Video News/In Focus with Jeremy Szafron

J. Christopher Giancarlo, former Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Senior Counsel at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, says the transition toward digital forms of money is reshaping the global financial system. Speaking with Kitco News anchor Jeremy Szafron, Giancarlo discussed the policy debate around a digital dollar, including the role of stablecoins and the risks associated with central bank digital currencies. He emphasized the importance of embedding privacy protections into digital payment systems to maintain trust and competitiveness. Giancarlo also addressed the evolving relationship between traditional finance and digital assets, noting resistance from established banking institutions toward new payment technologies. He discussed the continued role of gold within a digitizing monetary system and examined why some stablecoin issuers are holding physical reserves. The conversation also explored the tokenization of financial infrastructure and its implications for markets and settlement systems.