Andy Schectman, President and Owner of Miles Franklin, believes that a common settlement currency for the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) is an unavoidable outcome. In a recent interview with Michelle Makori, Lead Anchor and Editor-in-Chief at Kitco News, Schectman expressed his conviction that the BRICS will introduce a currency backed by a tangible asset.
“While the timing of the currency’s launch remains uncertain, the increasing alliances within the BRICS group indicate that it is on the horizon,” Schectman stated. He emphasized that the sheer size of the population represented by the BRICS alliance makes the introduction of a common currency a significant event, regardless of the specific timeline.
There have been conflicting reports leading up to the BRICS summit taking place in Johannesburg from August 22-24. Anil Sooklal, South Africa’s Ambassador at Large to Asia and BRICS, stated last month that a BRICS currency was not on the summit’s agenda. He clarified that the focus of the summit would be on trading and settling in local currencies.
Although the immediate goals for the BRICS group revolve around sidestepping the SWIFT system and avoiding Western sanctions, one event in the upcoming summit that investors should closely monitor is Saudi Arabia’s participation. This is because Saudi Arabia’s involvement could have a significant impact on the global de-dollarization movement.
Schectman sees Saudi Arabia as a crucial player in the transition away from the U.S. dollar. He predicts that eventually, 85% of the global population will abandon the greenback. This possible shift is rooted in the petrodollar system, where countries need to hold dollars to purchase oil from Saudi Arabia.
Schectman referred to the deal made between the Nixon administration and Saudi Arabia in the 1970s, which established that Saudis would exclusively trade oil in dollars in exchange for U.S. security guarantees. This agreement also led to a shift within OPEC to conduct oil sales in dollars, creating a synthetic demand for the dollar.
The recent actions of Saudi Arabia, including its decision to join the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), indicate a growing departure from the influence of Western powers. The SCO is a political, security, and trade alliance created in 2001 as a counterbalance to Western influence. As Saudi Arabia aligns itself with such powerful entities, it further lends credibility to the de-dollarization movement.
Schectman believes that the movement against the dollar extends beyond the BRICS bloc. If all these new alliances come together, it would represent a staggering 85% of the global population. He highlights the significance of merging initiatives such as the Belt Road Initiative, the BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Eurasian Economic Union.
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The trend of de-dollarization has been rapidly accelerating and is now seen as irreversible. “We are at a point of no return – ‘past the Rubicon,'” Schectman asserts. The settling of transactions outside the U.S. dollar diminishes its demand and puts pressure on its value, leading to rising interest rates.
Schectman paints a vivid analogy to describe the process: “It’s like a game of Jenga. You keep pulling out these pieces of the dollar hegemony one by one. At what point does it tumble? It’s not going to happen overnight, but you can see the acceleration. So little by little, and then all at once.”
The introduction of a BRICS currency, backed by a tangible asset, seems inevitable according to Andy Schectman. The shifting alliances within the BRICS group, the potential involvement of Saudi Arabia, and the growing trend of de-dollarization all contribute to this movement away from the U.S. dollar. The world’s reserve currency faces challenges as various countries seek to trade and settle transactions using their own currencies, potentially leading to a substantial impact on the global financial landscape.
Editor’s Note: While many precious metals companies are using this news as a scare tactic to generate sales, we tend to look at this in the long-term. Is it prudent to buy physical precious metals or back your retirement with them? Absolutely. But don’t get pushed into a poor deal based on fear. We recommend four America First companies who can help.
Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
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The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
Beyond the numbers, marketplace plans often carry structural limitations. Coverage for certain critical services may include waiting periods or narrower networks that restrict access to preferred doctors and specialists. Preventive care is required to be covered without cost-sharing, but everything else—lab work, imaging, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment—typically waits until the deductible is met. This reactive model contrasts sharply with the proactive, holistic approach many families prefer, especially those focused on wellness, early intervention, and maintaining health to enjoy life rather than merely reacting to illness.
Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
Private alternatives, by contrast, offer year-round flexibility without the restrictions of open enrollment windows. Independent agents can shop across a wider range of carriers to design plans tailored to specific family needs—whether that means lower deductibles for frequent medical users, broader provider networks, or add-ons that support wellness and preventive services from day one. Clients frequently report more stable premiums that do not automatically escalate each year, along with genuine cost savings once the full picture of deductibles, copays, and coverage depth is considered.
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Founder Jordan Sarmiento’s own journey underscores the stakes. In 2021, a six-day hospitalization generated a $95,000 bill. Under a well-structured private “Conservative Care Coverage” plan, his out-of-pocket responsibility would have been just $500. That stark difference illustrates how thoughtful planning and private options can prevent a medical event from becoming a financial catastrophe.
Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.
Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.