New Year, New Geopolitical Shockwaves | Macro Mondays: January 05, 2026
New Year, New Geopolitical Shockwaves | Macro Mondays: January 05, 2026
Podcast35 min 34 sec
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

Consider holding Gold and Bitcoin as core positions to benefit from the major themes of US-China decoupling and expected US dollar debasement. For direct exposure to the rare earths supply chain theme, Energy Fuels (UUUU) is presented as a top pick with significant further upside potential. A multi-year investment opportunity also exists in US oil service and refinery companies that are positioned to help rebuild Venezuela's infrastructure. The overall bullish outlook is supported by expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts in early 2026, which should boost risk assets. Investors should exercise caution with Silver, as high speculative positioning creates a significant risk of a sharp price decline.

Detailed Analysis

Oil

  • The recent geopolitical events in Venezuela are considered a "nothing burger" for oil prices in the immediate term.
  • The hosts believe that rebuilding Venezuela's outdated oil infrastructure will be a multi-year process requiring billions in investment.
  • Short-term (now): Oil supply from Venezuela is likely to decline due to a US Navy blockade, but this is not expected to cause a major price spike.
  • Long-term (1-2+ years): As Venezuelan production eventually comes back online, it could act as a cap on how high oil prices can go, but it is not expected to cause a "landslide" or crash in prices.

Takeaways

  • Don't expect the situation in Venezuela to cause major swings in the price of oil itself.
  • The primary investment opportunity is not in trading crude oil, but in the companies that will be involved in rebuilding Venezuela's production capabilities.

US Oil Service & Refinery Companies

  • The hosts identify US oil service and refinery companies as the main investment play related to the events in Venezuela. These are the companies with the expertise to handle Venezuela's heavy crude and rebuild its infrastructure.
  • It was noted that many of these stocks saw "huge rallies" on the day of the podcast and the Friday prior, suggesting that some of the immediate good news is already priced in.
  • Despite the initial rally, this is viewed as a long-term "structural capex" (capital expenditure) story that has "legs for another couple of years, maybe even three years."

Takeaways

  • While the easy, initial gains may have passed, a multi-year investment opportunity could exist in US oil service and refinery companies that secure contracts in Venezuela.
  • Investors interested in this theme have "plenty of time to join the bandwagon" as this is a long-term story, not a short-term trade.

Gold

  • The price of gold was described as going "absolutely through the roof."
  • The primary driver is the "fully confirmed" theme of decoupling between the US and China. It's believed that countries in the "global south" will increase their gold purchases as a response to this geopolitical shift.
  • Gold is seen as a clear "debasement trade" and a preferred "decoupling bet" that benefits from both geopolitical uncertainty and the expectation of future US interest rate cuts.

Takeaways

  • The current geopolitical and macroeconomic environment is seen as highly bullish for gold.
  • Investors can view gold as a core holding to protect against potential dollar debasement and to gain exposure to the major theme of US-China decoupling.

Silver

  • The speaker expressed a more cautious view on silver compared to gold.
  • Risk Factor: There is a high level of speculative positioning, with over $20 billion in paper longs. The CME exchange is also raising margin requirements, which could force speculators to sell their positions and put downward pressure on the price.
  • It is questioned whether silver is still a pure precious metal, as its industrial use is increasing. This makes it a less direct "debasement trade" than gold.

Takeaways

  • Investors should be cautious with silver. The large number of speculative traders creates a risk of a sharp sell-off.
  • The hosts explicitly state a preference for Gold and Bitcoin over silver as ways to invest in the decoupling and debasement themes.

Bitcoin (BTC)

  • A major development discussed was the seizure or freezing of Venezuela's large Bitcoin reserve, estimated at 600,000 BTC, by the US government.
  • This is viewed as a positive for the market. The hosts believe the US will add these coins to a strategic reserve rather than selling them on the open market, which removes a significant potential supply overhang.
  • This event could also "restart the talks of a U.S. federal Bitcoin reserve," further legitimizing the asset.
  • Alongside gold, Bitcoin is considered a preferred "decoupling bet" and has shown "pretty solid" price action recently.

Takeaways

  • The removal of Venezuela's large BTC holdings from the potential open market is a bullish development.
  • Bitcoin is positioned as a strong asset for investors looking to hedge against geopolitical instability and benefit from the dollar debasement theme.

Energy Fuels (UUUU)

  • This company was explicitly mentioned as one of the podcast's "top picks."
  • It is presented as a direct investment in the rare earths sector, which is a critical component of the US-China decoupling theme as the US seeks to secure its own supply chains.
  • The stock has had a "tremendous start to the year," and the hosts believe there is "more in store" for the company.

Takeaways

  • For investors looking for a specific stock to play the rare earths and US supply chain independence themes, Energy Fuels (UUUU) is highlighted as a company to research. The sentiment expressed is strongly bullish.

Investment Theme: US-China Decoupling & Rare Earths

  • This is described as a "big trading thematic for 2026." The idea is that the US and Chinese economies are strategically separating, and investors should focus on companies that benefit from this trend.
  • The theme involves controlling supply chains for critical materials. The discussion of the US potentially acquiring Greenland was framed as a move to secure rare earth minerals.
  • The hosts dismissed rumors of large rare earth deposits in Venezuela as likely false information generated by AI.

Takeaways

  • A key long-term strategy is to invest in companies that are crucial for building independent, Western-controlled supply chains.
  • This includes miners of rare earths and other strategic minerals located in politically stable regions. Energy Fuels (UUUU) was given as a specific example.

Investment Theme: Disinflation and Fed Rate Cuts

  • The hosts are forecasting a "substantial disinflation impulse," which could bring US inflation close to the Fed's 2% target in the first quarter of 2026.
  • This would allow the Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates, with "a couple of rate cuts" anticipated in Q1.
  • This macroeconomic backdrop is expected to fuel "dollar debasement" and is considered very bullish for risk assets like stocks (especially small caps), gold, and Bitcoin.

Takeaways

  • The overall economic outlook for early 2026 is viewed as very positive for investors, creating a "very strong return profile."
  • Expected interest rate cuts and improving market liquidity could act as a significant tailwind for investment returns in the near term.
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Episode Description
🔥 Crypto Gathering Miami 2026: Get your tickets today: https://rvtv.io/3K36sq1 A volatile start to 2026 as geopolitics, oil, and liquidity collide. The first Macro Mondays of 2026 kicks off with global markets already on edge. Andreas Steno Larsen and Mikkel Rosenvold are back to break down the dramatic developments in Venezuela, the implications for oil markets, and what this signals about U.S. foreign policy momentum heading into the year. 📣 Today’s sponsor is Plus500 US. Take your trading to the next level with cross-market contracts, from precious metals to key indices, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned trader in the Futures arena or brand new, Plus500’s user-friendly trading platform offers you the advanced tools, market insights, and quick execution you’ve been looking for. 👉 Get started with Plus500 for as little as $100 at https://us.plus500.com. Trading in futures involves the risk of loss. Elevate your brand with Real Vision. Connect with us at partnerships@realvision.com to explore advertising possibilities. Music license ID: WJ6TRPVHFD About Real Vision™: We arm you with the knowledge, tools, and network to succeed on your financial journey. Connect with Real Vision™ Online: Website: https://www.realvision.com/join Twitter: https://rvtv.io/twitter Instagram: https://rvtv.io/instagram Linkedin: https://rvtv.io/linkedin Disclaimer: https://media.realvision.com/wp/20231004185303/Disclaimer-1.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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