Some financial commentators have speculated that bitcoin and other virtual currencies have captured a portion of funds that would have been invested in gold. I find it a bit ironic that people who invest in precious metals would even consider another fiat currency.

These moves were the first serious interruption to the bull market, which had not encountered a serious decline since the election of November, 2016. Since general market moves have been one of the most reliable historic indicators of precious metals market moves, we take a close look at these developments.

We have heard much “tough talk” through the years regarding reining in the regulatory excesses of government agencies in the past, but little action has followed those words. Perhaps we will finally see a genuine move away from excessive regulation.