The Fed Proposes a 4th Function of Money: Means of Social Control

Image from Federal Reserve website.

Docket No. OP – 1670

Please consider Docket No. OP – 1670 on Interbank Settlement of Faster Payments. 

The Federal Reserve Board announced that the Federal Reserve Banks will develop a new round-the-clock real-time payment and settlement service, called the FedNowsm Service, to support faster payments in the United States. 

This is a direct response to the threat posed by digital currencies and blockchain. According to one Fed official, “Last summer, the U.S. Treasury recommended that ‘the Federal Reserve move quickly to facilitate a faster retail payments system, such as through the development of a real-time settlement service, that would also allow for more efficient and ubiquitous access to innovative payment capabilities.”‘ We believe this effort requires a proof-of-authority quantum computing based blockchain system

As we noted in our paper “Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and the Future of Monetary Policy,” confidential, not-for-distribution research sent to select members of the House Financial Services Committee, it is critical to understand that bitcoin was created in direct response to the failure of global regulators to protect the public in the years leading up to the financial crisis of 2007/2008. Thus, the ethical and monetary functionality of cryptocurrency is superior to that of paper money. Eventually, cryptocurrency is going to dominate. 

As also noted in our paper, “The main economic attributes of a technically effective currency rests on three functions: as a unit of account, a store of value and as a medium of exchange.”

But there is a fourth function of money: as a means of social control. The centralized monopoly over the functions of money held by sovereign governments and central banks has generated great income and wealth imbalances. Concerns about a lack of central bank performance with respect to financial inclusion, income inequality, economic system stability and the tendency of central banks to intermediate on behalf of large financial institutions supported the creation of cryptocurrency”

As we noted in a second paper “Is FedCoin Feasible?” another confidential, not-for-distribution research paper sent to select members of the House Financial Services Committee, we suggest the Board focus on using an enhanced Bitcoin blockchain to “support depository institutions’ provision of end-to-end faster payment services and would provide infrastructure to promote ubiquitous, safe, and efficient faster payments in the United States.” 

Confidential Not for Publication

The Fed is sending “confidential, not-for-distribution research” to select members of the House Financial Services Committee espousing money as a means of social control.

The confidential Fed research express concerns over income inequality and fears of Bitcoin.

The link above was published in October of 2019, but it just came my way today. 

The rest is confidential, sent no doubt to select Marxists on the House Financial Services Committee who want to address income inequality by income redistribution.

What we don’t know is how much further progress has been made towards income redistribution and social control. Nor do we know what other ideas regarding money are hidden in the papers.

Seriously, WTF?!

Fed Policy: It’s Not Fractional Reserve Banking, It’s ZERO Reserve Banking

Meanwhile, please note Fed Policy: It’s Not Fractional Reserve Banking, It’s ZERO Reserve Banking

There’s nothing like a Fed-sponsored bank crisis coupled with zero reserves on deposits to help aid the goals of using money as a means of social control.

This post originated on MishTalk.Com.

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Louis salinas
Louis salinas
7 months ago

As I understand the primary intend of docket OP1670 as directed by our absentminded Pres biden, is total control of our monitary system. Without the input of our elected officials in congress, where that authority is granted by our constitution, the American public is facing total control of our political and social lives.’

WAKE UP AMERICANS

Don’t let this happen

Frank
Frank
10 months ago

Some financial institutions will not participate in the FedNow program. Perhaps they are safer than the ones that are?

Portlander2
Portlander2
1 year ago
FedNow™ is indeed becoming a reality in the May-July 2023 timeframe, according to the Fed. link to federalreserve.gov
FedNow™ will enable institutions and individuals to send instant payments. What’s not to like?
It’s coming folks (probably sans blockchain and other marvels), but let’s not get hysterical. Do you really think the Fed will use this to bring about anything like Marxist income redistribution or whatever?
But if it can be used to crack down on money laundering or other corrupt uses of the financial system, I’m all for it. Of course, those who engage in such activities won’t use FedNow, but it could become mandatory once all the kinks are out of the system.
I have no problem with the “deep state” using modern digital forensics tools to combat white collar crime. Of course, fraudsters will be the first to wail “Buuuuuut I have my privacy rights!”
Bring it on!
Ddj48814
Ddj48814
2 days ago
Reply to  Portlander2

Yeah let’s trust the organization whose name means controlling minds, that sounds very smart to me. Let’s give a tyrannical, evil, devil worshipping organization complete control over your finances. We can trust them, it’s not like they poison children (paint thinner in cereal – edta), rust remover in our water supply (hydroflourocilic acid), or tell us our breathe kills the planet when co2 greens the earth, cools, and grows more food, or indoctrinated us once education became memorization. Your probably right we can trust them.
Just look at Lucis Trust it explains they are devil worshipers.

