Gold bugs are speculating about the impact of Basel III regulations set to take effect next month. European banks, minus those in the all-important London markets will soon be subject to Net Stable Funding requirements.
The effect may be to reduce bank activities in the paper metals markets.
Marketwatch actually put together a fair summary of the regulation and its potential impacts. The new rules seem to recognize the risk associated with holding derivatives versus holding the real thing. They will be required to hold extra reserves to offset any paper metal they have on the books.
Tangible bullion, however, is being classed as a “zero risk” asset, so long as it’s hedged and in an allocated form.
But unallocated gold holders –holders of gold derivatives, gold leases, and other more risky instruments without direct backing -- will be required to hold an 85% reserve as an offset.
Bullion investors are cautiously optimistic because it appears regulators are acknowledging the risks inherent in the leveraged paper metal markets. Rules which penalise participation in these derivatives markets and incentivize the banks to hold allocated physical metal would be a step toward more honest price discovery.
However, there are very few communities more skeptical of regulators than physical bullion investors. They have been continually let down by captured agencies such as the CFTC. Most will wait to see metals prices more properly reflecting the fundamentals before they credit the Bank of International Settlements with solving any problems.
That said, there is some reason to hope. It comes from another organization with few fans. The London Bullion Market Association -- LBMA -- has come out with dire warnings against the new rules. If that group of crooked bankers is opposed, it is a good sign.
The LBMA is complaining the updated Net Stable Funding Requirements will:
“Undermine Clearing and Settlement -- The required stable funding for short-term assets would significantly increase costs for LPMCL clearing banks to the point that some would be forced to exit the clearing and settlement system, which may even be at risk of collapsing completely.”
LBMA Most gold bugs will shout “Hallelujah!” if price-rigging banks are forced out of the paper markets.
“Drain liquidity -- The required stable funding would dramatically increase costs for remaining LPMCL members taking gold on deposit to be held as unallocated metal relative to the cost of providing custody of allocated metal.”
There will be few tears shed if liquidity in the derivatives market diminishes, and some migrates to the markets for physical, allocated metal. The paper markets are almost completely disconnected from fundamentals like physical supply and demand.
“Dramatically increase financing cost -- The required stable funding would penalise LBMA members who hold unallocated balances of precious metals. This would increase the cost of short-term precious metals financing transactions as stable funding costs are passed through to non-bank market participants.
“Such cost increases would impact miners, restrict refining, and raise the costs of an inelastic key input to industrial and consumer goods. This includes some essential medical equipment and technologies required to reduce pollutants (such as catalytic converters).”
The last sentence implies the LBMA member banks help medical equipment manufactures and the environment, but they won’t be able to do that without the unfettered ability to trade paper metal. That’s rich. Bullion investors have seen chat logs which demonstrate just how charitable and caring these bankers are!
“Curtail central bank operations -- Fewer LPMCL clearing banks may curtail central bank deposits, lending and swaps in precious metals. These operations are essential to offset costs of storing gold reserves and generating income. In addition, this provides important liquidity to the market.”
This criticism hints at what might be the best reason of all to support the new rules.
Anything which reduces the ability of Central banks to interfere in the metals markets would be a good thing. All of the lending and swapping has but one purpose; to artificially increase the supply of metal and cap prices.
It is important to note the new rules do not take effect in the London markets until the end of the year. There is still time for the LBMA and its member banks to seek further delay of the rules and to promote changes.
Gold bugs know better than to count on regulators doing the right thing, but fingers are crossed.
Money Metals Exchange and its staff do not act as personal investment advisors for any specific individual. Nor do we advocate the purchase or sale of any regulated security listed on any exchange for any specific individual. Readers and customers should be aware that, although our track record is excellent, investment markets have inherent risks and there can be no guarantee of future profits. Likewise, our past performance does not assure the same future. You are responsible for your investment decisions, and they should be made in consultation with your own advisors. By purchasing through Money Metals, you understand our company not responsible for any losses caused by your investment decisions, nor do we have any claim to any market gains you may enjoy. This Website is provided “as is,” and Money Metals disclaims all warranties (express or implied) and any and all responsibility or liability for the accuracy, legality, reliability, or availability of any content on the Website.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD trades weak below 1.0800 amid Good Friday lull, ahead of US PCE
EUR/USD remains depressed below 1.0800, as traders lack directional impetus amid minimal volatility and thin liquidity on Good Friday. The pair keenly awaits the US PCE inflation data and Fed Chair Powell's speech for fresh hints on next week's price action.
GBP/USD holds steady above 1.2600 as markets stay calm on Good Friday
GBP/USD trades sideways above 1.2600 amid a typical Good Friday trading lull. A broadly firmer US Dollar could keep any upside attempts limited in the pair ahead of the US PCE inflation data and Fed Chair Powell's appearance.
Gold ends Q1 2024 at record highs, what’s next?
Gold is sitting at an all-time high of $2,236, lacking a trading impetus amid holiday-thinned conditions on Good Friday. Most major world markets, including the United States are closed in observance of Holy Friday, leaving volatility around Gold price highly subdued.
Ripple's move above this key level could trigger nearly 50% rally for XRP
Ripple price has overcome a critical resistance level and flipped into a support floor on the weekly time frame. This development happened while XRP tightly consolidated for roughly 250 days.
US core PCE inflation set to ease in February on month as Federal Reserve rate cut bets for June mount
The core Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index is set to rise 0.3% MoM and 2.8% YoY in February. The revised Summary of Projections showed that policymakers upwardly revised end-2024 core PCE forecast to 2.6% from 2.4%.