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Cryptocurrency may be bad for investors but it can be useful in international settlements, according to a top government official in Moscow. Russian authorities intend to set up a special committee that would issue permits to operators employing crypto in foreign trade transactions, he indicated. Russia Plans to ‘Experiment’ With Cross-Border Crypto Payments Amid Sanctions Crypto assets can be used in certain scenarios, Russia’s Deputy Finance Minister Alexey Moiseev commented during an economic forum in Moscow. Speaking at the “Banks. Transformation. Economy. 2.0” conference, he was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying: Of course, crypto is generally evil. I believe that people who invest their savings there take a very big risk … But there may be individual situations in which crypto can be used. Moiseev made it clear he was referring to Russian foreign trade activities, which are currently restricted by Western sanctions. He also reminded that a draft law designed...

BRICS nations can lead efforts to abandon the U.S. dollar in international settlements, according to President Bashar Assad of Syria. At a meeting with China’s top diplomat for the region, the leader of the war-torn Middle Eastern country called for using the Chinese yuan for cross-border trade. Economic Clash With West Requires Discarding Dollar, BRICS Leadership, Syrian President Says Confrontation with the United States and the West in general has been taking place mainly in the economic field and that makes it increasingly necessary to ditch the U.S. dollar as a currency for global transactions, President Bashar Assad of Syria was quoted as saying by Sana, the Syrian state-controlled news agency. Assad emphasized that the BRICS bloc, through the adoption of the Chinese yuan for trade transactions between nations, can play a leading role in that regard. He made the comments during a meeting with the Chinese government’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, Zhai Jun, whom he recei...

Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki says the Fed is wiping out regional banks by supporting only big banks, like JPMorgan Chase. Stating that the Fed “is criminal,” he warned that its actions “will bring down” the United States. Robert Kiyosaki Says the Fed Is Criminal The author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, warned in a series of tweets this week that the Fed is wiping out regional banks by supporting only the big banks, such as JPMorgan Chase. Rich Dad Poor Dad is a 1997 book co-authored by Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. It has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for over six years. More than 32 million copies of the book have been sold in over 51 languages across more than 109 countries. Kiyosaki tweeted Wednesday: “WTF. What The Fed? Why is Fed destroying regional banks across America? Regional banks are [the] heart and soul of [the] economy. Fed via the Repo Market [is] killing regional banks. Is this intentional? Is a depression intentional? WTF is Fed up ...

At 11:06 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on April 29, 2023, at block height 787,500, the number of blocks left to discover until the next Bitcoin blockchain halving is now fewer than 52,500 blocks. This means the network has progressed 75% through the 210,000-block halving cycle, which will ultimately result in a reduction of the block reward from 6.25 bitcoins per block to 3.125 bitcoins per block. Bitcoin Halving Countdown: Fewer Than 52,500 Blocks Left to Discover On Saturday morning (ET), the Bitcoin network progressed 75% of the way toward the next block reward halving, with fewer than 52,500 blocks left to discover until the event occurs. This milestone marks another step in the ongoing evolution of the Bitcoin network as it progresses toward its eventual maximum supply of 21 million bitcoins. The Bitcoin blockchain halves its block reward every 210,000 blocks, which occurs roughly every four years. ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░ 75% 365 days and 52503 blocks left $29385 per #bitcoin — Progress ...

U.S. Senator Rand Paul has warned that the U.S. dollar could lose its status as a global reserve currency. “For a variety of reasons, both foreign policy as well as fiscal irresponsibility, yes, the dollar is in a precarious position,” said the lawmaker. Senator Rand Paul on U.S. Dollar Losing Reserve Currency Status U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) shared his concerns about the growing de-dollarization trend and the USD losing its global reserve currency status in an interview with Fox Business Thursday. He was asked: “Is king dollar going to be tossed off of its throne because of bad fiscal and monetary policies? Is it going to lose its world reserve status in your judgment?” The senator from Kentucky replied: I am concerned about it. “I think our foreign policy has something to do with that … We’ve pushed all of our adversaries farther and farther away from us and closer and closer together. It’s not just Russia and China being pushed together by foreign policy and obviously, s...

Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio has warned that the U.S. and China are “on the brink of war” and “are beyond the ability to talk.” The billionaire added that their relations “are getting so bad” that U.S.-China trade could collapse. He cautioned that the next 18 months “will be a very risky period.” U.S. and China on the Brink of War, Says Dalio Ray Dalio, the founder of the world’s largest asset manager, Bridgewater Associates, warned in a Linkedin post, published Wednesday, that the U.S. and China are on the brink of war. The billionaire, who has visited China for almost 40 years and has built close friendships there, shared his perspectives from his recent 13-day trips to China, as well as from meetings with Chinese citizens, experts on China residing outside the country, and policymakers in other countries, including the U.S. Regarding U.S.-China relations, Dalio stressed: The United States and China are on the brink of war and are beyond the ability to talk. He no...

