In this episode of Gold Rush Hour, Taylor Kenney and ITM Trading President Eric Griffin dig into the hidden warning signs of a dying dollar, rising volatility, and what history tells us about currency resets. With gold hitting new highs and the Fed denying reality, we ask: are we already in the final stage of the dollar’s life cycle? Special guest Fernando, a Senior Consultant at ITM, shares his family’s experience living through a currency collapse—and what gold did for those who were prepared. If you want to understand what’s coming and how to protect yourself, don’t miss this one.

“This Is Not a Functioning Economy”

As Taylor and Eric point out, we’re in an economic environment where market volatility is the norm, the U.S. dollar is weakening, and gold is hitting new all-time highs. These are not random or disconnected signals. For many Americans, especially those nearing or in retirement, the sense that “something has changed” is more than a feeling—it’s the beginning of a systemic shift.

As Eric states, “People are trying to anticipate what comes next, because this does not feel like a functioning economy.” Fernando echoes that sentiment, emphasizing that we’re watching the final chapters of a monetary story that’s centuries old.

The Currency Life Cycle: What History Tells Us

One of the central insights from Fernando’s perspective is the concept of the currency life cycle. He explains that the average lifespan of a fiat currency is about 70–80 years. The U.S. dollar, as a fiat currency, is already 112 years old, having been created in 1913. As a global reserve currency since the Bretton Woods agreement in 1945, the dollar is now pushing 80 years—approaching the historical average for reserve currencies.

This isn’t speculation; it’s historical precedent. Every fiat currency in history has eventually failed, either by collapsing or being reset. According to Fernando, we’re now well past the “expiration date” of the dollar as a fiat currency and closing in on the end of its reign as the world’s reserve currency.

Reset vs. Default: What Comes Next?

When a currency nears its end, governments typically face two options: default or reset. Default would mean openly admitting that debts cannot be repaid. Reset, however, is more insidious. It’s often disguised as a “revaluation” or “restructuring”—a subtle way to devalue the currency and shift the burden onto savers and retirees.

As Taylor and Fernando discuss, the Federal Reserve and government officials will often present these measures as sustainable. But as Fernando warns, what is sustainable for the government isn’t necessarily sustainable for the people. The current trajectory of money printing—nearly $4 trillion annually—is only accelerating the collapse.

Lessons from Mexico’s Currency Reset

Fernando shares a powerful personal story to illustrate what this kind of reset can look like in real terms. In the early 1990s, Mexico underwent a currency reset. His uncle, who held 100,000 pesos in a savings account, woke up to find it reduced to just 100 new pesos overnight—a devastating 1000:1 devaluation. Those who held gold during that period saw their wealth grow sixfold.

The message is clear: in a currency crisis, gold protects purchasing power in a way fiat currency cannot.

The Stagflation Dilemma

Complicating matters further is the return of stagflation—a toxic mix of inflation and stagnant economic growth. Taylor and Eric remind us that to merely break even against a 25% loss in dollar purchasing power over the last five years, investments would have to yield a 33% return. And even at a 5% annual return, most investments aren’t keeping up.

In such an environment, traditional financial strategies fall short. That’s why more Americans are turning to ITM Trading to preserve their wealth with assets like gold and silver, which have outpaced inflation and protected real value.

Why ITM Trading?

ITM Trading isn’t just about buying gold—it’s about understanding the system and building a personalized Wealth Shield strategy. The era of blind trust in fiat currency is over. As Fernando puts it, “This is a process, not a single event.” We are in the final stretch of a currency life cycle, and the symptoms—stagflation, market instability, and loss of purchasing power—are becoming impossible to ignore.

Whether it’s gold confiscation in the past or the looming risk of a reset today, the historical playbook is unfolding in real time. Now is the moment to get informed, take control, and shield your wealth before choices are made for you.