The global precious metals market is signaling a historic decoupling from traditional economic drivers, with prices surging despite a fractured Federal Reserve and a second emergency margin hike this week aimed at cooling volatility. Josh Phair, CEO of Scottsdale Mint, said the disconnect between paper markets and physical reality has reached a breaking point. While bond traders price in an 80 percent chance of a Fed pause following a contentious 9-3 split vote, Phair argues central bank policy is no longer the primary price driver. (full story)