Is the US Dollar Collapsing? Peter Schiff Issues De-Dollarization Warning as Metals Surge and BRICS Advances

ccn.comPublished on 2026-01-26Last updated on 2026-01-26

Abstract

Economist Peter Schiff warns the U.S. dollar is weakening as gold and silver prices surge to record highs, fueling de-dollarization fears. He argues the rally reflects a deteriorating U.S. economy and predicts a major financial crisis in 2026, worse than 2008. While most economists maintain the dollar remains central to global trade, concerns are growing due to the rising influence of the BRICS bloc, which is promoting trade in local currencies and developing a gold-backed digital settlement unit. Analysts note the metals rally may face short-term pullbacks, but central banks bought over 1,100 tons of gold in 2025, the largest increase in 70 years, signaling a gradual shift away from dollar dominance.

Key Takeaways
  • Fears of de-dollarization are growing.
  • Peter Schiff has issued a stark warning that the U.S. dollar is getting “crushed.”
  • However, some analysts noted that the metals rally may face short-term pullbacks.

Economist Peter Schiff has warned of a weakening U.S. economy as gold and silver prices surged to record highs over the weekend, intensifying debate over whether confidence in the U.S. dollar is beginning to erode.

While most economists maintain that the dollar remains deeply entrenched at the center of global trade, the growing influence of the BRICS bloc and rising demand for precious metals are fueling renewed concerns of de-dollarization.

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Schiff Delivers Warning

Longtime Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff said the rally in precious metals reflects underlying weakness in the U.S. economy and the dollar, rather than speculative excess.

“Trump may think the U.S. has the hottest economy in the world, but financial markets prove it’s the coldest,” Schiff wrote on Monday.

“Gold is surging above $5,020, silver is over $104.65, and the U.S. dollar is getting crushed against other fiat currencies, hitting a record low against the Swiss franc,” he added.

Schiff also warned last week that both U.S. dollar–denominated assets and cryptocurrencies could suffer significant losses in the months ahead.

“By the end of the year, holders of U.S. dollar–denominated assets and cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, will be substantially poorer than they are today,” Schiff wrote.

“In contrast, holders of non-dollar–denominated assets and precious metals will be significantly richer. Which will you be?”

Is De-Dollarization Incoming?

Some market commentators have framed the rally in precious metals as evidence of a broader loss of confidence in fiat currencies.

An account known as NoLimit wrote on X that the simultaneous surge in gold and silver suggests markets are “pricing in a collapse of trust in the U.S. dollar.”

“When the two oldest forms of money on Earth move like this simultaneously, it’s a clear sign that something has broken,” the post said.

“People aren’t buying metals because they want to — they’re buying because they’re terrified of holding anything else.”

The account also warned that volatility in equity markets could force large funds to liquidate metals holdings to cover losses elsewhere, potentially triggering short-term pullbacks before further gains.

Analysts cautioned, however, that the pace of the rally may be difficult to sustain.

Roukaya Ibrahim, chief strategist at BCA Research, warned investors against chasing prices at current levels.

“In real terms, silver’s deviation from its 200-day moving average is nearing levels that previously preceded price pullbacks,” Ibrahim said.

She added that higher prices are already prompting demand adjustments in industrial sectors, particularly solar manufacturing, where silver is a key input.

BRICS Push De-Dollarization Fears

Concerns about the dollar have intensified as the BRICS bloc — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, alongside newer members including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — continues efforts to reduce reliance on the U.S. currency.

BRICS nations have explored settling bilateral trade in local currencies and are developing a proposed gold-backed digital settlement unit to facilitate cross-border payments.

Supporters argue the system could streamline trade, reduce exposure to dollar volatility, and lessen dependence on networks such as SWIFT.

Mamadou Kwidjim Toure, founder and chief executive of Ubuntu Tribe, told CCN that de-dollarization is accelerating, even as the dollar remains dominant.

“In 2000, the dollar accounted for roughly 70% of global foreign exchange reserves, but by the third quarter of 2025, its share had fallen to 56.92%, according to IMF data,” Toure said.

He added that central banks worldwide purchased more than 1,100 tons of gold in 2025 alone — the largest annual increase in 70 years.

“De-dollarization may not happen overnight,” Toure said.

“But the trajectory suggests a gradual yet profound realignment in global trade and reserves that many are underestimating.”

Schiff Predicts 2026 Financial Crash

Schiff has also forecast a financial crisis in 2026 that he believes will surpass the 2008 global financial meltdown, though with a different geographic impact.

“The main difference between the 2026 financial crisis and the 2008 financial crisis, other than the fact that this one will be much worse, is that it won’t be global,” Schiff wrote.

“The rest of the world will actually benefit as the burden of supporting the U.S. consumer economy will be lifted.”

According to Schiff, the downturn will be especially painful for Bitcoin investors who bought the asset as protection against inflation.

“It’s going to be very frustrating and unfortunate for Bitcoin HODLers, who actually bought Bitcoin for the same reasons I bought gold and silver, to see all the economic forecasts we had in common come true, but to end up losing more money than people who did nothing to prepare,” he said.

Bitcoin has continued to underperform precious metals during the recent rally.

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Related Questions

QWhat warning did Peter Schiff issue regarding the U.S. dollar and what evidence did he cite?

APeter Schiff issued a warning that the U.S. dollar is getting 'crushed.' He cited the surging prices of gold (above $5,020) and silver (over $104.65), and the dollar hitting a record low against the Swiss franc as evidence of underlying weakness in the U.S. economy.

QAccording to the article, what are the two main factors fueling renewed concerns of de-dollarization?

AThe two main factors fueling renewed concerns of de-dollarization are the growing influence of the BRICS bloc and rising demand for precious metals.

QWhat did analyst Roukaya Ibrahim warn about the silver rally?

ARoukaya Ibrahim warned investors against chasing silver prices at current levels, noting that in real terms, silver's deviation from its 200-day moving average is nearing levels that previously preceded price pullbacks. She also stated that higher prices are already prompting demand adjustments in industrial sectors like solar manufacturing.

QWhat specific actions is the BRICS bloc taking to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar?

AThe BRICS bloc is exploring settling bilateral trade in local currencies and is developing a proposed gold-backed digital settlement unit to facilitate cross-border payments, aiming to streamline trade, reduce exposure to dollar volatility, and lessen dependence on networks like SWIFT.

QHow does Peter Schiff's predicted 2026 financial crisis differ from the 2008 crisis, according to his statements?

ASchiff stated that the main difference, besides the 2026 crisis being much worse, is that it won't be global. He claims the rest of the world will actually benefit as the burden of supporting the U.S. consumer economy will be lifted.

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