30/09/2023: The CIA is developing its AI tool to rival China, Amazon invests heavily in Anthropic's AI, stronger dollar puts pressure on gold. And more.

Weekly Digest: CIA’s New AI Tool, Gold Pressured

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rising steps made of one american dollar banknotes

Dollar hits 10-month high, putting pressure on gold. 

Gold prices on Wednesday plummeted to their lowest point in over a month as the dollar continued its ascent, with markets anticipating a longer period of elevated interest rates. 

Spot gold saw a 0.3% decline, reaching $1,895.13 per ounce, its lowest level since August 22. Simultaneously, U.S. gold futures dipped by 0.3% to $1,913.30.

The U.S. dollar remained robust, hitting a 10-month peak against major currencies, while Treasury yields remained elevated due to expectations of prolonged U.S. interest rate hikes.

Meanwhile, silver dropped 0.4% to $22.76 per ounce, reaching a 12-day low, and platinum fell 0.1% to $902.75. Palladium, on the other hand, was on course to end a four-session losing streak, gaining 1.1% to $1,237.37.

After a sharp selloff that had rattled both stocks and bonds, on Wednesday markets have regained some composure as a sense of calm returned. U.S. equity futures showed a 0.3% gain, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipping below its 200-day moving average—a technical sign suggesting that the index may have been oversold and could see a rebound. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), commonly known as Wall Street's fear gauge, retreated after reaching its highest level since May. 

U.S. Treasury yields reversed course, sliding by three basis points. This retracement follows a recent surge to a 16-year high, driven by speculation that the Federal Reserve may maintain a restrictive monetary policy well into the coming year. Additionally, the U.S. dollar hovered near its highest point for the year.

Market experts suggest that the stabilization in markets could be attributed, in part, to psychological factors. Investors may have reached a threshold for bond yields and now require more concrete reasons to push them higher.

The United States finds itself in a perilous position, more vulnerable than it was during the 2011 credit downgrade, warns the former chairman of S&P's sovereign rating committee. As the October 1st government shutdown deadline approaches, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces a tightrope walk in garnering support for a spending bill, with hard-right members within his party demanding deeper domestic spending cuts… a ticking time bomb that might be resolved by the time you read this 😉 

Moody's recently cautioned that a government shutdown would harm the nation's credit, following Fitch's downgrade of the long-term U.S. sovereign credit rating in August, spurred by the political standoff over raising the debt ceiling.

S&P had controversially downgraded the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA+ in 2011 due to political polarization during a debt ceiling dispute. John Chambers, the former chairman of S&P's Sovereign Rating Committee, asserts that a government shutdown is likely today, highlighting it as a glaring sign of weak governance.

OpenAI's ChatGPT has undergone a significant transformation, expanding its capabilities to "see, hear, and speak." This latest update, the most substantial since the introduction of GPT-4, empowers users to engage in voice conversations with ChatGPT through its mobile app, offering a choice of five synthetic voices for responses. Furthermore, users can now share images with ChatGPT and seek analysis or focus on specific details, enhancing the chatbot's utility. 

These enhancements will be rolled out to paying users within the next two weeks. While voice functionality will be limited to iOS and Android apps, image processing capabilities will be available across all platforms.

This development coincides with the escalating competition among AI chatbot leaders, including OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Anthropic. Tech giants are racing to introduce new chatbot apps and features to encourage wider adoption of generative AI in daily life. Google has announced multiple updates for its Bard chatbot, and Microsoft has incorporated visual search into Bing.

CIA develops its own AI tool to rival China in the quest for information. 

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is gearing up to introduce its artificial intelligence tool, akin to OpenAI's ChatGPT, to bolster analysts' access to open-source intelligence. The CIA's Open-Source Enterprise division plans to offer this AI tool to US intelligence agencies in a bid to navigate the vast amount of publicly available data and remain competitive with China's AI ambitions. 

This tool will enable users to trace the information source and engage in real-time conversations with AI, enhancing intelligence distribution and collection. While the CIA hasn't disclosed the specific AI model or data protection measures, it underscores the agency's efforts to collaborate with the tech sector. 

