November 2024 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

FCA Fines Director Of Insurer For Misusing Money
by Gunnar Larson 12 Nov '24

12 Nov '24

FCA Fines Director Of Insurer For Misusing Money <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2259149?nl_pk=a94fc…> By Alex Davidson The Financial Conduct Authority said Monday that it has banned the former director of an insurance broker from working in financial services and fined him £1.1 million ($1.4 million) for misusing money that was owed to insurers. Read full article » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2259149?nl_pk=a94fc…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2259149?nl_pk=a94fc…>

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Ex-BGC Broker Accused Of Hiding Assets In £23M Fraud Case
by Gunnar Larson 12 Nov '24

12 Nov '24

Ex-BGC Broker Accused Of Hiding Assets In £23M Fraud Case <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2259163?nl_pk=a94fc…> By Christopher Crosby A former BGC Partners employee faces a potential jail sentence after the U.S. financial services company accused him at a London court on Monday of hiding his assets in breach of restrictions imposed after a £23.5 million ($30.25 million) fraud against the business. Read full article » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2259163?nl_pk=a94fc…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2259163?nl_pk=a94fc…>

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Freshfields Steers Gov't Sale Of £1B NatWest Shares
by Gunnar Larson 12 Nov '24

12 Nov '24

Freshfields Steers Gov't Sale Of £1B NatWest Shares <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2259130?nl_pk=a94fc…> By Tom Fish NatWest bought back £1 billion ($1.28 billion) of its own shares from HM Treasury on Monday, as the government continues to return its stake in the bank it nationalized during the global financial crisis. Read full article » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2259130?nl_pk=a94fc…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2259130?nl_pk=a94fc…>

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Re: [External] cypherpunks Digest, Vol 137, Issue 182
by Haghverdi, Esfandiar 11 Nov '24

