMEX, and why gold is increasingly the go-to reserve asset for central banks including those of Russia and China. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7SrR_UX-j4
Alasdair Macleod is Head of Research for GoldMoney, and is an expert on the gold market and how macro factors affect precious metals.
This is a wide-ranging and must see interview, as Alasdair drills down into the unallocated gold market in London, the role of COMEX, and why gold is increasingly the go-to reserve asset for central banks including those of Russia and China. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7SrR_UX-j4
YouTube
BullionStar Perspectives: Seismic Changes for London's Paper Gold Charade
Filmed in June 2021
In this episode of BullionStar Perspectives, Alasdair MacLeod joins Ronan Manly to discuss some important upcoming changes in the London Gold Market, as well as the geopolitical and monetary ramifications of Russia’s and China’s gold…
In this episode of BullionStar Perspectives, Alasdair MacLeod joins Ronan Manly to discuss some important upcoming changes in the London Gold Market, as well as the geopolitical and monetary ramifications of Russia’s and China’s gold…
Did you know that on our website you can now take a virtual tour of BullionStar's bullion centre in Singapore? So why not explore BullionStar's showroom of extensive gold and silver bullion displays and much more! Click here to start https://bullionstar.com/virtual/
Dubai & the UAE are now fighting back against the LBMA and its bullion banks with proactive gold market initiatives that could see UAE become an even bigger competitor to London. See the full article here on BullionStar’s website - "In Ongoing Saga, Dubai Stands its Ground with the LBMA" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/in-ongoing-saga-dubai-stands-its-ground-with-the-lbma/
With an addition to 90 tonnes of gold to its gold reserves over April and May, the Thai central bank, Bank of Thailand, has now leapt into pole position as the world’s largest central bank gold buyer so far in 2021.
Surprisingly, this gold accumulation by Thailand has gone largest unnoticed in the media, with little or no comment. Not helping matters has been the Bank of Thailand itself, which has not even issued an announcement explaining the gold purchase. For full details, see the new article posted on BullionStar's website, titled "Thai central bank leads pack, buying 90 tonnes of gold over April and May" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/thai-central-bank-leads-pack-buying-90-tonnes-of-gold-over-april-and-may/
Surprisingly, this gold accumulation by Thailand has gone largest unnoticed in the media, with little or no comment. Not helping matters has been the Bank of Thailand itself, which has not even issued an announcement explaining the gold purchase. For full details, see the new article posted on BullionStar's website, titled "Thai central bank leads pack, buying 90 tonnes of gold over April and May" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/thai-central-bank-leads-pack-buying-90-tonnes-of-gold-over-april-and-may/
Recently, France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, called for renewed IMF gold sales under the pretext of helping to finance African economies. In May and again in June, Macron and his advisers tried to ‘put the IMF gold sales idea on the table’.
But who benefits from such sales? Who wants to get their hands on the IMF gold? Is it a bullion bank bailout or a redistribution of gold to China? And will the sales, if they go ahead, follow the secretive playbook of the IMF gold sales of 2009-2010?
With the recent G20 summit in Venice being silent on the topic, Macron’s proposal may have run into opposition. Or it may still be waiting in the wings, for a convenient opportunity to emerge again.
For full details, see the new article on BullionStar’s website titled “Has Macron’s call for new IMF Gold Sales been slapped down?” https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/has-macrons-call-for-new-imf-gold-sales-been-slapped-down/
But who benefits from such sales? Who wants to get their hands on the IMF gold? Is it a bullion bank bailout or a redistribution of gold to China? And will the sales, if they go ahead, follow the secretive playbook of the IMF gold sales of 2009-2010?
With the recent G20 summit in Venice being silent on the topic, Macron’s proposal may have run into opposition. Or it may still be waiting in the wings, for a convenient opportunity to emerge again.
For full details, see the new article on BullionStar’s website titled “Has Macron’s call for new IMF Gold Sales been slapped down?” https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/has-macrons-call-for-new-imf-gold-sales-been-slapped-down/
BullionStar Singapore
Has Macron’s call for new IMF Gold Sales been slapped down?
During May and June, France's president Macron called for IMF gold sales under the pretext of helping Africa. But what is the real agenda?
