Every once in a while it is good to refresh our view of the US Dollar index and where it currently sits within its 17.5 year fear/greed cycles. We entered our current 'fear' cycle shortly after the dot.com blowup near the turn of the century. We are now 14 years into that cycle and are fast approaching its peak (expected Q3'17). Sadly, based on a few Fib studies, it looks like the greenback may have to lose at least half of its value over the coming few years. This could get quite ugly as the end of many fear cycles often do. Given this backdrop, it only makes sense why the concept of crypto-currencies have come about. It seems we are collectively charging a hundred miles an hour towards this fear peak. Interestingly, historically gold and other precious metals are the last resort for investors through these fear cycles - will crypto-currencies be the new gold???