January 2019
2019 is here. We are now at a crossroads.
“There are crossroads in life where choosing the direction to pursue is critical.” ― Life Is A Cocktail
We're here. For the past several years you could feel it coming. Shifting political and economic winds have brought us to a window of time when the world is going to change. It will never be the same again. The choices we make individually and collectively will determine the course human events for generations.
In this world, "things" that have true value will be redefined, many in unexpected ways. A new monetary ecosystem will begin to emerge to enable the exchange of value that will match the diversity of "assets" resident in this new ecosystem. The transition from today's system to tomorrow's will not be without challenge--however, we have great hope in what will emerge.
2018 was a year to be patient and observe as the hype around cyrptocurrencies crashed into the trough of disillusionment.
2019 is a year when motivations matter. Wisdom matters. Vision matters. These form the foundations upon which new systems will be built, providing access to a new value exchange ecosystem.
We welcome the arrival of the crossroads, because together we now have the opportunity to shape the future like never before.
Gold, Silver, Cryptos, and FinTech
Gold is approaching an inflection point.
At OWNx, we don't often get into gold and silver price predictions. We have chosen to let the market speak for itself and provide a platform for steady accumulation of these important assets. However, we have on occasion pointed out when the price of gold as shown on long-term charts approaches key areas of technical support or resistance. Such is the case now.
The chart below shows a well defined long-term (over 10 years) triangle pattern. Generally, when the price breaks out of a triangle, it continues a long-term move in the direction of the breakout. The long-term gold price uptrend line that was established between 2006 and 2008 has held. Additionally, the excruciating down-to-sideways trend over the past six years has, since 2015, established a reverse to the upside.
Taking into account geopolitical events and the threat of a recession in 2020, it could be that a new bull market in the metals will begin. We won't have to wait long before the price tells us if that is the case or not.
It seems as though gold senses that we are at a crossroads as well.
Overstock’s tZERO Wins Patent for Integrating Crypto With Legacy Trading Tech
The lines are blurring between legacy assets and the emerging tokenization of things. We have expected this as the world moves toward a new paradigm in how value is exchanged between individuals.
RIP ICOs: 2019 Will Be the Year of Enterprise Blockchain Tokens
As part of emergence from the trough of disillusionment, scam ICOs will fade away and be replaced by viable applications of DLT tech. We see 2019 in the crypto/tokenization world as being similar to 2002 in the tech world. The beginning of a new era of possibilities...
1 Token = 1 (Very Specific) Asset
Ravenclaw and ERC721 tokens are vying for a place in the blockchain market where a single token is tied to a specific asset - like a serialized gold or silver bar or coin. Although not yet ready for prime time, this application of DLT will open the door to trading these assets in a completely new, friction-less, and secure manner.
Suggested Reading
The Year of Living Dangerously
John Mauldin gives his thoughts about where the real danger lies in economic and monetary policy going into 2019. Will the Fed reach too far in raising interest rates and draining liquidity? Or will they reverse course in time to avoid a recession? What does it mean long-term if the Fed find themselves unable to raise interest rates again without causing the system to fail? It seems the Fed also has found itself at a crossroads...
Why Disruption Is Coming for Your Industry -- And How to Embrace It
A megatrend that will accelerate in 2019 is a broadening of industries that feel "disruption" via advances in technology. Many will have to decide if this disruption is a net positive over the long term or not.
It's that time of year again. The tax man cometh...
It may be time to consider using the OWNx IRA to shield some of your 2018 income from taxation. As an OWNx client, you have access to the most flexible Self-Directed IRA platform available:
- Low to zero fees to open your IRA
- Buy and sell physical metal 24X7 using our buy live Now platform
- Industry leading custodians to manage your Self-Directed IRA