Key points with further context on the U.S. dollar concerns and broader financial risks raised by Nassim Nicholas Taleb: 1. Concerns over U.S. Dollar's Global Role Western Sanctions and Dollar's Vulnerability: Taleb warns that sanctions imposed by Western nations, particularly the freezing of Russian assets post-Ukraine invasion , are damaging the trust in the U.S. dollar. He refers to it as one of the biggest financial blunders, noting that the action may deter global investors from relying on dollar-denominated assets. Erosion of the Dollar’s Reserve Currency Status: While the U.S. dollar still dominates global transactions ( 88% of foreign exchange trades), its reserve currency position has slipped . It accounts for 58% of reserves today , down from 71% in 2000 . Taleb views this trend of de-dollarization as a serious risk. Shift to Alternatives: In reaction to these events , central banks are diversifying their reserves , with gold being a popular altern