Obviously a protracted recession, the rise of another reserve currency, our aging population doesn't help things at all, the Fed stopping its balance sheet reduction.

And, some countries are currently excluded from bank financing due to their currency trading restrictions placed on financial institutions. 

I still have currency from Zimbabwe from a traveler who gave it to me.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-quadrigacx-cryptocurrency-passwords-20190205-story.htmlThere is a new cryptocurrency everyday and like the early 1900s when each bank in a state got to print their own money unregulated currencies fail.

@Ned Carey If I lack currency, how can I find the owner without paying? 

and by the time i got paid off the loonie had gone up 15% so not only did i make the interest and points i made the currency delta.. 

As far as whether RI is good or bad in general, I think you can have good or bad investments anywhere, it just depends on how you buy and the numbers.If you mean relative to another area, well it’s kind of like currency exchanges - you have to be specific about which other area you want to compare it against.

Real estate, precious metals, perhaps even a bit of cryptocurrency if you are feeling froggy.

Mainly because of the currency impact.

Currently, all of our investments are in the stock market (and a little crypto).