The tool will be accessible to the 18-agency US intelligence community but not policymakers or the public, adhering to US privacy laws. This development aligns with the broader US initiative to leverage AI for intelligence purposes while addressing privacy concerns.

In a bold step, e-commerce titan Amazon is injecting up to $4 billion into the artificial intelligence trailblazer, Anthropic, while securing a minority stake in the company. This move underscores Amazon's vigorous foray into AI, positioning itself to match rivals like Microsoft and Google. 

Founded two years ago by former OpenAI researchers, Anthropic recently unveiled its AI marvel, Claude 2. Amazon is capitalizing on the buzz surrounding generative AI, home to tech gems like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude chatbots.

Hui Ka Yan, the billionaire chairman of the beleaguered property developer China Evergrande Group, has been put under police control, according to insiders familiar with the matter. Hui was taken into custody by Chinese authorities earlier this month and is currently subject to residential surveillance, a form of police action that does not constitute formal detention but imposes significant limitations on his activities.

The news is the latest indication that the turmoil surrounding the world's most indebted developer is entering a new phase, potentially involving the criminal justice system. Earlier this month, Chinese authorities detained some staff from Evergrande's wealth management unit, and two former executives were reportedly held. 

These developments further raise questions about Evergrande's future, particularly in light of recent setbacks to its restructuring efforts, causing turmoil in financial markets and heightening the risk of liquidation.

Oil prices have surged to their highest level in over a year, driven by shrinking crude stocks at a key storage hub, Cushing, Oklahoma. Crude inventories there fell to 22 million barrels, close to the minimum operational level, down 943,000 barrels from the prior week. (

Experts attribute this surge to Cushing's dwindling inventories and anticipate oil prices to remain high for the year. 

The continued decrease in stocks could make it challenging to meet demand, potentially pushing prices even higher. Analysts suggest that the market's strong deficit, driven by the recent production cuts by OPEC+ and the extended voluntary cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia, will support these elevated prices. 

Risks are that this rise in energy prices will rekindle the inflation fire as its just starting to cool down.

Eurozone inflation dropped to 4.3% in September, the lowest since October 2021, down from 5.2% in August. Core inflation also decreased to 4.5%. The European Central Bank recently hiked interest rates to 4%, aiming to address inflation concerns However, officials remain cautious about rate cuts and predict inflation at 5.6% this year, declining to 3.2% in 2024 and 2.1% in 2025. (

The economic outlook remains uncertain, with the ECB forecasting modest growth and concerns about rising oil prices. 

Inflation rates vary significantly across European nations, with Germany at 4.3%, France at 5.6%, and Spain at 3.2% in September.

A meme mocking chatgpt stealing jobs

Russian President Vladimir Putin attending a meeting

Europe needs a makeover to outlast Putin’s long war.”

As the Ukraine conflict drags on, Vladimir Putin's strategy of outlasting Western allies poses a mounting challenge to European leaders. Populist parties in Slovakia and Poland, fueled by Ukraine's financial aid burden, are gaining momentum. The prospect of a second Donald Trump presidency, which could diminish U.S. support for Ukraine, further emboldens Putin's agenda. 

While Europe has surpassed the U.S. in providing aid to Ukraine, war fatigue is inevitable. To counter Putin's long-war strategy, Europe must send a clear signal of support, consider EU accession talks for Ukraine, bolster its defense, and help Ukraine overcome Putin's grain blockade. The key is convincing Putin that his control over Ukraine isn't inevitable, leading to a lasting settlement, according to Bloomberg Opinion columnist Marc Champion.

The French Ministry of Economy and Finance

France boosts welfare and pensions to counter inflation surge.

As part of its 2024 budget bill, the French government plans to increase welfare and pension payouts to aid households in battling the rampant inflation that has gripped developed nations, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire announced. Acknowledging the worst inflation crisis since the 1970s, Le Maire emphasized the need to address this pressing concern while also focusing on reducing the country's debt and deficit. 

