Is the Anger Toward Fiat Currency Justified?

Back in 2012, the Cato Institute published a paper titled The Coming Fiat Money Cataclysm and the Case for Gold. The libertarian think tank is hardly unique in its animosity toward the fiat currency system, nor was its 2012 paper wholly unique in its concepts and sentiments. It did, however, predict some of the issues we are trying to resolve today, notably inflation linked to the era of “cheap” money through low-interest rates.

Today, if you look at social media, particularly platforms like Reddit and Twitter/X, you’ll also find plenty of derisory posts about the fiat system. What’s more, we might argue, albeit unscientifically, that the backlash is growing. Some of this can be quantified. For example, there is some correlation between the rise of Bitcoin as hard money with a limited supply and
the criticism of the fiat currency system. However, some of it is not so easy to quantify, such as the animosity toward fiat currency being linked to wider dissatisfaction with the state.

But is any of it justifiable? The problem with answering that question is that there are both economic and sociological answers. The former is easier to frame, whereas the latter is not. Let’s start, though, by analyzing what we mean by fiat currency, which will help us understand its critics.

Fiat currency is effectively all money

Fiat currency is essentially money not backed by a physical commodity (gold or silver, for instance). It is, therefore, nearly all the money in existence in the world today. When you look at the trillions of dollars being traded in forex markets, it is fiat currency that’s being traded. The Canadian dollar used to be partially backed by gold, and some of its value is derived
from oil prices, but despite some arguments to the contrary, it remains a fiat currency.

So, why, then, should we criticize money? Well, it’s due to the fact that having no physical backing, such as a lump of gold or a barrel of oil, central banks and governments can print that money out of thin air. The charge against it is that printing new money creates more of it (naturally), and that eventually devalues it. You’ll often see anti-fiat accounts on Twitter/X
posting charts of how their currency’s purchasing power has declined or will decline over time. This is the economic argument against fiat currencies.

This chart shows how many years it would take for each fiat currency to lose 50% of its buying power if today's inflation rates remained constant.

The red line marks the average number of years worked before retirement.

There will be no retiring if one chooses to save in fiat. pic.twitter.com/P5CjXg5v3e

— Sam Callahan (@samcallah) April 2, 2024

However, the argument loses merit when certain factors are pointed out. Yes, the Canadian dollars in your pocket lose purchasing power over time, and that’s why you can’t buy a house for the same price as your grandparents. Yet, you also will earn a lot more than your grandparents. If something used to cost a dollar and you earned ten per hour later costs five
dollars, yet you earn fifty per hour, there isn’t really a problem. Of course, that’s just the theory, and it does not always work that way in practice.

Wages keeping up with inflation

In Canada, for example, disposable personal income has tripled since 2001. It also increased in the last quarter of 2023 (the latest period for measurement). Have wages kept up with inflation? Not always; you might look at everything from the cost of a cup of coffee to your mortgage payments to consider that it hasn’t. But the problem is not fiat currency in and of itself. It is the balance between price rises and the amount of money you earn. From the period 2019-2022, average hourly wages grew 12.5% in Canada; CPI rose 10.1% in that time. There were accelerated periods of inflation, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic, but on balance, wages kept up with inflation.

Now, none of this is meant to say that the fiat system is perfect, nor does it suggest that the government and central banks get it right on balancing the system. But broadly speaking, the antagonism toward fiat currency tends to be more sociological than economic. In short, people are angry at the system, not fiat currency itself. Those pushing the demise of fiat currency are often anti-establishment, at least ostensibly. They are interested in concepts like Bitcoin not only for financial reasons but also because it is not a creation of the state.

Their concerns do go into other areas, such as central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and it leads them to see the fiat currency system as one of control. How valid are those concerns about CBDCs? We would be foolish to dismiss them, and there should be perhaps a sense of frustration that the mainstream media is broadly ignoring the threat. At the moment, the official line from Canada is that there are no plans for a CBDC – yet. However, and this is important – the BoC is apparently researching the “need” for one in the future.

What would that “need” be? Could it be the control of citizens’ finances? There is an all-too-scary suggestion that this could be the route that governments take, where fiat currency becomes less money and more like social credit. You drink or gamble too much? Well, the government will freeze the money in your account until you prove you are spending responsibly. If we go into a situation where fiat currency becomes a system of control, then inflation is the least of our worries.

