February 2024 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

SEC's 'Orwellian' Trade Database Is Unlawful, 11th Circ. Told
by Gunnar Larson 13 Feb '24

13 Feb '24

SEC's 'Orwellian' Trade Database Is Unlawful, 11th Circ. Told <https://www.law360.com/cybersecurity-privacy/articles/1796332?nl_pk=3dfd2fd…> By Jessica Corso Citadel Securities LLC and the American Securities Association have laid out their objections to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission directive that requires brokerage firms to fund the buildup of a database known as the consolidated audit trail, telling the Eleventh Circuit that the tool created an "Orwellian surveillance regime" that puts American investors at risk of being hacked. Brief attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/cybersecurity-privacy/articles/1796332?nl_pk=3dfd2fd…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/cybersecurity-privacy/articles/1796332?nl_pk=3dfd2fd…>

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Mergers & Acquisitions Group Of The Year: Cravath
by Gunnar Larson 13 Feb '24

13 Feb '24

Mergers & Acquisitions Group Of The Year: Cravath <https://www.law360.com/mergersacquisitions/articles/1782464?nl_pk=a34c25b5-…> By Elaine Briseño Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP guided the Snyder family through a tense environment to seal the $6.05 billion sale of the Washington Commanders and advised WestRock's complicated $20 billion combination with Smurfit Kappa, earning the firm a spot among Law360's 2023 Mergers and Acquisitions Groups of the Year. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/mergersacquisitions/articles/1782464?nl_pk=a34c25b5-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/mergersacquisitions/articles/1782464?nl_pk=a34c25b5-…>

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Putin Seeks Revenge on a World Order He Once Wanted to Join
by Gunnar Larson 13 Feb '24

13 Feb '24

Putin Seeks Revenge on a World Order He Once Wanted to Join https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-02-13/russian-president-vladim… The summer evening at a beachside nightclub in the Black Sea resort of Sochi resembled a modern-day version of a gladiator fight in imperial Rome. Russian fighters pummeled a “world” team in a mixed martial arts contest. Scantily dressed women waved Russian flags and the crowd roared as the home squad racked up victories. The highlight was the knockout of a 44-year-old American fighter.

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Fani Willis' DQ From Trump Case 'Possible,' Ga. Judge Says
by Gunnar Larson 13 Feb '24

13 Feb '24

Fani Willis' DQ From Trump Case 'Possible,' Ga. Judge Says <https://www.law360.com/legalethics/articles/1797142?nl_pk=153d4a8a-6fb9-4a5…> By Chart Riggall The Georgia state judge presiding over the election interference case against former President Donald Trump said Monday that "it's possible" Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis' admitted relationship with a top prosecutor on the case could end in her disqualification, and is allowing a hearing on the issue planned for this week to go forward. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/legalethics/articles/1797142?nl_pk=153d4a8a-6fb9-4a5…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/legalethics/articles/1797142?nl_pk=153d4a8a-6fb9-4a5…>

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FTX Says User Agreements Don't Sink $157M Clawback
by Gunnar Larson 13 Feb '24

13 Feb '24

FTX Says User Agreements Don't Sink $157M Clawback <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1796788?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> By Clara Geoghegan A lawsuit to recoup cryptocurrency withdrawn from defunct trading platform FTX Trading Ltd. in the run-up to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy shouldn't be tossed, FTX told a Delaware bankruptcy court, saying the court can't determine who owned the $157.3 million of digital assets held in customer accounts at the motion to dismiss stage. 2 documents attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1796788?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1796788?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…>

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Universal BitLicense Declaration on Virtual Currency & Human Rights
by Gunnar Larson 13 Feb '24

