US economy is based on Ponzi scheme that could collapse, warns economist Michael Hudson

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:36:12 +0200

There are growing signs that the United States may be on the verge of another major financial crisis, one that could start in the $3 trillion private credit market, which is already seeing significant turmoil, before spreading to other sectors.

Geopolitical Economy Report editor Ben Norton interviewed economist Michael Hudson to discuss the serious problems on Wall Street. Hudson warned that the US economy is built on a Ponzi scheme that depends on continuing to pour money into a bloated, bubbly financial system based on unsustainable speculation, not industrial production.

Check out our related short video about the private credit crisis on Wall Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1cx9Zk6WZk

Topics
0:00 Introduction
1:37 Highlights of Michael Hudson
3:29 Interview starts
4:18 2008 financial crisis
5:04 Zero interest-rate policy (ZIRP)
7:31 Private equity
9:17 Lack of investment
10:34 Wealth inequality
12:08 Debt defaults
14:10 Depression fears
16:12 US govt supports Wall Street
19:07 Ponzi schemes
23:51 US economic problems
27:35 Iran war impact
30:16 Financialization of economy
33:46 Outro

|| Geopolitical Economy Report ||

Please consider supporting us at https://GeopoliticalEconomy.com/Support
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://GeopoliticalEconomy.Report
Join our community on Patreon: https://Patreon.com/GeopoliticalEconomy