Post
Topic
Board Economics
Re: Fed Does Nothing: Gold and Bitcoin to Benefit?
by
digital_sucrose
on 22/09/2016, 02:45:25 UTC
...

Our pals at the Federal Reserve did nothing (ie, did not raise interest rates from the close to zero where we are now).  Their infamous "dot plots" (member predictions of rates for the next couple of years) show their expectations of rates for a long time.  Low!

One would think this will benefit gold (approx. $1335 now) and Bitcoin ($600).

Any guesses?

I guess screwing over the middle class and creating free money is too cushy to end now..

Low rates don't screw over the middle class, kid. Low rates make it easier for the middle class to buy a home, carry that credit card debt, buy a car, take out a student loan. Don't be so foolish!

To the OP, I don't think the low rates will help gold or bitcoin much (but bitcoin more than gold). The people that will "flock" to bitcoin specifically due to low interest rates is really low, it's only the people that are purely looking for a growth appreciation investment opportunity. And simply put, interest rates don't factor in to the decision to choose a growth appreciation investment. It's not like bitcoin offers an interest rate. So the risk profiles are different.

Low rates motivate people to take out loans (which spurs economic activity and more spending), spend money, or invest in the stock market. All three of those things spur the economy. That's why the Fed is keeping things the way they are, they don't want to stifle economic activity.

As long as the general public will pay back those loans. We don't want another Junk Bond scenario which took place less than a decade ago. People are stupid though so who knows...