May 2023 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

Cryptocurrency: Gives Economic Power To Individuals and a Free Humanity, Rightly Starves Out Political Powers
by grarpamp 11 May '23

11 May '23

"The first requisite of a sound monetary system is that it put the least possible power over the quantity or quality of money in the hands of the politicians. -- Henry Hazlitt, Author: Economics In One Lesson" "The only legitimate amount of such power so held... is zero. -- Cypherpunks" https://fee.org/resources/economics-in-one-lesson/ https://mises.org/profile/henry-hazlitt "There are men regarded today as brilliant economists, who deprecate saving and recommend squandering on a national scale as the way of economic salvation; and when anyone points to what the consequences of these policies will be in the long run, they reply flippantly, as might the prodigal son of a warning father: 'In the long run we are all dead.' And such shallow wisecracks pass as devastating epigrams and the ripest wisdom. -- H. Hazlitt" "What is Seen and What is Not Seen" In his 1850 essay "Ce qu'on voit et ce qu'on ne voit pas" ("What is seen and what is not seen"), Bastiat introduced through the parable of the broken window the concept of opportunity cost in all but name. This term was not coined until over sixty years after his death by Friedrich von Wieser in 1914. "By virtue of exchange one man's prosperity is beneficial to all others. -- Frederic Bastiat" The Failure of the "New Economics" subtitled An Analysis of The Keynesian Fallacies, (1959) is a book by Henry Hazlitt offering a detailed critique of John Maynard Keynes' work The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money (1936). Friedrich Hayek praised the work, referring to it as "a brilliant performance...I know of no other modern book from which the intelligent layman can learn so much about the basic truths of economics in so short a time." Nobel Prize laureate Milton Friedman stated: "Hazlitt's explanation of how a price system works is a true classic: timeless, correct, painlessly instructive." German-American economist Ferdinand A. Hermens wrote: "presidents and cabinet members...could learn a great deal if they would read Hazlitt's book and ponder its implications." Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edwin A. Roberts Jr. wrote: "Fifty years have passed since the book was first published...and it continues to stand as the clearest introduction to what to me is the most engagingly complicated of all academic disciplines."

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Re: FOIL Request No. 2022-090560 - Larson (NY-DFS Apple Card Investigation)
by Gunnar Larson 10 May '23

10 May '23

Dear Ms. Tomczak: We sincerely appreciate your note today. Thank you, Gunnar Gunnar Larson xNY.io - Bank.org 917-580-8053 On Wed, May 10, 2023, 4:58 PM Tomczak, Christine (DFS) < christine.tomczak(a)dfs.ny.gov> wrote: > Dear Mr. Larson, > > > > I am getting back to you to apologize for the delay and assure you that > your appeal is under review and you will receive a response in the near > future. > > > > > > Christine M. Tomczak > > Assistant Counsel > > > > New York State Department of Financial Services > > 1 State Street, New York, New York 10004 > > > > > > *From:* Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> > *Date:* May 9, 2023 at 4:42:58 PM EDT > *To:* "JeanBaptiste, Pascale (DFS)" <Pascale.JeanBaptiste(a)dfs.ny.gov> > *Cc:* "Garrett, Carmen (DFS)" <Carmen.Garrett(a)dfs.ny.gov>, cypherpunks < > cypherpunks(a)lists.cpunks.org>, "Harris, Adrienne A (DFS)" < > Adrienne.Harris(a)dfs.ny.gov> > *Subject:* *Re: FOIL Request No. 2022-090560 - Larson (NY-DFS Apple Card > Investigation)* > > > > *ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open > attachments or click on links from unknown senders or unexpected emails.* > > > > Dear New York State Department of Financial Services: > > > > From our October 13, 2022 appeal associated with access to NY-DFS' Apple > Card records, it appears xNY.io - Bank.org has not heard from you. > > > > Today, Bloomberg reports that > > Goldman is to Pay $215 Million to End Case on Underpaying Women > https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-08/goldman-shells-out-215-m…. > > > > > NY-DFS' Apple Card Report records requested are key to determining any > collusion between former Superintendent Lacewell and Goldman Sachs > concerning women's access to Apple Card. It would appear Bloomberg's > reporting today conflicts with NY-DFS' Apple Card Investigation. > > > > No response from NY-DFS on our appeal could be suggested as obstruction. > > > > We seek an update from NY-DFS by 5:00pm tomorrow on our Apple Card FOIL > records request. Without an update on this matter we will be forced to > contact the New York State Attorney General's office for urgent assessment, > with plea to engage New York's False Claims Act. > > > > Sending you the very best, > > > > Gunnar > > > > Gunnar Larson > > xNY.io - Bank.org > > 917-580-8053 > > > > On Thu, Oct 13, 2022, 4:54 AM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: > > Good morning: > > > > We would like to appeal this decision. > > > > “We would like to receive any and all records, relating to NY-DFS' 2021 > Apple Card Investigation. This is one part of a broader discussion we must > have about equal credit access. On March 23, 2021, Ms. Linda Lacewell > published NY-DFS' Findings on Apple Card and its Underwriter Goldman Sachs > Bank. As the former Superintendent of NY-DFS, Ms. Lacewell's stone faced > propaganda assured that Apple Card did not discriminate against women, > while under Goldman Sachs management. The red flags started to appear when > an authorized user drew attention to the following: A person who relies on > a spouse's access to credit, and only accesses those accounts as an > authorized user, may incorrectly believe they have the same credit profile > as the spouse. We recently collated 61 highlights to the Report on Apple > Card Investigation from March 2021: > > https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xH16OKyuXzB-MVqIznMWDE9w8RRdmZCw/view > > The Apple Card investigation was to assess women's access to equitable > finance. The > > integrity of the Apple Card investigation must be rationally considered as > flawed. We would like to receive any and all records of Ms. Linda > Lacewell's (emails, texts, and > > similar) involvement with the 2021 Apple Card report. We would like to > receive any and all records to NY-DFS association to evaluating Ms. Linda > Lacewell's ability to score a report specific to the Apple Card's core > subject of credit access for women. Finally, we would like to receive any > and all records related to NY-DFS guidance on Interlocking > > Directorates ( > https://www.dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/banks_and_trusts/other/Permission… > > rlocking_Directors_and_Officers), specific to Apple's Board of Directors > and Goldman > > Sachs' Board of Directors.” > > > > Please forgive my candor, but if DFS actually conducted an 'Apple Card > Investigation' ... There would be some records relating to the > investigation. > > > > Warm regards and thank you, > > > > Gunnar > > > > Gunnar Larson > > xNY.io - Bank.org > > 646-454-9107 > > > > > > On Wed, Oct 12, 2022, 9:17 PM JeanBaptiste, Pascale (DFS) < > Pascale.JeanBaptiste(a)dfs.ny.gov> wrote: > > Dear Gunnar Larson: > > > > Please see the attached determination in response to your FOIL request. > Thank you. > > > >