However, as France phases out costly price controls on gas and electricity, Le Maire cautioned that the state can no longer bear the entire burden of combating inflation. To alleviate the situation, the government has applied pressure on major food retailers in the country to offer car fuel at cost. Additionally, they are accelerating annual food price negotiations between retailers and producers to swiftly deliver reduced prices to consumers.

A New York judge has delivered a damning verdict: Former President Donald Trump engaged in fraud while constructing his real estate empire, leading to a resounding rejection of his attempt to dismiss a civil lawsuit. Judge Arthur Engoron determined that Trump and his company, including sons Eric and Donald Jr., consistently deceived banks, insurers, and others by inflating asset values and exaggerating his net worth on official documents. 

The lawsuit, initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleges that Trump and the Trump Organization engaged in a decade-long deception about asset values and net worth, all in an effort to secure favorable terms on bank loans and insurance.

Judge Engoron left no room for doubt, stating that the documents clearly contained fraudulent valuations used in business dealings. James asserts that Trump inflated his net worth by up to $2.23 billion, or even as much as $3.6 billion, on annual financial statements given to financial institutions and insurers.

Gravity and general theory of relativity concept.

 In a significant scientific feat, researchers have, for the first time, demonstrated that antimatter reacts to gravity just like ordinary matter, affirming Albert Einstein's foundational theory of general relativity. 

Ordinary matter, which constitutes everything from planets to puppies, differs from antimatter solely in its electrical charge. While matter particles are negatively or positively charged, antimatter particles possess the opposite charge. Despite theory suggesting an equal creation of matter and antimatter during the Big Bang, antimatter is notably scarce in the universe, including Earth, due to its annihilation effect when in contact with matter.

This groundbreaking experiment took place at the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland, led by researchers from the international Antihydrogen Laser Physics Apparatus (ALPHA) collaboration. They focused on antimatter's counterpart to hydrogen, the lightest element, providing new insights into the behavior of these elusive particles.

Gold offers several powerful advantages as a store of value. Discover why more and more investors are turning to this precious metal.

What are the advantages of gold compared to other investments?

A look at the strong changes in demand in the gold sector y-o-y.

A Shift in Gold Demand Trends

Good thing central banks can't print gold. 😉

21.9% Annual Inflation... and Counting

Despite slowing down, the frenzy around silver has kept prices up, and demand for physical bars and coins strong, while doubts over the state of the silver stocks emerge. Is Silver Setting the Stage for a Breakout?

Is Silver Setting the Stage for a Breakout?

We are thrilled to announce that our CEO Alessandro Soldati was invited for an open and lively discussion on a popular YouTube channel Frugalisme et Liberte Financiere.

How to Buy Physical Gold Online in 2022?

17/02/22: The European Central Bank could raise interest rates in 2022, the gold price goes up as tensions over Ukraine resurface, Switzerland lifts most Covid-19 restrictions. And more.

Weekly Digest: ECB Rate Hikes, Gold Up on Ukraine Tensions

Choosing between gold and silver: A comparison to help you decide which metal might be right for you.

Should You Buy Gold or Silver?

Reddit and the Wall Street Silver crowd are planning a new #Silversqueeze. With more coordination and hindsight, will they succeed in rising the silver price? 

#Silversqueeze 2.0?                         

The Federal Reserve’s inflation goals are getting risky and could cause the rate to overheat dangerously if they were to push it too hard.

The Fed’s Dangerous Game

Meet GOLD AVENUE CEO, Alessandro Soldati, in our first Q&A video session!

Q&A with our CEO - Alessandro Soldati

The Fed desperately wants higher inflation that would exceed its 2% target. Will the ECB follow the lead? It looks like it. 

Does the European Central Bank Want High Inflation?

24/02/22: Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the S&P is in a correction for the first time since the 2020 Wall Street plunge, gold hits a 20-month high. And more. 

Weekly digest: Ukraine Crisis, Markets Shaken, Gold’s Up

Russia’s decision to remove the US dollar assets from its sovereign wealth fund and partially replace them by gold boosts the yellow metal’s importance as a strategic asset.

