A topic which keeps on cropping up is that the US Government might confiscate its citizens’ gold. This article discusses the likelihood and practical difficulties behind such a move.
I understand that in the U.S. most bullion was lost in unfortunate boating accidents or misplaced during mid-night gardening activities. Also, having a 2A and being rather well armed, the order for confiscation may be answered with a .223 hailstorm. More concerned here in the EU where the Soviet in Brussels doesn't feel as much resistance since we Germans are trained to obey. Disclaimer: Unfortunate boating accidents to happen on Lake Constance as well, between Friedrichshafen and Romanshorn - the deepest part of the lake. Will law and Tier One asset status protect holders of physical metal in Europe or will they find a terrorist in anybody holding physical? There is always Switzerland, Turkiye or Singapore as a safe storage place. Let's make Silver a monetary metal again!
TEXAS DID…GOLD/SILVER PHYSICAL LEAGAL TENDER….TEXAS STATE DEPOSITORY. HAD TO DIG UP MY POND …CALICHE SOIL…ROCK/CLAY. WE GOT 556 HAIL AND THIS RADAR MICROWAVE TECH ZAPPING EVERYONES BRAIN….GOOD LUCK OUT THERE. GRATEFUL FOR YOU. ……GRANNY T ….HOLOCAUST ONGOING 2025
Simply horrific for the U.S. as the World begins to use an alternative currency. China, BRICS, ASEAN, and the Global South have lost complete trust in the United States. And, once gone, it is almost impossible to get it back. Going to be truly ugly as the US$ continues its decline and the U.S. has nothing to prop up its currency and finances. When the credit bubbles explores........hard to imagine what is going to occur.
The biggest export the USA has is the US dollar. Therefore it will hopefully make sense for them to protect the position of the dollar as the global reserve currency.
Unfortunately, the USA is also debasing the dollar and according to many commentators the next move from the Federal reserve is likely to be yet another round of Quantative Easing, particularly now the J. Powell has said the Fed will cease quantative tightening on December 1st, this year.
My guess is that foreigners will now back up not just one truck but whole fleets of them and load them with gold, silver and other assets outside of the paper system. Maybe even divest themselves of other investments in the US financial system.
We live in interesting times. And as the crisis unfolds god alone knows what the outcome will be.
The Chinese word for "Crisis" (危机 - wēijī)
In Western popular culture, the word for crisis is often cited as combining the characters for "danger" and "opportunity.
Not speaking for Alasdair, but the EU countries (and the US too) could always make gold ownership illegal if they wanted the CBs to hold almost all the country's gold to back up their new or old currencies as their existing one's viability approaches zero. That's something that I think could well transpire, though very difficult to enforce, which is probably why in the US in 1933 possession was only made illegal for quantities over $100 value (approx. $2,500 today). However, the govts would have to give the going price in the new currencies (or due compensation) to avoid being guilty of blatant theft. Some very powerful people and elites with degrees of influence on government members hold gold.
The history and laws regarding any bans on gold ownership in the specific country would need to be checked. New legal action is usually based on past legal precedents. However, if the public does not oppose or restrain government actions, governments can introduce whatever laws they deem necessary for whatever purpose. This is why the public must always be awake and ensure that the government is fulfilling the will of the people, which is the government's mandate as the public's servant.
In the 1930's many households had gold coins, some bars as that was used as currency by some individuals. Today virtually no households have any significant gold coins etc except for occasional stackers. My point is the government would spend an awful lot of effort for very little return!
And let's not forget that about 5 American states have made gold and silver legal tender with about 6 more states to join the ranks. Any attempt to confiscate could trigger a revolution of states seceding from the union.
There is a very real and underappreciated risk that the EU—faced with systemic debt crises, capital flight, and declining investor confidence—could resort to gold confiscation or restrictions on private ownership as a means of controlling capital outflows. When fiat systems reach the limits of credibility, governments historically turn to coercion. Gold represents the ultimate form of independent wealth—outside the banking system, beyond central control, and immune to digital surveillance. For a technocratic bloc like the EU, built on regulatory dominance and capital controls, gold is a threat to monetary sovereignty. Should financial fragmentation accelerate or the euro face existential stress, measures such as forced gold “repatriation,” heavy taxation on private trades, or outright bans could easily be justified under “emergency stability” legislation.
