Joe Pags Interviews Rich Jacoby on the Economy, Precious Metals & Protecting Wealth

If you missed Joe Pags’ recent conversation with Rich Jacoby, CEO of GoldenCrest Metals, you’ll want to catch this one.

The two discussed everything from tariffs and inflation to the risks of digital currencies and why more Americans are looking at gold and silver to defend their retirement savings.

Watch the full interview here: 

For those who’d rather read than watch, here are the key highlights.

The Economy Under Pressure

Pags opened by pointing out how unpredictable the economy feels today. Gas prices are swinging wildly, inflation never really went away, and Americans are understandably anxious.

Jacoby agreed, noting that while tariffs are designed to boost U.S. manufacturing long-term, in the short run they raise costs on consumers. “We’re paying for it upfront,” he said, emphasizing that higher import prices eventually trickle down to everyday Americans.

The dollar’s decline—already down 10% this year—only adds to the concern. Jacoby warned that central banks around the world are losing confidence in the U.S. currency, which is why they’re buying gold at record levels.

Why Diversification Matters

Asked whether Americans should pull money out of banks, Jacoby stressed that the real answer is diversification, not panic. “Most Americans have 100% of their savings tied to the stock market or dollar-based assets,” he said.

GoldenCrest Metals helps savers roll over part of their IRA or 401(k) into physical gold and silver through a self-directed IRA, with assets insured and stored in secure depositories.

Related: France Prepares Hospitals for War

Silver’s Big Moment

While gold grabs most of the headlines, Jacoby highlighted silver as one of today’s most undervalued assets. Demand is exploding thanks to its role in solar panels, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence technologies.

“The supply is tight and the demand’s exploding right now,” he explained, calling silver the most overlooked opportunity in the market today.

The Dangers of a Digital Dollar

One of the more alarming topics was the GENIUS Act, which Jacoby said could allow private companies—Big Tech and Wall Street firms—to issue their own digital coins without constitutional oversight. He warned of a future where paychecks could be stored in digital wallets that can be tracked, frozen, or blocked based on personal behavior.

“If you don’t like how Big Tech censors free speech now, wait until they control the money,” Jacoby cautioned. By contrast, owning tangible gold and silver means holding wealth in your hand—not just numbers on a screen that can disappear with a lost password.

Related: Weak Jobs Report Fuels Calls for Fed Rate Cuts

Advice for First-Time Buyers

For those hesitant to take the leap, Jacoby recommended starting small. Many GoldenCrest customers begin with a $10,000–$20,000 allocation and later add more as they get comfortable.

He also encouraged Americans to request GoldenCrest’s 2025 Wealth Defense Guide, which lays out step-by-step how to diversify into precious metals with tax advantages.

What's Next?

Joe Pags closed the interview by reaffirming his trust in Jacoby and GoldenCrest Metals. With the dollar weakening, inflation lingering, and Washington flirting with risky digital currency schemes, this conversation underscored why many Americans are turning back to time-tested stores of value.