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The Loonie Hour

A New Cold War Is Reshaping the World- w/guest Michael Nicolteos

12 Jun 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

0.031 - 8.784 Steve Saretsky

People are out there protesting and saying, A, this is not the place for a big AI data center, but B, you know, we don't want it because it's going to suck up all the power and then it's going to take our job.

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8.904 - 28.975 Michael Nicolletos

You're all aware of AI agent. Now imagine a world where agents to agents transact. The agent has a pool, a bank account or a wallet with XYZ stable coins where it can make the payments. That means that all the payments that were about to happen in a few days, all this will happen in a few minutes. That changes the velocity of money.

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28.955 - 33.32 Michael Nicolletos

If a loss of money doubles with the same money supply, GDP growth is going to skyrocket.

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Chapter 2: How is the Cold War 2.0 affecting global economics?

33.34 - 39.707 Rich Diaz

Why do you think your favorite central bank, the ECB, will just like 100% probability of a rate hike in June?

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39.847 - 54.885 Michael Nicolletos

Let me ask you something. Why can lawyers be an expert on economic issues which are, in this case, pretty complicated? The ECB is being pressured by countries which see inflation, are afraid because their constituents do not understand why inflation is happening.

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Chapter 3: What is the significance of AI in the current economic landscape?

55.005 - 64.524 Michael Nicolletos

They want to reduce inflation for political reasons. And they feel this is the way to do it. Europe is consistently shooting itself in the foot. So why not do it again?

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64.544 - 73.626 Rich Diaz

Hey, there's a bubble.

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75.007 - 89.146 Steve Saretsky

If you're a mortgage broker, you already know the story. A quality borrower walks through your door, strong equity, clear exit strategy, but they don't check every box at the bank. Maybe they're self-employed, between properties, or bridging a gap. What do you do? That's exactly where Neighborhood Holdings comes in.

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89.346 - 97.437 Steve Saretsky

Neighborhood partners directly with mortgage brokers across Canada to fund short-term residential mortgages for borrowers in transition, the ones the banks can't move fast enough for.

0

97.417 - 110.293 Steve Saretsky

Neighborhood is one of the largest alternative mortgage lenders in Canada, with more than $2 billion funded over more than a decade of operation and now backed by three decades of combined experience following the acquisition of Fisgard. Neighborhood is the team you can trust your mortgage clients.

110.533 - 118.042 Steve Saretsky

For brokers, that means a reliable funding partner with competitive rates and fast turnaround, one who understands your business and can help you close deals that would otherwise stall.

Chapter 4: How are stablecoins reshaping traditional finance?

118.223 - 136.648 Steve Saretsky

For investors and advisors looking for an income solution, Neighborhood manages two funds and is backed by a portfolio of real assets and a track record of compelling returns. Visit neighborhood.com or check out the link in the description to learn more. This is not advice. Consult a professional advisor before investing Looney in any of these investments. Visit neighborhood.com.

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136.708 - 145.041 Steve Saretsky

Welcome back to the Looney Hour episode 246. As always, you're with the three amigos. We've got the boomer back in Halifax, Rich Diaz. What's going on?

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145.021 - 167.856 Rich Diaz

i'm on the road i'm on the road i'm in my in that beautiful house of one of my commie friends um who shall not be named but yeah i'm really excited i'm after spending an amazing weekend with you guys um i'm spending which is you guys have become very very very dear friends um i'm spending another week or a couple days anyway with the mother of my very dear friends and then i'm never traveling ever again

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169.372 - 177.571

They're clearly commies, your friends, like the Soviet era, like wall art. Describe what's on the wall behind you. There's nothing.

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Chapter 5: What are the hidden risks in the financial systems today?

177.631 - 183.684

Nothing. I actually looked, even though I knew. I'm such an idiot.

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183.704 - 189.048 Steve Saretsky

But yeah, no, I'm pumped. plug the loony hour.

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Chapter 6: How does oil and inflation impact global markets?

189.469 - 203.688 Steve Saretsky

So we went to Ben Rabbit's cabin, did the annual sort of, uh, doc podcast there. So if you're listening to this podcast, this is episode two 46 comes out on the Friday. We would have dropped two 45 by now.

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Chapter 7: Why do politicians struggle with economic decisions?

203.948 - 224.294 Steve Saretsky

So go check out episode two 45. It's kind of a special episode. We jammed it in midweek. Um, With Ben, that's just a wide-ranging conversation on everything that's happening in Canada, economic growth, housing, credit, delinquency side. I thought it was just a fantastic conversation.

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224.334 - 237.55 Steve Saretsky

I might be biased, but so again, if you come to this Looney Hour podcast and you just listen to our regular weekly show, there is a special episode, episode 245. I highly encourage you to go check that one out.

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238.087 - 245.934

So this makes up for the infamous lost episode from about four years ago. That's right. Yeah, we have that extra one. We're back on track.

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246.575 - 260.867 Rich Diaz

I honestly think the one that this special with Ben is, I said it to you guys at the end, and I believe it after thinking about it. Honestly, it was one of the best episodes we've ever done, just in terms of content and depth, as well as hilarity and jokes.

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Chapter 8: What is the future outlook for markets and geopolitics?

261.448 - 267.013 Rich Diaz

So really, really do check it out. And we're grateful for Ben for having us up there. It was really cool.

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268.006 - 290.892 Steve Saretsky

Speaking of guests, we have a special guest this week. One of our favorite guests, this will be his third appearance on the Looney Hour, Michael Nicolettos. He's a seasoned macro investor, finance professional, and commentator with over 25 years of experience in global markets, particularly in emerging markets. So I believe he used to work at a hedge fund as well, Keith.

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291.833 - 312.136 Steve Saretsky

He's now with DeFi Advisors, founder and CEO of an independent investment advisory firm specializing in macro strategies, digital assets, and DeFi, but in traditional finance into emerging technologies. So super smart guy. one of the greater macro thinkers I think we've had the privilege of chatting with.

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312.196 - 316.024 Steve Saretsky

So I don't know if there's anything else you want to add to that, Keith, before we jump over to Michael.

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317.126 - 337.5

No, I think the only thing to add with it is that, you know, Michael is incredibly generous with his time and his thoughts and, So he has his sub stack and is probably one of the most interesting reads out there. There's no cost of following it. And as you're going to get from the conversation that we're about to have, he is a deep thinker.

337.58 - 354.223

He's looking at a lot of different things at the same time and how they weave together. That's something that we talk about quite a bit on the podcast. Don't look at markets or events in isolation. Everything is connected. And I'm sure that's what we're going to go through now with Michael.

355.098 - 363.075 Steve Saretsky

Yeah. So without further ado, let's jump over to that conversation with Michael right now. Michael Nicolettos, welcome back to the Looney Hour. This is your third time, I believe.

364.117 - 368.406 Michael Nicolletos

Yes, it is. I'm very happy to be with you guys again. Thank you for having me.

368.827 - 372.094 Steve Saretsky

You might be the new third amigo. Uh-oh.

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