Russia's New Move on Gold

After yet another central bank starts considering negative interest rates, we’re taking a look at how unlimited debt can impact physical gold investment.

Is Unlimited Debt Good for Gold?

World markets have taken a hit as the Russian invasion of Ukraine spooked investors around the globe. Here’s what you can do right now to protect your investment portfolio and gold savings.

Ukraine-Russia Conflict: What Impact on Your Savings?

You probably noticed certain industries and communities aren’t bouncing back as quickly as others during times of recession or economic crisis. That’s what the K-shaped recovery is all about.

What the K-Shaped Recovery Means for Gold

03/03/22: Markets are on a wild rollercoaster ride, Eurozone inflation at a record high, Russia intensifies its invasion of Ukraine, gold proves itself as a safe haven. And more.

Weekly digest: inflation rising, Russia sanctions, gold gains

You want to start investing but you don't know where to start? Here is a beginner’s guide to investing.

How to Start Investing in 2023? Here's What You Need to Know

The #silversqueeze movement took the investment world by storm and has the potential of shaking up the silver market. Will it be here for the long term?

#silversqueeze

Here’s a rare sneak peek into one of the world’s biggest gold refineries. 

How Do You Make Gold Bars?

10/03/22: Gold and palladium hit a record high, oil records its worst day since November, Biden signs an executive order on crypto. And more. 

Weekly digest: Metals on the Rise, Oil Drops, Crypto Order

In 2021, central banks continued buying gold, with emerging countries stepping up as key net buyers. Do you wonder why? Here’s what you need to know.

Central Bank Gold Buying Explained

With inflation soaring in Europe and the U.S, learn how to navigate higher consumer prices from this great personal finance video from Sorelle Amore.

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17/03/22: The Fed has raised interest rates for the 1st time since 2018, one of Brazil’s biggest funds goes for gold, E.U.'s rethinking gas supplies. And more.

Weekly Digest: Fed’s 1st Rate Hike, Gold in Demand

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, investors rushed to gold, the world’s oldest safe-haven asset, pushing its price to a new record. Why did this happen? Here’s what you need to know. 

Investor Gold Demand is Booming Right Now: Here's Why 

On August 15, 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon possibly made the biggest monetary error in history. A video from Libre & Riche will tell you why.

All You Need to Know About the World’s Greatest Monetary Catastrophe

24/07/22: The U.K. hit by the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades, Powell finally admits inflation is “much too high”, European stocks drop. And more.

Weekly Digest: Cost of Living Crisis, Inflation Problem

The U.S. Federal Reserve has announced its first interest rate hike since 2018. What could this mean for the gold price? Here’s what you need to know. 

How Interest Rate Hikes Affect the Gold Price

31/03/22: European inflation soars to new heights, Russia resumes gold purchases, no breakthrough seen in Ukraine war despite renewed peace talks. And more. 

Weekly Digest: EU Inflation Runs Hot, Ukraine Peace Talks

It seems that the ongoing US presidential election has not changed the situation in the gold market so far as the macro backdrop remains quite favorable to the yellow metal.

Trump + Biden = Gold?

Do you want to buy gold bars but are not sure where to start? Here’s what you need to know to build your precious metals portfolio in a smart way.

How Do You Buy Physical Gold Bars? 

The backdrop of global inflation in the U.S. and Europe was already worrying. Now, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is making the situation even worse, including sending gas prices soaring to record levels. Here’s what you need to know.

Here’s How Rising Gas Prices and Inflation Fuel Each Other

07/04/22: More and more people are worried about rising consumer prices, experts think the U.S. recession is inevitable, cryptocurrencies are facing some privacy issues. And more.

Weekly Digest: Inflation Worries, U.S. Recession

It looks like stagflation could be here soon. Here’s what you need to know to understand the economic phenomenon that stifled growth through the 1970s.

What Is Stagflation and Why Should We Worry About It?

