In this episode, Monika explores the potential impact of a Trump presidency on the cryptocurrency market. Following recent U.S. election results, the crypto industry celebrated as Donald Trump returns to the White House as the 47th President of the United States, prompting a sharp rise in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency prices. Many in the industry expect a more relaxed regulatory approach under Trump, including his proposal for a federal reserve of Bitcoin, which could position Bitcoin as a recognized asset if a major country begins to hold it in its reserves.

She explains the concept of national reserves, which are assets held by central banks, like the Federal Reserve in the U.S. or the RBI in India, and typically include hard currencies and assets like gold. Adding Bitcoin to this mix would represent a significant shift, potentially complicating the Fed’s role in managing the money supply and interest rates. Monika cautions listeners about the risks of investing in an asset that isn’t regulated in India.

Monika addresses a common question from her followers: Are systematic investment plans (SIPs) still a viable strategy? While some argue that SIPs may not yield strong long-term gains, she clarifies that SIP performance depends on the quality of the mutual fund chosen and a long-term investment horizon. Although Sensex and Nifty have returned around 23% per year in recent years, she reminds investors that returns tend to normalize to historical averages of 12-14% annually.

In listener queries, Sarvesh Sinha (name changed) seeks advice on whether to use funds from underperforming mutual funds to pay off a personal loan he took to help a family member. Shivanand Patil wonders if he should redirect SIP contributions to pay off his home loan sooner. Lastly, Rohit Kumar (name changed) asks about adding gold and international investments to his portfolio.

Chapters:

(0:33 - 3:51) Trump, Bitcoin, and the Future of Crypto Reserves

(3:52 - 6:47) Are SIPs Still Effective for Long-Term Growth in Indian Markets?  

(7:11 - 9:19) Family Loans: Head vs Heart in Financial Decisions

(9:24 - 12:04) Balancing Debt Repayment and Investment Contributions  

(12:11 - 15:02) Gold Funds, SIPs, and Safe International Investments

If you have financial questions that you’d like answers for, please email us at [email protected]

Monika’s book on basic money management

⁠⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-money-english/⁠⁠

Monika’s book on mutual funds

⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-mutual-funds/⁠

Monika’s workbook on recording your financial life

⁠⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-legacy/⁠⁠

Calculators

⁠⁠https://investor.sebi.gov.in/calculators/index.html⁠⁠

You can find Monika on her social media @monikahalan. 

Twitter ⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠

Instagram ⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠

Facebook ⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠

LinkedIn ⁠@MonikaHalan⁠

Production House: ⁠www.inoutcreatives.com⁠

Production Assistant:⁠ Anshika Gogoi