Jeff Berwick, founder of the anarcho-capitalist media outlet The Dollar Vigilante, gave an exclusive interview to Bitcoin.com about the COVID-19 pandemic, government lockdowns, financial turmoil, and the future of Bitcoin and gold. Berwick argues that the current crisis is not natural but a planned "false flag" event by the global elite to push totalitarian agendas.
Pandemic and Financial Collapse: A Calculated Scheme
Berwick bluntly states that there is no real pandemic, claiming that even manipulated WHO and CDC data show fewer hospitalizations and deaths than the 2017-2018 flu. He says he has predicted since 2010 that "the financial and monetary system would collapse by the end of this decade." He believes COVID-19 is another pre-orchestrated disaster similar to 9/11, designed to crash the economy and introduce Universal Basic Income (UBI), turning people into "destitute slaves." He cites the 2010 Rockefeller Institute "Lockstep" document, which allegedly outlines using a virus pandemic to bring worldwide totalitarian control, break supply chains, and bankrupt most nations.
Bitcoin and Gold: Safe Havens Amid Fiat Collapse
Berwick predicts hyperinflation for all fiat currencies, stating that "every government is beyond bankrupt and every central bank is counterfeiting trillions of new fiat units." He notes that Bitcoin has performed remarkably well since "Black Thursday" on March 12, proving itself as a safe-haven asset. He claims to have accurately predicted Bitcoin's drop to $4,000 and then urged clients to buy aggressively. Looking ahead, he says Bitcoin will be volatile but will skyrocket in nominal terms as central banks print money like Zimbabwe. For gold, Berwick expects prices to reach $3,000/oz in 2020 and exceed $5,000 over the next 2-3 years, driven by people fleeing hyperinflating fiat for real value.
Privacy Cryptocurrencies and Government: Time to Walk Away
Berwick criticizes Bitcoin Core for its slow adaptation to higher usage and high fees in 2017, but acknowledges improvements with SegWit and the Lightning Network. He recommends holding BCH and BSV alongside BTC, but his favorite is Monero (XMR). “As an anarcho-capitalist, I was drawn to Bitcoin for privacy, but Monero is truly 100% private and untraceable,” he says, adding that XMR's low valuation relative to Bitcoin gives it exponential potential. He warns that governments will try to stop its use but "there is not much they can do."
Finally, Berwick urges people to immediately walk away from government: "Don't vote. Don't pay extortion fees. Don't ask for permission. Nobody owns you but you." He warns that if people do not wake up, the future will be worse than George Orwell imagined.