
by Blockworks
93 episodes

Consider buying short-term US bonds with maturities from two to five years, as interest rates are expected to fall, while avoiding long-term bonds due to structural oversupply. A near-term bullish outlook on the US Dollar suggests being cautious on assets like Gold and Bitcoin, which may face headwinds from a strengthening currency. The overall US stock market appears optimistically priced, so investors should prepare for potential volatility as the economy slows. For long-term growth, the Artificial Intelligence theme can be accessed through the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) for broad exposure. For a more concentrated bet on AI chip designers, consider the VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX).

Consider gaining exposure to the AI productivity boom through large-cap tech leaders like Meta (META) and Microsoft (MSFT), or the broad VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The long-term structural demand for the S&P 500 from global investors supports a "buy the dip" strategy on broad market weakness. For long-term believers, the recent pullback in Bitcoin (BTC) may present a strategic buying opportunity. Exercise extreme caution with Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) treasury companies, which are described as vehicles for insiders to sell to retail investors. Finally, avoid the distressed commercial real estate sector and be wary of related regional bank ETFs (KRE).

Consider allocating to bonds and fixed income, as a slowing economy and high interest rates create a favorable setup for them to outperform stocks. A specific tactical trade is to go long USD/JPY, betting against the Japanese Yen, with a potential price target of 151-152. Exercise extreme caution with cryptocurrencies, as analysts see signs of a speculative frenzy and insiders looking to sell. For gold, consider waiting for a significant pullback of around $200 before buying, as the immediate upside appears limited. While the U.S. Dollar may see short-term strength, remain cautious on the broader stock market, which is masking economic weakness behind the AI theme.

The current environment remains favorable for risk assets and equities, with the rally expected to continue as long as the bond market remains calm. Monitor the 10-year Treasury yield closely, as a sustained move towards 5% would be a strong signal to reduce equity exposure. A long-term bearish outlook on the US Dollar suggests its purchasing power may decline, making international assets and commodities more attractive. Investors should be cautious with long-duration bonds, as yields are expected to rise to better reflect persistent inflation. For direct exposure to the AI theme, consider semiconductor ETFs like the broad-based SMH or the more specialized SMHX, which focuses on chip designers.

Given the outlook for long-term secular inflation and US Dollar devaluation, investors should position their portfolios accordingly. Gold is a core holding for this theme, as its value is now strongly supported by central bank buying as a de-dollarization asset. For a less crowded, cyclical play on inflation, consider adding exposure to Copper. To invest in the ongoing AI trend, the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) offers broad exposure, while the VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) provides a more targeted investment in chip design companies. While the long-term trend for the US Dollar is bearish, be cautious in the short-term as the trade is crowded and prone to sharp reversals.

A structural shift in capital flows suggests investors should increase allocation to international equities to diversify away from a weakening U.S. Dollar. The Artificial Intelligence investment cycle remains a powerful theme, and investors can gain exposure through the broad VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). For more targeted exposure to AI chip designers, consider the VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). With central banks actively buying gold to hedge geopolitical risk, it serves as a strong long-term portfolio diversifier. Watch the September FOMC meeting, as potential rate cuts could be a major catalyst for further dollar weakness.

Consider allocating to Bitcoin (BTC) as a primary hedge against currency debasement, as long-term US bonds are viewed as an increasingly poor investment. For a potentially leveraged play on this theme, look into companies like MicroStrategy (MSTR) that hold Bitcoin on their balance sheet and aim to generate yield from it. Investors seeking higher returns on the risk curve should explore Ethereum (ETH), which is positioned as a future hub for decentralized yield. Pay close attention to politically sensitive stocks like Lithium Americas (LAC) for unusual trading activity, which can signal politically-driven investment opportunities. Finally, with market volatility low, now may be an opportune time to buy cheap portfolio protection to hedge against potential summer drawdowns.

To gain exposure to the foundational AI and technology sectors, consider investing in semiconductor ETFs like the broad-based SMH or the more AI-focused SMHX. The primary macro trend to watch is a shift towards fiscal dominance, where government debt needs may force interest rates to stay artificially low, regardless of inflation. Given this risk, investors should be cautious with long-duration government bonds, which could deliver negative real returns. To protect purchasing power, prioritize holding real assets that can better withstand inflation and currency debasement. This includes a diversified allocation to stocks, real estate, and commodities.

The highest conviction investments for real wealth growth are technology stocks and cryptocurrencies, as they consistently outperform currency debasement. Consider overweighting the NASDAQ, which is expected to perform strongly into Q2 2025 driven by rising global liquidity. Bitcoin (BTC) is positioned as the primary crypto holding, with a highly bullish outlook for a major rally over the next 12 months. Investors can watch for a clear expansion in the business cycle to begin rotating capital into higher-risk altcoins. Monitor the price of Gold (XAU)

For leveraged exposure to Bitcoin, consider MicroStrategy (MSTR), which actively uses capital markets to increase its BTC holdings per share. Alternatively, DeFi DevCorp (DFDV) offers a similar high-risk strategy for the Solana ecosystem, aiming to become the primary vehicle for SOL accumulation. DFDV's model is potentially more sustainable as it also earns new SOL through staking rewards, reducing its reliance on favorable market conditions. The choice between them depends on your conviction in Bitcoin's maturity versus Solana's higher growth and volatility potential. Be aware that these crypto treasury vehicles are high-risk investments that rely on maintaining a stock premium and using leverage.

The primary investment thesis is to hedge against currency debasement as the U.S. Dollar is expected to weaken significantly over the next few years. Bitcoin (BTC) is viewed as the cleanest trade to play this theme, with a potential for a volatility-driven breakout towards $200K. For higher risk tolerance, MicroStrategy (MSTR) offers a leveraged bet on Bitcoin and is presenting a favorable entry point due to its low volatility and a bullish chart pattern. The breakout in the ARKK Innovation ETF (ARKK) confirms a broader "risk-on" appetite in the market, supporting speculative growth investments. Therefore, investors should consider reducing exposure to cash and bonds while seeking opportunities in these frontier assets.

A massive opportunity exists in creating perpetual swaps for stocks, which could be a superior product for retail traders compared to complex options. Investors should monitor platforms building in this space, such as Ostium, as they are positioned to capture a multi-billion dollar market. For the Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization theme, focus on alternative blockchains that offer the flexible governance required by large institutions. These platforms are better suited for institutional adoption than Bitcoin or Ethereum. Consider researching blockchains like Sui (SUI), Stellar (XLM), and Avalanche (AVAX) as potential leaders in attracting institutional RWA activity.

A major investment theme is publicly traded companies that hold Bitcoin, like MicroStrategy (MSTR), which are seen as having significant growth potential. Ensure Bitcoin (BTC) is a core holding in your crypto portfolio, as it has been a key performance driver that many funds missed. Due to macro capital flows, consider favoring traditional equities over most altcoins, which lack a clear path for new investment. FinTech stocks like Robinhood (HOOD) are also seen as a strong investment as they are positioned to capture profitable crypto trading fees. Finally, exercise caution with the upcoming Circle IPO, as it is considered potentially overpriced despite its profitable business model.