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Bank.org Concern of BitLicense Marketplace Manipulation (ATTN: SEC TCR SUBMISSIONS)
by Gunnar Larson 10 May '23

10 May '23

Long Live Brody: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XXSIkSVLZw4QnoFO4YqAMfN9L-pmkeCL5fpW-YJ… ----- July 25, 2021 BY ELECTRONIC MAIL United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 14420 Albemarle Point Place Suite 102 Chantilly, VA 20151-1750 ATTN: SEC TCR SUBMISSIONS Re: Bank.org Concern of BitLicense Marketplace Manipulation Dear Sir or Madam: Virtual currency fraud is a serious problem for such a developed country as the United States, whose bank regulators have drawn attention to the increase of these crimes. Having discovered that an unregulated virtual currency sphere (such as in Africa, or other developing markets) is very popular among virtual currency fraudsters, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NY-DFS) concluded that this kind of regulatory fraud was threatening U.S. national security. Bank.org’s NY-DFS Shelf Charter application journey has prompted us to contact the SEC with concern of common Directors at Facebook and PayPal (incl. Xoom) who have potentially manipulated the New York State Common Retirement Fund and New York State Teachers Retirement Fund through BitLicense marketplace manipulation tactics and computer crimes. Bank.org's key definition of virtual currency computer crimes is a consistent message across markets. These crimes are relatively new, having been in existence for only as long as Bitcoin has—which explains how unprepared society and the world, in general, is towards combating these crimes. We see this as no fault of NY-DFS and the original BitLicense mandate. Facebook and PayPal along with Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo have leveraged BitLicensee connections to profit daily from virtual currency market manipulation structures with cross-border reach. PayPal's “Conditional BitLicense” may now be employed as a marketplace manipulation instrument. Meanwhile, common Directors at Facebook, PayPal (incl. Xoom) and Diem seemingly have collaborated in orchestrating a virtual currency marketplace manipulation exercise. The New York State Common Retirement Fund and New York State Teachers Retirement Fund are significant investors in Facebook, PayPal, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo. >From their California headquarters, Directors at PayPal (incl. Xoom) have potentially leveraged a Conditional BitLicense award in collaboration with common Directors at Facebook to engage in marketplace manipulation techniques. The Diem Association further shares common PayPal and Facebook Directors in a potential chain of virtual currency computer software and market manipulation architectures. Bank.org must take the necessary steps to guard against fraud and to be extra vigilant about manipulation. We seek SEC guidance on the aforementioned concerns as we organize a reputable Board of Directors for NY-DFS approval. Respectfully yours with appreciation, Gunnar Larson - xNY.io | Bank.org MSc - Digital Currency MBA - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) G(a)xNY.io +1-646-454-9107