This is precisely why diversification—both geographically and jurisdictionally—is essential for anyone holding physical metal within EU borders. History shows that when governments lose control of confidence, they seek control of the people’s gold.
Just don't store your gold in Australia, given Part IV of the Banking Act 1959 (Cwth).
I agree with Alasdair that politicians can be pretty stupid but it would only require a little panic in Canberra for a future government to recommend to the Governor General to enact those currently dormant provisions with the stroke of a pen.
It might be worth looking up how drastic those conditions are, including forcing all gold to be delivered to the Reserve Bank of Australia which would then have a monopoly on production and supply. All to supposedly protect the good credit of the Commonwealth and the big banks.
Given the currently ludicrous extent of Aussie residential property debt and the government guarantee on the first $250k of every bank depositor, I'm not sure that credit should ever be classed as 'good'.
Note also that the Act is constantly amended but those provisions have never been repealed.
If I had gold I would invoke the 2nd Amendment on any government thug sent out to take it. That would be pure self defense against assault and tyranny. Thomas Jefferson would defend me in court.
I enjoy your reports together your work on social media informing so many in the process providing an education, par excellence….
Given the rehypothecation of gold reserves, accentuated the carry trade of the 1980’s, 90’s I really hope that these conniving, thieving stinking banks get their come uppance, that the shorts they carry implode due an increasing real gold price and that the paper market completely crashes taking down with it the smart arses who dreamt up the “fail safe” carry “easy money for shit” trade they indulged and have been since…
Further given the extraordinary scale of the derivatives metals market, the short trading and outright manipulation of the metals markets across both sides of the Atlantic I cannot wait to see the entire edifice bought down… falling eventually because of their outright greed and avarice, predicat3d a laissez faire care free attitude that the good ole times will keep rolling forever built upon the back of the mighty dollar, well, thankfully we have equally stupid political elites both elected and unelected to thank for the dire circumstances these fools find themselves confronting as the paper market is imploding due so many be they Central Bankers, HNWI’s, family Trusts, individuals from Belgian Dentists, to housewives in Japan, China, India and throughout Asia predominantly all understanding the true value of an asset with no counter party risk… the metals gold and silver, they together the scores around the globe now aware that their governments have lied, sold them economic falsehoods are now the reason the paper owners and Bullion Banks dealers now undoubtedly find themselves afflicted with massive doses and bouts of sphincter twitch and sweating….
Hopefully such affliction becomes an itch unable to be scratched with rivers of sweat resulting caus8ng these smartarses to present with trousers perennially wet…. a tell tale sign and giveaway as to who and what they’ve become… crooks, frauds, liars and cheats… cannot wait for the first of the many bullion banks to fall, its scandalous they’ve gotten away with such criminal behaviour save the wet bus ticket slap on the wrist fines comparative the undoubted billions in profits made manipulating the metals markets, always the first to cry foul when others try it (recall the Hunt bros attempt and outcome together others who have endeavoured to corner metals) contrasted as noted the nothing burger punishment handed down the real thieves and crooks… bring it on, to those who believe in the sanctity of real money, physically held, keep buying the metals, in the process causing the shorts to continue to suffer intolerable stress… serves them all right, hope they lose it all, go out of business, simply put, anyone involved in this charade ought never be allowed a licence or desk to trade from ever again, ditto the executives and directors of those institutions so engaged in this manipulation… yep, bring it on I say.. grab your popcorn this show I sense has only just started…. It’s going to in my view get a lot more exciting before the fat lady sings the final note… just saying
Another masterful explanation by the world’s top educator for the general public. Alasdair carefully pulls back all the layers to gold confiscation, the problems to doing so, and the likely horrible consequences. Nevertheless, is it not in everyone’s interest (except those in government itself) to know the truth? The longer the current situation continues the worse the outcome, I think. I’d like to hear Alasdair’s thoughts on a full, thorough, and independent audit of America’s gold holdings for itself and gold holdings earmarked for foreign central banks.
