Econ Americas

Paz Gómez, an analyst at Econ Americas, joins this episode to discuss her new book, When Crypto Makes Sense: A Guide to Use Cases for Liberty. In her book, she breaks down the fundamentals of crypto, outlines practical investing basics—from understanding the ecosystem to managing risk—and explores four real-world use cases tied to liberty. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

.Paz Gómez, an analyst at Econ Americas, joins this episode to discuss her new book, When Crypto Makes Sense: A Guide to Use Cases for Liberty. In her book, she breaks down the fundamentals of crypto, outlines practical investing basics—from understanding the ecosystem to managing risk—and explores four real-world use cases tied to liberty.Buy the book: https://a.co/d/9SOpGA9Show notes: https://econamericas.substack.com/p/cryptocurrency-use-cases-explained

Buy Fergus Hodgson's "Financial Sovereignty for Canadians" on Amazon!: https://econamericas.com/financial-sovereignty-canadians/Demelza Hays holds a doctorate in business economics from the University of Liechtenstein and is a portfolio manager at Zeltner & Co. She publishes the Crypto Research Report and argues that bitcoin is not money in the strict sense. However, it is a credible investment asset that continues to gain traction.Show notes: https://open.substack.com/pub/econamericas/p/demelza-hays-get-on-crypto-train?r=b61i7&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Buy Fergus Hodgson's "Financial Sovereignty for Canadians" on Amazon!: https://econamericas.com/financial-sovereignty-canadians/Peter Earle—director of Economics and Economic Freedom at the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER)—joined the Econ Americas podcast to discuss gold's role in today's economy. Earle contends in his new book, Gold in Uncertain Times, that gold remains one of the most reliable hedges against inflation and economic shocks.Show notes: https://econamericas.substack.com/p/peter-c-earle-structural-changes-gold

Peter Earle—director of Economics and Economic Freedom at the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER)—joined the Econ Americas podcast to discuss gold's role in today's economy. Earle contends in his new book, Gold in Uncertain Times, that gold remains one of the most reliable hedges against inflation and economic shocks.Follow Peter Earle on X. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

When a generation or two are putting off home purchases by almost a decade, there is likely a rational basis. Here are some crucial factors that came to mind when seeking to explain why the shift to older purchases has taken place in the past quarter century. If homeownership is healthy, as so many people believe, we must look at the causes for its decline. That means facing up to a lack of disposable income, NIMBY zoning and regulation, and immense subsidization of useless higher education. We can also explore novel ways to bypass the rent-seekers holding the gates.Read the article: https://econamericas.substack.com/p/reasons-delayed-homebuying If you would like to book a consultation with me, please sign up at econamericas.com/consult. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

If you care about private property and laissez-faire capitalism, run a mile from ESG (environmental, social, governance) factors that promote stakeholder capitalism.This is Chapter 21 of Financial Sovereignty for Canadians. Founding Econ Americas members receive a signed copy of the book.Read the chapter: https://econamericas.substack.com/p/esg-snake-oilIf you would like to book a consultation with us, please sign up here: https://econamericas.com/consult/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

Bitcoin has not become practical electronic cash, but it has emerged as a compelling store of value. Demelza Hays holds a doctorate in business economics from the University of Liechtenstein and is a portfolio manager at Zeltner & Co. She publishes the Crypto Research Report and argues that bitcoin is not money in the strict sense. However, it is a credible investment asset that continues to gain traction.She acknowledges bitcoin's volatility and higher risk but suggests a 2–5 percent portfolio allocation: “When the price pulls back, I see a buying opportunity, because it is the asset I value most.”Hays believes the crypto era is still in its early steps. She points to growing interest in digital assets from the US government and to Tether's accumulation of US debt as signals of mainstreaming: “Bitcoin could become the way out for the US government's trillionaire debt.” Over time, she contends, governments could hold more crypto in reserves, making bitcoin increasingly akin to gold.Listen to the podcast and subscribe on Substack and YouTube.Recommended Links:* Follow Demelza Hays on X.* “Tracking BTC to USD Trends and Marketcap,” Crypto Research Report.* “When Crypto Makes Sense (III): Accessing High-Barrier Investments,” Econ Americas.* Read the book: Hijacking Bitcoin: The Hidden History of BTC by Roger Ver.Thanks for reading Econ Americas! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

