QTR’s Fringe Finance

QTR's Fringe Finance critically examines financial, political, and societal issues through a libertarian lens, frequently questioning mainstream narratives around topics like monetary policy, media honesty, and government interventions. It delves into the impact of economic policies, the role of alternative media, and promotes skepticism towards established financial and governmental institutions.

Monetary Policy Media Critique Government Intervention Inflation and Economic Analysis Libertarianism Financial Markets Cryptocurrency Civil Liberties Political Commentary

The hottest Substack posts of QTR’s Fringe Finance

And their main takeaways

"All Bull Markets Run Out Of Money": Dave Collum

23 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
  1. Dave Collum believes that all bull markets eventually run out of money.
  2. Dave Collum is known for his unique investing outlook.
  3. In his investments, Dave Collum holds a mix of assets including real estate, cash, bonds, and riskier assets.

The Fed Says Its Record Losses Don’t Matter

14 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
  1. The Federal Reserve reported an unprecedented $114.3 billion in operational losses for 2023.
  2. Fed's lack of concern over the losses could create doubts about its future actions.
  3. Monetizing financial obligations can lead to inflation and challenge the Fed's independence.
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"Nasty Recession" Still Incoming: Mark Spiegel

15 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
  1. Mark Spiegel predicts a 'nasty recession' is still on its way.
  2. Mark believes in the potential of a 'hard landing' for the U.S. economy.
  3. He emphasizes the market's vulnerability despite current rallies.

24 Stocks I'm Watching For 2024: Part 2

23 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
  1. The post discusses 24 specific stocks to watch for 2024.
  2. It mentions that almost all of 2023 has passed and reflects on the stocks from that year.
  3. The content is available for paid subscribers only.

"When The Fed Pivots, We Get Paid": Lawrence Lepard

17 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
  1. Gold and Bitcoin responded positively to the Fed's pivot in monetary policy.
  2. Global M2 money supply growth correlates with gold prices, impacting their performance.
  3. The US fiscal position is not improving, especially due to the growing federal debt burden.

Headless Market Chickens, Cluckin' Like Crazy

29 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
💰 Finance Stock Market Investing Economy Policy Inflation
  1. NPCs in video games are characters controlled by programming and lack independent thought, and this concept is applied to describe certain individuals in real life scenarios.
  2. Passive stock market investors are compared to headless chickens mindlessly moving around, fueled by 'animal spirits' that keep the market going up.
  3. The stock market is considered overpriced, with potential risks of massive deleveraging, deflationary depression, and negative effects of a nation monetizing its own debt.

The Future of Bitcoin in Light of a Spot ETF

16 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
  1. The SEC approved Bitcoin spot ETFs, marking a significant step in Bitcoin's adoption in traditional financial markets.
  2. As institutional money flows into Bitcoin, there may be pressure to alter Bitcoin's rules to comply with regulations, potentially leading to a split in the coin.
  3. Maintaining self-custody of Bitcoin protects against potential government seizures, highlighting the importance of decentralized peer-to-peer transactions.

The Stock Market Sits On The Edge Of The End Of The World

51 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
💰 Finance Stock Market Geopolitics Monetary Policy Fiscal policy Global Conflicts
  1. Geopolitical volatility and flawed monetary policy make current times unique and potentially volatile.
  2. Debt levels, monetary policies, and government spending are creating unprecedented financial challenges.
  3. Artificial market boosts, geopolitical tensions, and social unrest are contributing to a fragile economic situation.

Yemen: The Forgotten Neoconservative-Supported War in the Middle East

19 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
  1. Yemen is facing a war supported by neoconservatives in the Middle East.
  2. US is considering military intervention in Yemen under the guise of protecting global trade.
  3. More war and brutality in Yemen won't lead to a positive outcome, and US interventionism is already causing harm.

Where No One Is Looking Or Everyone Is Panicking

18 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
  1. The investor Chris DeMuth Jr. discusses his market strategy for 2024.
  2. Chris DeMuth Jr. focuses on opportunities where no one is looking or everyone is panicking.
  3. Chris DeMuth Jr. founded Rangeley Capital and Sifting the World, and hosts Sifting the World on Seeking Alpha.

Underestimating Washington D.C.'s Debt Trap

26 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
  1. The US government debt is soaring and may exceed $37.5 trillion by the end of the fiscal year.
  2. Rising interest rates and foreign apathy towards investing in dollars could worsen the debt situation.
  3. Foreign holders of dollars may react if the dollar loses value, potentially leading to a monetary crisis.

The Fed-Enabled Apartment Bubble Is Unraveling

26 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
  1. The apartment investment industry is facing a massive bubble due to easy money and bad loans.
  2. Syndicators used bridge loans and speculative real estate investing, resulting in risky financial situations.
  3. Many syndicators are now struggling with floating-rate loans, facing challenges in covering debt payments and maturing loans.

