Changing gears from our usual fare, an unusual story slid across my desk this morning.

Though not our usual forte, it sits at the intersection of a lot of themes common to these digital leaves.

To set the stage…

You might recall the controversial and, many would say, heavy-handed "Operation Chokepoint."

Initiated under Obama's reign, this gambit sought to strangle businesses the government found "high risk" or morally questionable, like payday lenders and firearms dealers.

How? By pressuring banks to sever ties with them, thus cutting off their financial lifelines. No court, no jury, just financial excommunication, orchestrated from the corridors of power.

It was a damning example of Uncle Sam using the financial system as its weapon of choice.

Then came, starting last year, what some refer to as "Operation Chokepoint 2.0.”

This was a more aggressive evolution that cast a wary eye on the burgeoning world of cryptocurrencies.

Here, too, institutions were suddenly restrained, wary of anything that threatened the traditional financial architecture.

Now, it seems, we're witnessing a 3.0 version -- one that's even harder to pin down. And this time, the crosshairs are focused on…

Precious metals?

Before we dive in -- and tease apart the truth -- a quick message:

On last check, only a handful of seats remain for our Paradigm Shift Summit in Vegas (Oct. 3, 2023).

This is your final call, procrastinators! Secure your spot now.

Fair warning: By the time you read this, it might be too late.

(If this page still works, you’re in.)

Hope to see you there.

Now, onto today’s musings…

Operation Chokepoint 3.0?

From the heartland of Ohio -- my home state -- a tale emerged that paints a picture of this new trend.

A coin dealer just shared that a long-associated regional bank shuttered six of his accounts, canceling all of his credit cards.

"They decided they don't want to do business with me anymore," he said.

The bank even went so far as to close his wife and kid’s accounts, too.

Our Ohioan isn't alone.

He uncovered a ripple effect. "I've heard of a few other coin shops in the area... this Bank did the same thing to them within the last year or two."

Moreover, whispers at the heart of Pittsburgh's recent coin shows echoed similar experiences.

"I don’t think the banks like this type of business,” the dealer said. “I don’t know what they think we’re doing here because everything's 100% legitimate.”

Obviously, this would be massively disruptive for any small business owner. Especially one who sticks to the straight-and-narrow.

Thus, the questions are beckoned, calling out like sirens in a sea of uncertainty:

But… Why?

Are the banks targeting gold and silver shops specifically…

Or are they going after cash-based businesses, which gold and silver shops tend to be?

It’s true that these days banks are more hesitant to regularly accept large amounts of cash.

Plus, shops dealing in cash are riskier: They need extra insurance, there are costs of depositing, and security issues.

Of course, there’s also the ongoing trend that specific people -- from Nigel Farage to Canadian truckers -- have been blacklisted from financial services.

As usual, speculation is rife.

The coin dealer is no exception: "I think we're headed to some major things happening... especially with 2024 and the new election cycle."

As the curtain rises on the 2024 political drama, one can't help but ponder if a rerun of "Operation Chokepoint 3.0" will make its way onto the playbill.

Whatever the case, the lines between responsible governance, prudent oversight, and downright meddling have never been more smudged.

Will this sequel, if it emerges, be another act of financial-chokeholds-as-policy-tools?

It's perhaps a tale worth tracking closely.

And as always, we’ll remain on its trail.

[Ed. note: Our Vegas summit is fast approaching, and according to our records, you haven't yet secured your seat. As the old sailors used to say, "A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for." Final call: If this page works, there’s still a chance. ]