Felix_Mish
Felix_Mish
1 year ago
I’ll second the note by skicolorado. This Docket No. OP – 1670 does not come from the Fed. The “we” in it is one guy. And he’s not exactly the world’s biggest booster of Fed/banking actions.
This PDF seems strange. I wondered, at first, whether it was written by an AI. Consider this:
… bitcoin was created in direct response to the failure of global regulators to protect the public in the years leading up to the financial crisis of 2007/2008. Thus, the ethical and monetary functionality of cryptocurrency is superior to that of paper money.
Thus“??? Who lives in a world where things necessarily do what they are built to do?!?
And what is with the “confidential, not-for-distribution research” items?
To this outsider, the writing and speech of people in the financial world seems to be inherently and always slightly off-kilter.
That said, control of a money system can be extended to control things other than money: People, organizations, countries. You name it. Duh.
MarkraD
MarkraD
1 year ago
Reply to  Felix_Mish
I caught the exact same word and thought the same thing, “the ethical and monetary functionality of cryptocurrency is superior to that of paper money” solely because there was a market crash?
The writer is William Michael Cunningham, a real person, though.
To me the paper looks like a student trying to get through a homework assignment, but AI is a better description.
Linking this single writers odd opinion to a wide scale Fed scandal is reminiscent of O’Keefe/project Veritas style of creating something from nothing.
.
Felix_Mish
Felix_Mish
1 year ago
Reply to  MarkraD
Ha, ha. Yeah. I didn’t think the “thus” was about 07/08, though. I thought he meant “because crypto was created …”, crypto was superior. Like, the intention behind crypto made it superior to paper. Never mind whether crypto actually satisfied its original intended use.
hamsaplo
hamsaplo
1 year ago
Looks like we are all going to be lining up soon to receive the “Mark of the Beast.” That may be when I decide that being an atheist for the last 50 years may have been a mistake. There seem to be plenty of candidates among the ranks of the world’s leadership for egos that beastly big.
SurfinUSA
SurfinUSA
1 year ago
Reply to  hamsaplo
Not me. I’ve watched events for the last 50 years that have increased my faith. I’d rather die on my feet than live on my knees.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
To whom shall we align? By acquiescence and subjugation to that which would destroy?
Or to Him who created all things, who gives life and love to all that seek it?
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Pray to Almighty God for strength and commitment, for guidance for each step and for courage to stand for Truth. ~ Patrick Henry
ROGO1
ROGO1
1 year ago
Of course the Fed will continue to make the best decisions that have kept the powers to be in power for 150 years, I have only three words for Bitcoin cultist or anyone trying to undermine the holders of USD or the Gold & Silver of any country, RE – TAR – DED!.. 🤣🤣
Over 300 PHDs sit on the Fed protected by the pillars of the United States Constitution along with the most powerful military on the Planet will yield to no one. Let alone Goofy laser eyed Gaap fraudsters, God forsaken corrupt countries or those who were savvy enough to by 68K “Pet Rocks” below $100 and continue to FOMO Bitcoin Twitter Tulips 2.0!. 🤔..
StukiMoi
StukiMoi
1 year ago
“What we don’t know is how much further progress has been made towards income redistribution and social control.”
Yes we do: (Current demand generating money, which in unlimited-bailoutopia is pretty much equal to all outstanding credit – 20*Fort Knox Gold )/ urrent demand generating money, which in unlimited-bailoutopia is pretty much equal to all outstanding credit.
That’s the share of current money which is the result of redistribution, rather than having been earned and/or traded for. And given that this share is, by now, around 99.9%: We can also conclude that it results in pretty much complete social control for the redistributors.
The math is pretty simple. At least for us count’erate folk….
dtj
dtj
1 year ago
CBDCs are not being created to “redistribute wealth” – that is not the social control the elites seek.
You only have to look at how Canada dealt with the trucker’s protest by stopping the organizers from getting money from their banks. That’s social control. Look at what China did to control the bank protests. Digital IDs and digital currencies make the process easy.
If you are a dissident, your CBDC account will be fined, frozen, limited to working within 5 miles of your house or whatever scheme the controllers want to use to keep you in line.