According to multiple reports, First Republic Bank is facing significant financial difficulties and could be taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) if private sector banks do not intervene. The FDIC has reportedly approached several large commercial banks regarding purchasing First Republic after the bank’s stocks dropped more than 50% on Friday. FDIC Considers Taking Over First Republic Bank as Financial Troubles Deepen, Urges Private Sector to Step In First Republic Bank’s shares were halted multiple times on the New York Stock Exchange this week, with the stock slipping 50% lower on Friday to an intraday low of $2.98 per share. By the end of the Friday trading session, it had fallen over 43% to $3.51 per share. According to sources cited by CNBC, “the most likely outcome for the troubled bank is for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to take it into receivership.” However, the bank is still hoping for an alternative solution to a government takeov...

A growing number of banking institutions in Russia are offering customers the option to save in Chinese yuan. The trend coincides with declining demand for U.S. dollar and euro deposits amid currency restrictions that triggered a flight of funds to bank accounts abroad. Demand for Dollar, Euro Accounts Expected to Drop Further, Requests for Yuan Deposits Surge in Russia Fewer Russians want to open local bank accounts in major Western currencies amid restrictions on what they can do with their money. Data from the Bank of Russia shows that about half of all foreign currency savings in Russian banks have been transferred to foreign bank accounts in 2022, and interest in new deposits has noticeably dropped, the daily Izvestia wrote in an article. A “massive decline” in demand for deposits in U.S. dollars and euros is to be expected, according to Anna Romanenko, director of communications at the financial marketplace Vbr.ru. The number of banks supporting deposits in these foreign cur...

The economy minister of Argentina, Sergio Massa, announced that starting this month, payments for imports coming from China will be settled using the Chinese yuan. The agreement, which will allow the country to safeguard its dwindling dollar reserves, involves the disbursement of more than $1 billion in April. Argentina to Settle Bilateral Transactions With China in Chinese Yuan Argentina, one of the big three economies in Latin America, will use the Chinese yuan to pay for certain imports. According to statements from Argentine Economy Minister Sergio Massa, the country will begin settling payments for Chinese imports using the Chinese yuan, in the context of saving the scarce dollars that the country still has left. The agreement is perceived by analysts as a positive pact for the nations, as China deepens the penetration and usage of the Chinese yuan in Latam, and Argentina manages to leverage $5 billion of the “swap” reserve that was approved between Argentine President Alfred...

A federal judge in Brazil has ordered the temporary suspension of Telegram in the country and established hefty fines due to the supposed lack of collaboration of the company in a national crusade against school violence. Telegram failed to deliver information regarding the actions it is taking against neo-Nazi groups, and now it has been blocked by most internet providers in Brazil. Brazil Blocks Access to Telegram Apps A federal judge ordered a nationwide ban on Telegram, the popular messaging app, on April 26, due to its perceived lack of collaboration in a push against school violence. The company behind the app failed to turn over documents regarding the existence of neo-Nazi groups and the measures it is taking against them on Telegram, according to reports from the local journal O’Globo. In addition, the Brazilian justice system is also fining Telegram for this lack of collaboration to the tune of 1 million Brazilian reals (approx $200,000) for each day that passes without...

Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, has slammed the actions of the elites in the U.S. and Europe, stating that they do not always act in the best interest of their own people. “It will backfire on them,” he said. Putin also called for a cohesive response to the West’s economic aggression, emphasizing that Russia will strengthen its partnerships with friendly nations and collaborate with foreign partners. Putin Plans to Expand Partnerships With Friendly Countries Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed policies in the U.S. and Europe while calling for a cohesive response to the West’s economic aggression at a meeting with the Council of Legislators on Friday, Russian news outlet Tass reported. “We are not going to isolate ourselves. On the contrary, we will expand pragmatic, equitable, mutually beneficial relations that are nothing less than partnerships with friendly countries in Eurasia, Africa, Latin America,” Putin said, adding: In the United States, by the way, we have a lot...