11 Nov '24

Hi, Could you please remove ehaghver(a)indiana.edu from this mail list? Thanks, Esfan ________________________________ From: cypherpunks-request(a)lists.cpunks.org <cypherpunks-request(a)lists.cpunks.org> Sent: Monday, November 11, 2024 3:30 PM To: cypherpunks(a)lists.cpunks.org <cypherpunks(a)lists.cpunks.org> Subject: [External] cypherpunks Digest, Vol 137, Issue 182 This message was sent from a non-IU address. Please exercise caution when clicking links or opening attachments from external sources. Send cypherpunks mailing list submissions to cypherpunks(a)lists.cpunks.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to cypherpunks-request(a)lists.cpunks.org You can reach the person managing the list at cypherpunks-owner(a)lists.cpunks.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of cypherpunks digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: Mayor Adams' Calendar Request (Gunnar Larson) 2. Wednesday 8 May 2024 Debating Chamber - Peter Thiel - Cambridge Union Society (Video w/ Protests) (Gunnar Larson) 3. Directorates Who Discredit Truthful Witnesses (W/80 Highlights) (Gunnar Larson) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:40:50 -0500 From: Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> Subject: Re: Mayor Adams' Calendar Request To: mayoreric(a)cityhall.nyc.gov Cc: cypherpunks <cypherpunks(a)lists.cpunks.org>, Meta_Defensive_Disputes <Meta_Defensive_Disputes(a)kilpatricktownsend.com>, Investors(a)palantir.com, letitia.james(a)ag.ny.gov Message-ID: <CAPc8xwNkAWnX-1pS59WrZUohx1tayHUGDDv6yN4Y56GyGSzh4A(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000f3ba720626a41612" > Hello: > > On October 5, 2024 xNY.io - Bank.org kindly asked for access to New York > City Mayor Eric Adams' May 7,8,9 2024 schedule. > > We have not heard from the Mayor's office. > > xNY.io - Bank.org brand protection came across this video feature at > Cambridge University: > https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-UzMRXxN5cy1rpUEa9Zn1tC1kSo-sI4a/view?usp=… > Can you please confirm if the Mayor of New York City is aware of this > video? > > Perhaps the Mayor's May 7,8,9 2024 schedule could hold clues? > > Best, > > Gunnar ✌️ > > > > On Sat, Oct 5, 2024, 5:06 AM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: > >> Dear Madam or Sir: >> >> xNY.io - Bank.org kindly seeks access to New York City Mayor Eric Adams' >> May 7,8,9 2024 schedule. >> >> Additionally, xNY.io - Bank.org seeks access to records if the Executive >> Chamber is aware of any international travel of Mayor Adams during >> this time period. >> >> Best regards, >> >> Gunnar >> >> -- >> Gunnar Larson >> xNY.io - Bank.org >> 917-580-8053 >> > -------------- next part -------------- A message part incompatible with plain text digests has been removed ... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 2568 bytes Desc: not available ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 15:23:03 -0500 From: Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> Subject: Wednesday 8 May 2024 Debating Chamber - Peter Thiel - Cambridge Union Society (Video w/ Protests) To: cypherpunks <cypherpunks(a)lists.cpunks.org> Message-ID: <CAPc8xwM=kdZmYqGPQEMiLPGHEOma9LPn3L7VZA_JxeOX+ymniA(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000008071100626a8f73f" Wednesday 8 May 2024 Debating Chamber - Peter Thiel - Cambridge Union Society (Video w/ Protests): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-UzMRXxN5cy1rpUEa9Zn1tC1kSo-sI4a/view?usp=… Gunnar Larson -------------- next part -------------- A message part incompatible with plain text digests has been removed ... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 585 bytes Desc: not available ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 15:22:44 -0500 From: Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> Subject: Directorates Who Discredit Truthful Witnesses (W/80 Highlights) To: cypherpunks <cypherpunks(a)lists.cpunks.org> Message-ID: <CAPc8xwOjC0-KN1XG_OaXfAMNKvtS=fEWykgbvfVQTp69W2EkbQ(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000007329c70626a8f7e4" “And the persons who ultimately are harmed by all of this, of course, is the average consumer, the average citizen, who has no knowledge, unless it paid attention to this hearing, of the extent of the manipulations that have been carried out by the largest financial institutions in America and, indeed, probably the world.” - Senator John McCain *Highlights and working notes on the ethical limits of discrediting the truthful witness, observing modern directorates and ethics rules that fail to prevent truth distortion by unethical means (Source research by Marquette Law Review).