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BullionStar Blogs

BullionStar is renowned for presenting original research and expertise
covering the most important trends in the precious metals markets.

LBMA Gold Price benchmark ignoring market conditions, short-changing investors
BullionStar – We are Open for Orders – Update of Services 20 May 2020
US Mint closes West Point, adding to American gold bullion coin shortage
COMEX Bombshell – Most eligible vaulted gold has nothing to do with COMEX
How mints will be affected by the big jump in bullion coin demand

How mints will be affected by the big jump in bullion coin demand

  • date
  • author JP Koning
  • comments 3 Comments

The demand for gold and silver coins has exploded as fears of COVID-19 sweep the globe. This post explores how this increase in coin demand is translated back to the producers of bullion coins, with a special focus on the U.S. Mint and Royal Canadian Mint. Continue Reading arrow

Bullion Bank Nightmare as LBMA-COMEX Spread Blows Up Again
BullionStar – We are Open for Orders – Update of Services 11 April 2020

BullionStar – We are Open for Orders – Update of Services 11 April 2020

  • date
  • author BullionStar
  • comments 0 Comments

We are open! This is an important update to all BullionStar customers covering the impact of COVID-19 on BullionStar's operations. BullionStar is open for orders but operate in limited capacity as an essential business with measurements taken against the spread of COVID-19. Continue Reading arrow

LBMA and COMEX try to Reassure the Market – Twice in One Week
COMEX can’t find a 400 oz bar for its new 400 oz gold futures contract
BullionStar – Important Update 27 March 2020
LBMA colludes with the COMEX – To lockdown the global gold market?
In gold market coverage, Reuters confuses key points on demand, supply and pricing
Banknotes and Coronavirus

Banknotes and Coronavirus

  • date
  • author JP Koning
  • comments 5 Comments

With the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, many people are worried about infected banknotes. Over the last few weeks, central bankers have themselves taken a number of measures to mitigate virus transmission risks on banknotes.

But what does science have to say about the presence of pathogens, such as viruses, on banknotes? Continue Reading arrow

BullionStar Update – The Window to Purchase Precious Metals with Fiat Currency is Closing
Will Gold be the Last Man Standing as Perfect Storm hits Markets?

Will Gold be the Last Man Standing as Perfect Storm hits Markets?

  • date
  • author Ronan Manly
  • comments 3 Comments

The turmoil engulfing financial markets is unprecedented in its breath and intensity. You might call it a perfect storm. In such an environment, no asset class has been immune. But will gold be the last man standing? Continue Reading arrow

Gold Shortages – Price of Physical Gold Decouples from Paper Gold
Infographic: Central Bank Gold Buying and Gold Repatriation
Gold confiscation – Could it happen again?

Gold confiscation – Could it happen again?

  • date
  • author JP Koning
  • comments 3 Comments

Democratic governments have forced citizens to sell their gold in the past, the US in 1933 and the UK in 1939. Should modern gold owners worry about similar forced gold sales or seizures in the future? Continue Reading arrow

Physical Gold Demand at Record Levels, Paper Gold Price Disconnect
China’s gold market not immune to a wider downturn
Eight centuries of interest rates

Eight centuries of interest rates

  • date
  • author JP Koning
  • comments 7 Comments

Today's era of low - even negative - interest rates have been described as absurd, crazy, and an abomination. But economic historian Paul Schmelzing's recent paper covering eight centuries of interest rates shows that periods of zero or negative rates are not rare. Continue Reading arrow

The shrinking window for anonymous exchange

The shrinking window for anonymous exchange

  • date
  • author JP Koning
  • comments 4 Comments

To help reduce money laundering, German authorities have reduced the amount of precious metals that citizens can purchase anonymously with cash to €2000. While cash limits like this may work in theory, we still have very little evidence to show that the benefits of anti-money laundering regulations exceed the costs. Continue Reading arrow

German Government Escalates its War on Gold
LBMA claims record amount of gold in London’s vaults
A new era of digital gold payments systems?

A new era of digital gold payments systems?

  • date
  • author JP Koning
  • comments 1 Comments

Ever since the internet emerged in the 1990s, entrepreneurs have been trying to created digital gold payments networks. But these efforts haven't garnered much success. Will the newest push, so-called "blockchain gold," make digital gold payments more popular? Continue Reading arrow

Quantum leap for banks as ABN AMRO questions gold price discovery
Behind enemy lines – Military use of gold coins as emergency money

Behind enemy lines – Military use of gold coins as emergency money

  • date
  • author Ronan Manly
  • comments 2 Comments

Gold is and always has been universal money that can be used anywhere and is accepted everywhere. The world’s elite military detachments know this, which is why they issue their troops and pilots with gold coins and other gold bullion items for use as emergency money when they go behind enemy lines. Continue Reading arrow

Polish central bank airlifts 8000 gold bars (100 tonnes) from London to Warsaw
Life under a gold standard

Life under a gold standard

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  • author JP Koning
  • comments 10 Comments

Consumer prices react differently under a gold standard and a fiat standard due to the relative flexibility of each system.

What would life be like living under a gold standard, and how would it differ from our day-to-day and year-to-year experience under a fiat standard? Continue Reading arrow

New COMEX Pledged Gold – Shrinking the Pool of Registered Inventory
Chinese central bank gold buying – On a need to know basis
The Power of Gold in Times of Crisis
Why are gold and bonds rising together?

Why are gold and bonds rising together?

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  • author JP Koning
  • comments 4 Comments

In the 1970s, gold and bond prices tended to move in opposing directions. This is because higher-than-expected inflation pushes up the price of gold, but hurts the price of bonds.

But over the last two decades, the prices of these two assets have moved together. Why has this relationship changed? Continue Reading arrow

Wag the Dog – The new COMEX and SGE Gold Contracts
Buy Gold & Silver in New Zealand – Diversify your Bullion Storage
LBMA needs reform to serve the physical precious metals market
Does anyone use the IMF’s SDR?
LBMA Removes JP Morgan’s Michael Nowak from the LBMA Board
LBMA Board Member & JP Morgan Managing Director Charged with Rigging Precious Metals
Rothschild emerges from the shadows for the Centenary of the London Gold Fixing
Hyperbitcoinization

Hyperbitcoinization

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  • author JP Koning
  • comments 13 Comments

Hyperbitcoinization, a term coined by Daniel Krawisz in 2014, refers to a thesis under which bitcoin, at first slowly and then rapidly, would replace traditional currencies. In effect, bitcoin-induced currency demonetization.

Although bitcoin certainly has plenty of good features, for mass adoption it would have to overcome the network effects of the world's domestic... Continue Reading arrow

Gold, Silver and Platinum surge ahead with impressive double digit YTD returns
Chinese gold imports – Better data, lower inflows, unanswered questions
More on the puzzle of negative interest rates
Singapore Tops Global Rankings as the World’s Safest and Most Secure Nation
The not-so-crazy world of negative interest rates

The not-so-crazy world of negative interest rates

  • date
  • author JP Koning
  • comments 12 Comments

Are negative interest rates an artificial phenomenon that central bank technocrats have foisted on the world? Or can interest rates naturally turn negative, of their own accord? Continue Reading arrow

The History of the World is a History of Gold
Gold the Ultimate Asset as Fed Joins Race to the Bottom in Global Rates
By Not Renewing the CBGA, Central Banks in Europe Look Ready to Buy Gold
Gold & Silver Price Manipulation – The Greatest Trick ever Pulled
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