A Russian official has revealed that regular discussions are being held between Russia and other BRICS member nations regarding the expansion of the economic group. “This requires a thorough analysis and delicate internal work by the five countries to reach a consensus,” according to Russia’s Foreign Ministry. Member Countries Discuss BRICS Expansion Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated during a news briefing on Thursday that Russia has been holding regular negotiations with its BRICS partners regarding the group’s possible expansion, local news outlet Tass reported. The BRICS nations comprise Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Zakharova explained: The entire range of issues associated with this is being discussed at BRICS sherpas and sous-sherpas meetings, and, of course, this requires a thorough analysis and delicate internal work by the five countries to reach a consensus. The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson added that while ...

Switzerland’s financial regulator is not satisfied with the emergency plans of two of the Alpine nation’s five major banks. The assessment refers to a period prior to the rescue of Credit Suisse by UBS when the authority viewed the troubled giant’s preparedness in positive terms. 2 Swiss Banks Unable to Implement Recovery Plans, Finma Finds The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (Finma) considers insufficient the crisis plans of two of Switzerland’s main banks, Reuters reported. The regulator is not certain if Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) and Postfinance will be manage to continue to operate in case of a crisis. ZKB’s emergency plan is not yet ready to implement as the bank has not reserved sufficient capital for recapitalization while Postfinance “must realign its emergency recapitalization strategy,” Finma stated in an announcement on Wednesday. The two are among the country’s five “systematically important banks,” along with Credit Suisse, UBS, and Raiffeisen. The asse...

Donald Trump has warned that the U.S. dollar is crashing and soon will “no longer be the world standard.” The former president of the United States further warned that “we are very close” to a third world war happening. “Joe Biden has led us to the very brink of World War III,” he stressed. Trump on Inflation, Dollar Crashing, World War III Donald Trump released a video Tuesday following Joe Biden’s announcement that he is running for the president of the United States in 2024. The former U.S. president began by outlining the damage to the U.S. economy caused by Biden in a few short years, including his “spending calamity.” Trump described: American families are being decimated by the worst inflation in half a century. Banks are failing, our currency is crashing, and the dollar will soon no longer be the world standard, which will be our greatest defeat in over 200 years. “Joe Biden has led us to the very brink of World War III,” Trump continued. However, he clarified: “I’m not...

Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has warned of economic chaos, a war breaking out, hyperinflation, and rising starvation. Commenting on de-dollarization on a “massive scale,” he stressed: “It’s a weaponization of our U.S. dollar against the world … It’s all coming down fast right now.” Robert Kiyosaki on De-Dollarization on ‘Massive Scale’ The author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, is back with more dire predictions about the U.S. economy, the dollar, and global economic chaos. Rich Dad Poor Dad is a 1997 book co-authored by Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. It has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for over six years. Over 32 million copies of the book have been sold in over 51 languages across more than 109 countries. During his Rich Dad radio show, which aired last week, Kiyosaki discussed de-dollarization with Andy Schectman, CEO of Miles Franklin Precious Metals Investments. Schectman began by highlighting recent events that led to what he described as “de-...

The world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, has lifted certain restrictions on Russian users, local crypto media unveiled. According to multiple reports, Russians can once again use their bank cards to make deposits and the trading platform has canceled a limit on their balances which was introduced in compliance with European sanctions. Russian Cards, Including Visa and Mastercard, Used to Load Binance Accounts Holders of Russian bank cards can now deposit money to Binance, the global leader among cryptocurrency exchanges. According to the Russian news outlet Kod Durova, deposits can be made not only with Russia’s own Mir cards but also with Visa and Mastercard issued by Russian banks. The report shows that Binance accounts can be loaded through the Russian payment service Qiwi by selecting the ‘bank card’ option. Russian ruble, British pound, Turkish lira, and euro are among the available fiat currencies while the U.S. dollar is not supported. In March 2022, Binance halted tra...

A top Russian official has urged all countries to make efforts to ensure that the “threat of global confrontation, of a hot, full-scale World War III” does not materialize. “World tensions are white-hot indeed,” he warned. Russian Official: Full-Scale World War III Should Not Materialize The deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, urged all countries to make efforts to avoid the outbreak of a new, full-scale global conflict Tuesday while addressing participants in the Znanie (Knowledge) educational marathon. “I cannot say what the last straw, what the trigger may be. But it may happen at some point,” he was quoted by Russian news outlet Tass as saying. The official emphasized: We all need to work to ensure that this threat of global confrontation, of a hot, full-scale World War III should not materialize. Commenting on the current conflict between Russia and Western countries, he stressed that Russia has no desire to see a war break out. However, he said...