* History provides the epic example of Enron and a cunning Board of Directors of misleaders, a team of flimflam artists who used sly rhetorical skills to bamboozle the public, turning night into day. In this conception, directorates tell stories only in order to seduce and beguile regulators who fall prey to the advocate’s star-crossed tricks. Why do company Directors employ unethical, false story techniques to advance a false defense when ethical means are available? The exponential effects of this troublesome behavior requires that the firm’s every word, action and attitude be consistent with the conclusion that is dishonest. Board directors are the ultimate self policing body of an organization, responsible for setting the tone for ethical rules and standards. Not only are modern ethical rules unable to prevent directorates who use of false-story techniques, but little can be done in the way of reforming the rules themselves so that they can more effectively regulate the unethical means by which honesty is systematically discredited and made to look untruthful. - As witnessed in New York State recently, top leaders sometimes ignore ethical rules by rationalizing away conduct known to be unethical standards of professional behavior. - More abstract-oriented discussions concerning whether society’s best interests are advanced with attempts to distort outcomes by discrediting the truth has even impacted virtual currency innovation out of New York. These points simply seem invented as an outrageous scenario presented to the public by way of question, yet they are indeed true. - There is a pattern of routinely using an arsenal of tricks to subvert the truth. The culprit may argue that the version of events is untruthful, because of a motive to fabricate the truth. In actuality, incompetence is the only true motive to fabricate directorate supported dishonesty. Now more than ever, honest and ethical leaders know that each time a directorate uses talents and skills to pollute the marketplace with lies (either explicit or implicit) to manipulate profits is an act that initially diminishes the chances of a prosperous society. Such practice of engaging in conduct that involves dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation is impermissible and should not be tolerated. Without swift action, the public may lose confidence in both system wide innovation and maximizing the whole human potential of our species. - Alternatively, employing truthful answers to string together a series of inferences that collectively weaken the case of interlocking directorates. - Vigorously defending potentially problematic interlocking directorates can be systematically re-purposed with the goal of protecting the innocent. We share 80 highlights to Todd A. Berger’s (published by Marquette Law Review) “The Ethical Limits of Discrediting the Truthful Witness: How Modern Ethics Rules Fail to Prevent Truthful Witnesses from Being Discredited Through Unethical Means.” ---- Directorates Who Discredit Truthful Witnesses (W/80 Highlights): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XzfRqxxDD5OzQgkH1Ok2wdO25JZiqVev/view?usp=… -- *Gunnar Larson - xNY.io <http://www.xNY.io> | Bank.org <http://Bank.org>* MSc <https://www.unic.ac.cy/blockchain/msc-digital-currency/?utm_source=Google&u…> - Digital Currency MBA <https://www.unic.ac.cy/business-administration-entrepreneurship-and-innovat…> - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) G(a)xNY.io +1-917-580-8053 New York, New York 10001 -------------- next part -------------- A message part incompatible with plain text digests has been removed ... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 10333 bytes Desc: not available ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer _______________________________________________ cypherpunks mailing list -- cypherpunks(a)lists.cpunks.org To unsubscribe send an email to cypherpunks-leave(a)lists.cpunks.org ------------------------------ End of cypherpunks Digest, Vol 137, Issue 182 *********************************************

