Here's something that should grab your attention: consumer credit applications are getting denied at a rate approaching 25%. That's not just high—it's a record-breaker. We've never seen rejection rates climb this steep before. What does this signal? Tightening credit conditions, rising default risks, or banks getting cold feet about lending? Whatever the reason, when traditional financial systems start locking doors, it often reshapes how people view alternative assets. Worth watching how this unfolds.