Third party risks
Economists have repeatedly claimed that fiat money is not backed by anything other than a country’s public debt. If a debtor fails to fulfill its obligations (including bankruptcies of companies, banks, or separate countries), money vanishes for good. Any investors keeping their assets in the current monetary system are constantly at risk of losing their capital. As for gold, it carries minimal risks, experts say. Holding assets in precious metals (gold coins or bars) protects investors from third party risks.
Devaluation of paper money
Since the 1970s, central banks have been printing enormous amounts of cash. Analysts notice that the running currency printing machine almost never stops. Some governments use additional funds to wage wars, keep costly campaign promises, subsidize unprofitable economic sectors, bail out banks, and tackle crises. All this leads to currency depreciation, while the price of gold actively grows at this time. As a result, fiat money is devalued. Notably, popular precious metals such as gold and silver retain their purchasing power for decades. According to the results of a survey, demand for gold has peaked over the last three years.
Debt crisis risks
Experts reckon that the existing debt-based paper money system has shaky grounds. In fact, low interest rates and the official inflation rate cannot improve the situation. It is believed that a combination of factors such as effects of compounding interest and a sharp increase in private and public debt will crash the financial system. Yet, gold is safe from such risks. By investing in precious metals, investors can protect their assets at the time of a crisis.
Current monetary policy of central banks
These days, world’s leading regulators pursue a zero interest-rate policy and encourage a gradual expropriation of depositors. Notably, bank clients lose part of their deposit funds due to negative interest rates. In cases like that the importance of gold is difficult to overestimate. Keeping your assets in precious metals can guarantee you a long-term profit.
Portability of gold bullions
Gold’s biggest advantage is its high portability. The size of gold bullions is small enough, and they are easy to store. Interestingly, a €10K worth gold bar fits into a matchbox. The precious metal is easy to transport in case of a financial crisis. Analysts consider gold a liquid asset and a universal form of payment in any country. Long-term investments in gold are the most reliable.
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