For some, there is a sense of a tipping point on the horizon. We have this situation where governments are constantly printing money – and taking on huge amounts of debt – and we have the specter of CBDCs. You can, therefore, understand the allure of Bitcoin and other decentralized forms of currency, although those systems in themselves are not perfect. The
question, though, is whether we meet these challenges before the tipping point is reached?

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Alberta sports betting: How trends are transforming game day for local fans

Published on August 20, 2025

Todayville Content Team

Albertans have been vocal, dedicated, and, above all, hockey-oriented fans. That enthusiasm has since been leaking into the way Albertans schedule, view, and discuss games following the introduction of single-event sports betting and the subsequent explosion of regulated online gambling. Whether it is Oilers playoff watch parties, CFL weekends, UFC cards, or any other games, betting is altering the frequency of game day, what fans research, when they watch, and how they celebrate a victory (or how they cringe at a loss). This is what is behind the change, and what it implies to the fans around the province.

From legalization to mainstream

The single-event sports betting entered Alberta via PlayAlberta.ca, the only legal online gambling platform in the province under the umbrella of the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC). Sports betting was introduced by Play Alberta in 2021, and participants must be over 18 years and physically present in the province. Notably, the revenues are returned to the provincial General Revenue Fund, which is an aspect that the regulator highlights as a ‘money stays in Alberta’ factor.

Policy movement has not ceased. Alberta has been preparing the way toward an open, competitive model of iGaming similar to that of Ontario: the 2025 legislation (the iGaming Alberta Act / Bill 48) will establish a framework, whereby private operators will enter a conduct-and-manage market, with AGLC in an oversight role. The industry observers believe this will introduce more applications, features, and sharper odds to the fans when the market is officially launched.

Oilers effect: Local loyalty driving the markets

The Stanley Cup Final run in 2024 is the best example of the betting pulse of Alberta. During the week before Game 1, AGLC stated that more than 40 per cent of all futures wagering on Play Alberta was on the Oilers to win the Cup, compared with 4.5 per cent on the Panthers. That Oilers effect is an illustration of how local loyalty can sway whole markets.

It even alters game day among fans: additional pre-game coverage on lines and player props, additional pals investing small bets together on same-game parlay, and more people sticking around broadcasts longer into the night because they have a live ticket on the third period. When the local team is hot, it moves the betting discussion into the social sphere of life, at the bar, in group chats, and at home.

Live and in-play: the default of the future

The shift that has the most power is when Albertans bet. There is a growing popularity in in-play betting across multiple betting sites reviewed by Cheeky Punter. This means betting as the action takes place, and it is predicted that this will make up two-thirds of all bets in 2028 across North America. The effect of that trend can already be seen on larger Alberta sports nights, when bettors will sit on totals or next-goal markets until that momentum shift, goaltender change, or special-teams situation becomes a possibility.

In-play betting translates to second-screening being the norm in the fan experience. Punters monitor shot attempts, zone time, or live statistics as they stream the game. It also alters viewing loyalty: instead of flipping the channel through the commercials, fans wait out the next bet.

Table: Sports Driving Alberta’s Betting Trends

Rank Sport / League Fan Impact on Betting Trends Game Day Experience Shift

1 NHL (Oilers, Flames) Huge local bias; futures markets heavily tilted toward Oilers Longer watch parties, shared community sweats

2 CFL (Elks, Stampeders) Regional loyalty; high action on spreads and totals Fans bet as part of the tailgate and post-game ritual

3 UFC / Combat Sports Big spikes around major fight nights Bars and homes turn fights into betting events

4 NFL & NBA (imported fandoms) Younger bettors drive parlay action across US leagues Alberta fans follow stars and fantasy with betting

5 Baseball & Soccer Smaller market but growing with online apps Casual betting during big tournaments

The possibilities of an open market for Alberta fans

As a competitive market looms in the future, three instant upgrades are to be expected:

· Greater options and capabilities. The wider selection of licensed sportsbooks often also translates into more comprehensive prop lists, quicker cash-out windows, and more solid live interfaces, which will be handy to the existing popular NHL, CFL, and UFC cards that are already popular viewing in
Alberta.

· More precise pricing and offers. Several controlled books are also likely to condense spread and total lines and provide more frequent odds increases or parlay insurance. These are features that are of interest to the casual bettor who is putting up small amounts of money on game day.

· Improved channelization (onshore movement of play). The regulated environments with consumer protections will see more of the betting move back into competitive markets, the strength of fan trust, and provincial returns.

