Chicago, USA: Vibhu Vikramaditya has been awarded $2,000 for his outstanding essay on economic freedom.

Vibhu Vikramaditya, a student at Gokhale Institute of Economics and Politics in Pune, emerged as the top winner in the 2024 Sound Money Scholarship competition, earning a $2,000 prize for his thought-provoking essay.

The competition, which promotes the cause of Sound Money, distributed a total of $11,500 in prizes to nine exceptional students.

More than 200 participants from over 12 countries, four continents, and 35 US states competed in this annual contest. It encourages students to delve into significant issues related to monetary policy, economic freedom, and the role of sound money in the modern economy.

Vibhu’s success underscores his profound understanding of these complex topics, distinguishing him as a top contender in the competitive field of participants.

Originally from Patna, Bihar, Vikramaditya is an economics scholar specializing in capital theory, monetary theory, and business cycles. His academic work critically examines economic events from both legal and economic perspectives. He strongly advocates for the safeguarding of individual rights and liberty, which he believes is essential for fostering peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

The competition, organized by Money Metals Exchange and the Sound Money Defense League, addressed key themes such as the Federal Reserve System, the potential return to a sound money system, the emergence of Central Bank Digital Currencies, and the impact of a BRICS currency on the US dollar.

Launched in 2016 by Money Metals Exchange, a prominent US precious metals dealer, the scholarship fund was initially established with 100 ounces of physical gold to reward students who show a strong grasp of economics and sound money principles. Over time, the value of gold has increased significantly, expanding the scholarship fund and enabling more opportunities for students.

Stefan Gleason, CEO of Money Metals Exchange, reaffirmed the company's commitment to education and advocating for sound money principles. “Money Metals is more than just a precious metals dealer; we are dedicated to supporting students who align with our values of economic freedom and a stable currency,” he said. “This scholarship program aims to help alleviate the rising costs of higher education while emphasizing the importance of sound monetary policies.”

In addition to the scholarship program, Money Metals Exchange offers a variety of services, including precious metals depository storage, a gold loan program, and active involvement in public policy advocacy for sound money.