13 Feb '24

Dear Madam Acting Superintendent: Reflecting this week, Ripple once again <https://www.law.com/radar/card/ripple-legal-chief-accuses-sec-of-playing-de…> shares concerning comments and approaches to respecting their Bitlicense award. Even more, many experts are concerned <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-17/nyc-miami-seen-facing-po…> about MIA Coin and resulting NYCCoin disasters. Madam Acting Superintendent, on August 4, 2020 as part of our Conditional BitLicense application we submitted a draft of the Universal BitLicense Declaration on Virtual Currency & Human Rights. - Today this memo is to re-new our obvious approach to virtual currency innovation in New York. Together under your leadership, we should be leading the world in the principles of modern cross-border BitLicense logic. - Madam Acting Superintendent, this type of stuff matters. The Deceleration aims to level the playing field for all and impacts the future of women and girls with respect to financial inclusion. - At the very least, New York and your office should be embracing such thoughtful approaches to support future generations and protect virtual currency from market manipulation. Madam Acting Superintendent, we implore that if some version of the Declaration was enacted in 2020, the world would be a better place today. Kindly find a copy of the Universal BitLicense Declaration on Virtual Currency & Human Rights <https://thecapital.io/article/universal-bitlicense-declaration-on-virtual-c…> below. We will be in contact with your office this coming week to engage in dialogue on the Declaration's feasibility forward. Very respectfully yours, Gunnar Larson *WE THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK DETERMINED* - to pioneer noble advancement of BitLicence theory and regulation, whereas it is essential to safeguard virtual currency and its potential to galvanize international, economic and social advancement of all peoples, and - to ensure clarity, principally New York’s BitLicence being the preeminent institution with mandate of ensuring that virtual currency manipulation (of any sort) shall not burden the common global interest of humanity, and that human rights are protected in the jurisdiction of New York for all peoples *AND FOR THESE ENDS* - to save succeeding generations from financial fraud and corruption, which in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to humanity, and - to reaffirm New York’s faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and - to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from BitLicence regulation and other sources of financial services law can be maintained, and - to promote larger social progress by leading global standards, given that New York remains the center of technological innovation and forward-looking virtual currency regulation *HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS* *Now, therefore this UNIVERSAL BITLICENSE DECLARATION ON VIRTUAL CURRENCY & HUMAN RIGHTS as the common crypto standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive to promote respect for human rights and personal freedoms by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance of New York-based companies accountable to a **universal **BitLicense **standard of virtual currency regulation across all global territories of business, protecting all peoples and all nations.* *Article One* - Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in failed financial frameworks that have outraged the conscience of mankind, and - Whereas the foundational vision of BitLicense theory imagines a world in which human beings shall enjoy safe, reliable and regulated virtual currency tools and financial products, now proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people, *Article Two* - Whereas ethical stewardship of virtual currency is inherent to the BitLicence mandate, the invention of blockchain, and virtual currency aimed to secure the equal and inalienable rights of all as foundation to financial freedom and economic prosperity, especially in the developing economies, and - BitLicense members pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the state of New York, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of international human rights fundamental to the integrity of the BitLicense’s virtual currency regulation. - Whereas New York reaffirms faith in the BitLicense’s foundational themes and the general concept of human right protection. The dignity and worth of the human person and the equal rights of men and women are part of New York BitLicense protections and standards which correlates to noble “public-spiritedness” virtual currency regulation with exponential social progress of humanity. *Article Three* *The Purposes of this Declaration are:* - To maintain the protection of BitLicense virtual currency standards, implying any New York- based group or person has no right to engage in “loophole” business activities in global markets out of New York, or to perform any act aimed at bypassing BitLicense virtual currency regulation, and - To take effective collective measures to remove inconsistencies and prevent the suppression of human rights or other breaches of BitLicense regulations of virtual currency, and to bring about conformity with the principles of justice and international human rights laws, adjusting or settling international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of New York BitLicense law; - To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, while executing appropriate measures to close KYC/AML loopholes by strengthen universal virtual currency regulation of New York firms operating in global emerging markets; - To achieve international co-operation in solving international virtual currency problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian nature, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and - To offer New York as centre jurisdiction and the BitLicense as universal to harmonizing smart virtual currency actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends. *Article Four* New York BitLicensees (members), in pursuit of the Purposes stated in Article One, shall act in accordance with the following Principles: - All Members, in order to ensure to all of them the rights and benefits resulting from BitLicense membership, shall fulfill the obligations assumed by them in accordance with this Declaration, and - All Members shall immediately settle their international virtual currency inconsistencies by peaceful means in such a manner that international law and justice are not endangered while meeting this Declaration and overall BitLicense compliance, and - All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the violation of human rights or abuse of virtual currency manipulation *by leveraging territorial loopholes (e.g. Africa) and/or inconsistent jurisdictional integrity and enforcement (e.g. Europe), nor willfully employ political naivete of any state (e.g. New York)*, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of this Declaration, and - Continued membership is contingent on the requirement that BitLicense Members based in New York act in accordance with these Principles so far as may be necessary for the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental virtual currency regulation, and finally - Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of human rights or degradation of the BitLicense’s virtual currency statute or mandates set forth in this Declaration. -- *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 +1-646-454-9107 New York, New York 10001

