Peter's Blog

Russia Considering Gold Tax Repeal That Could Significantly Boost Demand

Russia is considering eliminating its value-added tax (VAT) on gold purchases. According to a Russian paper, this could increase gold demand in the country by 50 to 100 tons per year. Russia currently charges a 20% tax on all gold bar purchases, and investors do not get the tax back when they sell their gold. 

Moscow Exchange Chief Pitches Alternative to US Dollar Investments — Gold

During a speech at the lower house of the Russian parliament, the CEO of the country’s key trading floor suggested Russian investors should replace investments they’ve made in dollars with gold. “Let’s offer an alternative to the US dollar in the form of Russian gold, which we produce… investment gold,” Moscow Exchange (MOEX) CEO Alexander […]

China Officially Adds to Gold Reserves as It Shifts Away from the US Dollar

China officially added gold to its reserves last month for the first time in two years. Meanwhile, the Chinese have been shrinking their holdings of US Treasuries. According to the Nikkei Asian Review, the moves are intended to reduce dependence on the US dollar. According to data released by the People’s Bank of China, the […]

Russia Continues to Add Gold to Its Reserves; Seeks to Minimize Dollar Exposure

Russia added another 36.6 tons of gold to its reserves in November, according to the latest data released by the World Gold Council. This follows on the heels of a 29.9-ton increase to its hoard in October and a 37.8-ton increase in September.

Russian Alternative to SWIFT Dollar System Growing; Could Expand to Other Countries

The Russians have an alternative money transfer system up and running, and according to a report in RT, it has now surpassed SWIFT in popularity in that country. This is part of a broader effort by countries like Russia and China to limit their dependence on the US dollar and set up alternative financial channels outside of […]

Dollar Worries Spur Central Banks to Buy Gold

For the last 10 years, central banks have been on a gold-buying spree. At least some of them have. On net, central banks globally added 193.3 tons of gold during the first half of 2018, according to World Gold Council data. That represents an 8% increase over 2017. The last time we saw this kind of […]

Russian Lawmaker Calls for Creation of Gold-Backed Cryptocurrency to Circumvent Sanctions

A Russian lawmaker has suggested his country should develop a gold-backed cryptocurrency for payment of arms exports and other goods as a way to circumvent Western sanctions and limit his country’s dependence on the dollar-based global banking system. Vladimir Gutenev serves as first deputy head of the economic policy committee at the State Duma – […]

German Foreign Minister Pushing for De-Dollarization of World Payment System

Over the last couple of years, we’ve been reporting on efforts to remove the US dollar from its throne as the world reserve currency. We’ve primarily seen moves toward de-dollarization from countries like China and Russia, and other nations within their orbits. It’s easy for Americans to dismiss efforts to undermine the dollar as desperate moves […]

Russia Buys Even More Gold in July in Its Quest to Limit Dependence on the Dollar

Russia has added to its gold reserves every month since March 2015. That trend didn’t end in July. In fact, the Russians ramped up their gold purchases even more last month in the face of US economic sanctions. The Russian central bank added 26.1 tons of gold to its hoard in July, according to International […]

Greenbacks and Gold: SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap 06.22.18

The SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap podcast combines a succinct summary of the week’s precious metals news coupled with thoughtful analysis. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.