Lisa_Hooker
Lisa_Hooker
1 year ago
Reply to  dtj
And then there was the “Cyprus Haircut.”
MarkraD
MarkraD
1 year ago
“But there is a fourth function of money: as a means of social control. The centralized monopoly over the functions of money held by sovereign governments and central banks has generated great income and wealth imbalances.”
This looks like a Fed member who’s a professor accidentally left his students project on his desk and a staff member found it, it’s ridiculous.
The opposite is true, fiscal/tax & regulatory policy (starting @ Reaganomics) along with globalization to favor the highest campaign contributors is the reason the Fed is cornered into credit games for the masses and government.
Note the increase starting in 1980 – link to fred.stlouisfed.org
These aren’t total debt, these are debt to GDP, granted household did improve since 2008, it’s still high enough to where rates have a substantial effect on consumption, this can be fixed with higher rates, but also requires higher wages to offset rates effects on disposable income.
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
1 year ago
May I have the envelope, please.
.25 hike
QT on schedule
and obligatory “we’re monitoring financial conditions”.
Do It, Jay
MPO45v2
MPO45v2
1 year ago
Reply to  Tony Bennett
“tighter credit” oh yes!
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
1 year ago
Reply to  MPO45v2
no dissents
Billy
Billy
1 year ago
Thank you Mish for having this view on this topic. Too many have blind faith in governments. It’s easier when you are born and raised in the USA where no one alive today has been in a war fought on US soil. It’s very rare for anyone here to know what it’s like to live through hyper inflation or a communist state. Most people here don’t even flinch at Socialism, Marxism, or Communism.
Thank you for bringing us news that’s different than what we are told in unison on our TVs.
It’s sad to see that people shame people for questioning our government.
8dots
8dots
1 year ago
Our banks have ever been safer and more conservative than ever before. // If a large portion of these banks loans are woke loans the banks are not so safe. They are malinvestment loans, to be rescued by the gov.
strongGnu
strongGnu
1 year ago
Since money is a medium of exchange, which is the exchange of time and expertise as a agreed upon rate; free market. The fed is interrupting the free market and is becoming the arbiter of good and bad. They are interrupting the democratic process of deciding right and wrong are becoming the law maker and judge. I guess since they will enforce the rules through the exchange they are becoming the executive branch as well. I think we fought a war to end tyrants and taxation with representation. This has to stop because we know where this will end. Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times. Let’s be strong.
KidHorn
KidHorn
1 year ago
It’s just another stab at justifying the elimination of cash. Cryptocurrency doesn’t solve anything. They’re just using it as an excuse to go 100% digital where the government can keep track of where every cent is.
StukiMoi
StukiMoi
1 year ago
Reply to  KidHorn
“Cryptocurrency doesn’t solve anything.”
NOt Cryptocurrency per se. But what does solve somewhere between something and everything, is anonymous, distributed ledger currencies. And those, pretty much per definition of anonymity, has to be cryptos.
OTOH, just reformatting what is simply a centralised, open (to the connected) traditional ledger into something which looks vaguely like a currently fashionable “cryptocurrency”, is just yet another idiocy for idiots and idiots only. Par for the course for idiotic people in the employ of an idiot country in the late stages of its idiot age.
shamrock
shamrock
1 year ago
The FED has been transferring wealth from the poor and middle class to the rich for 50 years right?
MPO45v2
MPO45v2
1 year ago
Reply to  shamrock
Excellent point. The narrative here is that the Fed has given to a select few “first access to money” so that the wealthy become uber wealthier so I thought that was a bad thing and now doing the opposite is a bad thing too?
Let’s also not forget that about 40% of the population is already getting “free” money in the form of social security, medicare/medicaid, food stamps, tax credits and other things so what would be different if anything?
And when an alternative like bitcoin, which is at 28000 btw, shows up, people here complain about that too.
In any event, it seems the best thing to do is to diversify assets outside the US in addition to holding some assets in the US. Gee, wonder who has been saying that for some time now…
Columbo
Columbo
1 year ago
Reply to  MPO45v2