I understand that in the U.S. most bullion was lost in unfortunate boating accidents or misplaced during mid-night gardening activities. Also, having a 2A and being rather well armed, the order for confiscation may be answered with a .223 hailstorm. More concerned here in the EU where the Soviet in Brussels doesn't feel as much resistance since we Germans are trained to obey. Disclaimer: Unfortunate boating accidents to happen on Lake Constance as well, between Friedrichshafen and Romanshorn - the deepest part of the lake. Will law and Tier One asset status protect holders of physical metal in Europe or will they find a terrorist in anybody holding physical? There is always Switzerland, Turkiye or Singapore as a safe storage place. Let's make Silver a monetary metal again!
TEXAS DID…GOLD/SILVER PHYSICAL LEAGAL TENDER….TEXAS STATE DEPOSITORY. HAD TO DIG UP MY POND …CALICHE SOIL…ROCK/CLAY. WE GOT 556 HAIL AND THIS RADAR MICROWAVE TECH ZAPPING EVERYONES BRAIN….GOOD LUCK OUT THERE. GRATEFUL FOR YOU. ……GRANNY T ….HOLOCAUST ONGOING 2025
Simply horrific for the U.S. as the World begins to use an alternative currency. China, BRICS, ASEAN, and the Global South have lost complete trust in the United States. And, once gone, it is almost impossible to get it back. Going to be truly ugly as the US$ continues its decline and the U.S. has nothing to prop up its currency and finances. When the credit bubbles explores........hard to imagine what is going to occur.
👍
Alasdair is the smartest guy in the room. Thank you for sharing your invaluable content.
The biggest export the USA has is the US dollar. Therefore it will hopefully make sense for them to protect the position of the dollar as the global reserve currency.
Unfortunately, the USA is also debasing the dollar and according to many commentators the next move from the Federal reserve is likely to be yet another round of Quantative Easing, particularly now the J. Powell has said the Fed will cease quantative tightening on December 1st, this year.
My guess is that foreigners will now back up not just one truck but whole fleets of them and load them with gold, silver and other assets outside of the paper system. Maybe even divest themselves of other investments in the US financial system.
We live in interesting times. And as the crisis unfolds god alone knows what the outcome will be.
The Chinese word for "Crisis" (危机 - wēijī)
In Western popular culture, the word for crisis is often cited as combining the characters for "danger" and "opportunity.
Keep stacking and preferably, offshore.
obviously Trump could decide to do absolutely anything...so bury your bullion
If I may ask you Sir.. What about western European countries on the same issue?
Not speaking for Alasdair, but the EU countries (and the US too) could always make gold ownership illegal if they wanted the CBs to hold almost all the country's gold to back up their new or old currencies as their existing one's viability approaches zero. That's something that I think could well transpire, though very difficult to enforce, which is probably why in the US in 1933 possession was only made illegal for quantities over $100 value (approx. $2,500 today). However, the govts would have to give the going price in the new currencies (or due compensation) to avoid being guilty of blatant theft. Some very powerful people and elites with degrees of influence on government members hold gold.
The history and laws regarding any bans on gold ownership in the specific country would need to be checked. New legal action is usually based on past legal precedents. However, if the public does not oppose or restrain government actions, governments can introduce whatever laws they deem necessary for whatever purpose. This is why the public must always be awake and ensure that the government is fulfilling the will of the people, which is the government's mandate as the public's servant.
Good one! Thank you, Alasdir.
Oops, cold fingers. Thank you, Alasdair.
In the 1930's many households had gold coins, some bars as that was used as currency by some individuals. Today virtually no households have any significant gold coins etc except for occasional stackers. My point is the government would spend an awful lot of effort for very little return!
PS
Alasdair, thanks for all!
And let's not forget that about 5 American states have made gold and silver legal tender with about 6 more states to join the ranks. Any attempt to confiscate could trigger a revolution of states seceding from the union.
Good point Ronald ... and Texas is leaving anyways, come hell or high water 😜
There is a very real and underappreciated risk that the EU—faced with systemic debt crises, capital flight, and declining investor confidence—could resort to gold confiscation or restrictions on private ownership as a means of controlling capital outflows. When fiat systems reach the limits of credibility, governments historically turn to coercion. Gold represents the ultimate form of independent wealth—outside the banking system, beyond central control, and immune to digital surveillance. For a technocratic bloc like the EU, built on regulatory dominance and capital controls, gold is a threat to monetary sovereignty. Should financial fragmentation accelerate or the euro face existential stress, measures such as forced gold “repatriation,” heavy taxation on private trades, or outright bans could easily be justified under “emergency stability” legislation.