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Office of Public Affairs | Cholo Abdi Abdullah Convicted for Conspiring to Commit 9/11-Style Attack at the Direction of Al Shabaab | United States Department of Justice
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '24

11 Nov '24

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/cholo-abdi-abdullah-convicted-conspiring-com… A jury returned a guilty verdict today against Cholo Abdi Abdullah, 34, on all six counts in the indictment, which included conspiring to provide, and providing, material support to a foreign terrorist organization; and conspiring to murder U.S. nationals, commit aircraft piracy, destroy aircraft, and commit transnational acts of terrorism. Abdullah is scheduled to be sentenced on March 10, 2025. “The jury found that Cholo Abdi Abdullah, an operative of the terrorist organization al Shabaab, conspired to murder Americans in a terrorist attack reminiscent of the September 11 attack on our country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Today’s conviction ensures that Abdullah will spend decades in prison for his crimes. The Justice Department will never stop working to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who would use heinous acts of violence to harm the American people. It does not matter where terrorists hide, they will not evade the long arm of the law.” “Today, the jury returned a unanimous verdict holding Cholo Abdi Abdullah responsible for trying to replicate one of history’s most heinous acts of terrorism,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “Abdullah trained with al Shabaab for months in Somalia to become a deadly terrorist, and then spent months at flight school preparing to hijack a commercial aircraft to crash it into a building in the United States. Abdullah relentlessly pursued his goals and was on the cusp of getting a commercial pilot license while conducting extensive attack planning, such as how to breach an airplane cockpit door. I commend the tireless work of our federal law enforcement partners and the career national security prosecutors of this office. This effort has been carried forward by generations of agents and prosecutors who never relented in their effort to bring Abdullah to justice and keep this nation safe. Thanks to their work and today’s verdict, Abdullah will now serve a lengthy sentence in federal prison.” According to the indictment and the evidence presented at trial, Abdullah was an operative for the foreign terrorist organization Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mijahideen, commonly known as “al Shabaab,” based in Somalia. After training with al Shabaab for months with AK-47 assault rifles and explosives at a series of safe houses in Somalia, Abdullah participated in a plot to hijack a commercial aircraft and crash it into a building in the U.S. He spent months at a flight school in the Philippines working toward a commercial pilot license, and researched how to obtain pilot jobs, targets such as the tallest buildings in a major American city, transit visas to the U.S., and how to open a cockpit door from the outside. Abdullah also sent encrypted messages reporting his progress to his al Shabaab handler, including his extensive research on post-September 11 hijackings. Abdullah conspired to commit this attack on behalf Al Shabaab, which has sworn allegiance to al Qaeda and is responsible for numerous deadly terrorist attacks, including attacks that have claimed American lives. Starting in or about 2019, al Shabaab embarked on a string of terrorist attacks as part of an operation in response to the U.S.’s decision to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, which the group has dubbed “Operation Jerusalem Will Never be Judaized.” In particular, these terrorist attacks perpetrated by al Shabaab included an attack on Jan. 15, 2019, at a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 21 people, including a U.S. national and survivor of al Qaeda’s September 11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York; a Sept. 30, 2019, attack on a U.S. military facility in Somalia; and a Jan. 5, 2020, attack on another U.S. facility in Kenya, in which three Americans were killed. Abdullah was convicted on six counts: conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, for which he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, for which he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; conspiring to murder U.S. nationals, for which he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; conspiring to commit aircraft piracy, for which he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison; conspiring to destroy aircraft, for which he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and conspiring to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, for which he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. The FBI New York Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the case. The Justice Department also thanks the FBI Legal Attaché Offices in Nairobi, Kenya, and Manila, Philippines; the FBI’s Hudson Valley Resident Agency; the Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division; the U.S. Department of Defense; the Kenyan Directorate of Criminal Investigations, including the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit and the Joint Terrorism Task Force-Kenya; the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Kenya; the Philippine National Police; the Philippine Department of Justice; the Joint Terrorism Financial Investigations Group-Philippines; and the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, for their assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas S. Bradley and Jonathan L. Bodansky for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney John Cella of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