These comments appeared in the Epoch Times on October 8, 2025:Credit Card Use in US Records Sharp DeclineThe slowdown in borrowing suggests households may be shifting from credit-fueled spending to greater caution.Americans' use of credit cards in the 12 months through August saw its steepest contraction since the COVID-19 pandemic recession, suggesting that the U.S. consumer sector may be shifting from credit-driven resilience toward a more cautious footing.According to the Federal Reserve's G.19 Consumer Credit report for August, total consumer credit grew at a negligible 0.1 percent annual rate, a sharp deceleration from 4.3 percent in July. Revolving credit—primarily credit cards—fell at a 5.5 percent annualized rate.Journalist Tom Ozimek requested implications for: (1) household spending, (2) consumer sentiment, and (3) the broader economic outlook.This post's sponsor is Green Pasture, my favorite outlet for healthy fats, especially cod-liver oil, butter oil, and bison tallow. Use the FERG coupon code at GreenPasture.org.My responses:(1) While there is not a one-to-one relationship between credit-card borrowing and household spending, it is still tight. Any decline in credit limits or credit utilization will hit luxury goods hardest, because the decline suggests a reduced perception of wealth among card users. This is particularly the case because we have not witnessed markedly strong per capita GDP growth.(2) The relationship with consumer sentiment is muddy, because credit-card utilization can be both a leading and lagging indicator, depending on the conditions. There is so much going on at the moment, from technological shocks to geopolitical uncertainty, I would not blame consumers for tightening their belts. Further, revisions to macroeconomic data have revealed their inaccuracies and contorted presentation. Such confusion dampens confidence in the US trajectory.(3) More than 20 years has now passed since the release of The Coming Generational Storm by Laurence Kotlikoff and Scott Burns. This book foresaw the debt debacle we face today, with tension between the Baby Boomers and their progeny. While the United States continues to lead the world in many economic metrics and attract much of the world's top talent, that position is shaky. Another government shutdown makes us aware of fiscal recklessness and mismanagement from the US federal government. The debt burden on the productive economy continues to grow, and I foresee the new normal of modest growth continuing long into the future.If you would like to book a consultation with me, please sign up here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

Subscribe to Global Analyst by Adrian Day. Receive a 10 percent discount when you subscribe with the FERG coupon code: https://www.adriandayglobalanalyst.com/subscribe-nowFinancial Sovereignty for Canadians" Fergus Hodgson: https://econamericas.com/financial-sovereignty-canadians/Canadian financial markets offer a wide range of opportunities for global investors. In this podcast episode, investment analyst Ian Madsen explains why mining, oil, and gas stocks often move differently than US equities. In other words, they deliver low betas, which is helpful for diversifying a portfolio. Madsen also explains two strategic moments to buy mining stocks.He shares lower-risk ways to gain exposure to mining assets and explains differences between the three major capital markets in Canada. Beyond commodities, Madsen highlights Canadian industries and companies that deserve fresh investor attention, including technology and manufacturing.For more insights in finance and economic intelligence and exclusive updates, subscribe to the Econ Americas Substack: https://econamericas.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web

Canadian financial markets offer a wide range of opportunities for global investors. In this podcast episode, investment analyst Ian Madsen explains why mining, oil, and gas stocks often diverge from US equities. In other words, they deliver low betas, which are helpful for diversifying a portfolio. Madsen also explains two strategic moments to buy mining stocks.He shares lower-risk ways to gain exposure to mining assets and explains differences between the three major capital markets in Canada. Beyond commodities, Madsen highlights Canadian industries and companies that deserve fresh investor attention, including technology and manufacturing.For more insights in finance and economic intelligence and exclusive updates, subscribe to the Econ Americas Substack.Recommended Links* Follow Ian Madsen on LinkedIn.* Read Ian Madsen's commentaries.* Buy the book: Financial Sovereignty for Canadians.Thanks for reading Econ Americas! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

