A gold standard is the ultimate “mark to market”.
From what I’m hearing the large financial institutions are fighting “mark to market” because it means that if, OK, when, they get the next bailout, then that would REDUCE the amount. With inflated prices comes inflated bailouts.
They are hoping to fix their negative balance sheets by keeping on paper valuations high - thus making the Fed pay for their speculations over the years.
I’m also hearing that there are buyers lining up to take the stuff - if they actually sell it at market rates. But the big boyz is refusing to do that, they know Uncle Sam will pay them more...