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Mayor Adams' Calendar Request
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '24

11 Nov '24

Dear Madam or Sir: xNY.io - Bank.org kindly seeks access to New York City Mayor Eric Adams' May 7,8,9 2024 schedule. Additionally, xNY.io - Bank.org seeks access to records if the Executive Chamber is aware of any international travel of Mayor Adams during this time period. Best regards, Gunnar -- Gunnar Larson xNY.io - Bank.org 917-580-8053

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Marianne Williamson LIVE in Melbourne, Australia | July 2022
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '24

11 Nov '24

Marianne Williamson LIVE in Melbourne, Australia | July 2022: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10GI5UDN7PVLcShqj0S_N7E28lpC-vkeC/view?usp=… Gunnar ✌️

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Wednesday 8 May 2024 Debating Chamber - Peter Thiel - Cambridge Union Society (Video w/ Protests)
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '24

11 Nov '24

Wednesday 8 May 2024 Debating Chamber - Peter Thiel - Cambridge Union Society (Video w/ Protests): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-UzMRXxN5cy1rpUEa9Zn1tC1kSo-sI4a/view?usp=… Gunnar Larson

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Directorates Who Discredit Truthful Witnesses (W/80 Highlights)
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '24

11 Nov '24

“And the persons who ultimately are harmed by all of this, of course, is the average consumer, the average citizen, who has no knowledge, unless it paid attention to this hearing, of the extent of the manipulations that have been carried out by the largest financial institutions in America and, indeed, probably the world.” - Senator John McCain *Highlights and working notes on the ethical limits of discrediting the truthful witness, observing modern directorates and ethics rules that fail to prevent truth distortion by unethical means (Source research by Marquette Law Review).* History provides the epic example of Enron and a cunning Board of Directors of misleaders, a team of flimflam artists who used sly rhetorical skills to bamboozle the public, turning night into day. In this conception, directorates tell stories only in order to seduce and beguile regulators who fall prey to the advocate’s star-crossed tricks. Why do company Directors employ unethical, false story techniques to advance a false defense when ethical means are available? The exponential effects of this troublesome behavior requires that the firm’s every word, action and attitude be consistent with the conclusion that is dishonest. Board directors are the ultimate self policing body of an organization, responsible for setting the tone for ethical rules and standards. Not only are modern ethical rules unable to prevent directorates who use of false-story techniques, but little can be done in the way of reforming the rules themselves so that they can more effectively regulate the unethical means by which honesty is systematically discredited and made to look untruthful. - As witnessed in New York State recently, top leaders sometimes ignore ethical rules by rationalizing away conduct known to be unethical standards of professional behavior. - More abstract-oriented discussions concerning whether society’s best interests are advanced with attempts to distort outcomes by discrediting the truth has even impacted virtual currency innovation out of New York. These points simply seem invented as an outrageous scenario presented to the public by way of question, yet they are indeed true. - There is a pattern of routinely using an arsenal of tricks to subvert the truth. The culprit may argue that the version of events is untruthful, because of a motive to fabricate the truth. In actuality, incompetence is the only true motive to fabricate directorate supported dishonesty. Now more than ever, honest and ethical leaders know that each time a directorate uses talents and skills to pollute the marketplace with lies (either explicit or implicit) to manipulate profits is an act that initially diminishes the chances of a prosperous society. Such practice of engaging in conduct that involves dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation is impermissible and should not be tolerated. Without swift action, the public may lose confidence in both system wide innovation and maximizing the whole human potential of our species. - Alternatively, employing truthful answers to string together a series of inferences that collectively weaken the case of interlocking directorates. - Vigorously defending potentially problematic interlocking directorates can be systematically re-purposed with the goal of protecting the innocent. We share 80 highlights to Todd A. Berger’s (published by Marquette Law Review) “The Ethical Limits of Discrediting the Truthful Witness: How Modern Ethics Rules Fail to Prevent Truthful Witnesses from Being Discredited Through Unethical Means.” ---- Directorates Who Discredit Truthful Witnesses (W/80 Highlights): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XzfRqxxDD5OzQgkH1Ok2wdO25JZiqVev/view?usp=… -- *Gunnar Larson - xNY.io <http://www.xNY.io> | Bank.org <http://Bank.org>* MSc <https://www.unic.ac.cy/blockchain/msc-digital-currency/?utm_source=Google&u…> - Digital Currency MBA <https://www.unic.ac.cy/business-administration-entrepreneurship-and-innovat…> - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) G(a)xNY.io +1-917-580-8053 New York, New York 10001