Responsible play is out in the limelight

As betting becomes part of game day, Alberta has increased player-protection mechanisms. Play Alberta incorporates the Alberta GameSense program, which provides education, reality-check timers, deposit limits, cool-off periods, and self-exclusion. AGLC also made a GameSense Info Line available in 2024 to allow Albertans direct access to advisors. The supports are most important in high-emotion games (playoffs, rivalry games) where there is an increase in impulse decisions. Fans are advised to establish spend/time boundaries prior to puck drop or kickoff, and regard parlays as entertainment, but not strategy.

How betting is reshaping the social aspect of fandom

· Pre-game rituals are based on data. Alberta fans have taken to scanning odds and props as well as line combinations and injury reports.

· Watch parties are longer. Live bets maintain interest during intermissions; empty-netters at the end of the game may be important not just to the scoreboard, but to totals and puck-line moves as well.

· The community victories are larger. When the hometown beat is on, when the locals are all rooting on their own, there is a communal perspiration and communal exultation when it comes.

The bottom line

Sports betting in Alberta is no longer a fringe activity; it is a part of the way the fans prepare, watch, and celebrate sports. Deeper markets, slicker live experiences, and improved protections of the players, expect as the regulated environment with Play Alberta anchoring it and an open market in the future. Make it fun, establish boundaries, and have the added thrill that intelligent, responsible betting can add to your next game day.

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Why do casino online gamblers choose Halloween-themed slots?

Published on August 14, 2025

Todayville Content Team

Modern gamblers value themed slots for their atmosphere, unique design, and original game mechanics. Such games allow you to not only spin the reels but also immerse yourself in fascinating worlds filled with adventures and vivid emotions. Among the many genres, Halloween-themed slots occupy a special place. They offer spectacular symbols, dark but fascinating graphics, and generous bonuses. Leading gambling platforms, such as RTbet casino, offer dozens of such games with different betting ranges and unique features. Their diversity allows you to choose a game for any taste and strategy.

What are the key features of Halloween slots?

Halloween-themed slots are casino games designed in the style of a popular autumn holiday with pumpkins, ghosts, and a mystical atmosphere. They have several unique features:

● Atmospheric design. Casino online gamblers adore these slots for their combination of bright and gloomy colors. The background is usually a night cemetery, a Gothic castle, candles, cobwebs, and flickering lights.
● Thematic symbols. Instead of the usual sevens and BARs, such slots use images of witches, black cats, ghosts, potions, pumpkins, and ancient books as symbols. Each of them enhances the festive atmosphere.
● Soundtrack. The howling wind, creaking doors, ominous laughter, and gloomy music create a feeling of presence in a mystical world.
● Generous payouts. Leading gambling platforms such as RTbet casino online offer Halloween-themed slots with increased multipliers, bonus rounds, and progressive jackpots. Free spins, multipliers, sticky symbols, wilds, and mini-games can bring impressive winnings.

Halloween slots give bright emotions and create an atmosphere of a real holiday, turning an ordinary game into an exciting adventure.

The best Halloween-themed slots at RTbet casino

RTbet casino online offers a wide selection of Halloween slots, among which are exceptionally bright and memorable titles:

● Reel Halloween (Spinomenal). A dynamic slot with one payline, which is ideal for fans of fast games. Pumpkin and candy symbols bring instant wins. Multipliers increase the chances of a big prize.
● Book of Fruits Halloween (Amatic). A classic slot that combines fruit symbols and Halloween elements. It offers a bonus game with free spins and wilds.
● Wild Hot 40 Halloween (Fazi). A slot with 40 paylines and an atmosphere of a mystical night. Wild and Scatter symbols appear often, which ensures a dynamic game and frequent wins.
● House of Doom (Play’n’Go). The perfect slot for those who love a dark and gothic atmosphere. Bonus features include free spins and wilds.
● Hallowinner (Caleta). A colorful and cheerful slot with many bonus rounds. Players can get free spins and play a game of chance with a selection of Halloween items.

Choosing Halloween slots in an online casino, gamblers can combine excitement with immersion in a mystical and exciting world.

Tips for successfully playing Halloween-themed slots

To get maximum pleasure and increase your chances of winning in an online casino, it is worth considering several recommendations:

● Determine the size of the bankroll. This will help maintain control over the gaming session.
● Use casino bonuses. Free spins and Halloween promotions increase your chances of winning.
● Test demo versions. Using the demo mode, gamblers can study the mechanics of the slot without the risk of losses.

Play wisely. Do not try to win back at any cost. Treat the game as entertainment.

By following these tips, you can combine excitement, strategy, and a festive atmosphere, making every spin of the reels truly exciting.