Silver Game To Implode As Price Skyrockets | Andy Schectman
By Liberty and Finance
Key Concepts
- Precious Metals Market Dynamics: Analysis of supply, demand, premiums, and price discovery in gold and silver markets.
- COMEX and LBMA: Examination of the role and potential breakdown of these major precious metals exchanges.
- Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and Stablecoins: Discussion on the implications of digital currencies, particularly the "Genius Act" and its resemblance to CBDCs.
- Japanese Bond Market: Assessment of the health and global impact of the Japanese bond market and its interest rate policies.
- Devaluation of Fiat Currencies: The concept of currency debasement and its relationship to precious metals.
- Shift in Global Financial Center of Gravity: The potential move of financial power and price discovery from the West to the East.
- Trust in Financial Systems: The critical role of trust in the functioning of financial markets and the consequences of its erosion.
Precious Metals Market Update and Exchange Dynamics
Andy Sheckman, CEO of Miles Franklin Precious Metals, provides an update on the retail precious metals market, highlighting significant activity at the end of 2025. He notes the rapid depletion of silver eagles, a common year-end occurrence.
Key Points:
- High Contract Deliveries: In the first two days of December 2025, there were 23,970 gold contracts (2.397 million ounces) and 8,350 silver contracts (41.525 million troy ounces) standing for delivery on COMEX.
- Unusual November Deliveries: November, not a scheduled delivery month, saw nearly 20 million ounces of silver and 1.267 million ounces of gold delivered.
- COMEX Breakdown: Sheckman describes the COMEX as "running on fumes," with delivery mechanisms breaking down. Nearly 90 million ounces of silver have been delivered off COMEX since October 1st, indicating an accelerating depletion.
- Analogy of Empty Cookie Box: The market is shifting from trading paper claims (derivatives) to demanding physical metal. The "pretend cookie game" of derivatives is collapsing as the "box is pretty much empty," making real gold and silver more valuable.
- LBMA Issues: The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) is also experiencing strain, with reports of extended delivery times (T+8 weeks) due to insufficient manpower and trucks.
- Isolated Technical Failure: Sheckman dismisses the explanation of an air conditioning failure at the CME causing metals markets to go down, arguing that only metals markets were affected, not other CME markets like bonds or equities. This suggests underlying systemic issues.
- Shift to Asia: The breakdown of Western-based exchanges like COMEX and LBMA is leading to a potential shift in price discovery for physical silver to Shanghai. This mirrors historical shifts, such as London losing its grip on oil pricing to NYMEX.
- "Cash and Carry" vs. "Promises and Rehypothecation": The future of physical metal transactions is expected to move towards Asia's "cash and carry" model (pay and take possession) rather than the West's system of promises and rehypothecation (using assets as collateral multiple times).
Supporting Evidence:
- Specific contract and ounce figures for gold and silver deliveries.
- The analogy of the empty cookie box to illustrate the disconnect between paper claims and physical reality.
- The example of the LBMA's extended delivery times.
- The comparison to London's loss of oil pricing dominance.
Silver Price Projections and Rationale
Sheckman presents a bullish outlook for silver, citing technical analysis and fundamental factors.
Key Points:
- Technical Analysis: A cup and handle pattern suggests a potential target of $96 per ounce for silver, calculated by taking the difference between the 1980 high ($50) and the 1990s low ($4) and adding it to the 1980 high.
- Silver-to-Gold Ratio: The current silver-to-gold ratio is around 42:1 to 45:1, significantly lower than the historical geological ratio of 16:1 and the 5,000-year average of 7:1. This suggests silver is becoming geologically depleted relative to gold.
- Ratio-Based Projection: Using the current gold price ($4240) and an average 45:1 ratio, silver's price could reach $95. Using a 7:1 ratio, it could reach $605.
- "Asset of a Generation": Sheckman labels silver as the "asset of a generation," emphasizing its intrinsic value rather than just a means to wealth.
- Critical Mineral Classification: Sovereign wealth funds and central banks are reclassifying silver as a critical mineral, with the US, EU (2023), and China implementing export restrictions.