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Fwd: Launch of the One Million Black Women Initiative…John Waldron Interviews NATO Secretary-General…Institutions Sharpen Focus on Crypto Assets
by Gunnar Larson 11 Nov '24

11 Nov '24

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Gunnar Larson <g(a)vrnetworks.co> Date: Fri, Mar 12, 2021, 7:38 PM Subject: Fwd: Launch of the One Million Black Women Initiative…John Waldron Interviews NATO Secretary-General…Institutions Sharpen Focus on Crypto Assets To: <g(a)xny.io> Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: *From:* Briefings from Goldman Sachs <briefings(a)gs.com> *Date:* March 12, 2021 at 12:53:52 PM EST *To:* g(a)vrnetworks.co *Subject:* *Launch of the One Million Black Women Initiative…John Waldron Interviews NATO Secretary-General…Institutions Sharpen Focus on Crypto Assets* *Reply-To:* "Briefings from Goldman Sachs" <briefings(a)gs.com> [image: Goldman Sachs] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac1f> [image: BRIEFINGS] March 12, 2021 Goldman Sachs Launches One Million Black Women Initiative [image: https://www.goldmansachs.com/our-commitments/sustainability/one-million-bla…] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac20> “When we looked at the United States, it became clear that if you wanted to make a long-term economic difference, you had to start by supporting Black women,” said Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon, on the launch of *One Million Black Women*, the firm’s initiative to narrow opportunity gaps for Black women by investing $10 billion and committing $100 million in philanthropic capital for capacity-building grants over the next decade. The effort will target investments to support Black women at key moments in their lives and address the significant disadvantages they face across a range of economic measures, including access to housing, healthcare, education and capital. The firm will work with an advisory council of Black leaders from leading corporations, nonprofit organizations and government, who will play a critical role in driving the initiative forward. *Learn more about the One Million Black Women <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac21> initiative.* SHARE: [image: twitter] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac22> [image: facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac23> [image: LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac24> [image: email] <?subject=One%20Million%20Black%20Women&body=> Black Womenomics: Investing in the Underinvested <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac25> The *One Million Black Women* initiative draws on insights from Goldman Sachs Research’s new *Black Womenomics* report, which delves into the 90% wealth gap between Black and white households, its relationship with the broader economic disadvantages Black women face, and the public and private investment opportunities that can help close the divide. The report contends that addressing structural economic disparities would make for not only a fairer but also a richer society: The authors estimate that confronting the wage gap alone (which accounts for two-thirds of the wealth gap and widens throughout Black women’s working life) could add over one million jobs to the U.S. economy, and increase annual GDP by $300-450 billion in current dollars. Read report <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac26> View infographic <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac27> SHARE: [image: twitter] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac28> [image: facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac29> [image: LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2a> [image: email] <?subject=Black%20Womenomics&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldmansachs.com%2Finsights%2Fpages%2Fblack-womenomics-f%2Fblack-womenomics-report.pdf> Talks at GS With NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2b> Above (L to R): John Waldron of Goldman Sachs and Jens Stoltenberg of NATO As secretary-general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg leads a political and military alliance that was designed to maintain a delicate peace in the shadow of World War II—a coalition that's since evolved to include climate change as a key focus for its 30 member nations. “Climate change—global warming—is what we call a crisis multiplier,” says Stoltenberg, who spoke with Goldman Sachs President and COO John Waldron in a recent episode of *Talks at GS*. “It will increase the competition for scarce resources, for water, for land. It will force people to move,” he says. “I'm not saying that climate change is the only reason for crisis and conflicts, but it may exacerbate and fuel and multiply the consequences of different conflicts in many places in the world.” The secretary-general envisions a three-part approach to the threat. “The first thing NATO should do, and we are starting to do that, is to have the best possible understanding of the link between climate change, global warming, and security threats and conflicts,” he says. “The second thing we should do is that we need to adapt the way we conduct our [military] missions, operations—how we do our work. Because we have to understand that the military, they operate, at least mostly, out there in nature.” Last is the alliance’s own role in contributing to climate change. “We could try to reduce emissions,” says Stoltenberg, “because today’s military operations are normally extremely energy consuming.” Watch video <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2c> SHARE: [image: twitter] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2d> [image: facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2e> [image: LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2f> [image: email] <?subject=Talks%20at%20GS%20With%20NATO%E2%80%99s%20Jens%20Stoltenberg&body=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FPT886HFYEpw> How Institutional Investors Are Thinking About Crypto Assets Institutional investors are increasingly focused on investment opportunities in crypto assets, says Goldman Sachs' Mathew McDermott, who relayed how the assets are dominating client conversations—and at a more technical level—on a recent *Exchanges at Goldman Sachs* podcast. “The questions are not really, ‘What is it?’