IMF Chief Warns of Persistent Economic Uncertainty Amid Global Growth

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva delivered a stark warning at the Milken Institute event: "Buckle up. Uncertainty is the new normal and it is here to stay." Despite global growth projections of 3% for 2025—fueled by private sector resilience, AI investments, and milder-than-expected tariff impacts—Georgieva highlighted looming risks. Tariffs could still trigger inflation and squeeze margins, while gold's 52% surge this year signals mounting investor anxiety.

The U.S. faces particular scrutiny, with federal debt nearing post-WWII records at $37.86 trillion. "Global resilience has not yet been fully tested," Georgieva cautioned, pointing to debt dynamics and speculative asset flows as potential stress points. The speech notably avoided direct cryptocurrency references, though the subtext of institutional hedging strategies resonates with digital asset markets.