- China's Strategic Buying: China, the second-largest producer, is aggressively buying ore and concentrate in Peru and Mexico at premium prices, shipping it back for refining, indicating its perceived value far exceeds its currency price.
- Suppressed Price Discovery: The persistent large short positions in silver on COMEX are seen as evidence of price suppression, not just for profit, but for larger strategic reasons.
- Existential Threat to Suppressors: The current market conditions represent an "existential threat" to entities that have used Western dominance and large cash reserves to suppress prices.
- Potential Trigger Event: A rumor suggests that the halt in trading was due to a large trader (possibly Asian) demanding over 400 million ounces of silver, forcing a physical delivery that the system couldn't accommodate.
Supporting Evidence:
- Calculations based on technical chart patterns and historical ratios.
- The reclassification of silver as a critical mineral by major economies.
- China's aggressive purchasing strategy.
- The historical context of large short positions in silver.
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and Stablecoins
The discussion shifts to the implications of digital currencies, particularly the "Genius Act" and its potential to function like a CBDC.
Key Points:
- Trump's Executive Order and the Genius Act: While Trump issued an executive order banning CBDCs in the US, the "Genius Act" contains provisions that appear to incorporate the feared characteristics of CBDCs within stablecoins.
- Stablecoin Functionality: These stablecoins, backed by US Treasuries, are designed to create synthetic demand for government debt.
- CBDC-like Features: The stablecoin system is expected to enable transaction monitoring, user identification, filtering, and blocking capabilities, similar to CBDCs.
- Lack of Withdrawal Option: Unlike cash, these stablecoins may not allow for unrestricted withdrawal of funds, limiting options outside the digital system.
- USA Tether and Bo Hines: Bo Hines, Trump's former crypto advisor, is now CEO of USA Tether, which is reportedly "Genius Act compliant" and poised to dominate stablecoin issuance.
- Interest on Treasuries: Interest generated on the treasuries backing these stablecoins is not transferable to the stablecoin holder but is retained by entities like Tether, which are then buying gold.
- Devaluation Trade and Gold Purchases: This mechanism is seen as a way to devalue the dollar, facilitate debt repayment, and synthetically maintain demand for the Treasury market. The generated interest is used to buy gold, potentially benefiting gold holders indirectly.
- AML, KYC, and KYT Compliance: The technology built into these stablecoins includes Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Know Your Transaction (KYT) protocols, ensuring comprehensive surveillance.
- "Central Bank Digital Currency Masquerading as a Stablecoin": Sheckman argues that these stablecoins, though issued by third parties, will function similarly to CBDCs, with the Federal Reserve controlling the on-ramps and off-ramps.
- Mass Adoption and Convenience: The appeal of these stablecoins will be driven by convenience and speed, similar to services like Zelle, potentially leading to a cashless society.
- "Cash is Cringe" Sentiment: A poll indicating that over 60% of Gen Zers view cash as "cringe" highlights a generational shift away from physical currency.
- No Opt-Out: The system is designed to prevent opting out, with cash likely to become obsolete.
- Impact on Precious Metals Transactions: While direct transactions with physical gold and silver coins may become less common, states like Texas are developing frameworks for digital transactions using precious metals held in state-run depositories, providing a digital representation of ownership.
- Digital Ecosystem for Precious Metals: Sheckman anticipates that precious metals will operate within a digital ecosystem, allowing for purchasing power to be maintained digitally, even if physical transactions are less frequent.
- Desperate Governments and Tax Evasion: The example of Italy's tax amnesty on undeclared gold suggests that governments facing financial pressure may resort to desperate measures.
- Surveillance State and Digital ID: The move towards stablecoins is seen as part of a broader trend towards a digital surveillance state, starting with digital IDs for voting integrity.
- Loss of Freedom: The analogy of giving up freedom for safety, as stated by Benjamin Franklin, is invoked, suggesting that the loss of financial privacy through digital currencies is irreversible.
Supporting Evidence:
- The mention of Bo Hines' transition from Trump's advisor to CEO of USA Tether.
- Tether's reported gold holdings and participation in mining summits.