…It's more about ‘How can we get exposure, what are the instruments we can transact?’” McDermott, who is global head of Digital Assets for the firm, says the surge in trading crypto can be seen across a diverse investor base, citing findings from a recent Goldman Sachs survey of institutional clients. “40% of the clients currently have exposure to cryptocurrencies,” he says, while “61% of clients expect their digital asset holdings to increase over the next year.” It’s a significant shift from where the cryptocurrency market was a few years ago. “2017 was very much a retail-driven market,” McDermott says. “This time around, we've just seen a huge volume of institutional demand across the broad spectrum of different industry types. And as a function, you're seeing incumbent banks now explore ways that they can develop products to satisfy that client demand, enabling them to gain exposure to the different cryptocurrencies.” Listen to podcast <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac30> SHARE: [image: twitter] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac31> [image: facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac32> [image: LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac33> [image: email] <?subject=How%20Institutional%20Investors%20Are%20Trading%20Cryptocurrency&body=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fgk3hadD8YHM> The Daily Check-In With Goldman Sachs <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac34> Above (L to R): Mike Swell, Anna Skoglund and Katherine Tait of Goldman Sachs While mounting concerns over inflation spooked the bond markets and other risk assets in recent weeks, such fears are likely overblown, says Goldman Sachs’ Mike Swell <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac35>, who oversees a team that manages $700 billion in fixed income assets. Investors are “concerned [that] with the very significant recovery we’re seeing in the economy—along with a lot of debt issued by the government—we’re going to see a significant increase in inflation,” he says in a recent episode of *The Daily Check-In*. But more broadly, Swell notes that labor market slack, productivity gains and globalization will likely keep inflation in check for longer than the market is currently expecting. “As we look into 2022, you’re likely to see growth normalize, inflation normalize. And the Fed is going to keep the money easy and, as a result, it’s going to be a good environment for risk assets and it’s going to be a decent environment for fixed income assets as well.” In other episodes of *The Daily Check-In*, Anna Skoglund <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac36> of Goldman Sachs’ Investment Banking Division discusses the increase in private equity deal volumes in Europe this year and Goldman Sachs Research’s Katherine Tait <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac37> explains why venture capital in the education sector had its best-ever year in 2020 as the pandemic reshaped the future of learning. *For more Daily Check-In videos, subscribe to our channel <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac38> on YouTube.* Watch videos <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac39> SHARE: [image: twitter] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac3a> [image: facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac3b> [image: LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac3c> [image: email] <?subject=The%20Daily%20Check-In%20With%20Goldman%20Sachs&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fplaylist%3Flist%3DPLIyiGQywEp65ogt2Bi3vTK7ngXDTM6wT9> March QuickPoll: Moving to a ‘Post-Pandemic Regime’ After dealing with the recent volatility in interest rates, investors are shifting their focus to central bank activity and economic data, according to the latest Marquee QuickPoll survey of close to 700 Goldman Sachs institutional investor clients. Here are highlights: *Rate Moves Coming to an End?* Investor sentiment suggests that a jump in interest rates is still expected but not for long: A majority of respondents think interest rates will increase in March, but only 9% expect 10-year rates to end the month above 1.60%. *Central Bank Policy in the Spotlight*. COVID-19 epidemic data and vaccine developments were by far the primary (and only) variable investors were watching in past QuickPoll surveys, but focus is now shifting to central banks and macro indicators. COVID remains top of mind for 39% of respondents this month, but 33% of investors are now keeping an eye out for central bank statements and 16% are looking to U.S. economic data. “In our view, this likely marks the end of the ‘pandemic regime’ for markets and the beginning of a ‘post-pandemic’ one,” says Oscar Ostlund, head of content for Marquee, the digital platform for the Global Markets Division. *Portfolio Rotation to Inflation-Sensitive Assets*. Investors turned bearish on gold, the price of which typically falls when real rates rise—with about 35% of respondents expecting the price to be weakened further by the end of the month. Meanwhile, investors continue to have a bullish view on other commodities such as crude and copper. “We’ve seen many investors shift their views on gold and significantly reduce their enthusiasm on emerging market equities, which were the second-favorite asset class last month but have significantly sold off,” Ostlund says. *For more information about QuickPoll and Marquee, reach out to the team <gs-marquee-sales@ny.email.gs.com?subject=BRIEFINGS%20Follow-Up%3A%20Interested%20in%20Learning%20More%20About%20Marquee&body=BRIEFINGS%20Follow-Up%3A%20Interested%20in%20Learning%20More%20About%20Marquee.>. * SHARE: [image: twitter] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac3d> [image: facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac3e> [image: LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac3f> [image: email] <?subject=March%20QuickPoll%3A%20Moving%20to%20a%20%E2%80%98Post-Pandemic%20Regime%E2%80%99&body=> Briefly…on the Path to Net-Zero Emissions and Inclusive Growth <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac40> Just over a year into Goldman Sachs' 10-year plan to deploy $750 billion toward accelerating the climate transition and advancing inclusive growth, the firm has reached a fifth of its target. We sat down with *John Goldstein*, head of the firm’s Sustainable Finance Group, to discuss progress, client concerns and the impact of the pandemic on companies’ sustainability goals. *John, soon after the firm announced its sustainability goal in late 2019, the world went into lockdown. Can you describe how the pandemic affected companies’ sustainability objectives in 2020? * *John Goldstein*: Last year was undoubtedly a year of volatility and complexity, but the one constant was the growing interest and focus in sustainable finance and ESG as evidenced by the fact that in 2020 alone we reached a fifth of our $750 billion 10-year target. The pandemic served as a stress test for the industry—which it passed with flying colors. The strong performance of ESG investments during the first-quarter downturn was rewarded with greater focus and capital flows as the year progressed. In addition, the pandemic reminded people of how quickly the world can change and how important these emerging changes can be to portfolios. Factors that may not have always been incorporated in traditional financial models can have significant financial impacts. From our perspective, 2020 highlighted the importance of both elements of our sustainability approach which focuses on two interconnected themes: climate transition and inclusive growth. *Can you describe the firm’s approach to sustainability—how did you come to decide on these two themes?