In this episode of Gold Rush Hour, we break down how gold and silver protect your wealth during economic resets and currency collapses. Fiat currency experiments eventually fail, and as inflation surges and national debt grows, more people are turning to gold for true financial security. 💬 Leave your questions in the comments! We love hearing from you and answering your questions in future episodes.

Cashless by Design

In 2015, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released a report titled “The Macroeconomics of De-Cashing,” laying out a strategy to eliminate cash from the economy. Step one? Push retailers and private businesses to stop accepting cash. That way, it doesn’t feel like a government mandate—just a natural evolution.

But make no mistake: it’s a strategic move to eliminate your financial freedom. Cash is privacy. It’s autonomy. When it disappears, so does your last defense against economic coercion.

Why Go Cashless? The Endgame Is CBDCs

A fully cashless society sets the stage for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). These are not cryptocurrencies. CBDCs are government-issued, programmable digital money. And once implemented, they enable something no physical dollar ever could: total control.

With CBDCs, central banks can impose negative interest rates without resistance. Imagine your savings account shrinking by 10% simply because you chose to save instead of spend. With physical cash, you can withdraw and protect your wealth. In a cashless CBDC world, that option vanishes.

Even more concerning is the programmable nature of CBDCs. Authorities could dictate where, when, and how you spend your money. Excess savings? You might only be allowed to invest it in certain markets. Want to buy gold or silver? That transaction could be blocked.

Taylor Kenney and the team at ITM Trading see this as a direct threat to individual financial sovereignty. As Taylor explained, “Once CBDCs are in place, future generations will look back and say: that was the moment humanity lost control to central planners.”

The Disappearing Escape Routes

What happens when all escape routes are blocked? Historically, people have turned to tangible assets like gold and silver during times of economic upheaval. But even those avenues may soon be under threat.

As CBDCs gain traction, we could see restrictions on purchasing precious metals. We’ve already seen discussions about regulating digital gold, and bullion could be next. The last line of defense? Pre-1933 gold coins. These historically rare and collectible coins were exempt from previous confiscations and remain one of the most protected forms of gold ownership.

Basel III and Gold Revaluation

Amid all this, another tectonic shift is underway: Basel III regulations. These international banking standards propose reclassifying gold as a Tier 1 asset, allowing banks to count it at 100% of its value. Currently, gold is treated as a riskier Tier 3 asset, which is both irrational and revealing.

Why are central banks accumulating record levels of gold if it’s considered risky? Because they know what’s coming. Basel III would incentivize banks to hold gold, indicating a systemic revaluation may be in motion. Whether officially declared or naturally occurring, the shift puts gold back at the center of the monetary system.

What You Can Do

While you can’t stop governments from launching CBDCs or financial institutions from going cashless, you can prepare. The team at ITM Trading offers tailored strategies to help clients build portfolios that withstand economic shocks and systemic overreach.

If you’re concerned about:

• Losing financial privacy
• The impact of negative interest rates
• Access to gold and silver in a CBDC world

…then now is the time to act. Pre-1933 gold coins, strategic portfolio diversification, and historical precedent are your best tools.

ITM Trading has spent nearly 30 years guiding individuals through economic uncertainty with a focus on education and personalized planning. Our experts can help you understand your options and create a strategy designed to protect your wealth.

Final Thoughts

The push to go cashless by design isn’t about efficiency or innovation. It’s about power. And with CBDCs looming on the horizon, every citizen needs to decide: comply quietly, or prepare strategically.

Watch what central banks are doing. Buy what they buy. Hedge like your retirement depends on it.

Call us today or click HERE to schedule a free consultation.

Download your Gold and Silver Guide now—it’s completely free and a powerful first step toward protecting your wealth.

Because in the end, it won’t be about what you believe is happening. It will be about whether you were prepared.