Posted originally on CTH on June 9, 2025 | Sundance
Tucker Carlson traveled to France in order to interview Telegram Founder and CEO Pavel Durov who remains in French detention as he awaits the judicial system to release him. Telegram is used as a messaging ap by over a billion users worldwide. Pavel Durov was accused of noncompliance with EU judicial demands and arrested during a holiday last year. He remains under quasi-detention confinement.
Many people have increasingly expressed annoyance at the change in Tucker Carlson’s interview style. The increased interruptions, wandering rambling that takes the point off subject, inappropriate -borderline annoying- laughter at the wrong moments, and increasing Hannityesque behavior has been a sidebar topic of conversation. However, this is the first interview in which I can say these distracting interview traits have become unbearable.
I really wanted to hear from Durov, but I could not survive the inappropriate timing of the interruptions, and increasingly odd mannerisms from Mr Carlson. From a mental strength, stability and intellectual perspective, Carlson is way over his head trying to interview Durov. Perhaps that explains the performative and seemingly odd behavior of Tucker in this interview. It gets worse as it progresses. See for yourself. WATCH:
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Pavel Durov is a very deliberate man with an exceptionally stable disposition. He is one of the most important people in the world of information, communication and the free exchange of ideas. Yeah, I’m a little frustrated with this missed opportunity to go into important considerations in the world of information sharing.
Chapters: 0:00 Being Arrested in France 10:57 France’s Attempt to Humiliate and Tarnish Durov 15:54 Did the Russian Government Ever Try to Arrest Durov? 17:21 How Telegram Makes Money 20:04 Are They Attacking Durov Because He’s Russian? 21:19 Did Anyone Defend Durov? 24:23 What Did Durov Do in Jail? 25:17 Is Durov Allowed to Leave France? 30:37 The Real Reason They’re Attacking Durov 31:56 Europe’s Mission to Make Privacy Illegal 39:20 France’s Confiscation of Durov’s Phone 40:47 The Investigation Into Durov 56:52 How Telegram Stays Neutral in Global Politics 58:44 The Advancements of Encryption Technology 1:00:47 Is There Anything That Can Prevent a Government From Spying on You? 1:02:42 The Importance of Disconnecting 1:04:40 Durov’s Thoughts on Ross Ulbricht 1:06:54 Will Durov Stay in France After the Investigation?
Posted originally on Jun 5, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
This is the first installment for our Institutional Clients concerning the two countries at the greatest risk of DEFAULT – Japan and Germany. We have provided the forecast for Japan’s default and explained in detail the internal battle between the Government, the Bank of Japan, and the Private Sector. This report exposes the truth about who holds what and the threat to instability as Japan also tries to cozy up close to NATO as a diversion for its fiscal mismanagement.
Investors have long fretted about the sustainability of Japan’s government debt as other nations, including Germany, are facing unsustainable fiscal mismanagement across the developed world. Japan has garnered the most attention due to its highest debt load relative to economic output and the heaviest debt-service burden. At the same time, the excuse has been that they are mostly self-funded, and as such, appearances are deceptive. Still, all Western nations are on a collision course with a sovereign debt crisis that will bring them all crashing down when the line at the door stops buying the new debt to roll over the old.
Japan’s fiscal mismanagement is not significantly worse than that of others. The pandemic, climate change, sluggish growth, and financial crises, accompanied by a lack of confidence, have led to an increase in government debt for many wealthy countries. At more than 250% of GDP, Japan’s gross debt stands out. Combined with sluggish growth and a shrinking population, many financiers and economists see it as an existential risk. The real question this report addresses is the real story behind the curtain, and when does this come to a head?
Posted originally on Jun 4, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
Holding a 400 oz Gold Bar – Central Bank Standard
QUESTION: Hello Martin – Here in Canada, we have a vexing question – why no Gold Reserves at BofC? USA has a date with destiny aka Ft Knox Audit that Trump and Bessent seemed engaged on this file but are preoccupied lately with a litany of distractions, I’m 74 with health issues surfacing, which rearrange one’s priorities – many millions of Boomers in same boat – but that’s the price you knew was coming
jw
ANSWER: Canada’s lack of significant gold reserves is the result of a deliberate policy decision spanning several decades, primarily driven by the following reasons:
Opportunity Cost: Gold pays no interest or dividends. The Bank of Canada (BoC) decided it could achieve better returns by holding interest-bearing assets like foreign government bonds (US Treasuries, German Bunds, etc.) and deposits.
The Shift to More Liquid Assets: The BoC prioritized holding foreign exchange reserves (primarily US dollars, euros, yen, etc.), which are highly liquid and easily used for direct intervention in currency markets to stabilize the Canadian dollar (CAD).
