We had this happen with our fudge recipe - the one we used was from the 60's. It was with Choc. chips, marshmallow cream, etc. then one year it was all wrong - it was dry and crumbling and so bad we had to throw it out. We tried it several times, buying different brands. Finally decided we had to change recipes - no idea what was wrong.
I do melt choc. chips with butterscotch chips to make our Chinese Noodle candy and have been doing that since the 60's and so for they are still coming out fine.

Yes last week I tried using the double boiler and that did not work either. I really think it is what one of the board members said that they are using less fat in the chips. That sounds right to me as I have never had this happen until this year.

I use chips for some things, but for candies(bon-bons, Martha Washingtons, etc) I use Wilton's now. I just melt in microwave in very short spurts, stirring each time.

Are you sure you had real chocolate chips and not the artificial ones? At one time they came out with one that was not 100% real chocolate . I don't remember the reason for it, either shortage of cocoa crop and increase in price. Brain fog, can't remember. Sorry

I've been having the same problem recently, I used to be able to sprinkle chocolate chips on a sheet cookie, put in oven for a couple minutes, until they were shiny, then spread the chocolate over the cookie, not any more, it just gums and clumps up and won't spread no matter what. So disappointing.

I almost always use the store brand of choc chips and use a tablespoon or so of white CRISCO shortening --melt them in short bursts in the microwave and have not had any trouble with them.

Chocolate chips are meant to keep their shape in baking. Try using semisweet baking chocolate which is meant to melt down. That said I have used melted chips but the results aren't as nice.

And have you noticed butter does not taste like butter anymore?

add a little coconut oil to melt your chips

I usually put some gulf wax in with my chips,helps them melt better. But then again, I have not done this since last Christmas so I hope it still works.