Veteran investor and creator Jim Rogers joined BullionStar’s Claudia Merkert for a wide-ranging dialog discussing record-breaking bullion demand, Asia’s financial ascent, and the enduring position of gold and silver in instances of uncertainty. Talking candidly, Rogers shared his long-term views on markets, currencies, and human habits — from shopping for despair, not euphoria, to the teachings of historical past that proceed to form his funding philosophy.
Asia’s Century and Why Jim Selected Singapore
Rogers has lengthy maintained that the twenty first century belongs to Asia. When requested why he selected to make Singapore his residence, he described it as each a private and strategic choice.
“I’m not terribly good, however I’m good sufficient to know that the twenty first century would be the century of Asia, whether or not we prefer it or not. China’s on the rise once more, many Asian international locations are on the rise once more. For those who think about Australia Asian, it’s on the rise too. I hope that all of it continues. Each of my kids communicate good Mandarin, fluent Mandarin, like natives. And I hope that I’m getting ready them for the twenty first century.”
He defined that instructing his kids Mandarin was a part of getting ready them for a worldwide future more and more centered round Asia. His transfer to Singapore displays a conviction that the world’s financial and cultural vitality has shifted eastward — and that those that adapt to it’ll thrive.
Singapore as a Bullion Hub
Requested why Singapore stood out amongst Asian cities, Rogers praised its order, security, and effectivity, contrasting it with the chaos of the West.
“Singapore’s nice. Every little thing works in Singapore. New York could be very thrilling, however nothing works. It’s laborious to reside there, as thrilling as it’s. And so they communicate English, they usually communicate Mandarin. Lee Kuan Yew, who was the man operating Singapore on the time, informed me, ‘Jim, we’re glad to have you ever right here, however you need to perceive that in Singapore, we communicate unhealthy English and unhealthy Chinese language.’ I now know he was proper, however it’s an easy place to reside.”
He went on to notice that Singapore’s bilingual tradition and steady governance make it a pure hub for international finance and treasured metals — a spot the place east and west meet, and the place belief within the system underpins investor confidence.
Gold and Silver in 2025
Turning to markets, Rogers mirrored on gold’s historic rise this yr and what it means for buyers.
“Effectively, I clearly wished I had extra. When one thing’s making all-time highs and going straight up, you by no means have sufficient, and it has been 30 years. My approach of approaching gold and silver is I prefer it when there’s despair. Once you learn the press otherwise you’re on TV and also you see everyone’s there, it’s too late for gold and silver. When there’s pessimism and despair, then I get .”
Rogers’ feedback seize his core philosophy — contrarian endurance. He prefers to build up when others panic, not when enthusiasm peaks. The message is obvious: shopping for despair, not euphoria, is what builds sturdy wealth.
Institutional Shifts Towards Gold
As gold gained mainstream acceptance this yr, even main monetary establishments started adjusting their fashions to incorporate it. Rogers welcomed the shift however tempered it with perspective.
“I hope Morgan Stanley’s not too late to determine that gold and silver have at all times been good inflation hedges all through historical past. And good, I’m delighted — the extra the merrier. There’s a downside, in fact, every time markets get too sizzling, they’ve to chill off.”
He went on to say that whereas it’s encouraging to see institutional validation, buyers ought to keep cautious of hype cycles. For him, gold’s goal has by no means been about chasing returns — it’s about holding actual, enduring worth when different property stumble.
Holding and Promoting Valuable Metals
Rogers was clear that his dedication to treasured metals is long run. He views gold and silver not as trades however as property to be held by means of generations.
“I would like my kids and grandchildren to have my gold and silver sometime. As a result of it’s at all times, when there’s an issue, it’s at all times been a great refuge. However I do know sufficient about markets to know that these items can occur. I hope they don’t, as a result of I don’t wish to promote my gold and silver.”
He added that whereas markets can grow to be irrational, the aim of proudly owning metals is stability, not timing. For Rogers, gold and silver are much less about revenue and extra about continuity — wealth that outlasts financial cycles and even lifetimes.
The U.S. Greenback and International Currencies
Requested concerning the U.S. greenback, Rogers gave a candid evaluation of its dominant but fragile place.
“The U.S. is the biggest debtor nation within the historical past of the world and the debt’s going increased day by day. So traditionally, when international locations get in that form, they normally debase their foreign money. The U.S. greenback might be going to be underneath risk sooner or later. Who is aware of how excessive the value can go in U.S. {dollars}, as a result of the U.S. greenback… is underneath duress.”