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Here comes everybody . . . bad - the ultimate pariah alliance
by professor rat 10 May '23

10 May '23

The ultimate Pariah alliance https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/cneXDpqQnPncwnXMo/chat-diplomacy National security apparati around the world should see advances in LLMs as a risk that require joint-diplomatic efforts, even with current adversaries in order to address them. . . ." I said over 10 years ago ( in early 2011 and every year since ) The net can take on an defeat all the earthly-powers combined. That is the pre-AI, virtually pre-crypto internet could beat every govt, religion and large corporate together! And of course - since then - every year we get stronger and they get weaker. Welcome to the worldwide revolution!

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Translating crypto gibberish into plain speech - cypherpunk tell their strong AI to write code
by professor rat 10 May '23

10 May '23

Anarchism calls for full unemployment - " Let the machines do it ' - old cypherpunk proverb Before this century is out we plan to translate crypto-wallet documentation into plain-speech and do the other things not because strong AI finds them easy but because my dick is hard! https://cointelegraph.com/news/how-ai-will-drive-users-to-crypto Reposts not grovelling surrender to manservants resembling Dirk Bogarde

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Anarchist 3d printing asks forgiveness - not permissions
by professor rat 10 May '23

10 May '23

Ghost Gunner 3-S Deposit Ghost Gunner https://ghostgunner.net › Hardware & Software Ghost Gunner 3 is a general purpose CNC mill that gives you the ability to finish 80% receivers and frames with ease, in the comfort of your own home. Reposts are never endorsements and this an exception that proves that rule

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[crazy][joke][wrong][old] ssl
by Undescribed Horrific Abuse, One Victim & Survivor of Many 09 May '23

09 May '23

a: "i'm low on space, maybe i can run without openssl. i'll remove it" b: "uhhhh" a: "look! all my binaries are simpler!" a: "hmmm i can't go to any websites or run any programs" a: "it seems like this is used in everything!" a: "such a ubiquitous, security-oriented system must be incredibly simple, well-organized, easy and quick to understand and review, i imagine" b: "uhhhhh" a: "everything is compromised."

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NuGenesis Seeks Litigation Funding for Claim Against FTX
by Gunnar Larson 09 May '23

09 May '23

Check out my new article: https://litigationfinancejournal.com/nugenesis-seeks-litigation-funding-for… -- NuGenesis Seeks Litigation Funding for Claim Against FTX NuGenesis (the purveyor of NuCoin), is reported to be exploring AI and litigation finance as investment tools in claims against FTX and Alameda Research’s alleged fraud. Cointelegraph characterizes <https://cointelegraph.com/press-releases/the-fall-of-ftx-and-rebirth-of-nug…> NuGenesis as a well respected source for quality innovation in the digital asset ecosystem. After NuCoin was attacked by FTX, executives at NuGenesis began to employ AI technology to digest what could be happening behind the scenes at Alameda and the Japanese arm of FTX. Touted as ‘groundbreaking’ by Cointelegraph, NuGenesis’ crypto fraud detection software has been instrumental in uncovering alleged inconsistencies of fiduciary duty across FTX’s global enterprise. NuCoin is said to have tallied almost $55B in potential damages associated with potential FTX scams against the token. The FTX saga could yield new opportunities for litigation financiers in the crypto litigation space. As an added bonus, we have included 185 highlights <https://drive.google.com/file/d/11tbgHgDg8qagomO-NBffvIFpxXKmBC3g/view?usp=…> to the Office of Legal Education’s “Prosecuting Computer Crimes” handbook for reference.

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Academic Study Finds that One of the Four Largest U.S. Banks Could Be at Risk of a Bank Run
by Gunnar Larson 09 May '23

