Has DeSantis Lost His Mind?!

by Andrew Zatlin March 24, 2023 11:47 am ET

A digital dollar is coming. But thoughts on this new currency are controversial.

Is it a more convenient, cheaper way to transact? Or is it merely another government-led power trip?

One thing's for sure: No matter how this situation unfolds, we'll be ready to profit.

For a transcript of this video, see below. This transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Has DeSantis Lost His Mind?!

Did you see the latest declaration by Florida governor Ron DeSantis?

He's out to ban the upcoming U.S. central bank digital currency ("CBDC"). He wants to make it illegal for this currency to be used in Florida...

In part to "protect Florida consumers and businesses from the reckless adoption of a centralized digital dollar."

Has DeSantis fallen too deep down the rabbit hole? Or are his concerns over this digital currency warranted? Let's take a look...

Monitoring vs. Taking Control

To set the stage, let's be clear on what it is that DeSantis so vehemently opposes about this CBDC.

The digital dollar will enable a select few to see anyone's transactions and history. That's a lot of power for a few lucky individuals. And there hasn't been much in terms of regulations or safeguards put in place.

Of course, your transactions made with credit cards and online accounts are already tracked. So, what's the big deal?

DeSantis believes that it's one thing to know what someone is doing with their money. But it's another to control what they're doing. In other words, DeSantis is concerned that the federal government will have the power to stop people from spending in ways (or on things) it doesn't approve of.

Is this simply a "tin foil" conspiracy? Given recent history, it may not be as crazy as it sounds...

A Nasty Habit

After all, your ability to even discuss controversial topics – Covid, Facebook, Hunter Biden's laptop, etc. – was recently suppressed.

Furthermore, former National Security Agency ("NSA") contractor Edward Snowden brought to light massive spying by U.S. intelligence agencies. And we now know that under the Obama administration, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") was weaponized and sent after conservative organizations.

Time and again, we've seen information released into public domain by people who have the ability to release it but shouldn't. (Trump's tax records, anyone?)

There's no reason to think that this type of behavior wouldn't come into play with a nationwide digital currency.

A Benefit to You

But like anything else, the government is going to advertise a CBDC as being beneficial to everyone.

First, they'll position it as a positive thing for poor people, those who can't afford a bank account because banks charge fees.

Next, they'll promote the faster transactions that a digital currency will enable – you might be able to get your paycheck a few days earlier than before.

Then, they'll address national security. Having a digital currency will make it easier to track funds sent to or used by terrorist organizations.

They'll even advertise it as a cost-savings measure for all Americans. After all, banks will save money completing transactions. And surely, they'll pass those savings on to customers like you, right?

The thing is, none of this passes the sniff test...

Not So Fast

To start, faster transactions are nice, but I don't know many people who are stressed or upset about the current speed of things.

As for tracking sinister activity, our country already has difficulty doing that with the digital currencies we use now. And banks passing along savings to their customers? No way – odds are, they'll simply pocket those savings.

Essentially, the government is throwing things against the wall and seeing what sticks – hoping that something will latch onto Americans and get them on board with this CBDC.

Want to know the real reasons behind this initiative?

The Truth Behind the CBDC

The first is fear. We're in a currency-related arms race right now. The emergence of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum threatened the U.S. dollar. And China recently released a digital currency, so now the U.S. has to keep pace.

The second reason is much simpler: because we can! Look, I lived in Silicon Valley for years, and I know that engineers and entrepreneurs love their toys. They're excited to create this digital currency, simply because they have the capability.

But it's the third reason that has my attention – and should have yours...

Winners and Losers

Creating a CBDC will mean big money! Hardware companies, software companies, even big banks – a number of businesses will play a major role in this new currency...

And there will certainly be winners and losers. In this case, we literally need to follow the money.

But how will we know which companies to target? Here's the thing...

Which Pill Will You Take?

I see the future unfolding in one of two ways – sort of a red pill, blue pill situation (a reference to the science fiction film The Matrix):

First, America embraces the inevitability of a CBDC. That's the red pill. And as a result, companies will support the creation, implementation, and maintenance of such a currency. It's these companies that we'll want to get in on.

Second, the people largely side with DeSantis and, in the wake of a CBDC, look to move their money out of the traditional banking system. If that's the case, some special investment opportunities will surely present themselves. That's the blue pill.

Either way, this will be a major topic moving forward. If you stick with me, I'll make sure that no matter the future of this CBDC, we'll be among the investment winners.

In the meantime, we're in it to win it. Zatlin out.