My emotions struck me during this show, since I care so much about Alberta sovereignty. To appear with Bruce Scholl of Unscrew the News and Nadine Wellwood, both people I admire, was a privilege, and I hope I provided momentum towards Alberta's noble cause.Let me provide here my own show notes: takeaways and resources. There were many more than eight to share, so I recommend people watch the full show (starting six minutes in).For those seeking mining stock recommendations, consider Adrian Day's Global Analyst newsletter. I read every edition, and I have negotiated a 10 percent discount for my readers. Use the FERG coupon code at AdrianDayGlobalAnalyst.com, or call +1 410-224-8885.* The path to a successful referendum cannot be rushed. There needs to be sufficient education and cultivated support before the vote.* Albertans are profoundly distinct from Canadians (although Saskatchewanians are similar to Albertans). Insults hurled at Albertans, in an attempt to intimidate them, only demonstrate the fact that we are not the same. Although I was not raised in Alberta, Calgary is my family home on my mother's side, and it is where my grandmother and many other relatives remain.* Bought-off regime media are not to be trusted. They are enemies of journalism and free thought, and we must continue to promote citizen journalism, such as Unscrew the News, and independent formal outlets such as the Western Standard.* Alberta independence must be a broad movement and will have to go through one of the major parties. My personal view is the United Conservative Party, with the right membership, can be that vehicle. The People's Party and the Libertarian Party, although upholding great ideas, have demonstrated the nigh impossible task of starting a successful new party without wasting resources and creating more enemies.* Ottawa loyalists will attempt to impose many roadblocks before the independence movement. These include throwing policy bones to soften sentiments, demonization via regime media and education, and overflowing the province with new arrivals to dilute support.* The right to bear arms is a litmus test of self-rule. It is a policy that sets Albertans apart, since they have a strong sense that they should be able to defend themselves and not wait for momma government to save them.* The referendum will succeed on provincial pride: the flag, the history, the shared values, the pioneer way of life. While the economic case for Alberta independence is overwhelming, the distinct identity will move hearts. An important case study is the Brexit campaign, which overcame the unwillingness of the UK political class to leave the European Union. The best book on this, that I know of, is All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain's Political Class.* Albertans face two options: (1) remain straitjacketed in a parasitic Canada on the decline or (2) leave and forge their own path. The latter will stem from a rugged individualism that is alien to contemporary Canada. The Albertan psyche has a combination of classical liberalism, social conservatism, rural get-up-and-go, and entrepreneurial spirit. There is robust intellectual backing for Alberta independence. In particular, I recommend following:* the Haultain Research Institute;* the Alberta Prosperity Project;* Cory Morgan;* Michael Wagner.While I have only just started it, Nadine Wellwood's book, Alberta Rising, is now available on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.If you would like to book a consultation with me, please sign up here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

David Skarica, a Canadian financial advisor based in the Bahamas, shares insights from his latest book, Mega Returns: Profit from Maximum Pessimism. According to Skarica, assets surrounded by temporary negative sentiment often present good long-term opportunities. For instance, he purchased his house in 2011, “when no one wanted to buy a house after the housing bubble,” securing it at a low price. Skarica's book covers many asset classes and also emphasizes the importance of investing in gold as a reliable store of value, especially in these uncertain times. He also explains how to target corporate bonds with put options as effective tools for managing financial risk.When it comes to crypto, Skarica compares bitcoin to gold in terms of its function as a hedge—particularly in struggling economies. However, he cautions that bitcoin has in recent times mirrored the Nasdaq's performance. That trend could undermine its role as a safe haven. Regarding altcoins, he considers them high risk and largely unproductive as investment vehicles.Buy the books:* Mega Returns, David Skarica: https://amzn.to/4hiUIv5 * Financial Sovereignty for Canadians, Fergus Hodgson: https://econamericas.com/financial-sovereignty-canadians/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

Buy Fergus Hodgson's "Financial Sovereignty for Canadians" on Amazon!: https://econamericas.com/financial-sovereignty-canadians/In 2013, Canadian entrepreneur Gabriel Scheare moved to Valdivia, Chile, with an ambitious vision. His goal was to build an innovative real-estate project designed as a startup village for entrepreneurs. This became Fort Galt.In this podcast episode, he discusses how economic downturns, social unrest, and cultural resistance derailed the dream. Scheare argues that Latin America's future relies on a cultural shift.Listen the full episode on Substack: https://econamericas.substack.com/p/what-became-of-fort-galt-chile

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit econamericas.substack.comIn 2013, Canadian entrepreneur Gabriel Scheare moved to Valdivia, Chile, with an ambitious vision. His goal was to build an innovative real-estate project designed as a startup village for entrepreneurs. This became Fort Galt.