Canada began the process of gradually selling off its gold in the 1980s, when gold rallied to $875 on January 21, 1980, and then began a 19-year decline to $250. Canada significantly accelerated its gold sales during the 1990s and early 2000s under the leadership of Finance Minister Paul Martin and Governor Gordon Thiessen, aiming to optimize reserve asset management. By 2016, Canada sold its last significant holdings. As of today, Canada’s official gold reserves are reported as zero tonnes (or negligible amounts – e.g., 77 ounces reported in 2022, worth a trivial sum relative to total reserves). In essence, Canada decided that the costs and lack of yield associated with holding large gold reserves outweighed the traditional benefits. They opted instead to hold foreign currencies and bonds that are easier to use for market intervention and generate income, relying on the strength of the Canadian economy itself to support the value of its currency.
Gordon Brown, as Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer (1997-2007), authorized the sale of a very significant portion (roughly half) of the UK’s gold reserves. He was a member of the Labour Party, which viewed gold as a rich man’s toy. He sold approximately 395 tonnes of gold. The sales took place between July 1999 and March 2002. This represented about 58% of the UK’s total gold reserves at the time (which were around 715 tonnes before the sales). After the sales, the UK’s reserves stood at about 310 tonnes, where they remain today. The sales occurred during a period when the gold price was near a 20-year low, averaging around $275 per ounce. Shortly after the sales concluded, the gold price began a historic bull run, rising dramatically over the next decade to peak over $1,900 per ounce in 2011. This timing led to massive criticism that the UK sold at the absolute bottom of the market, potentially losing billions of pounds in potential value. The period is often referred to as the “Brown Bottom” in financial circles. Brown was ignorant of how markets function. He announced in advance the strategy to sell its gold reserves, so the market held back, anticipating a greater supply. The proceeds were invested in foreign currency and government bonds. While these assets generated interest income, the capital appreciation of gold vastly outstripped the returns on those bonds over the following years.
The head of the Bank of Canada during the main phase of Canada’s gold reserve sell-off (mid-to-late 1990s) was Gordon Thiessen (born 1938). He served as Governor from February 1, 1994, to January 31, 2001. Thiessen spent his entire career within the Bank of Canada, joining in 1963. However, it was his predecessor, John Crow (1987-1994), who began reducing its gold reserves significantly in the 1980s. While the Bank of Canada managed the sales operationally, the ultimate decision to sell the gold rested with the Government of Canada (specifically, the Minister of Finance and the Department of Finance). The Bank acted as the government’s agent in this matter.
Posted originally on Jun 3, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
The United Kingdom admitted it “lost control” over its own national security and permitted the invasion of thousands of illegal migrants. Once the naval powerhouse of the world, the former British Empire has “lost” the ability to protect its own shores from the onslaught of migrants that have been pouring in since its leaders adopted open border policies. Men with little to no resources in canoes are suddenly overpowering the long-admired British fleet. In truth, the government has not “lost control,” as this is a calculated effort to reshape the UK.
Others are blaming France for not preventing migrants from launching from their shores. French police stopped 38% of migrants (8,347 people) attempting to reach the UK by boat this year. French authorities prevented 45% of new arrivals in 2024, and 47% in 2023. France is receiving €541 million over a three-year period from the UK government to prevent illegal crossings in the English Channel. France has hired hundreds of new law enforcement officers to patrol the waters, but the number of asylum seekers continues to rise.
Upon taking office, Sir Keir Starmer announced that the Rwanda plan was “dead” as he would not deport migrants to third nations. Labour has stated they are seeking a “calm and patient rebuilding” of migration policies and refuse to accept any large-scale deportation efforts. If you can make it to shore, you can likely stay. Starmer has said the UK is becoming an “island of strangers” but refuses to adopt any policies to curb the inflow.
The United Kingdom is experiencing a mass repopulation event. The former population is being replaced with both legal and illegal immigrants. Birth rates are plummeting, public debt is rising, and the government is openly permitting migrants to enter to maintain its public welfare state. Rather than fixing the issues that are causing the population to contract, the government is importing a new population. The British political elite, both Tory and Labour, have failed to grasp the historical implications of these shifts. It is not racist or xenophobic to observe patterns and hard truths. The core identity of the UK and other Build Back Better nations has been abandoned and replaced. They are not bringing in migrants for humanitarian purposes, and it would be a lie to think that the UK was completely unable to secure its border. If they can’t prevent a few thousand men on cheap boats from entering, how could they protect themselves in time of war? The government is allowing this to happen because it needs new taxpayers to replace the workers it failed to produce.
This is why conservative leaders are attempting to rebuild domestic manufacturing and providing incentives for women to have children. The global mainstream media is controlled by the left, and therefore, these nationalist values are painted as a form of hatred or superiority. Quite the contrary, as conservative leaders are attempting to save their nation’s culture and traditions by encouraging the success of their own population.
Globalism is directly tied to repopulation theory. “In the future, countries with aging populations may need migration to sustain their economies,” Bill Gates said, as he strongly believes that the world is overcrowded. “The world today has 6.8 billion people… that’s headed up to about 9 billion. If we do a really great job on new vaccines, health care, reproductive health services, we could lower that by perhaps 10 or 15 percent.”