I’m Not Fucking Eating Bugs: A Manifesto

69 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Climate & Environment Media Social Issues Inequality Civil Liberties
  1. Inflation and shrinkflation can drastically affect our quality of life and purchasing power.
  2. The idea of promoting bug-eating to fight climate change may be a distraction from other issues like inequality and reduced quality of life.
  3. The message here is clear: the author is strongly against the idea of eating bugs as a solution to global issues.

Petrodollar Endgame Moves Even Closer

27 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
  1. The UAE stopped using U.S. dollars for oil transactions.
  2. BRICS countries have control over nuclear arsenals and natural resources.
  3. There are significant developments indicating the decline of the petrodollar.

7 More Stocks To Watch In 2024

19 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
  1. The post discusses 4 banks that may perform well in 2024.
  2. It also mentions 3 stocks that were losers in 2023 but might work in 2024.
  3. The content is available for paid subscribers.

More Ideas For 2024: Harris Kupperman's Position Review

16 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
  1. Harris Kupperman offers thoughts on next big bet for investors.
  2. Praetorian Capital founder uses macro trends for stock selection.
  3. 2023 position review by Harris Kupperman shared for paid subscribers.

X Marks the Spot: Social Media’s Last Stand

20 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
  1. Elon Musk's X could be a key player in challenging censorship on social media.
  2. Regulations in Europe like the Digital Services Act may impact X's ability to maintain free speech.
  3. The EU's investigation into X's content could greatly influence the platform's future and freedom of speech online.

The Fed Can't, And Won't, Nail The Dismount

28 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
💰 Finance Market Analysis Inflation Federal Reserve Economic Trends
  1. Predicting market movements can be difficult, and it's important to acknowledge when predictions are not accurate.
  2. Even if past predictions have been off, it's necessary to stick to the underlying thesis and reasons for the forecasts.
  3. Quick excitement about economic factors like inflation or rate cuts may not always be warranted; it's important to take a more balanced perspective.

As the US Treasury Runs Out of Creditors, Its Options Dwindle

24 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
  1. The US Treasury is facing a dwindling number of creditors
  2. Rising government debt is causing challenges in interest payments and financing
  3. Options to address the debt crisis include financial crisis, debt crisis, and a 'soft default'

Student Loans: The Continuing Crisis That Is Getting Worse

23 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
  1. The student loan system is unsustainable and may not end well as a loan program.
  2. There is a lack of control measures and accountability in how student debt is managed and forgiven.
  3. The Department of Education's approach to student loans demonstrates a shift towards viewing individuals as dependent clients rather than contractual parties.

Elon Musk And Dark Forces

22 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
  1. Elon Musk's recent comments may impact his and Tesla's history.
  2. This era might define the legacies of both Elon Musk and Tesla.
  3. 2024 could be a crucial year in determining Elon Musk's life story.

There's No Easy Way Out of This Debt Spiral

26 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
  1. National debt is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by the end of fiscal year 2024.
  2. When interest rates rise, debt repayment becomes a critical issue.
  3. Government faces a debt spiral if it doesn't cut spending or manage interest rates effectively.

The Interest Rate Shock Will Blow Up the Government’s Ponzi Game

24 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
  1. Interest rates are rising globally due to central banks' response to high inflation.
  2. Investors are becoming wary of holding US government debt, leading to an economic slowdown and potential recession.
  3. The increasing interest rates reveal the unsustainable nature of government debt, functioning as a Ponzi scheme.

100 Years Ago Today: The End of German Hyperinflation

23 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
  1. German hyperinflation was halted by stopping monetizing government debt and issuing a new currency.
  2. Hyperinflation led to economic challenges, high unemployment, and political extremism in Weimar Germany.
  3. Lessons learned include the need for monetary reform and the risks of relying on fiat paper money.

The United States Needs Its Own Javier Milei

21 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
  1. Liberty can win, as shown by Milei's victory in Argentina
  2. The US faces economic challenges due to inflation and government involvement in key sectors
  3. To improve, the US needs to address monetary policy, reduce government involvement, and end global intervention

"Spiraling Out Of Control": The U.S. Debt Crisis Goes Parabolic

18 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
  1. The U.S. debt crisis is escalating quickly.
  2. Peter Schiff shares insights on gold miners lagging behind gold prices and other financial topics.
  3. Discussions include the stock market movement, CPI, deflation, and Bitcoin ETFs.

Preserving the Statist Quo: Creating a Generation of Welfare-ing, Libertine Narcissists

21 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
  1. The state often sacrifices liberty for the 'common good' at the expense of its citizens.
  2. Activists and students facing consequences for supporting controversial causes may see backlash affecting their future careers.
  3. There is a growing divide between the political establishment and the 'Middle America' populace, especially in regards to foreign policy and interventionism.

No, We Cannot Afford to Fund Yet Another War

28 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
  1. Wars are expensive and cannot be easily funded
  2. American public is burdened financially and emotionally by ongoing wars
  3. Funding wars indirectly through inflation extracts real resources from the private economy

Trading Armageddon: October 2023 Portfolio Review

28 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
  1. The author discusses the impact of global geopolitical tensions on the market
  2. The market is showing signs of shakiness and potential volatility
  3. High interest rates and geopolitical unrest could lead to a significant market shift