- The inclusion of AML, KYC, and KYT in stablecoin technology.
- The comparison to Zelle for convenience.
- The poll on Gen Z's perception of cash.
- The example of Texas's digital precious metals initiatives.
- The Italian tax amnesty example.
- The reference to digital IDs for voting integrity.
Japanese Bond Market and Global Financial Stability
The discussion turns to the Japanese bond market and its potential impact on global finance.
Key Points:
- Bank of Japan's Rate Hikes: The Bank of Japan is expected to raise interest rates again in December and January, signaling a shift from its long-standing near-zero interest rate policy.
- Economic Pressure: Japan's economy is under significant pressure, necessitating these rate hikes.
- Carry Trade Unwinding: For decades, low Japanese interest rates allowed for profitable "carry trades," where investors borrowed yen at near zero and invested in higher-yielding assets globally, including US government bonds.
- Underwater Bonds: With rising rates in Japan, a strengthening yen, and increased carrying costs, these investments are now underwater. Japanese pension funds hold over a trillion dollars in US bonds that are becoming unprofitable.
- Liquidation and Capital Return: These investors are now forced to liquidate their holdings and bring capital back to Japan.
- Impact on Global Markets: This unwinding of carry trades and selling of bonds will put massive pressure on existing bond markets and currencies worldwide.
- "Piggy Bank to the World": Japan has historically served as a source of cheap capital for global markets, enabling investments in assets like Nvidia, Bitcoin, and Treasuries.
- Potential for Financial Crisis: If the unwinding of the carry trade is not orderly, it has the potential to trigger massive financial problems, including a dollar crash and spiking interest rates.
- Bubble Analogy: The global financial system, characterized by inflated asset prices (stocks, bonds, real estate), is likened to a "bouncy house" inflated by Japan's "free yens." The withdrawal of this cheap money is akin to pulling the plug on the fan.
- Deflationary Spiral vs. Inflation: While a deflationary spiral is mentioned, the core issue is the distortion caused by suppressed interest rates, leading to misallocation of capital and inflated asset prices.
- Real Price Discovery: When interest rates rise and money is no longer "free," real price discovery will occur. Assets that have been artificially pushed higher will deflate, while suppressed assets like precious metals will experience exponential gains.
Supporting Evidence:
- The mention of expected rate hikes by the Bank of Japan.
- The concept of carry trades and their profitability in a low-interest-rate environment.
- The figure of over a trillion dollars in US bonds held by Japanese pensions.
- The analogy of the "bouncy house" and the "fan" of Japanese yen.
- The contrast between dollar devaluation and precious metals appreciation.
Conclusion and Synthesis
The discussion highlights a critical juncture in global financial markets, characterized by the potential breakdown of traditional Western financial systems and the emergence of new paradigms. The erosion of trust in exchanges like COMEX and LBMA, coupled with the increasing demand for physical precious metals, suggests a significant shift in value. The rise of stablecoins, while presented as a technological advancement, is viewed with suspicion as a potential precursor to CBDCs, enabling unprecedented surveillance and control. Simultaneously, the unwinding of Japan's long-standing low-interest-rate policy poses a significant risk to global financial stability, potentially triggering a cascade of market corrections. In this environment, precious metals, particularly silver, are positioned as a generational asset offering true value and a hedge against currency debasement and systemic risk. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding these underlying dynamics and positioning oneself accordingly, by observing the actions of sophisticated investors rather than relying on mainstream narratives.
Weekly Specials (December 1st - December 8th, 2025)
- 2025 1oz Silver Canadian Maples: $4.49 over spot per ounce.
- 1/10th oz Gold Canadian Maples: $60 over melt per coin.
- 100oz Silver Asahi Bars: $3.45 over spot per ounce.
- 1oz Platinum Maples: $195 over spot per ounce.
Contact Information: 1-888-881-LIBERTY (1-888-881-54237). Available after hours and on weekends.
Chat with this Video
AI-PoweredHi! I can answer questions about this video "Silver Game To Implode As Price Skyrockets | Andy Schectman". What would you like to know?