Watch on YouTube | Listen on SpotifyBy producing dark chocolate up with the highest quality in the world, Paccari Chocolate has brought stability and opportunity to more than 15,000 people in rural Ecuador. Cofounder Santiago Peralta shares how Paccari has built on direct, long-term partnerships with farmers. He pays them twice the market rate—AKA and efficiency wage—to ensure sustainability throughout the process.Over the past 20 years, Paccari has released 70 flavors of dark chocolate, won more than 450 international awards, and expanded into products like healthy cereals and dairy-free ice cream. Although dark-chocolate production has increased around the world, Peralta says the biggest competitor remains ignorance: most people still choose chocolate from popular brands tied to harmful practices, such as the use of unhealthy ingredients or child labor.Paccari, therefore, has not escalated only because of their quality. They have tied the farmers and their own story to the brand. The “Paccari Way” has earned global recognition from institutions like Harvard Business School and Technological Institute of Monterrey, and Forbes has praised the company for setting new ethical standards in business. As Peralta puts it, “You can be part of the problem or part of the solution. We have chosen to be part of the solution.”Recommended Links* Follow Santiago Peralta on X. * Follow Paccari Chocolate on X. * “Yusuf Amdani on Third-World Business: Build a Nation within a Nation” by Fergus Hodgson. * World of Opportunity, by Yusuf Amdani.Econ Americas is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

By producing dark chocolate up with the highest quality in the world, Paccari Chocolate has brought stability and opportunity to more than 15,000 people in rural Ecuador. Cofounder Santiago Peralta shares how Paccari has built on direct, long-term partnerships with farmers. He pays them twice the market rate—AKA and efficiency wage—to ensure sustainability throughout the process.Over the past 20 years, Paccari has released 70 flavors of dark chocolate, won more than 450 international awards, and expanded into products like healthy cereals and dairy-free ice cream. Although dark-chocolate production has increased around the world, Peralta says the biggest competitor remains ignorance: most people still choose chocolate from popular brands tied to harmful practices, such as the use of unhealthy ingredients or child labor. Paccari, therefore, has not escalated only because of their quality. They have tied the farmers and their own story to the brand. The “Paccari Way” has earned global recognition from institutions like Harvard Business School and Technological Institute of Monterrey, and Forbes has praised the company for setting new ethical standards in business. As Peralta puts it, “You can be part of the problem or part of the solution. We have chosen to be part of the solution.”Show notes: https://econamericas.substack.com/p/how-ecuadors-paccari-turned-ethics?r=b61i7&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

Buy the books:- "Mega Returns", David Skarica: https://amzn.to/4hiUIv5- "Financial Sovereignty for Canadians" Fergus Hodgson: https://econamericas.com/financial-sovereignty-canadians/David Skarica, a Canadian financial advisor based in the Bahamas, shares insights from his latest book, Mega Returns: Profit from Maximum Pessimism (available from today). According to Skarica, assets surrounded by temporary negative sentiment often present good long-term opportunities. For instance, he purchased his house in 2011, “when no one wanted to buy a house after the housing bubble,” securing it at a low price. Skarica's book covers many asset classes and also emphasizes the importance of investing in gold as a reliable store of value, especially in these uncertain times. He also explains how to target corporate bonds with put options as effective tools for managing financial risk.When it comes to crypto, Skarica compares bitcoin to gold in terms of its function as a hedge—particularly in struggling economies. However, he cautions that bitcoin has in recent times mirrored the Nasdaq's performance. That trend could undermine its role as a safe haven. Regarding altcoins, he considers them high risk and largely unproductive as investment vehicles.

Zachary Yost—cohost of Radio Rothbard and a freelance writer—joins me to discuss the real state of the US economy. While some contend the United States is enjoying full employment, many data points tell a different story: employment and labour-market participation below pre-COVID-19 levels.To compound the problem, easily half of all new jobs in the US economy, under the Joe Biden tenure, came from the public sector. Such jobs might deliver a paycheck, but they do not add much value. Further, they compound the problem of rising national debt and cement the new normal of elevated inflation. My preference would be to remove government spending from GDP calculations, as advocated recently by Peter St Onge.Although I have followed Yost's work for a few years, a recent article by him caught my attention and compelled me to examine it in more detail. Although I do not agree with its entirety, it has many insights and is worth a read: “You're Gonna Have to Serve Somebody.”Sponsor: Adrian Day's Global Analyst, one of my go-to sources for stock recommendations. Use the FERG coupon code for a 10 percent discount. You can also subscribe over the phone (410-224-8885) with the code.In this episode, Yost delves into the challenges he has experienced personally, grappling with unsatisfying work and manual labor to survive: “All work has dignity in it, but the situation in which you're working may not be a very dignified situation.” He addresses how to get out of major corporations and approach freelancing with an eye towards financial stability. We also touch upon open discrimination against straight white men—under the branding of diversity, equity, and inclusion—and how to respond to it: “Acknowledging that young men are facing rough waters right now is the first step … to gaining their trust.”Links:* Yost on X;* Yost's Mises Institute archive;* “The Tragedy of Great Power Dating”;* the Yost Post.Note: we recorded this in late January. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