This is precisely why diversification—both geographically and jurisdictionally—is essential for anyone holding physical metal within EU borders. History shows that when governments lose control of confidence, they seek control of the people’s gold.
Just don't store your gold in Australia, given Part IV of the Banking Act 1959 (Cwth).
I agree with Alasdair that politicians can be pretty stupid but it would only require a little panic in Canberra for a future government to recommend to the Governor General to enact those currently dormant provisions with the stroke of a pen.
It might be worth looking up how drastic those conditions are, including forcing all gold to be delivered to the Reserve Bank of Australia which would then have a monopoly on production and supply. All to supposedly protect the good credit of the Commonwealth and the big banks.
Given the currently ludicrous extent of Aussie residential property debt and the government guarantee on the first $250k of every bank depositor, I'm not sure that credit should ever be classed as 'good'.
Note also that the Act is constantly amended but those provisions have never been repealed.
Thank you for finally addressing this important topic!!
If I had gold I would invoke the 2nd Amendment on any government thug sent out to take it. That would be pure self defense against assault and tyranny. Thomas Jefferson would defend me in court.
Thank you Alisdair,
I enjoy your reports together your work on social media informing so many in the process providing an education, par excellence….
Given the rehypothecation of gold reserves, accentuated the carry trade of the 1980’s, 90’s I really hope that these conniving, thieving stinking banks get their come uppance, that the shorts they carry implode due an increasing real gold price and that the paper market completely crashes taking down with it the smart arses who dreamt up the “fail safe” carry “easy money for shit” trade they indulged and have been since…
Further given the extraordinary scale of the derivatives metals market, the short trading and outright manipulation of the metals markets across both sides of the Atlantic I cannot wait to see the entire edifice bought down… falling eventually because of their outright greed and avarice, predicat3d a laissez faire care free attitude that the good ole times will keep rolling forever built upon the back of the mighty dollar, well, thankfully we have equally stupid political elites both elected and unelected to thank for the dire circumstances these fools find themselves confronting as the paper market is imploding due so many be they Central Bankers, HNWI’s, family Trusts, individuals from Belgian Dentists, to housewives in Japan, China, India and throughout Asia predominantly all understanding the true value of an asset with no counter party risk… the metals gold and silver, they together the scores around the globe now aware that their governments have lied, sold them economic falsehoods are now the reason the paper owners and Bullion Banks dealers now undoubtedly find themselves afflicted with massive doses and bouts of sphincter twitch and sweating….
Hopefully such affliction becomes an itch unable to be scratched with rivers of sweat resulting caus8ng these smartarses to present with trousers perennially wet…. a tell tale sign and giveaway as to who and what they’ve become… crooks, frauds, liars and cheats… cannot wait for the first of the many bullion banks to fall, its scandalous they’ve gotten away with such criminal behaviour save the wet bus ticket slap on the wrist fines comparative the undoubted billions in profits made manipulating the metals markets, always the first to cry foul when others try it (recall the Hunt bros attempt and outcome together others who have endeavoured to corner metals) contrasted as noted the nothing burger punishment handed down the real thieves and crooks… bring it on, to those who believe in the sanctity of real money, physically held, keep buying the metals, in the process causing the shorts to continue to suffer intolerable stress… serves them all right, hope they lose it all, go out of business, simply put, anyone involved in this charade ought never be allowed a licence or desk to trade from ever again, ditto the executives and directors of those institutions so engaged in this manipulation… yep, bring it on I say.. grab your popcorn this show I sense has only just started…. It’s going to in my view get a lot more exciting before the fat lady sings the final note… just saying
Kia Kaha (stay strong) from New Zealand
Was there something not written into the Genius act just signed off on that might require a mandatory buy back ?
Another masterful explanation by the world’s top educator for the general public. Alasdair carefully pulls back all the layers to gold confiscation, the problems to doing so, and the likely horrible consequences. Nevertheless, is it not in everyone’s interest (except those in government itself) to know the truth? The longer the current situation continues the worse the outcome, I think. I’d like to hear Alasdair’s thoughts on a full, thorough, and independent audit of America’s gold holdings for itself and gold holdings earmarked for foreign central banks.