Not quite, taxpayers are contributing money into SS and Medicare. It’s not all free money.
PreCambrian
PreCambrian
1 year ago
Money has always controlled what people can do socially. If you took the words “as a means of social control” out of that paragraph it would be relatively harmless and what was stated in the remainder of the paragraph is true (IMO).
I am not sure why the Fed would implement this by blockchain where everything would be out in public. I am not exactly thrilled by these developments but someone could track almost all of my spending just from my debit and credit cards. I don’t use very much cash anymore.
StukiMoi
StukiMoi
1 year ago
Reply to  PreCambrian
Of course it won’t be out in the open. If it was, then the leeching, and terror state, classes’ spending would be out in the open as well. Which it, of course, won’t.
Instead, the Fed, as well as the above leeching classes and terror state jackboots; will be the only ones able to see Your spending. But you, of course, will not be able to see theirs.
It’s America, dude. Not some sort of a free country.
Siliconguy
Siliconguy
1 year ago
Reply to  PreCambrian
The “improvement ” would be in a more fine grained control over what you are allowed to spend money on. There has been articles in the news about special coding for firearms purchases made by credit card.
With a digital currency they could block you entirely. No guns, no ammunition, for that matter no pressure cookers unless you can prove your political reliability. Washington State just voted in a test you have to take (and pass) to exercise an enumerated constitutional right.
And the Canadian trucker protests. You annoyed the All-Glorious State? No food or heat for you.
As for the banks moving money around faster, I wasn’t aware they had trouble moving the current mostly digital dollars around. However I am not a banker so maybe there some reason a digital currency might improve things. That’s a good Mish question.
HippyDippy
HippyDippy
1 year ago
Gee, even I, a nobody, have been predicting since the first crypto crash, the one with Friedman and friends that I’m sure most have forgotten by now, that this would result in a social credit crypto scam. The state must use the same screenwriters that Hollywood uses. So boring and predictable. Yet, the stupid slaves never see it coming.
Captain Ahab
Captain Ahab
1 year ago
Well, the paper is right about one thing… the FED engineered the greatest redistribution of wealth ever known by imposing negative real interest rates. However, having caused it, the Fed must now appear to be trying to fix it. Otherwise their mere existence is in question.
skicolorado
skicolorado
1 year ago
To be clear – this is NOT an article by the Fed as claimed above. It’s from a bit of a fringy economist who responded as part of the normal request for comment process. The title of this post is unnecessarily alarmist. He should have done a bit more diligence before wording it that way. It gets more eyeballs, though, which I suppose is the point.
Mac Timred
Mac Timred
1 year ago
Reply to  skicolorado
Thanks for the update – kinda important!
Karlmarx
Karlmarx
1 year ago
Mish now you may have stepped over their red line … Keep an eye out for the Men in Black!
MikeC711
MikeC711
1 year ago
What is worse thatn the imminent extensive use of wealth redistribution to address “income inequality” … is that you know the elite will manage to come out better off than before (as in all totalitarian systems). Sometimes when you see this going on with the elites … it makes you wonder if working hard is worth it … knowing that that puts you in the cross hairs of those who want to use your money to buy votes and power.
Maximus_Minimus
Maximus_Minimus
1 year ago
“it is critical to understand that bitcoin was created in direct response to the failure of global regulators to protect the public in the years leading up to the financial crisis of 2007/2008.”
“The main economic attributes of a technically effective currency rests on three functions: as a unit of account, a store of value and as a medium of exchange.”
What a hoot. Seems they are totally, constitutionally incapable of learning when they put out this analysis.
Cryptos are the result of the destruction of the value of money through printing AFTER 2007/2008.
Expect the worst.
HiFiber
HiFiber
1 year ago
The problems we are facing today, were their yesterdays solutions. Thanks Central Bankers, but your “proofs of authority” or your services are no longer required.
TexasTim65
TexasTim65
1 year ago
Enemy of the State was such a prescient movie.
Coming soon to everyone everywhere.
Nuddernoitall
Nuddernoitall
1 year ago
“We have met the enemy and they are ours”

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