The spot gold price in US dollars is currently trading at $1822.5 having generally traded above $1800 all week, and at the week’s high of $1832 earlier today. For live gold prices, see BullionStar’s gold price page here https://www.bullionstar.com/charts/gold-price-today
The international silver price is derived from gigantic trading volumes of ‘paper silver’ in London and New York which have little connection to real physical silver inventories or annual silver supply.
It is therefore crucial for investors to understand the differences between physical silver and paper silver and to grasp that one is real ownership of tangible silver while the other is not.
BullionStar has just published a new and visually impressive infographic which lays out the context, showing that physical silver is a scarce and valuable investment and monetary metal far removed from the world of unallocated and derivative silver trading.
To view this stunning new Infographic, please click here:
https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/bullionstar/infographic-paper-silver-vs-physical-silver/
It is therefore crucial for investors to understand the differences between physical silver and paper silver and to grasp that one is real ownership of tangible silver while the other is not.
BullionStar has just published a new and visually impressive infographic which lays out the context, showing that physical silver is a scarce and valuable investment and monetary metal far removed from the world of unallocated and derivative silver trading.
To view this stunning new Infographic, please click here:
https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/bullionstar/infographic-paper-silver-vs-physical-silver/
The legal fight over 31 tonnes of gold owned by Venezuela’s central bank (BCV) and stored at the Bank of England continues and this month has made it all to way to the Supreme Court in London.
At stake is who has the authority to withdraw the gold, and who is the recognised president of Venezuela, Nicholas Maduro or the US and UK backed Juan Guaidó.
The ramifications of the upcoming Supreme Court judgement should not be underestimated, and could send shockwaves internationally as a ruling in favour of Guaidó would undermine the ownership rights of all sovereign gold holders around the world that store their gold in the City of London.
For full details, see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "The Saga Continues: Venezuela’s 31 tonnes of seized gold at the Bank of England" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/the-saga-continues-venezuelas-31-tonnes-of-seized-gold-at-the-bank-of-england/
At stake is who has the authority to withdraw the gold, and who is the recognised president of Venezuela, Nicholas Maduro or the US and UK backed Juan Guaidó.
The ramifications of the upcoming Supreme Court judgement should not be underestimated, and could send shockwaves internationally as a ruling in favour of Guaidó would undermine the ownership rights of all sovereign gold holders around the world that store their gold in the City of London.
For full details, see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "The Saga Continues: Venezuela’s 31 tonnes of seized gold at the Bank of England" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/the-saga-continues-venezuelas-31-tonnes-of-seized-gold-at-the-bank-of-england/
After buying 53.5 tonnes of gold over May and June, Brazil is now the third largest central bank gold buyer so far this year, and currently claims to hold 121 tonnes of the yellow metal.
However, following a series of questions being put to the Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) about this gold and where it is stored, the BCB has refused to answer every single question, citing secrecy laws.
But through some investigation, its is clear that Brazil holds at least some of its gold at the Bank of England, and at times the BCB engages in gold lending with bullion banks.
For full details, see the new article on BullionStar’s website titled “Brazil’s Central Bank refuses to answer any questions about its Gold Reserves” https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/brazils-central-bank-refuses-to-answer-any-questions-about-its-gold-reserves/
However, following a series of questions being put to the Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) about this gold and where it is stored, the BCB has refused to answer every single question, citing secrecy laws.
But through some investigation, its is clear that Brazil holds at least some of its gold at the Bank of England, and at times the BCB engages in gold lending with bullion banks.
For full details, see the new article on BullionStar’s website titled “Brazil’s Central Bank refuses to answer any questions about its Gold Reserves” https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/brazils-central-bank-refuses-to-answer-any-questions-about-its-gold-reserves/
As COMEX gold trading opened for the week on Sunday 8 August, while New York, London, Singapore and Tokyo were all closed, huge volumes of selling hit the market to take down the gold price.
Who were the sellers and who did they represent, and does this intervention have central bank involvement?
While a price smash in the paper gold and silver markets may fool Wall Street, it is not fooling investors in physical precious metals, where buying demand is currently far stronger than normal. For full details see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "Gold Price Smash in Paper - But Physical Demand on Fire" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/gold-price-smash-in-paper-but-physical-demand-on-fire/
Who were the sellers and who did they represent, and does this intervention have central bank involvement?
