2026: Looking Forward

On this episode of America’s Gold Authority® Podcast, host Mike Barnes is joined by Philip N. Diehl, President of U.S. Money Reserve and former Director of the U.S. Mint, and Brad Chastain, U.S. Money Reserve’s Director of Education, to assess whether gold can sustain its strength following an extraordinary 2025.

The conversation explores why forecasting has become increasingly difficult in an era defined by rapid change, from aggressive trade policies and geopolitical tensions to accelerating advances in artificial intelligence. Diehl and Chastain explain how repeated interest rate cuts, rising global debt, and shifting alliances are reshaping the financial landscape, while central banks and governments adjust to a more fragmented global system.

They also examine why long-standing portfolio models are being reconsidered, as correlations between stocks and bonds rise and confidence in sovereign debt weakens. With deglobalization gaining momentum and economic signals sending mixed messages, the episode outlines why gold continues to stand apart as a neutral asset—one not tied to any single country’s liabilities or political decisions.

Looking ahead, the discussion offers perspective on what consumers may face in 2026, including labor market disruption, uneven economic outcomes, and continued uncertainty around monetary policy. Against that backdrop, Diehl and Chastain explain why many financial leaders are elevating the role of precious metals as part of long-term wealth protection strategies.

As one of the nation’s largest private distributors of government-issued gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products, U.S. Money Reserve brings rare leadership experience to these conversations. With two former Directors of the U.S. Mint on its leadership team and more than one million clients served, the company provides trusted insights into navigating evolving financial conditions.