Michael Wagner, author of Time to Leave: Canada Cannot Be Fixed (2024), advocates independence for Alberta.The province with both the Rockies and the Prairies contributes the lion's share of Canada's oil and natural-gas production, serving as a cornerstone of the national economy. A massive portion of the Alberta economy, however, is confiscated by the federal government in Ottawa to fund redistribution programs.The chief reason behind the case for a sovereign Alberta is the structural impossibility of reform within Canada. This means that, no matter how distinct Alberta might be from the rest of Canada, there is no hope of an end to the pillaging and alien governance from Ottawa.This is personal to me, because my mother grew up in Calgary, and her side of the family remain primarily in Alberta. Further, my personal belief is that a sovereign Alberta would a world leader for both next-generation governance and individual liberty.That is why I devoted the last chapter of my book to Wexit. For this episode, of what I plan to be a monthly release, my sharp video editor helped me prepare a promotional clip for Financial Sovereignty for Canadians. If you have not already done so, please consider ordering a copy on Amazon.ca. If you are in the United States, you can order directly from me or get a copy from Amazon.com.In addition to the above, I recommend The Sovereigntist's Handbook (2023) by Cory Morgan and Wagner's earlier book, No Other Option (2021).Organizations mentioned:* Alberta Prosperity Project;* Frontier Centre for Public Policy;* Haultain Research Institute;* Western Standard.Fergus Hodgson, CAIA, is director of Econ Americas and author of Financial Sovereignty for Canadians and The Latin America Red Pill. Book a personal consulting session with him and follow him on X, LinkedIn, and Telegram. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit econamericas.substack.com/subscribe

Buy Fergus Hodgson's "Financial Sovereignty for Canadians" on Amazon!: https://econamericas.com/financial-sovereignty-canadians/ Michael Wagner, author of "Time to Live: Canada Cannot Be Fixed," advocates independence for Alberta. Alberta contributes the lion's share of Canada's oil and natural-gas production, serving as a cornerstone of the national economy. A massive portion of the Alberta economy, however, is confiscated by the federal government in Ottawa to fund redistribution programs. The chief reason behind the case for a sovereign Alberta is the structural impossibility of reform within Canada. This means that, no matter how distinct Alberta might be from the rest of Canada, there is no hope of an end to the pillaging and alien governance from Ottawa. Amazon links: https://amzn.to/42oVzG2 (Canada) https://amzn.to/4gagmQO (United States)

My road to the CAIA designation was not rosy, and it included skipping two exams altogether. Here are five tips I would give my younger self approaching the exams.Read the full article: https://econamericas.substack.com/p/five-tips-for-dominating-caia-examsDiscount code (10 percent) for Edge Designations: FERG https://edgedesignations.com/Consultation/tutoring: https://calendly.com/econ-americas/consultation-meetings

The gold bugs among us were rewarded this year with a 20 percent spike in price in March and April. Since then, however, there has been sideways jostling between support and resistance at US$2,300–$2,400 per ounce. That poses the question: has gold's spike settled on a new plateau, or is there more to come in the next 12 months? Read the full article: https://econamericas.substack.com/p/b9e73b51-1598-4068-8ebc-a03298918bf9?postPreview=paid&updated=2024-07-10T03%3A22%3A02.579Z&audience=everyone&free_preview=false&freemail=true

