Welcome to The Bitcoin Policy Hour, where we delve into the critical intersection of Bitcoin adoption and geopolitics. Today, I'm excited to share insights on why the United States must embrace Bitcoin as a strategic asset to maintain its competitive edge against countries like China.
The Significance of a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve
Securing America's Financial Future
Experts at the Bitcoin Policy Institute emphasize the importance of establishing a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve to safeguard the nation's economic interests. By prioritizing Bitcoin, the U.S. can navigate the evolving landscape of global finance with confidence.
The Implications of the Bitcoin Space Race
Shifting Power Dynamics
Exploring the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bill reveals the pitfalls of relying on centralized stablecoin systems and underscores the strategic advantage that Bitcoin offers in economic warfare. In today's world, Bitcoin is not just a currency—it's a powerful tool that can shape the geopolitical balance.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Join Matt Pines and Zack Shapiro as they dissect the evolving Bitcoin policy landscape. Gain a deeper understanding of how Bitcoin is becoming a cornerstone of national security strategy, reshaping the dynamics of global power and influence.
The Path Forward for the U.S.
Embracing Innovation for Sustainable Growth
As the U.S. navigates the intricacies of crypto legislation, it's crucial to recognize that prioritizing Bitcoin is not just a choice—it's a strategic imperative. By proactively embracing Bitcoin, America can lead the way in shaping the future of finance.
Don't miss out on the latest developments in Bitcoin policy and its impact on the global stage. Stay informed, stay ahead, and be part of the conversation that will define the future of financial security and sovereignty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tax on gold in an IRA
The fair market value of gold sold is the basis for tax. You don't have tax to pay when you buy or sell gold. It is not income. If you sell it later you will have a taxable profit if the price goes down.
For loans, gold can be used to collateral. Lenders seek to get the best return when you borrow against your assets. This often means selling gold. However, there is no guarantee that the lender would do this. They may keep it. They might decide to sell it. The bottom line is that you could lose potential profit in any case.
So to avoid losing money, you should only lend against your gold if you plan to use it as collateral. It's better to keep it alone.
What amount should I invest in my Roth IRA?
Roth IRAs allow you to deposit your money tax-free. You cannot withdraw funds from these accounts until you reach 59 1/2. However, if you do decide to take out some of your contributions before then, there are specific rules you must follow. You cannot touch your principal (the amount you originally deposited). No matter how much money you contribute, you cannot take out more than was originally deposited to the account. If you are able to take out more that what you have initially contributed, you must pay taxes.
The second rule says that you cannot withdraw your earnings without paying income tax. When you withdraw, you will have to pay income tax. Consider, for instance, that you contribute $5,000 per year to your Roth IRA. Let's say you earn $10,000 each year after contributing. You would owe $3,500 in federal income taxes on the earnings. That leaves you with only $6,500 left. This is the maximum amount you can withdraw because you are limited to what you initially contributed.
If you took $4,000 from your earnings, you would still owe taxes for the $1,500 remaining. You'd also lose half the earnings that you took out, as they would be subject to a second 50% tax (half of 40%). So even though your Roth IRA ended up having $7,000, you only got $4,000.
Two types of Roth IRAs are available: Roth and traditional. Traditional IRAs allow pre-tax contributions to be deducted from your taxable tax income. You can withdraw your contributions plus interest from your traditional IRA when you retire. A traditional IRA can be withdrawn up to the maximum amount allowed.
Roth IRAs won't let you deduct your contributions. Once you are retired, however, you may withdraw all of your contributions plus accrued interest. There is no minimum withdrawal limit, unlike traditional IRAs. It doesn't matter if you are 70 1/2 or older before you withdraw your contribution.
What is the best way to hold physical gold?
Gold is money. Not just paper currency. It is an asset that people have used over thousands of years as money, and a way to protect wealth from inflation and economic uncertainties. Investors today use gold to diversify their portfolios because gold is more resilient to financial turmoil.
Today, Americans prefer precious metals like silver and gold to stocks and bonds. Although owning gold does not guarantee that you will make money investing in it, there are many reasons to consider adding gold into your retirement portfolio.
Another reason is the fact that gold historically has performed better than other assets in times of financial panic. The S&P 500 declined 21 percent during the same period. Gold prices increased nearly 100 per cent between August 2011 – early 2013. Gold was one of the few assets that performed better than stocks during turbulent market conditions.
Gold is one of the few assets that has virtually no counterparty risks. You still have your shares even if your stock portfolio falls. However, if you have gold, your value will rise even if the company that you invested in defaults on its loans.
Finally, gold provides liquidity. This means that, unlike most other investments, you can sell your gold anytime without worrying about finding another buyer. Because gold is so liquid compared to other investments, buying it in small amounts makes sense. This allows for you to benefit from the short-term fluctuations of the gold market.
How to open a Precious Metal IRA
The first step in opening an Individual Retirement Account, (IRA), is to decide if it's something you want. Open the account by filling out Form 8606. For you to determine the type and eligibility for which IRA, you need Form 5204. This form must be submitted within 60 days of the account opening. Once you have completed this form, it is possible to begin investing. You might also be able to contribute directly from the paycheck through payroll deduction.
For a Roth IRA you will need to complete Form 8903. The process for an ordinary IRA will not be affected.
To qualify for a precious-metals IRA, you'll need to meet some requirements. The IRS says you must be 18 years old and have earned income. Your annual earnings cannot exceed $110,000 ($220,000 if you are married and file jointly) for any tax year. Contributions must be made on a regular basis. These rules will apply regardless of whether your contributions are made through an employer or directly out of your paychecks.