Former White House economist Joseph Sullivan has warned that a BRICS currency would erode the U.S. dollar’s dominance. If member nations use only a common BRICS currency for international trade, “they would remove an impediment that now thwarts their efforts to escape dollar hegemony,” he described. Former White House Economic Advisor on BRICS Currency and U.S. Dollar’s Reserve Currency Status A former White House economic advisor, Joseph Sullivan, discussed de-dollarization and the potential impacts of a BRICS currency on the USD in an opinion piece published by Foreign Policy Monday. The BRICS nations are Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Sullivan was a special advisor and staff economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers during the Trump administration. He is currently a senior advisor at the Lindsey Group, an economic advisory firm. Referring to the hypothetical BRICS currency as “the bric,” he warned: If the BRICS used only the bric for internati...

Fabio Panetta, a member of the executive board of the European Central Bank (ECB), announced the digital euro project was entering its final phase. Before the committee on economic and monetary affairs of the European Parliament, Panetta stated that the digital euro, if approved, would be focused on making payments easier for Europeans. ECB’s Panetta Explains Digital Euro Payment Focus Fabio Panetta, a member of the executive board of the European Central Bank, announced that the digital euro project, an initiative that seeks to digitize Europe’s fiat currency, was reaching its final stages of research, and stated that one of the first goals of the project is to establish it as a universal payment method. In an introductory statement given on April 24 before the committee on economic and monetary affairs of the European Parliament, Panetta explained that there was no single digital means of payment across the European Union. Panetta stated : We have been investigating the technic...

European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde has warned that the U.S. dollar’s reserve currency status “should no longer be taken for granted.” Acknowledging de-dollarization efforts by various countries, she stressed: “New trade patterns may have ramifications for payments and international currency reserves.” ECB’s Christine Lagarde on De-Dollarization and Alternative Currencies The president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde, shared her thoughts on the de-dollarization trend happening across the globe in an interview with the Council on Foreign Relations last week. Noting that the U.S. dollar has become “the international, the global reserve, and the transaction currency” with the euro in second place, she warned that “new trade patterns may have ramifications for payments and international currency reserves.” The ECB president continued: “In recent decades, China has already increased over 130-fold its bilateral trade in goods with emerging mark...

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned that the U.S. defaulting on its debt obligations could lead to a global financial meltdown. “If Congress keeps flirting with default, calls for dethroning the dollar as the world’s reserve currency will grow much louder,” she stressed. Hillary Clinton on U.S. Debt Default and Dollar Losing World’s Reserve Currency Status Hillary Clinton, a former first lady and the U.S. Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013, warned in an opinion piece, published by the New York Times Monday, about the disastrous outcomes that could result from the U.S. defaulting on its debt obligations, including the risk of the dollar losing its status as the world’s reserve currency. “The debt ceiling debate is not about authorizing new spending. It’s about Congress paying debts it has already incurred. Refusing to pay would be like skipping out on your mortgage, except with global consequences,” Clinton described, warning: Because of the central role ...

Economist Peter Schiff has warned that the U.S. will default on its debt obligations. He further stressed: “All the bad stuff that they’re saying is going to happen if we don’t raise the debt ceiling is guaranteed to happen because we do raise the debt ceiling.” Peter Schiff on U.S. Debt Default Economist and gold bug Peter Schiff warned Monday on the Peter Schiff Show podcast that the United States will default on its debt obligations and that raising the debt ceiling will have devastating consequences. Commenting on politicians claiming that the U.S. debt ceiling must be raised “because we pay our bills,” the economist argued: “We never pay our bills … We have $31.7 trillion in debt. That’s $31.7 trillion of bills that we have not paid. We didn’t pay them. We borrowed the money. And we want to keep on borrowing the money. Nobody wants to pay any of these bills.” Schiff cautioned: It’s only a question of time. It’s not a question of if. It’s just a question of when. We will defa...

Indonesia is following the BRICS’ lead in de-dollarization and shifting away from the U.S. dollar in trade settlements and financial transactions, according to the country’s central bank governor. The BRICS nations are working on creating a common currency to reduce their USD reliance. Indonesia’s De-Dollarization Efforts Bank of Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo said Friday that Jakarta is following the lead of the BRICS bloc to shift away from using the U.S. dollar in trade and financial transactions, Sindonews reported Friday. The BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) have been ramping up de-dollarization efforts to use local currencies in international trade and reduce their dependence on the USD. They are also working on establishing a new currency . Speaking at a press conference following this month’s board of governors meeting, the central bank chief confirmed that Indonesia has implemented the local currency trade (LCT) system. He was quoted as sayi...