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Is the Anger Toward Fiat Currency Justified?

Back in 2012, the Cato Institute published a paper titled The Coming Fiat Money Cataclysm and the Case for Gold. The libertarian think tank is hardly unique in its animosity toward the fiat currency system, nor was its 2012 paper wholly unique in its concepts and sentiments. It did, however, predict some of the issues we are trying to resolve today, notably inflation linked to the era of “cheap” money through low-interest rates.
Today, if you look at social media, particularly platforms like Reddit and Twitter/X, you’ll also find plenty of derisory posts about the fiat system. What’s more, we might argue, albeit unscientifically, that the backlash is growing. Some of this can be quantified. For example, there is some correlation between the rise of Bitcoin as hard money with a limited supply and
the criticism of the fiat currency system. However, some of it is not so easy to quantify, such as the animosity toward fiat currency being linked to wider dissatisfaction with the state.
But is any of it justifiable? The problem with answering that question is that there are both economic and sociological answers. The former is easier to frame, whereas the latter is not. Let’s start, though, by analyzing what we mean by fiat currency, which will help us understand its critics.
Fiat currency is effectively all money
Fiat currency is essentially money not backed by a physical commodity (gold or silver, for instance). It is, therefore, nearly all the money in existence in the world today. When you look at the trillions of dollars being traded in forex markets, it is fiat currency that’s being traded. The Canadian dollar used to be partially backed by gold, and some of its value is derived
from oil prices, but despite some arguments to the contrary, it remains a fiat currency.
So, why, then, should we criticize money? Well, it’s due to the fact that having no physical backing, such as a lump of gold or a barrel of oil, central banks and governments can print that money out of thin air. The charge against it is that printing new money creates more of it (naturally), and that eventually devalues it. You’ll often see anti-fiat accounts on Twitter/X
posting charts of how their currency’s purchasing power has declined or will decline over time. This is the economic argument against fiat currencies.
This chart shows how many years it would take for each fiat currency to lose 50% of its buying power if today's inflation rates remained constant.
The red line marks the average number of years worked before retirement.
There will be no retiring if one chooses to save in fiat. pic.twitter.com/P5CjXg5v3e
— Sam Callahan (@samcallah) April 2, 2024
However, the argument loses merit when certain factors are pointed out. Yes, the Canadian dollars in your pocket lose purchasing power over time, and that’s why you can’t buy a house for the same price as your grandparents. Yet, you also will earn a lot more than your grandparents. If something used to cost a dollar and you earned ten per hour later costs five
dollars, yet you earn fifty per hour, there isn’t really a problem. Of course, that’s just the theory, and it does not always work that way in practice.
Wages keeping up with inflation
In Canada, for example, disposable personal income has tripled since 2001. It also increased in the last quarter of 2023 (the latest period for measurement). Have wages kept up with inflation? Not always; you might look at everything from the cost of a cup of coffee to your mortgage payments to consider that it hasn’t. But the problem is not fiat currency in and of itself. It is the balance between price rises and the amount of money you earn. From the period 2019-2022, average hourly wages grew 12.5% in Canada; CPI rose 10.1% in that time. There were accelerated periods of inflation, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic, but on balance, wages kept up with inflation.
Now, none of this is meant to say that the fiat system is perfect, nor does it suggest that the government and central banks get it right on balancing the system. But broadly speaking, the antagonism toward fiat currency tends to be more sociological than economic. In short, people are angry at the system, not fiat currency itself. Those pushing the demise of fiat currency are often anti-establishment, at least ostensibly. They are interested in concepts like Bitcoin not only for financial reasons but also because it is not a creation of the state.
Their concerns do go into other areas, such as central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and it leads them to see the fiat currency system as one of control. How valid are those concerns about CBDCs? We would be foolish to dismiss them, and there should be perhaps a sense of frustration that the mainstream media is broadly ignoring the threat. At the moment, the official line from Canada is that there are no plans for a CBDC – yet. However, and this is important – the BoC is apparently researching the “need” for one in the future.
What would that “need” be? Could it be the control of citizens’ finances? There is an all-too-scary suggestion that this could be the route that governments take, where fiat currency becomes less money and more like social credit. You drink or gamble too much? Well, the government will freeze the money in your account until you prove you are spending responsibly. If we go into a situation where fiat currency becomes a system of control, then inflation is the least of our worries.
For some, there is a sense of a tipping point on the horizon. We have this situation where governments are constantly printing money – and taking on huge amounts of debt – and we have the specter of CBDCs. You can, therefore, understand the allure of Bitcoin and other decentralized forms of currency, although those systems in themselves are not perfect. The
question, though, is whether we meet these challenges before the tipping point is reached?
Also Interesting
Tips to build an income stream through betting