While a price smash in the paper gold and silver markets may fool Wall Street, it is not fooling investors in physical precious metals, where buying demand is currently far stronger than normal. For full details see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "Gold Price Smash in Paper - But Physical Demand on Fire" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/gold-price-smash-in-paper-but-physical-demand-on-fire/
While a lot will be written about the 50th anniversary of the US Government famously suspending the convertibility of US dollars into gold on 15 August 1971, there is far less, if any, coverage about what exactly triggered it and why the timing had to be 15 August.
Bringing together never before seen material, this article blows a lid on the British and the Bank of England triggering the gold window closure via the British ambassador to the US, the Earl of Cromer walking into a panicked US Treasury and asking for US$ 3 billion in gold (2,666 tonnes). For full details, see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "British Requests for $3 billion in US Treasury Gold – The Trigger that Closed the Gold Window" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/british-requests-for-3-billion-in-us-treasury-gold-the-trigger-that-closed-the-gold-window/
Bringing together never before seen material, this article blows a lid on the British and the Bank of England triggering the gold window closure via the British ambassador to the US, the Earl of Cromer walking into a panicked US Treasury and asking for US$ 3 billion in gold (2,666 tonnes). For full details, see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "British Requests for $3 billion in US Treasury Gold – The Trigger that Closed the Gold Window" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/british-requests-for-3-billion-in-us-treasury-gold-the-trigger-that-closed-the-gold-window/
Nearly 22 tonnes of Afghan central bank gold stored with the New York Fed has just been frozen by the US Treasury.
This Afghan gold consists of a total of 1731 old “non-Good Delivery’ gold bars, which have been in the New York Fed vault since 1939.
This is also not the first time this Afghan gold has been blocked, as it was also frozen between 1999 and 2001. For full details see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "Afghanistan’s gold at the New York Fed: 1,731 old bars held since 1939" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/afghanistans-gold-at-the-ny-fed-1731-very-old-bars-held-since-1939/
This Afghan gold consists of a total of 1731 old “non-Good Delivery’ gold bars, which have been in the New York Fed vault since 1939.
This is also not the first time this Afghan gold has been blocked, as it was also frozen between 1999 and 2001. For full details see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "Afghanistan’s gold at the New York Fed: 1,731 old bars held since 1939" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/afghanistans-gold-at-the-ny-fed-1731-very-old-bars-held-since-1939/
Germany continues to show the world why investing in physical precious metals is so important.
Recent World Gold Council data on investment gold demand shows that the German market had the world’s highest gold coin and bar demand in H1 2021, even ahead of China. https://twitter.com/KrishanGopaul/status/1430973575989768198?s=20
Demand for gold coins and gold bars in Germany increased by 35% during H1 2021 vs H2 2020, compared with a 20% increase in the rest of the world https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/inflation-wary-germans-are-loading-up-on-gold-1.1644487
Germany is Europe’s largest gold market and has a very sophisticated investment gold distribution structure through many banks and gold dealer outlets through the country https://www.bullionstar.com/gold-university/german-gold-market
A survey in 2019 on gold investments conducted on behalf of the German Reisebank found that Germany’s citizens owned a massive 8918 tonnes of gold, of which 4925 tonnes (55% of the total) was held in the form of physical gold bars and gold coins, with the remaining 3993 tonnes held in the form of gold jewellery.
See BullionStar article “The vast gold hoards held by Germany’s population” (April 2019) for details https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/the-vast-gold-hoards-held-germanys-population/
The savvy German public also continues to buy physical gold in huge quantity even though the German government has thrown up obstacles to make the anonymous purchase of physical gold more burdensome. See BullionStar article “German Government Escalates its War on Gold” (January 2020) for details https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/german-government-escalates-its-war-on-gold
The news that Germans are still stacking up on physical gold should not be surprising given that the country has an historical appreciation of the dangers of Weimar hyperinflation and fiat currency debasement.
Maybe we should all take a leaf out of the Germans’ book when it comes to gold, as inflation around the world accelerates and the monetary printing presses continue to whirl unabetted.
Recent World Gold Council data on investment gold demand shows that the German market had the world’s highest gold coin and bar demand in H1 2021, even ahead of China. https://twitter.com/KrishanGopaul/status/1430973575989768198?s=20
Demand for gold coins and gold bars in Germany increased by 35% during H1 2021 vs H2 2020, compared with a 20% increase in the rest of the world https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/inflation-wary-germans-are-loading-up-on-gold-1.1644487
Germany is Europe’s largest gold market and has a very sophisticated investment gold distribution structure through many banks and gold dealer outlets through the country https://www.bullionstar.com/gold-university/german-gold-market
A survey in 2019 on gold investments conducted on behalf of the German Reisebank found that Germany’s citizens owned a massive 8918 tonnes of gold, of which 4925 tonnes (55% of the total) was held in the form of physical gold bars and gold coins, with the remaining 3993 tonnes held in the form of gold jewellery.