New investment opportunities are opening up in Ecuador's mining sector. The government and industry leaders agree the time is now to tap into the nation's full potential for natural resources. Gabriella Guerrero, an associate attorney in corporate and energy law at the Robalino Law Firm, explains how policymakers can work toward a healthier business environment to attract foreign capital. Although mining is a strategic sector for economic development, Guerrero explains a great deal of uncertainty surrounds it due to environmental and community hurdles. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/04/what-ecuador-needs-to-tap-her-mining-potential/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Conservation efforts in Latin America still need a lot of support and incentives in the private sector, and carbon markets are touted as a way to provide much-needed incentives for conservation. Justin Cochrane, director and CEO of Carbon Streaming, explains what carbon credits are and how they offer value to landowners while protecting forests and reducing carbon emissions at the same time. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/03/what-works-in-latin-americas-emerging-carbon-markets/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Outside Silicon Valley, there are vibrant tech industries catering to overlooked niches. Alexis Alston, a senior associate at the early-stage VC fund Lightship Capital, explains how entrepreneurs in South Florida are tapping into migrant communities' needs across countries. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/02/how-miami-startups-offer-exposure-to-latin-america --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Mining gets a bad rap in Latin America due to its environmental and social impact. Ivan Bebek, a veteran mining executive with extensive business experience in the region, explains how a new generation of firms have turned the page on checkbook diplomacy and instead work out tailored solutions with local communities. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/01/what-works-better-checkbook-diplomacy-in-latam --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Mining is a major source of foreign direct investment in Latin America. Mark Brennan, a Colombia-born mining executive with 30 years of financing and operating experience in the Americas and Europe, explains how countries with rich deposits can attract responsible investors. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/12/what-latin-america-mining-capital-attract --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

The Bolsonaro administration in Brazil had campaigned on major pension, tax, and privatization reforms. Maurício Bento, an economist with the São Paulo Court of Accounts and with the Property Rights Alliance, explains which ones have succeeded, which ones have not, and why. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/11/brazil-economic-reform-rocky-road/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

The Honduran startup cities—autonomous jurisdictions known as Zones for Employment and Economic Development (ZEDEs)—have barely gotten off the ground and are already facing one of their largest hurdles: elections. Guillermo Peña, a political analyst, entrepreneur, and technical secretary for the Orquídea ZEDE, explains the opposition to ZEDEs and how they could boost investment in Honduras. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/10/honduran-startup-cities-zedes-race-prove-worth/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

The new Guillermo Lasso administration is injecting optimism into Ecuador. Juan Fernando Carpio, an economics instructor and business consultant, believes long-term investment is on the rise, although key reforms are required to unleash the dollarized economy's full potential. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/09/ecuador-investors-back-on-the-radar --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

In 2020, Mexico surpassed Brazil as the largest recipient of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Latin America. For Rafael Ramírez de Alba, an economics professor and experienced financial consultant, there are plenty of investment opportunities in the auto industry, agriculture, construction, and tech. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/08/why-mexico-fdi-leads-latin-america/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Bolivia has vast untapped resources in oil, gas, and mining. However, for economist and wealth manager Mauricio Ríos García, investment has dried up after years of institutional degradation. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/07/what-investors-bolivia-want-to-see/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Governments across the world are reversing a decades-long trend of low corporate taxation. Martín Litwak, an expert in wealth and fund structuring, explains what this means for Latin American tax havens and tax hells. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/06/latin-american-tax-havens-tax-hells/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Panama City's impressive skyline has a little-known origin: spillover benefits from the country's vibrant free trade zones. Surse Pierpoint, a Panamanian entrepreneur and the former manager of Colón's Free Port, walks us through the transformative potential of trade in Central America and its opportunities for investors. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/05/how-panamas-free-trade-zones-built/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

In most developed countries, cryptoassets are mainly speculation assets. In Latin America, on the other hand, they function as money and cross-border payment vehicles. Cristóbal Pereira, a Chilean entrepreneur and financial educator, explains the crypto industry's potential for the millions of unbanked and underbanked. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/04/cryptoassets-in-latin-america-thirst/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Colombia is a success story in Latin America: a country that has left rampant violence behind and now attracts high levels of foreign investment. Jorge Castro, a Colombian businessman and financial consultant, describes opportunities in real estate and other promising industries such as fintech and cannabis. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/03/cannabis-real-estate-investments-in-colombia/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Real negative interest rates in much of the developed world are pushing investors to look for yields in emerging markets. What does Latin America have to offer? Fergus Hodgson, the director of Econ Americas, joins us for our inaugural podcast episode. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/02/why-invest-in-latin-america-in-2021/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message