Financial freedom means different things to different people. Some seek to clear debt or reduce working hours. Others aim to build an income stream separate from traditional employment. Betting is often seen as entertainment, but some treat it as a potential method for financial gain.
It is not a simple route. Success in betting depends on skill, patience, and clear risk control. Casual bets and chasing losses are not the same as long-term planning. Play slots and live casino online deals may attract interest, but true gains require a well-developed approach grounded in calculation,
not luck.
Some treat betting as a serious income project. Like investing, it involves monitoring markets, sticking to rules, and managing emotion. These habits shape outcomes more than any single win or loss.
The Role of Strategy and Market Choice
Building consistent returns from betting starts with discipline. Most success stories come from people who specialize in specific markets. They avoid randomness and focus on repeatable patterns. This reduces risk and allows room for structured decisions.
For some, sports betting offers the best value. Others prefer slots, roulette, or blackjack. Success in each area depends on the ability to control the betting environment. Choosing fixed budgets, setting limits, and logging results all contribute to a more sustainable system.
In Ireland and the UK, platforms now offer a wider range of services. These include analytics tools, stat-based bets, and account dashboards. Markets like Slots and table games in Ireland are especially popular among users who combine short sessions with targeted goals.
Key traits of long-term betting approaches include:
● Specialising in specific games or sports.
● Avoiding emotional or rushed bets.
● Logging every session and reviewing performance.
● Staking only a fixed portion of the bankroll per event.
Psychological Factors and Risk Limits
Financial growth through betting requires mental control. Most losses in gambling happen when people act without a plan. Emotional decisions, such as doubling stakes after a loss, often lead to poor outcomes.
Structured bettors approach the activity with neutral judgement. They view each bet as part of a larger system, not an isolated moment. This approach reduces stress and protects capital. Understanding the limits of control also helps. For example, not every market behaves the same
way each week.
Many betting platforms now offer tools that assist with self-monitoring. These include loss caps, spending summaries, and trend reports. These systems support the user but cannot replace careful thinking. Understanding the connection between strategy risk and decision making can lead to
better choices, both short and long-term.
Economic Context and the Role of Discipline
The idea of using betting as a route to financial freedom often attracts attention during economic stress. Some people look for faster income options when prices rise or wages stagnate. However, betting is not a guaranteed path. It only works when treated as a skill-based discipline, not a
shortcut.
Those who see results often treat betting like a second job. They put in regular hours for research, review performance metrics, and stick to a strict process. This removes guesswork and replaces it with control.
Having multiple sources of income is one part of building financial freedom. Betting can be one of those if it is paired with discipline, patience, and analysis. It is not passive income. It requires consistent effort and awareness.
Sensible Goals and Sustainable Progress
Success with betting should not be measured in jackpots or sudden windfalls. Small, repeatable profits are more stable. The aim is to grow a bankroll slowly, avoid major losses, and learn from every result. This mindset supports steady progress and avoids burnout.
Financial freedom through betting is possible for some. However, it depends on the user, not the platform. Planning, structure, and clear risk boundaries matter more than the type of bet. For those who view betting as a long-term activity rather than a quick fix, it can play a role in building
independence.
As always, betting should be treated with care and clear intent. When combined with focus and habit, it can support a wider plan toward financial freedom. However, without those foundations, it is more likely to create setbacks than solutions.
Also Interesting
Dodgers Hitting Their Stride: Winning Streak Sets Stage for Key Matchups

The Dodgers are on a roll, with nine consecutive victories against the Colorado Rockies and nine out of the last 11 overall. Max Muncy hit a grand slam and drove in six, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched five scoreless innings, giving up only one hit and striking out six to go to 7-6 on the season in the finale on June 26 in Denver. More recently, in the season opener (June 25), the game was a 97 slugfest where Ohtani, Conforto, and Teoscar Hernandez, among others, put their stamp on the scoreboard, with the Dodgers taking home the game thanks to Colorado giving them the opportunity to win it late.
Top Players: Muncy/Ohtani Setting the Pace
Max Muncy has been feisty with the bat, hitting his twelfth homer of the season, his second grand slam in only three contests. Shohei Ohtani keeps producing at the plate and the mound with key home runs and a three-run triple as part of a 13-7 triumph over Washington last week, though he pitched a scoreless inning in his post-surgery outing. Teoscar Hernandez and Michael Conforto have also provided power and reliability, and provided the Dodgers with a strong offensive weapon range.
Squad Depth
The rotation has been boosted by Yoshinobu Yamamoto being the team’s ace, leading the team in April with a 1.06 ERA and still good towards the end of June, most recently against Colorado. The club has an extremely solid starting staff when healthy, with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow added to the mix in the offseason. Teoscar Hernandez has contributed clutch offense in the lineup during spring and early regular season after signing a three-year extension before the season began.
Looking at it through betting glasses, having both spectacular pitching and a potent offensive battery makes the Dodgers a heavy moneyline favorite and a good run line bet, particularly against inferior teams. Betting enthusiasts who want to compare the odds and get the maximum return on the Dodgers will find useful websites such as Wincomparator, a solid link to sportsbooks promotions, and a useful tool with real-time updates so that they can stay ahead of the odds.
What Next: Preview of Forthcoming Matchups
After sweeping Colorado, Los Angeles plans on concentrating on future matches at home. They have some prime match-ups with divisional rivals such as the Diamondbacks and Padres (who will provide the most difficult stretch of games in the NL West) as the season progresses. One of the most intriguing games will involve the Dodgers making a second visit to Arizona, a team that has a strong offense, including Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes.
In the meantime, recent Yankees-Dodgers previews indicated that New York would challenge L.A. with its depth as the Yankees were leading MLB in many offensive categories, and with games approaching in later summer, Dodgers fans will hope that Betts, Freeman, and Ohtani will be able to handle it in key moments in June or July.
Outlook: Second Half Positioning
As July approaches, the Dodgers appear to be in shape to continue dominating the NL West. They possess a talented pitching staff, a powerful offense that will depend on depth, and the ability to withstand injuries, which places them within the upper tier of projections, with pundits expecting them to prevail in futures markets towards another deep playoff run. So long as they remain healthy, continue to deliver in crunch time, Los Angeles is a solid step away in the season stretch run.
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