Bond Yields' Loudest Warning Since 1996
September 2, 2026
On this episode of Signal vs. Noise, produced by Onramp Media, hosts Jackson Mikalic, Michael Tanguma, Liam Nelson, and Brian Cubellis weigh a global bond selloff that pushed Japan's 10-year yield to its highest level since 1996 against Ursula von der Leyen's push to redirect ten trillion euros of EU household savings. They also cover a Wall Street Journal report on Americans melting down family heirlooms for cash and South Korea's rollout of free AI access nationwide.
Global bond yields just climbed to their highest level since 2008, with Japan's 10-year notes touching 3% for the first time since 1996, as traders price in a near seventy percent chance of a Fed rate hike this month. Jackson Mikalic, Michael Tanguma, Liam Nelson, and Brian Cubellis put four stories on the clock: the global bond selloff and a central banking system with no good options left, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's push to redirect ten trillion euros of household savings into EU companies, a Wall Street Journal piece on Americans melting down family heirlooms for cash, and South Korea giving its entire population free, unlimited access to AI. Where's the signal, and where's the noise?
Chapters
00:00 - Intro 00:31 - Topic 1 - The EU Wants Your Savings 08:05 - Topic 2 - Melting Down the Family Silver 18:11 - Topic 3 - Global Bond Yields Hit Their Highest Level Since 2008 26:10 - Topic 4 - South Korea Gives Its Whole Country Free AI 34:02 - Lightning Round and Parting Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Japan's 10-year bond yield hit its highest level since 1996?
At 18:11, the hosts break down a global bond selloff that pushed yields to their highest level since 2008, with Japan's 10-year note touching 3% for the first time since 1996 as traders price in roughly a seventy percent chance of a Fed rate hike this month.
What is Ursula von der Leyen proposing for EU household savings?
Starting at 00:31, the hosts discuss European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's push to redirect ten trillion euros of household savings into EU companies.
Why are Americans melting down family heirlooms for cash?
At 08:05, the hosts cover a Wall Street Journal report on Americans melting down family silver and other heirlooms for cash.
What did South Korea announce about AI access for its population?
At 26:10, the hosts discuss South Korea giving its entire population free, unlimited access to AI.
This episode is editorial and educational content. Onramp does not provide tax, legal, or investment advice. Bitcoin is volatile and may lose value. Past performance does not guarantee future results.