Jake and Jeff are back in sync—despite a thousand miles of separation—to make sense of the week ending July 18th, 2025. The S&P managed a modest climb, bonds are still dragging their heels, and the Federal Reserve is somehow both everywhere and completely misunderstood. They pull back the curtain on how interest rate decisions are actually made (hint: it’s not just Jerome Powell flipping switches), and why political spin rarely matches economic reality.

Then it’s on to the shiny, confusing world of stablecoins. Congress has passed the “Genius Act”—an oddly nameless bill that promises to regulate digital currency while raising more questions than it answers. What’s backing these coins? Who’s issuing them? And should Visa and Mastercard be nervous that Walmart’s about to become your new bank?

Throw in a few well-placed warnings about private investments and some musings on global financial instability, and you’ve got an episode that’s both informative and refreshingly candid.

This episode was recorded on July 18th, 2025.

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** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.