Digital Dollars and Common Sense

Written By Jason Williams

Updated January 10, 2024

Hey there, friend! Fancy taking a ride with me into the future? Well, buckle up, because we’re already there…

I'm talking about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the new buzzword in the finance world.

Picture money, but digital, controlled by the big kahunas — the central banks. It’s kind of like something out of a sci-fi movie, except it's happening right now.

But hang on! Before we start whooping with joy, there's a small (actually, not so small) hitch.

This fancy new form of money isn't without its troubles. There are some sneaky dangers hiding in the digital shadows that we need to chat about.

Hold your horses, though. While it might sound like it as we get started, this isn't just some doom-and-gloom talk.

By the end, I hope to equip you with some smart moves to protect your hard-earned bucks.

Now, with that being said, let's dive in.

The Nitty-Gritty on CBDCs

Before we dip our toes into the dangerous waters, let's get our heads around what we're dealing with here.

CBDCs are like a digital form of your nation's currency. But this isn’t bitcoin or some other cryptocurrency.

We're talking digital dollars, digital euros, yen — you catch my drift.

Imagine the money you have in your bank account, but without needing the bank as a middleman.

Sounds cool, right? Well, not so fast. There are a few red flags waving that we need to tackle.

Danger Zone 1: Peeping Toms in Your Wallet

Imagine you're out shopping. You buy some clothes, some groceries, maybe a coffee or two.

Now imagine every single purchase you make being watched and recorded. Sounds like some creepy stalker scenario, right?

Welcome to the first danger of CBDCs.

CBDC surveillance

You see, CBDCs would give central banks the ability to peek into our wallets, seeing every little thing we do with our money. That’s a whole new level of financial surveillance that we've never seen before.

Sure, some might argue it's a good thing for catching the bad guys, but it's a slippery slope.

How much oversight is too much before we slide into a Big Brother-esque reality?

Danger Zone 2: Hackers at the Gates

Here's the truth: Anything and everything digital has a big neon sign flashing "Hack Me" for the cybercriminals of the world.

The more we digitize, the more we're at risk. And when it's our money at stake, well, that's when things get real serious, real fast.

A successful cyberattack on a CBDC system could wreak havoc on national economies.

Think financial crashes, meltdowns, the works. It’s like putting all our financial eggs in one basket…

A very digital, and potentially very vulnerable, basket.

Not to sound like a fearmonger, but this is a real threat we need to consider before jumping aboard the CBDC train.

Danger Zone 3: Leaving Some Folks Behind

Not everyone is a tech whiz. And not everyone has access to the high-speed internet or fancy gadgets needed to use digital money.

By going all-in on digital, we risk leaving these folks in the dust. And that's a big problem.

Even here in the United States, as many as 14.5 million people (the ones who live in the blue-shaded counties below) don't have access to high-speed internet:

us high speed coverage

In areas with a significant digital divide, economic disparities could get even worse.

And this isn't just about fairness. It's about preventing a digital underclass from forming.

So, before we get too carried away with our CBDC enthusiasm, we need to make sure everyone can come along for the ride.

Danger Zone 4: Bank? Who Needs a Bank?

In a world of CBDCs, our everyday banks could become as outdated as a pager in a world of smartphones.

boarded up bank

If we can hold our digital dollars directly with the central bank, why would we need the banks we use today?

But here's the rub. Banks do more than just hold our money…

They lend money for homes, cars, and businesses.

They offer financial advice and a range of other services.

And if banks lose their relevance, we might lose access to these services.

So, while the idea of a world without bank fees sounds appealing, we need to think about what else we could be giving up.

Danger Zone 5: Rocking the Monetary Boat

Picture the central bank like the conductor of an orchestra, controlling the tempo and volume to keep everything in harmony.

Now, throw in a new, untested instrument and things could get out of sync pretty fast.

CBDCs could throw a wrench in the works of how central banks manage money supply and control inflation.

They might not be able to use the same tools they currently use.

And that could result in economic instability, which could hit us right where it hurts — our investments.

Danger Zone 6: International Intrigue

CBDCs could also throw a monkey wrench into how money flows around the world.

This isn't just about travel money. We're talking about the possibility of fluctuating exchange rates, changes in capital flows, and overall financial instability.

There's also the darker side to consider…

CBDCs could potentially be used to dodge economic sanctions, which opens a whole new can of worms on the international stage.

Danger Zone 7: System Shutdown

Remember when the internet went down and you couldn't stream your favorite show? Annoying, right?

Now, imagine if the entire digital monetary system went down. That's the scale of disruption we could be dealing with if a CBDC system crashes.

cbdc crash

Whether it's due to a technical glitch or a cyberattack, system outages are a real concern with CBDCs.

And it's not just about convenience. We're talking about a potentially economy-paralyzing situation.

It's a risk that we simply can't ignore.

Danger Zone 8: The Big Shift

Change can be tough. And moving from our current money system to a fully digital one won't be like flipping a switch.

There will be bumps along the way. And those bumps could cause confusion and instability, which could hit the economy.

This transition phase is a danger zone in itself.

It's like navigating a ship through stormy seas. And it means we need to be prepared for some choppy waters ahead.

Safeguarding Your Cash Cushion

All right, enough with the scary stuff. I promised this wouldn’t be all doom and gloom, after all.

So let's switch gears and talk about how to protect our moolah in this brave new digital world.

Because, remember, when it comes to your money, you're the captain of the ship.

And I’ve got some good news for you, mon capitaine.

My colleagues have been working nonstop researching this proposed transition.

And they’ve put together a comprehensive free report that walks you through several different investments you can make to protect yourself and your family from the potential dangers of a CBDC.

But this report isn't just a list of investments. It's a treasure map to help you navigate through the CBDC storm.

This guide will provide you with the knowledge and the tools you need to cushion your portfolio.

Whether your thing is investing in traditional assets, tech stocks, or even cryptocurrencies, we've got you covered.

Your Call to Action: Get Informed, Get Prepared

We're standing on the brink of a massive shift in global finance.

CBDCs won't take over overnight, but it's crucial to start prepping now. And that starts with understanding the risks and arming yourself with a strategic plan.

So here's your call to action, folks.

Don't just sit back and wait for the CBDC wave to hit.

Get your hands on our free report, learn as much as you can, adapt your strategy, and safeguard your financial future.

You've got this!

To your wealth,

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Jason Williams

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After graduating Cum Laude in finance and economics, Jason designed and analyzed complex projects for the U.S. Army. He made the jump to the private sector as an investment banking analyst at Morgan Stanley, where he eventually led his own team responsible for billions of dollars in daily trading. Jason left Wall Street to found his own investment office and now shares the strategies he used and the network he built with you. Jason is the founder of Main Street Ventures, a pre-IPO investment newsletter; the founder of Future Giants, a nano cap investing service; and authors The Wealth Advisory income stock newsletter. He is also the managing editor of Wealth Daily. To learn more about Jason, click here.

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