He went on to elucidate that whereas he nonetheless holds U.S. {dollars} for liquidity — just because the remainder of the world continues to belief it — he does so with out phantasm. In his view, America’s debt trajectory ensures that the greenback’s energy is borrowed time.
Markets, Bubbles, and What Comes Subsequent
Reflecting on international markets, Rogers noticed that the present surroundings feels unusually one-sided.
“It’s one of many few instances in historical past when everyone, practically each market on this planet, has been making new highs… when everyone’s comfortable and everyone’s on one aspect of the boat, it’s time to consider doing one thing new.”
He revealed that he has offered most of his shares worldwide, holding primarily money and selective positions in China and Uzbekistan. Rogers defined that his warning isn’t pessimism — it’s historic consciousness. In markets, he mentioned, common optimism has hardly ever ended effectively.
Potential Financial Reset
With reference to a possible “financial reset,” Rogers didn’t declare certainty — however pointed to historical past’s recurring patterns of extra and correction.
“Historical past reveals that when everyone is doing effectively, it’s a time to fret. Will we’ve a reset, as you name it? I don’t know. I do know that issues are nice in all places, and but there are underlying issues, such because the debt state of affairs within the U.S. and another international locations.”
He went on to notice that the following severe downturn will possible be extreme, given how lengthy the world has gone with out one. Whether or not the long run brings a proper reset or not, he prompt, the circumstances for upheaval are already being constructed.
Defending Wealth from Governments
Rogers additionally mentioned the dangers of state intervention in moments of disaster — from taxes to asset controls — and the way people may safeguard their wealth.
“I do need gold and silver. I’m definitely not going to promote… I don’t know which nation, which foreign money, which asset goes to be rising once more to compete with gold and silver. I don’t know an alternate.”
He reiterated that treasured metals stay the last word hedge — property that lie outdoors political discretion and central financial institution experimentation. In unsure instances, he prompt, sovereignty over one’s personal financial savings issues as a lot as yield.
Recommendation to Younger Buyers
When requested how a 30-year-old with US $50,000 ought to make investments, Rogers responded with humor earlier than turning severe.
“I’d go to the seashore… I primarily have money proper now, primarily in U.S. {dollars} and Uzbekistan. I don’t personal many shares anyplace on this planet.”
He went on to elucidate that markets at this time reward endurance greater than aggression. For youthful buyers, his recommendation was implicit: protect capital, resist the gang, and look ahead to true alternative — as a result of actual bargains by no means arrive throughout common optimism.
Life, Journey, and Human Nature
Having traveled by means of 116 international locations, Rogers mirrored on what unites folks in all places.
“I’ve discovered we’re all alike. All of us prefer to sing and dance and have a great time. Everyone likes to drink some beer or some wine… None of us need unhealthy instances, none of us need despair.”
He famous that beneath cultural and political variations, human habits — and by extension, investor habits — is remarkably constant. Concern, greed, and pleasure transfer markets simply as they transfer folks, a fact he has noticed on each continent.
Legacy and Classes
In a uncommon private second, Rogers spoke about how his outlook on life modified after changing into a father.
“For all my life, I’d by no means needed kids… Then I had one and I spotted I had been unsuitable, that kids is usually a fabulous and great expertise. So I had one other one… I hope I can educate my kids and everyone to suppose for themselves and to not observe the gang. The group is normally not proper.”
He mentioned his best hope just isn’t for wealth, however for his daughters to suppose independently — to behave with conviction slightly than conformity. It’s the identical precept that has guided his investing profession: query consensus, and belief your individual evaluation.
Conclusion
Throughout practically each subject — from gold and silver to currencies, markets, and human habits — Jim Rogers’ message was one in every of endurance and perspective. He sees extra as cyclical, optimism as a warning signal, and tangible property as enduring anchors in a world of shifting confidence.
For Rogers, wealth just isn’t about chasing momentum however preserving buying energy and independence. Whether or not talking about his investments, his transfer to Singapore, or his hopes for his kids, the precept stays fixed: suppose for your self, keep disciplined, and put together for the long run lengthy earlier than the gang realizes it’s coming.
In a time of rising costs, rising money owed, and rising uncertainty, his phrases function each reminder and problem — that actual safety lies not in prediction, however in preparation.
