"I am skeptical that JPM is paying a huge premium to settle contracts. There is still a reported silver inventory in the COMEX warehouse. IF that were completely depleted it is more likely that a premium would be paid to existing metal owners that are also storing their bullion in the warehouses, so that bullion would then become available to deliver."

When they allow the COMEX stocks to get depleted, the rumor that the COMEX cannot deliver will spread and that will send a shockwave to the market.

I believe they will do anything to avoid or at least postpone that moment. Money is not the problem, physical silver is.