* *John Goldstein*: When we first announced our sustainability approach in 2019, people immediately understood the focus on climate transition, but were less certain about the focus on inclusive growth. Well, 2020 was a stark reminder that both pillars are essential. The pandemic gave us a health and employment crisis while highlighting the deeply visible manifestations of the ongoing racial inequalities, particularly in the U.S. You could say that the social component of ESG has climbed into the front seat with the environmental concerns. *So let’s talk about how the first year of allocating capital went. How did the firm approach making its targets a reality?* *John Goldstein*: A big part of achieving our goal during the first year stemmed from the fact that we were able to leverage the strengths across the organization. Soon after we announced our 10-year target, we created a new team, the Sustainable Finance Group, to coordinate our sustainability efforts across the firm. Shortly thereafter, we launched dedicated sustainability councils within all of our businesses, each led by a senior leader within the firm, to integrate sustainability solutions into our work with clients. *What's an example? * *John Goldstein*: One example I would highlight is the work that we did with our Global Markets Division where we incorporated ESG data into the division’s trading capabilities. That in turn helped clients achieve their ESG goals either broadly or in specific areas, such as lowering their carbon footprint in their portfolios. We essentially served as a product incubator within divisions to understand the market need for new strategies for their clients. The division, in turn, scaled the products and strategies more broadly. *What types of strategies resonated most with clients? * *John Goldstein*: Climate solutions were a key focus for clients across the firm. For example, we’ve worked with our colleagues in the Asset Management Division to provide growth financing to Swedish manufacturer Northvolt AB to support the construction of a lithium-ion battery factory that will expand the market for electric vehicles in Europe. For our public market investors, we’ve developed ESG strategies in our trading and asset management businesses and are accelerating global power solutions through our structuring services in the Global Markets Division. In the Investment Banking Division, we were part of the largest corporate sustainability bond for Alphabet; the largest IPO for a solar company, Shoals Technologies; and helped clients issue more than $35 billion in COVID-19 relief bonds. What we’ve learned is that there are multiple ways to help clients meet their decarbonization goals across the firm. In fact, making sustainability a core commercial focus for us has not only allowed us to scale ESG and inclusive growth strategies across the breadth and depth of our organization to meet our clients’ goals, but doing so has also enabled us to tie it into our own funding strategy as we recently did with the issuance of our $800 million green bond. *Finally, what do you see as the key ESG and sustainability priorities for companies this year? * *John Goldstein*: Investors and corporates are all looking at moving sustainability considerations from the periphery to the core of their organizations. That means that for investors, it’s not just about ESG products—it’s about all of their investing products. It’s not about their sustainability report—it’s about their annual report. For us, our focus will continue to remain on incubating and launching new product offerings within our divisions in partnership with our clients and—in particular—to accelerate our efforts to work as one firm to meet clients’ needs. View infographic <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac41> Read GS CEO David Solomon's statement <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac42> SHARE: [image: twitter] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac43> [image: facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac44> [image: LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac45> [image: email] <?subject=Briefly%E2%80%A6on%20the%20Path%20to%20Net-Zero%20Emissions%20and%20Inclusive%20Growth&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldmansachs.com%2Four-commitments%2Fsustainability%2Fsustainable-finance%2Fthe-future-is-now%2Fsf-at-gs.html> Goldman Sachs Media Highlights *CBS This Morning* - March 10 Investing in Women: Goldman Sachs CEO on New Plan to Close the Wage Gap <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac46> (7:26) *Essence* - March 10 Exclusive: Goldman Sachs Invests $10 Billion in New ‘One Million Black Women’ Initiative <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac47> *Bloomberg* - March 8 Goldman Open to Work With Financial Newcomers: Stephanie Cohen <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac48> (7:37) *Bloomberg * - March 8 Goldman’s Abby Joseph Cohen Still Sees Potential in Equities <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac49> (10:17) Subscribe <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac4a> Unsubscribe <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac4b&p1=g@vrnetworks.co> The data provided in this newsletter is for information purposes only and should not be construed as investment or tax advice nor as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any particular security. Goldman Sachs believes the data in this newsletter is accurate, but does not verify its accuracy independently and does not warrant or guarantee that it is accurate or complete. Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide any updates or changes to the data. No investment decisions should be made using this data. 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