14/4/22: U.S. inflation hit 8.5% in March, the highest since 1981, EU ban on Russian gas could spark a sharp recession in Germany, Ukraine peace talks “at a dead end.” And more.

Weekly Digest: U.S. Inflation at 40-Year High, German Recession Risk 

Leading world banks say we should get ready for a new recession shock. What does it mean exactly, and what investments might be the best place to stash your hard-earned money?

Recession Risk is Rising, Economists Say. Here's What It Means for Investors

21/04/2022: The IMF cuts its global economic growth forecast, UN says the war in Ukraine could create a global food crisis “beyond anything seen since World War II,” Macron and Le Pen fight for the presidency. And more.

Weekly Digest: IMF Cuts Growth Forecast, Hunger Threat

If you are a parent, you probably want to find the best way to set your kids up for financial success. Here’s how your gold savings will help you start building their lifelong wealth.

3 Ways Gold Savings Can Benefit Your Children and Family

Easy is always right. Especially when it comes to buying precious metals. If you still don’t know what’s the easiest way to buy gold, you’re in the right place.

The Easiest Way to Buy Gold and Precious Metals

28/4/22: Russia halts gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, the Fed is set for more aggressive rate hikes to tame inflation, Musk seals the deal to buy Twitter. And more.

Weekly Digest: Russia’s Gas Cutoff, Musk’s Twitter Deal

If your children are the lucky ones to get a hoard of gold as an inheritance, there are 4 things you should do before passing it on to them.

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04/05/22: The Fed is set to fight inflation with the fastest rate hikes in decades, Fitch trims China’s 2022 growth forecast amid Covid-19 lockdowns, two Argentinian banks will allow crypto trading. And more.

Weekly Digest: Fed Rate Hike, Cuts to China’s Growth Forecast 

Here are the 4 handy tips you can immediately put into practice when buying physical gold for the first time.

How Do You Buy Gold? A Beginner’s Guide

Swissmint made history as they issued their first-ever 50-franc Vreneli gold coin on May 11, 2022, making a very special coin even more popular in Switzerland and beyond.

Swissmint Issues a New Limited-Edition Vreneli Coin

12/05/22: U.S. inflation stays at a 40-year high, defying expectations of a bigger drop, crypto and stocks fall, reacting to the U.S. inflation data. And more.

Weekly Digest: U.S. Inflation, Stocks, Crypto Crash

The end of Bretton Woods seems to be an essential reason behind the widening of the productivity-pay gap that reveals gold's influence as a source of stability.

What is the Productivity–Pay Gap?

A quick overview of the performance of gold versus some of the major commodities for the first half of 2020.

🔥 Gold VS Commodities 🔥

You read in the press that persistently high inflation has finally peaked and should be going down soon. But the latest CPI numbers show it might not be entirely true. Here’s why.

Has Inflation Peaked? Here's What You Need to Know to Understand Inflation

19/05/22: U.S. stocks post the biggest daily drop in almost two years, Sri Lanka default hints at troubles ahead for developing nations, E.U. slashes growth forecast. And more.

Weekly Digest: Dow Tumbles, Food Inflation Getting Worse

Since the start of 2022, the stock market has been on a wild ride, while gold was close to hitting a new record high in March. Which has performed better so far? We guess you already know.🙃

Gold Price Vs. Stock Market: 2022 Edition

While the Fed is taking a dovish stance, investors are fearing a real rise in inflation in the near future.

Is the Fed Moving Too Slow to Counter Inflation?

25/05/2022: U.S. stocks slumped again amid economic data, the global food crisis risks causing a “messy” migration in Europe, Bitcoin could fall to $8,000. And more.

Weekly Digest: Stocks Slump, ‘Messy’ Migration Risk in Europe

Have you been thinking of investing in platinum bars and coins? Here’s what you need to know about one of the world’s rarest precious metals.

Investing in Platinum: A Beginner’s Guide

02/06/22: The Eurozone inflation hits a new record high, JPMorgan Chase CEO warns of the economic hurricane, EU leaders agree to ban most Russian crude imports. And more. 