Repopulation theory is more of a tactic than a theory. Hence, leaders like Starmer are ignoring warnings and standing idle as a demographic shift permanently alters their nation. As it stands, first-generation migrants will compose 25% of the UK’s population by 2035, according to the Centre for Migration Control, and the UK’s overall population will surge to 73 million. It may seem far off, but that is only a decade from now. All Build Back Better nations will be utterly unrecognizable thanks to repopulation tactics.
Posted originally on May 31, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
QUESTION: Marty, There seems to be a growing trend with States approving gold and silver coins as acceptable payment methods. You have always said that it would be coins and not bars. However Florida now states that the silver must be 99% pure. How will this affect the pre 65 constitutional coins like dimes, quarters and half dollars generally referred to a junk silver? Junk silver coins will of course be worth more if the price of silver increases however it appears that one may not be able to use them for any daily transactions. Would one be better off selling their junk silver and converting it to silver rounds immediately? What does Socrates or Socrates Jr think on this topic as it is certainly a new wrinkle. Thanks ! JimJ
ANSWER: I understand the act, and it only illustrates my point that when it comes to a silver bar, 99% of the people out there would NEVER know the difference between that and a bar of Nickel. That’s what I said; I prefer the pre-1965 silver coins because the average person can easily identify the date. They are ALREADY legal tender. So they are not demonetizing the silver coins.
The Roll of 20 – 2025 $1 American Silver Eagles are 99.9% silver. However, they are denominated as $1. This may be more confusing to the average smuck on the street. Personally, I have bags of silver coins, and I have a hoard of $20 gold coins that came from a central bank, which found them tucked away in the basement vault. They are all uncirculated 1924 Saints. This was a private offering.
Posted originally on May 30, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
Happening now: @GovRonDeSantis is in Apopka to sign HB 999 which “sets in motion #Florida’s full recognition of gold and silver as legal tender, giving Floridians the freedom to use precious metals for everyday transactions alongside traditional currency.”https://t.co/fRkQpDJE7Dpic.twitter.com/dOMajgwAsj
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared gold and silver legal tender. HB 999 maintains that these precious metals may be used in payments if they meet specific purity standards. The bill goes into effect on July 1, 2026, but many are confused as to what this will entail.
As stated in the legislation: “Legal Tender; Revising the sales and use tax exemption for certain coin or currency; specifying that a person who claims the sales tax exemption bears the burden for determining whether the gold coin or silver coin meets a specified definition; providing a presumption regarding the purity requirements of gold coin and silver coin, etc.”
“We are the first large state to step up and to get this done,” DeSantis said. “And this is right out of the Constitution of the United States. So this legislation will authorize money services business like check cashers or PayPal to transmit and accept payment in gold and silver.” State Rep. Bill Bankson sponsored the bill with the goal to “eliminate the tax burden and make it a functional means of transaction between willing parties.”
To begin, Florida is not the first state to declare gold and/or silver legal tender. Utah passed the Utah Legal Tender Act of 2011, which declared coins of either metal legal tender. Oklahoma passed Senate Bill 862 in 2014, recognizing U.S.-minted gold and silver coins as legal tender and exempting them from taxation. Kansas and West Virginia have similar policies. Texas has recognized these coins as legal tender and enacted legislation to protect them from state seizure. Wyoming treats gold and silver as currency and has exempted it from sales tax. South Carolina and Louisiana have similar policies.
Florida’s approach is a bit more structured. Gold coins must be at least 99.5% pure and silver coins at least 99.9% pure to qualify as legal tender. The weight and purity must be imprinted on the metal with the name or symbol of the mint refiner. Both will be exempt from sales tax. The state government may choose to accept silver and gold coins for payments on taxes, dues, charges, and debts. Yet, these transactions must be done electronically, and the coins will be held by a public depository while processing. A regulatory regime will be established to handle coinage, process insurance, record-keeping, licensing, and consumer disclosure agreements, which the Office of Financial Regulation will oversee.
Will Floridians see people using silver coins to check out at the grocery store? No. The law entails that payments in gold and silver coinage are entirely optional, and no person or business is required to accept them in payments. Merchants will not be required to attain knowledge on metal purity or have scales behind the cash register. The difference now is that businesses are allowed to accept them if they choose to do so. There are numerous tax benefits to choosing metal over cash.
If John Doe wants to purchase a boat from a dealership with gold, for example, the dealership must voluntarily accept the coinage but is in no way obligated to do so. Then the dealership has the burden of verifying the spot price of gold or silver rather than the state. However, if you go to a bank to cash a check, the bank will have the ability to offer clients payments in gold or silver coinage rather than cash. Another aspect to consider is that Florida will no longer add a sales tax on transactions in gold and silver, lowering the cost for businesses and consumers by around 6%.
This signals the ongoing loss of confidence in the federal government. States are rebelling against federal mismanagement and offering residents alternatives to move off the grid. People tend to hoard gold and spend paper. Gold and silver are not practical as daily commerce but are a symbolic store of wealth. We are entering a phase where sovereign debt will become toxic, and states will begin to prepare for the inevitable chaos coming from Washington.
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