In theory every dollar printed by the United States is backed by the assets and good word of the entire country. The reality is our currency remains largely impervious to our own abuse simply because America is arguably the least screwed up of the world’s major economic powers.

Count investment legend Jim Rogers among those looking for an alternative. “I hope the Euro survives,” he says somewhat wistfully. “The world needs something to compete with the U.S. Dollar.”

For now a reasonable paper money alternative is strictly hypothetical. Even if it survives the euro is years if not decades from stabilization. The Chinese Renminbi has promise but is nakedly pegged, making its free-float value an academic conversation. Rogers owns the Yen but seems almost sheepish about admitting it.

See the full “Breakout” interview below:

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish (NYSEARCA:UUP)

The PowerShares DB US Dollar Bullish Fund (NYSEARCA:UUP) is based on the Deutsche Bank Long US Dollar Index (USDX) Futures Index (DB Long USD Futures Index). The Index, which is managed by DB Commodity Services LLC, is a rules-based index composed solely of long USDX futures contracts. The USDX futures contract is designed to replicate the performance of being long the US Dollar against the following currencies: Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc. You cannot invest directly in an index. Ordinary brokerage commissions apply.

Components of USDX Futures Contract:

• Euro: 57.6%
• Japanese Yen: 13.6%
• British Pound: 11.9%
• Canadian$: 9.1%
• Swedish Krona: 4.2%
• Swiss Franc: 3.6%

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bearish (NYSEARCA:UDN)

The PowerShares DB US Dollar Bearish Fund (NYSEARCA:UDN) is based on the Deutsche Bank Short US Dollar Index (USDX) Futures Index (DB Short USD Futures Index). The Index, which is managed by DB Commodity Services LLC, is a rules-based index composed solely of short USDX futures contracts. The USDX futures contract is designed to replicate the performance of being short the US Dollar against the following currencies: Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc. You cannot invest directly in an index. Ordinary brokerage commissions apply.

Components of USDX Futures Contract:

• Euro: 57.6%
• Japanese Yen: 13.6%
• British Pound: 11.9%
• Canadian$: 9.1%
• Swedish Krona: 4.2%
• Swiss Franc: 3.6%

CurrencyShares Euro Trust (NYSEARCA:FXE)

CurrencyShares Euro Trust (NYSEARCA:FXE) is designed to track the price of the euro net of Trust expenses, which are expected to be paid from interest earned on the deposited euros.

SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD)

SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD) is the largest physically backed gold exchange traded fund (ETF) in the world. SPDR® Gold Shares also trade on the Singapore Stock Exchange as well as the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. The Trust holds gold bars and from time to time issues Baskets in exchange for deposits of gold and distributes gold in connection with redemptions of Baskets. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trust’s expenses.

NYSE:FXE, NYSE:GLD, NYSE:UDN, NYSE:UUP