Many investors have a hard time investing in fiat currencies due to the fact that on any given day a government can completely change its currency’s value with little to no warning. As such, a number of traders and investors have adopted non-fiat currencies in their portfolios to help protect them from the movements and dangers of paper money.
Below, we outline three ways for commodity investors to invest in non-fiat currencies and protect themselves from the pitfalls of national monies.
Physical Gold
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Gold is one of the most popular commodities in the world, so its appearance on this list should come as no surprise. People have been investing in physical gold for centuries as it has long been one of the most important financial safe havens. Gold’s price has soared on a historical basis and anyone who bought the metal even 10 years ago has been handsomely rewarded.
One of the biggest advantages of owning physical gold is the fact that you have access to your holdings. As opposed to a stock or financial instrument that can be stopped out during market turmoil, physical gold is always within reach no matter what is going on. Owning the metal outright is also a much safer way to invest, as it allows you to personally ensure the security of your precious bullion.
The downsides to physical gold start with storage; care must be taken to ensure that the metal is both properly hidden and safely secured. Improper storage can lead to theft or destruction of the hard asset. Another issue stems from gold itself, not necessarily physical exposure. Because it is such a popular speculative instrument, gold prices are often heavily influenced by big traders, which invariably impacts the value of your physical holding. And let’s not forget that gold is an alleged culprit of manipulation along with LIBOR.
Physical Silver
Another clear-cut choice, investors with less capital to spare or those who simply want a greater quantity of metal for their dollar have long turned to silver. This white metal has a more practical use in the industrial world, but it still remains a safe haven for those seeking to hedge against uncertain market environments. Silver’s price has not followed the same path as gold’s, though there are many who feel that it too will only appreciate with time.
The advantages of owning physical silver are nearly identical to those of owning physical gold, but the downsides are a bit different. Unlike gold, silver does not see the same ultra-high volumes, allowing its price to stay more separate from traders’ behavior [see also The Most Profitable Months to Trade Gold].
Along with the same drawbacks as owning gold (including the LIBOR scandal), silver is a bit more difficult in that its cheaper price allows investors to purchase more of it. That will mean finding more places to store the metal, which can be a tall and expensive order. Also note that like gold, selling physical bullion is not exactly the most liquid option out there, as it will take time and efforts to properly unload precious metals.
Pecunix
There are a number of websites out there that offer non-fiat currencies, but one of your best bets is going to come from Pecunix, one of the few sites that is backed by a bullion audit, a major sticking point for investors. Pecunix is a gold-backed currency that allows investors and traders to purchase and sell goods and services with the currency. It can easily be converted to national currencies and vice versa. It’s a great option for those who feel that fiat money is simply too risky and want a currency with a bit more substance to it [see also Commodity Plays For the End of Fiat Currency].
As far as advantages are concerned, Pecunix obviously can never be printed by the Fed or anyone else who wants more of it; the only way for the supply of Pecunix to grow is if the company acquires more gold in order to issue more currency. The currency is also maintained on the internet, so it travels with you wherever you go. The website also promises a speedy and hassle-free process for establishing an account of your very own.
The advantage of the internet is also the biggest disadvantage to this unique currency; you can never physically hold it. It is maintained on the web and it will stay there. That may be a trust issue for a number of investors who already have enough trouble putting their faith in big-name funds like GLD and SLV, which have tens of billions in combined assets.
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Disclosure: No positions at time of writing.
