The Tactical Edge Podcast with Raj Bhuyan returns with an in-depth exploration of one of the most pivotal turning points in modern financial history — the end of U.S. dollar convertibility to gold in 1971. What really happened when President Nixon closed the gold window, and how does that decision continue to shape the global monetary system today?

In this episode, Raj breaks down the historical context behind the dollar’s shift from a gold-backed currency to a fully fiat system, tracing the ripple effects through centuries of monetary debasement, from Rome to Henry VIII to the modern Federal Reserve. Through this lens, he examines what history teaches us about inflation, currency erosion, and the role of gold as the “original reserve currency.”

From the rise of the Spanish Empire’s silver dominance to the creation of the Bretton Woods system, and from the global accumulation of gold by modern central banks to today’s $38 trillion U.S. debt load — this discussion connects the dots across time. Raj also highlights why investors should pay attention to the long-term decline of the dollar’s purchasing power, the renewed strength of precious metals, and the implications of AI, automation, and policy-driven monetary expansion.

Topics Covered:

• Why 1971 changed everything: Nixon, gold, and the end of convertibility
• The long history of currency debasement — from Rome to modern fiat systems
• How central banks are reaccumulating gold and what that signals
• Historical analogs: the Spanish silver bubble, Bretton Woods, and reserve currency cycles
• Inflation, money printing, and the challenge of preserving real wealth
• The quiet risk of dollar concentration in global portfolios
• What AI and fiscal policy could mean for future monetary dynamics

Disclaimer:
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please consult your advisor for guidance specific to your situation.