See BullionStar article “The vast gold hoards held by Germany’s population” (April 2019) for details https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/the-vast-gold-hoards-held-germanys-population/
The savvy German public also continues to buy physical gold in huge quantity even though the German government has thrown up obstacles to make the anonymous purchase of physical gold more burdensome. See BullionStar article “German Government Escalates its War on Gold” (January 2020) for details https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/german-government-escalates-its-war-on-gold
The news that Germans are still stacking up on physical gold should not be surprising given that the country has an historical appreciation of the dangers of Weimar hyperinflation and fiat currency debasement.
Maybe we should all take a leaf out of the Germans’ book when it comes to gold, as inflation around the world accelerates and the monetary printing presses continue to whirl unabetted.
Palantir Technologies, the US analytical software company that counts the US Intelligence and spy agencies as some of it’s largest clients, recently purchased nearly 1 tonne of gold to hedge against possible ‘black swan events’.
The purchased gold, in the form of nearly three hundred 100-ounce gold bars, is stored in a vault in the north-east of the US, probably in a COMEX vault in New York City.
With a privileged position in predicting future risk, treasurers of other large corporates would be naïve to ignore Palantir’s gold bar gambit. For full details, see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "Can Corporate Treasurers Afford to Ignore Palantir’s Gambit on Gold?" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/can-corporate-treasurers-afford-to-ignore-palantirs-gambit-on-gold/
The purchased gold, in the form of nearly three hundred 100-ounce gold bars, is stored in a vault in the north-east of the US, probably in a COMEX vault in New York City.
With a privileged position in predicting future risk, treasurers of other large corporates would be naïve to ignore Palantir’s gold bar gambit. For full details, see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "Can Corporate Treasurers Afford to Ignore Palantir’s Gambit on Gold?" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/can-corporate-treasurers-afford-to-ignore-palantirs-gambit-on-gold/
In this new Ask Me Anything (#AMA) series, BullionStar’s Ronan Manly answers a new featured question every week. This week's featured question and answer is "What is The Gold Silver Ratio?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhxRY11YdVM
YouTube
BullionStar #AMA - What is The Gold Silver Ratio?
In this new Ask Me Anything (#AMA) series, BullionStar’s Ronan Manly answers featured questions from viewers.
Questions curated by the BullionStar Team. Post your questions in the comments below,
or
Submit your questions to us anonymously here:
suppor…
Questions curated by the BullionStar Team. Post your questions in the comments below,
or
Submit your questions to us anonymously here:
suppor…
In this new Ask Me Anything (#AMA) series, BullionStar’s Ronan Manly answers a new featured question every week. This week's featured question and answer is "Why is Gold Often Priced in US dollars?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEbzg9Pd8no
YouTube
BullionStar #AMA - Why is Gold Often Priced in US dollars?
In this new Ask Me Anything (#AMA) series, BullionStar’s Ronan Manly answers featured questions from viewers.
Questions curated by the BullionStar Team. Post your questions in the comments below,
or
Submit your questions to us anonymously here:
suppor…
Questions curated by the BullionStar Team. Post your questions in the comments below,
or
Submit your questions to us anonymously here:
suppor…
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are an ominous development that will soon be launched by central banks across the world.
Billed as a public interest technology innovation, the real aim of CBDCs is to provide central banks and governments with enhanced forms of surveillance and control.
CBDCs are the antithesis to monetary freedom, so it is critical to understand how this central bank agenda is playing out. For full details, see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "Central Bank Digital Currencies – A Future of Surveillance and Control" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/central-bank-digital-currencies-a-future-of-surveillance-and-control/
Billed as a public interest technology innovation, the real aim of CBDCs is to provide central banks and governments with enhanced forms of surveillance and control.
CBDCs are the antithesis to monetary freedom, so it is critical to understand how this central bank agenda is playing out. For full details, see the new article on BullionStar's website titled "Central Bank Digital Currencies – A Future of Surveillance and Control" https://www.bullionstar.com/blogs/ronan-manly/central-bank-digital-currencies-a-future-of-surveillance-and-control/