[kennend3]

This is the funny thing about the disclosure laws. The "influencers" may not have broken any trading rules, but their failure to disclose is an issue all to itself.

> Either they're acting against their own self-interest, sacrificing their incorruptible, safe gold for the risky, inflationary fiat currency, or they're lying about what they believe.

There is a lot to unpack here. But it comes down to this. You can advertise your services and not violate SEC laws, or you can do things which violate SEC rules.

As for buying gold for cash :

1) This isnt covered by the SEC, (perhaps the CFTC?)

2) your post about "fiat currency" vs gold is unclear. You are aware that they don't just buy bold bricks, but unwanted jewelry, etc as well?

If we replace "gold" with "used cars" does it work the same way? You are selling your unwated broken car which may be of some value to someone else.

[LeifCarrotson]

I was talking about Merit Financial/Goldline, who relentlessly advertise buying physical gold bars and coins as a safe haven asset for people easily confused by the economy. They encourage listeners to put their IRA in physical gold instead of stocks, bonds, or $USD, and allow you to keep the gold you bought safely insured in their vaults (for usurious rates) for retirement.

I suppose you're probably right, their claim that they're superior to other securities and exchanges would not actually bring them under the jurisdiction of the SEC.