Page 14 - Bullion World Issue 10 February 2022_Neat

Bullion World | Issue 10 | February 2022

Gold and cryptos have some to possess and look at their wealth
strong similarities. but also, and be able to touch it, gold will not
key differences. What are the only remain the number one but
similarities? even foster its position.
Cryptos, gold and silver offer users
an alternative way out of the current Its indeed a great achievement
monetary and banking system that Valcambi has supported
because all are outside the banking the artisanal Gold panners to
system. Gold, silver and cryptos improve their livelihood. Bringing
are an alternative to all the printed the artisanal miners into the
currencies, and the good part is no mainstream was a herculean
one needs to trust a third party. task. As we know the successful
establishment of this value chain made by Chopard. It feels me
The advantage of Crypto is is the result of an initiative that with pride to refine the gold of the
immediate electronic exchange and started in 2019 in collaboration with Barequeros.
easy transport. The disadvantages the Swiss Better Gold Association
are that they rely on internet and (SBGA), the Better Gold Initiative
electricity and can be hacked. (BGI), local aggregator Anexpo,
and Chopard. Bullion World would Profile: Michael Mesaric, CEO,
Gold still holds some distinct like to more about it. Share us your Valcambi sa, Switzerland
advantages over Crypto. The gold success story and what were the Michael joined UBS Zurich in
price is by far less volatile. Gold is a major challenges faced with this. 1982 were he stared his carrier
in trading, foreign exchange,
long-term store for value and has a
proven track record of value. The Barequeros value chain is precious metals and money
market. In 1985 he became the
an amazing success story which Chief trader for precious metals
Most of the Indian savings have all relied upon partnership and at UBS Hong Kong and was
been kept in gold considered as a collaboration between a chain of transferred to London 1989 in the
safe haven for centuries there and actors from the gold panners, to same position.
for the rest of the world. the aggregator Anexpo, through to
Valcambi and finally Chopard, with From 1990 until the time of his
Gold is a tangible form of wealth support on the ground from the departure in 2002 Mr. Mesaric
that can be physically held and Better Gold Initiative. worked for Credit Suisse and
Credit Suisse First Boston where
transported. Gold can be bought he held various senior positions.
and sold almost everywhere and at What makes this value chain In 1990 he became Chief trader
any time globally. remarkable is that it protects for precious metals at the Head
and provides recognition and Office in Zurich. 1993 he was
Cosmopolitan modern investors legitimacy of formal, legal, and promoted to Global Head for
may have cryptos among their responsible artisanal miners and Foreign Equity Trading, in 1999
assets beside gold, but my their ancestral livelihoods. The he joined the Board of Valcambi
prediction is that gold will become Barequeros are highly vulnerable and in 2000 working in London
he was appointed to Global Head
even more important in the future to exploitation by illegal actors and for Central Banks relations for
while Cryptos less, unless they are without programmes like this one
precious metals.
gold backed. Cryptos will be part their activity is simply at risk of
of a big bubble due to profit taking vanishing. It is only when you go on Since 2002 Michael Mesaric is
and to the elevated risks that our the ground to meet the Barequeros CEO of Valcambi sa, Switzerland.
financial systems have to sustain that you fully understand their story,
and the connected foreseeable the way they work, all manually, but
changes on the energy and also the challenges they face.
geopolitical side. For the coming
years an energy shortage has been It is wonderful to think that the few
predicted and the change to Green grams Barequeros produce go all
and sustainable energy does not the way to Switzerland to Valcambi,
help Cryptos either. As people like and end up in a beautiful piece

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