Recorded live in Puerto Rico, this special episode of The Derivative features host Jeff Malec with guests Brent Johnson, Jason Buck, and Mark Tower exploring how alternative investments are behaving in a world shifting from globalization to de‑globalization. The panel covers why some managed futures and volatility strategies haven’t delivered as expected in recent crises, the growing stress in private credit and liquidity mismatches, and the evolving roles of gold and Bitcoin as hedges against instability and fiat risk. They also dig into de‑dollarization versus continued dollar dominance, the power and data‑center boom tied to AI, and the coming capital wave into defense‑related technology and critical minerals. Finally, they debate whether AI is a truly transformational, deflationary force or just another tech cycle, how it may reshape portfolios, and how Puerto Rico’s unique tax regime influences where and how to run active trading strategies. SEND IT!
Asset Management One Disclaimer: Asset Management One USA Inc. is a New York-based investment advisor and a part of Asset Management One Co., Ltd. group, a global asset management company headquartered in Japan. Asset Management One USA Inc. is jointly owned by Mizuho Americas LLC (MALLC) and Dai-Ichi Holdings. Asset Management Group consists of AMO USA as well as Asset Management One Co., Ltd and its subsidiaries including Asset Management One Alternative Investments, Asset Management One International Ltd., and Asset Management One Hong Kong Limited. The views expressed in this recording are the personal views of the participants as of the date indicated and do not necessarily reflect the views of Asset Management One USA Inc. itself. This recording has been prepared solely for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation of any specific security, strategy, or investment product. Nothing in this interview is intended to be, and you should not consider anything in this interview to be, investment, accounting, tax or legal advice.
Chapters:
00:00-01:53= Intro
01:54-10:30= When “Uncorrelated” Alts Don’t Work as Expected10:31-19:06= Private Credit’s Gray Rhino, De-Dollarization Myths, and Gold vs. Bitcoin as Fiat Hedges19:07-28:05= AI, Data Centers, and the New Defense & Minerals Supercycle28:06-36:52= Prediction Markets, Speculation, and the Gamification of Risk36:63-47:08= AI Shockwaves, Puerto Rico Tax Edges, and Letting Algorithms Run the Portfolio47:09-50:35= Wrestling w/ Risk: WWE Analogies and Final Takeaways on a Fracturing World
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Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, business, or tax advice. All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of RCM Alternatives, their affiliates, or companies featured. Due to industry regulations, participants on this podcast are instructed not to make specific trade recommendations, nor reference past or potential profits. And listeners are reminded that managed futures, commodity trading, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors. For more information, visitwww.rcmalternatives.com/disclaimer