Weekly Digest: Eurozone Inflation, Economic Hurricane

09/06/22: The OECD has lowered its growth forecast for this year, Eurozone inflation is expected to peak, U.K. economy is facing stagnation. And more.

Weekly Digest: OECD Cuts Growth Forecast, EU Inflation to Peak

Central banks are rushing to raise interest rates to tackle rising consumer prices in Europe. There are a few things we can learn from them about fighting inflation.

How to Fight Inflation? The Central Bank Edition 

Thanks to GOLD AVENUE, Tibo InShape was able to enter the famous gold refinery MKS PAMP. Watch the video and follow Tibo in his discovery of gold!

Tibo InShape & GOLD AVENUE: visit of a gold refinery in Switzerland!

16/06/22: Fed announced a historic rate hike, a U.S. recession is looming, bitcoin is plunging, U.K. economy is shrinking, China’s contact with aliens. And more. 

Weekly Digest: Big Fed Hike, Recession Fears, Gold Could Soar

GOLD AVENUE’s CEO Alessandro Soldati was selected by Bilan magazine as one of French-speaking Switzerland's most promising young entrepreneurs.

Bilan Chooses GOLD AVENUE Among Switzerland’s Top Young Startups

If you are considering buying silver bars and coins, there are a few things you need to know first about one of the world’s most valuable and accessible precious metals.

Investing in Silver: A Beginner’s Guide

Country-specific guides to understand gold as an investment in 2021 from the World Gold Council.

The relevance of gold as a strategic asset: 2021

Famous precious metal skeptic buys gold as a hedge against accelerating inflation which he says is “reminiscent of the 1970s”.

Lifelong Gold Skeptic Makes Major U-Turn

23/06/22: The stock market dropped as recession fears grow, UK inflation hits a new 40-year high, Bitcoin could plunge to a low of $13,000. And more.

Weekly Digest: Stock Rally Fizzles, Recession Risk

While stocks and bitcoin went down sharply due to rising inflation and uncertain economic outlook, gold has retained its value, exactly when investors and savers needed it. 

Bitcoin, stocks, gold: What is the best investment today?

29/06/22: Morgan Stanley sees a mild recession coming to the Eurozone this year, G7 countries agree to ban gold imports from Russia, German inflation eases. And more. 

Weekly Digest: Eurozone Recession, Ban on Russian Gold

What does the future hold for gold? Here are the 4 trends that could make the yellow metal shine in the nearest future.

Is the price of gold going up next year? 4 main drivers explained

07/07/2022: Gold drops over 2% in a selloff sparked by a strong dollar, U.K.'s Johnson is expected to step down, higher interest rates are unlikely to solve the inflation problem. And more. 

Weekly Digest: Gold Inches Down, Johnson to Resign 

A gold hunt story that captivated thousands and inspired a decade-long obsession with the famous Forrest Fenn treasure.

The Mysterious Hunt for Forrest Fenn's Gold Treasure

14/07/22: U.S. inflation accelerates to 9.1%, Europe is on high alert over Russia’s gas squeeze, NASA reveals the most detailed pictures of deep space ever taken. And more.

Weekly Digest: U.S. Inflation Soars, Russia’s Gas Squeeze

Gold has been with us since pretty much the dawn of civilization, and yet there have been a number of harmful myths surrounding this precious metal.

5 Myths About Gold Investment

This is the incredible story of one of the biggest gold scandals in history which started in Canada and ended in the depths of the Borneo jungle.

The Biggest Gold Mining Scandal in History

As the Fed raises interest rates and Russia squeezes gas supplies to Europe, it looks like the global economy is slowly but surely drifting into a recession. Will it happen by the end of 2022, and what does it mean for gold? 

Is a Recession Coming in 2022? 

If you are a beginner investor, choosing the right time to buy physical gold and silver may not look like an easy task. But in reality, it’s quite simple. Especially if you know the right investment strategy.

Is It a Good Time to Buy Gold?

Is today’s rising inflation mimicking a time when a sudden jump in inflation took investors by surprise? Top economic historian Niall Ferguson might have the answer.