Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the threat of Bitcoin Wrench Attacks. (See the Forex and Cryptos section.)
Precious Metals:
Reuters: JP Morgan sees gold prices crossing $4,000/oz by Q2 2026.
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Will gold hit $4,000 per ounce in 2025? Experts weigh in.
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Jan Nieuwenhuijs, at Gold-Eagle.com: Can Gold Reach $16,000?
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WGC: India gold market update: Rally and demand realignment.
Economy & Finance:
Reader C.B. sent us this sign of the times, via Vox: The Ports Shut Down.
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Brookings: April 2025 update to TIGER: The world economy shudders and could stall.
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IMF: A critical juncture amid policy shifts.
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U.S. trade deficit in goods soars to all-time high as businesses aimed to beat Trump tariffs.
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Reed Smith: Trump 2.0 Tariff Tracker.
Commodities:
Tandy sent us this: Is Copper About to Spark a Global Commodities Rally?
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Reported on April 30th, by OilPrice News: WTI Stuck Below $60 as EIA Confirms Crude, Gasoline Draws.
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Aluminum Premiums Surge After New Tariffs Imposed.
Inflation/Deflation Watch:
Can China Fight Deflation and Trump’s Tariffs at the Same Time?
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BNP Paribas: Inflation Tracker – April 2025 | Unsurprisingly, inflation expectations are rising again.
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Zimbabwe’s local currency inflation at over 85% y/y in April.
Forex & Cryptos:
Tariffs, the dollar, and equities: High-frequency evidence from the Liberation Day announcement.
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Bitcoin surges past $94K in explosive rally — bulls show no signs of slowing.
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Washington eyes new Blockchain Act led by Ohio Senator.
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Jameson Lopp: The bitcoiner’s guide to physical security. Here is an excerpt:
“Holding bitcoin is powerful. It means true monetary freedom. But it also puts a target on your back. Unlike traditional bank accounts, there’s no fraud protection, no insurance, no customer service to call if things go sideways. When you hold your own keys, your security is your responsibility. So how do you make sure a $5 wrench attack remains just a meme and not your reality?
The infamous $5 wrench attack is more than a clever comic strip. It’s a real-world scenario. Instead of cracking your private keys through sophisticated hacks, a criminal could cut straight to the chase by threatening you with a cheap wrench. All the cyber security in the world won’t matter if someone is at your front door, demanding access to your bitcoin.”
Tangibles Investing:
I had a consulting client ask me about how tariffs will affect ammunition availability and prices. My recommendation? Stock up on any imported ammunition that you might need in the next 8 years. Put an emphasis on any type where there is little to no U.S. equivalent production. Presently, I’m stacking Privi Partizan (PPU — Serbian-made) noncorrosive ammo for 8x51R Lebel, 7.5 x55 Swiss, and the various Mauser rifle calibers. (7×57, 7.65 Argentine Mauser, 6.5 x55 and 8×57.) On a related note: I also recommend that you buy any imported optics that you might need in the next few years, now. Surely, you’ll pay more, later.- JWR
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As mortgage interest rates rise, and the nationwide real estate market cools, broker inventory is growing. Just a bit of that inventory is retreat-worthy farms and ranches. Take a look at the new listings at our family’s spin-off site: SurvivalRealty.com. Here is just one example, in southwestern Oregon: Earth-Sheltered Off-Grid Fortress with $650K in Strategic Upgrades.
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for our detailed disclaimers.
News Tips:
Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant because they come from folks who closely watch specific markets. If you spot any news that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers, then please send it in. News items from local news outlets that are missed by the news wire services are especially appreciated. Thanks!