The subject at hand in episode six of Shifts Happen is the potential for a new commodity-backed BRICS currency and, joining us to kick the idea around is Josh Crumb, Founder and CEO of Abaxx Technologies.

Through his work at Abaxx, Josh is perfectly placed to discuss the importance of physical settlement in the commodity markets and the practical limitations of introducing a currency that requires settlement through physical transfer.

Also up for discussion is the wider connection between energy and interest rates as Josh shares with us the lessons learned from decades of experience, with his diverse background as a mining engineer, trader and the Co-Founder of Goldmoney, giving him a rare perspective into the significant change taking place in the world of commodities.

Episode Five of Shifts Happen brings into focus the recent ‘quickening’ around the de-dollarization narrative and the impossible-to-ignore elevation in comments from world leaders questioning the logic underpinning their forced adoption of the US dollar in many cross-border trades.

From the numerous bilateral trade agreements being struck that circumvent the dollar to the rising percentage of cross border trade being conducted by China in renminbi, Grant and Luke discuss the crucial difference between the dollar as a reserve currency and its role as a reserve asset – one of which is coming under significant threat, one of which remains rock solid.

The extraordinary level of dogmatism on both sides of the argument comes under the microscope and Luke turns to Lucille Ball for an analogy which provides the perfect illustration of the problem facing the US Treasury.

Episode Four of Shifts Happen sees our attention turn to two articles recently published by Zoltan Pozsar of Credit Suisse in which he fleshes out his Bretton Woods III framework and examines the problems posed by what he calls ‘commodity encumbrance.’

Increasingly strong ties between China, Russia and the Gulf States along with recent high-profile speeches by Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin add significant weight to much of what we’ve talked about in the first three episodes of Shifts Happen – a series of dramatic changes happening in plain sight that threaten the supremacy of the dollar-based global financial system.

In this episode, we flesh out Zoltan’s excellent work and examine why what he’s written is important, analyze the new framework he envisions and explain why this is now a situation which is fast becoming too big and too important for investors to ignore any longer.

Episode Three of Shifts Happen focuses on a fast-moving world that seems to get trickier by the day. The importance of energy self-sufficiency is revealing itself and that is shifting the power from formerly strong hands into the hands of those once considered weaker players.

Episode Two of Shifts Happen shines a spotlight on the shift between the ‘paper’ markets and the ‘real’ markets as the importance of energy supplies becomes ever more apparent in a world where battle lines are being drawn, supply lines are being stretched and, in the case of the EU, economic suicide is being committed.

What happens to the dollar? Will the US balance of payments finally start to matter and what are the chances of a hyperinflationary outcome? All of these questions and more are pondered in the wake of the surprising strength of the rouble and the increasing inflationary pressure being heaped upon Western governments who can’t seem to get out of their own way.

In the first episode of a brand new series, I’m joined by my co-host Luke Gromen of FFTT LLC to explore and discuss the various moving parts as the potential end of the US dollar-based global financial system comes into view. In the wake of the sanctions placed upon the Russian central bank as a […] This content is only available for active subscribers. Subscribe