09 May '23

https://wallstreetonparade.com/2023/05/academic-study-finds-that-one-of-the… By Pam Martens and Russ Martens: May 9, 2023 ~ The systemic threats to the U.S. financial system were not remedied when Congress passed the watered-down Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation in 2010. While that has been evident with each Federal Reserve bailout of the mega banks and their derivative counterparties, the threat has now gained increased urgency for Congress to confront as a result of a new academic study. A team of four highly-credentialed academics at four separate universities present compelling evidence that one of the four largest U.S. banks, with “assets above $1 trillion,” could be at risk of a bank run. The study is titled: “Monetary Tightening and U.S. Bank Fragility in 2023: Mark-to-Market Losses and Uninsured Depositor Runs?” Its authors are Erica Jiang, Assistant Professor of Finance and Business Economics at USC Marshall School of Business; Gregor Matvos, Chair in Finance at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and Research Associate in the Corporate Finance group at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Tomasz Piskorski, Professor of Real Estate in the Finance Division at Columbia Business School and Research Associate at NBER; and Amit Seru, Professor of Finance at Stanford Graduate School of Business, a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, and Research Associate at NBER. The study focuses on unrealized losses on assets on the books of U.S. banks in a category called “held to maturity,” which under current accounting rules does not have to be marked to market, as well as unrealized losses on debt securities that also have not been marked to market, unless they are sold, for example, to raise cash to pay fleeing depositors. The professors find that “The U.S. banking system’s market value of those assets is $2.2 trillion lower than suggested by their book value of assets accounting for loan portfolios held to maturity.” They then couple that finding with the threat posed to banks that hold large quantities of uninsured deposits – sums exceeding the federal deposit insurance cap of $250,000 per depositor, per bank. They then conduct various scenarios to see how different categories of banks would perform. The most disturbing scenario is the following, which raises the issue of a bank with “assets above $1 trillion” potentially experiencing a bank run. (There are only four U.S. chartered banks that have assets above $1 trillion. According to the December 31, 2022 data from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, those are: JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. with assets of $3.2 trillion; Bank of America N.A. with $2.4 trillion in assets; Citigroup’s Citibank N.A. with assets of $1.77 trillion; and Wells Fargo Bank N.A. with $1.71 trillion in assets.) The scenario is explained as follows by the authors: “To further assess the vulnerability of the US banking system to uninsured depositors run, we plot the 10 largest banks at the risk of a run, which we define as a negative insured deposit coverage ratio if all uninsured depositors run…Because of the caveats in our analysis as well as the potential of exacerbating their situation, we anonymize their names, but we also plot SVB [Silicon Valley Bank which failed on March 10] as comparison. We plot their mark-to-market asset losses (Y axis) against their uninsured deposits as a share of marked to market assets. Some of these banks have low uninsured deposits, but large losses, but the majority of these banks have over 50% of their assets funding with uninsured deposits. SVB stands out towards the top right corner, with both large losses, as well as large uninsured deposits funding. As Figure 5 shows [see below], the risk of run does not only apply to smaller banks. Out of the 10 largest insolvent banks, 1 has assets above $1 Trillion, 3 have assets between $200 Billion and $1 Trillion, 3 have assets between $100 Billion and $200 Billion and the remaining 3 have assets between $50 Billion and $100 Billion.” We do not know which of the four mega banks the authors are referring to. We asked via email if they would identify the bank but they declined. Short sellers will, undoubtedly, drill down in the regulatory data filed by the four banks to determine the name of the bank in the study, so federal regulators and Congress need to move this issue immediately to the top of their banking crisis priority list. Just 15 years ago, Citigroup/Citibank received the largest bailouts in U.S. banking history during and after the financial crisis of 2008. Its stock traded at 99 cents in early 2009. Sheila Bair, then the Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), said this about Citigroup in her book, Bull by the Horns: “By November, the supposedly solvent Citi was back on the ropes, in need of another government handout. The market didn’t buy the OCC’s and NY Fed’s strategy of making it look as though Citi was as healthy as the other commercial banks. Citi had not had a profitable quarter since the second quarter of 2007. Its losses were not attributable to uncontrollable ‘market conditions’; they were attributable to weak management, high levels of leverage, and excessive risk taking. It had major losses driven by their exposures to a virtual hit list of high-risk lending; subprime mortgages, ‘Alt-A’ mortgages, ‘designer’ credit cards, leveraged loans, and poorly underwritten commercial real estate. It had loaded up on exotic CDOs and auction-rate securities. It was taking losses on credit default swaps entered into with weak counterparties, and it had relied on unstable volatile funding – a lot of short-term loans and foreign deposits. If you wanted to make a definitive list of all the bad practices that had led to the crisis, all you had to do was look at Citi’s financial strategies…What’s more, virtually no meaningful supervisory measures had been taken against the bank by either the OCC or the NY Fed…Instead, the OCC and the NY Fed stood by as that sick bank continued to pay major dividends and pretended that it was healthy.” Until Congress gets serious about breaking up these too-big-to-fail mega banks and restoring the banking system protections of the Glass-Steagall Act, which were repealed in 1999, every American is at risk of an unstable financial system. Editor’s Note: The third paragraph has been updated to indicate that debt securities on the books of the banks were also included in the study.

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Goldman to Pay $215 Million to End Case on Underpaying Women
by Gunnar Larson 09 May '23

09 May '23

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) has agreed to pay $215 million to put an end to a long-running class-action lawsuit that accused the Wall Street giant of systemically underpaying women. Goldman to Pay $215 Million to End Case on Underpaying Women https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-08/goldman-shells-out-215-m…

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