Vince Lanci: The Silver Squeeze and Why Banks Are Looking at Miners

Tom Bodrovics welcomes back Professor Vince Lanci, MBA Finance and Publisher of the Goldfix Substack, and all-around nice guy for a discussion into the complexities of gold and silver markets, particularly focusing on shorting positions in ETFs like PSLV and SLV. Lanci explains that these metals are ideal for carry trades due to their indestructible nature, allowing banks to borrow and lease them easily. However, he highlights how increased physical demand, driven by central bank repatriation and tariffs, has strained this system, leading to potential short squeezes.

Lanci discusses the differences between gold and silver markets, noting that while gold benefits from central bank backing, silver lacks such support, making it more vulnerable to supply shortages.

He connects the rise in lease rates for silver to these market dynamics, suggesting that higher demand and logistical challenges are driving prices upward. Tom also touches on the impact of tariffs, which Lanci believes will further boost precious metal prices by accelerating de-dollarization. Additionally, Lanci addresses the shift in bank reports towards recognizing physical gold demand, particularly from central banks, as a key driver of price movements.

Lastly, Lanci notes that financial institutions are increasingly recommending exposure to gold and silver miners, indicating a broader trend of investor interest in these sectors.