You can use a precious-metals IRA to purchase gold, silver and palladium. However, you won't be able purchase physical bullion. You won't have the ability to trade stocks or bonds.
Your precious metals IRA can be used to directly invest in precious metals-related companies. This option may be offered by some IRA providers.
There are two main drawbacks to investing through an IRA in precious metallics. First, they're not as liquid as stocks or bonds. They are therefore more difficult to sell when necessary. Second, they are not able to generate dividends as stocks and bonds. Therefore, you will lose more money than you gain over time.
Can I hold a gold ETF in a Roth IRA?
This option may not be available in a 401(k), but you should look into other options such as an Individual Retirement account (IRA).
A traditional IRA allows contributions from both employee and employer. An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is another way to invest in publicly traded companies.
An ESOP is a tax-saving tool because employees have a share of company stock as well as the profits that the business generates. The money in the ESOP can then be subject to lower tax rates than if the money were in the individual's hands.
A Individual Retirement Annuity is also possible. An IRA allows you to make regular payments throughout your life and earn income in retirement. Contributions to IRAs will not be taxed
How much gold do you need in your portfolio?
The amount that you want to invest will dictate how much money it takes. A small investment of $5k-10k would be a great option if you are looking to start small. You could then rent out desks and office space as your business grows. So you don't have all the hassle of paying rent. Only one month's rent is required.
Also, you need to think about the type of business that you are going to run. In my case, I am running a website creation company, so we charge clients around $1000-2000/month depending on what they order. If you are doing this type of thing, it is important to think about how much you can expect from each client.
If you are doing freelance work, you probably won't have a monthly salary like I do because the project pays freelancers. This means that you may only be paid once every six months.
Before you can determine how much gold you'll need, you must decide what type of income you want.
I recommend starting with $1k-$2k in gold and working my way up.
How does a Gold IRA account work?
People who wish to invest in precious metals can use Gold Ira accounts as a tax-free investment vehicle.
You can purchase physical bullion gold coins at any point in time. You don't have a retirement date to invest in gold.
The beauty of owning gold as an IRA is you can hold on to it forever. Your gold holdings will not be subject to tax when you are gone.
Your gold will be passed on to your heirs, without you having to pay capital gains taxes. You don't need to include your gold in your final estate report, as it isn't part of the estate.
First, an individual retirement account will be set up to allow you to open a golden IRA. After you have done this, an IRA custodian will be assigned to you. This company acts as an intermediary between you and IRS.
Your gold IRA Custodian will manage the paperwork and submit all necessary forms to IRS. This includes filing annual reporting.
After you have established your gold IRA you will be able purchase gold bullion coin. Minimum deposit is $1,000 A higher interest rate will be offered if you invest more.
Taxes will be charged on gold you have withdrawn from an IRA. If you are withdrawing your entire balance, you will owe income tax plus a 10% penalty.
Even if your contribution is small, you might not have to pay any taxes. However, there are some exceptions. For example, taking out 30% or more of your total IRA assets, you'll owe federal income taxes plus a 20 percent penalty.
It is best to not take out more than 50% annually of your total IRA assets. You could end up with severe financial consequences.
Statistics
- If you accidentally make an improper transaction, the IRS will disallow it and count it as a withdrawal, so you would owe income tax on the item's value and, if you are younger than 59 ½, an additional 10% early withdrawal penalty. (forbes.com)
- This is a 15% margin that has shown no stable direction of growth but fluctuates seemingly at random. (smartasset.com)
- If you take distributions before hitting 59.5, you'll owe a 10% penalty on the amount withdrawn. (lendedu.com)
- (Basically, if your GDP grows by 2%, you need miners to dig 2% more gold out of the ground every year to keep prices steady.) (smartasset.com)
- Indeed, several financial advisers interviewed for this article suggest you invest 5 to 15 percent of your portfolio in gold, just in case. (aarp.org)
External Links
irs.gov
wsj.com
- Saddam Hussein's InvasionHelped Uncage a Bear In 90 – WSJ
- Do you want to keep your IRA gold at home? It's Not Exactly Lawful – WSJ
cftc.gov
bbb.org
How To
How to Keep Physical Gold in an IRA
An easy way to invest gold is to buy shares from gold-producing companies. This method is not without risks. There's no guarantee these companies will survive. Even if the company survives, they still face the risk of losing their investment due to fluctuations in gold's price.
Another option is to purchase physical gold. This means that you will need to open an account at a bank, bullion seller online, or purchase gold from a trusted seller. These options offer the convenience of easy access, as you don't need stock exchanges to do so. You can also make purchases at lower prices. It's easier to track how much gold is in your possession. You'll get a receipt showing exactly what you paid, so you'll know if any taxes were missed. You are also less likely to be robbed than investing in stocks.
There are however some disadvantages. For example, you won't benefit from banks' interest rates or investment funds. You can't diversify your holdings, and you are stuck with the items you have bought. Finally, the tax man might ask questions about where you've put your gold!
If you'd like to learn more about buying gold in an IRA, visit the website of BullionVault.com today!
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By: Spencer Nichols
Title: The Bitcoin Space Race: Ensuring U.S. Leadership in the Global Crypto Landscape
Sourced From: bitcoinmagazine.com/news/the-bitcoin-space-race-why-the-u-s-risks-falling-behind-its-rivals
Published Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2025 21:26:30 +0000