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Genesis Hit With Objections To $1.6B In Grayscale Trust Sales
by Gunnar Larson 13 Feb '24

13 Feb '24

Genesis Hit With Objections To $1.6B In Grayscale Trust Sales <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1796547?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> By Alex Wittenberg Cryptocurrency lender Genesis Global is facing opposition to its effort to sell about $1.6 billion worth of shares in Grayscale Investments trusts to raise money for its Chapter 11 estate, with Grayscale and Genesis' parent company lodging objections to the proposed transactions in New York bankruptcy court. 2 documents attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1796547?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1796547?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…>

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Musk Can't Dodge SEC Questions About $44B Twitter Buy
by Gunnar Larson 13 Feb '24

13 Feb '24

Subject: Musk Can't Dodge SEC Questions About $44B Twitter Buy Musk Can't Dodge SEC Questions About $44B Twitter Buy <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1796701?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> By Jessica Corso A California federal judge has told Elon Musk that he must appear before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to testify about his $44 billion purchase of the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, waving off the billionaire's assertions that the agency was harassing him via a series of seemingly endless investigations. Order attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1796701?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1796701?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…>

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Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris Recusal Records
by Gunnar Larson 13 Feb '24

13 Feb '24

Subject: RE: Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris Recusal Records To: G(a)xny.io <g(a)xny.io> Cc: dhr.dl.foil <foil(a)dhr.ny.gov> Dear Mr. Larson: Pursuant to your request, please see the attachment. *Siaka Paasewe* Records Access Officer / FOIL Officer *New York State Division of **Human** Rights* One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor (718) 741-8422 | (718) 741-8256 (Fax) Siaka.Paasewe(a)dhr.ny.gov www.dhr.ny.gov February 2, 2024 VIA EMAIL G(a)xny.io Gunnar D. Larson xNY.io - Bank.org 406 West 25th Street, 1RE New York, NY 10001 Dear Mr. Larson: The Division is in receipt of your Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request, received by the Division on February 2, 2024, in which you requested a copy of the following: NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris Recusal Records Dear Madam or Sir: On March 30, 2022 New York Magazine published a profile of NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris titled "Crypto’s Most Powerful Regulator Is Here Adrienne Harris, New York’s financial watchdog, has enormous sway over the industry’s future" (https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/03/adrienne-harris-is- cryptos-most-powerful-regulator.html). The profile of Superintendent Harris quotes "... that she would recuse herself from any dealings with companies she has conflicts with." xNY.io - Bank.org seeks access to any and all records specific to Superintendent Harris' recusal(s) as of February 1, 2024. Please be advised the Division does not have any records in its possession that are responsive to your FOIL request. Any person denied access to a requested record may, within thirty (30) days of the denial, appeal the denial in writing by mail or fax to Caroline J. Downey, General Counsel, N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor, Bronx, New York 10458. *From:* noreply-openfoil(a)its.ny.gov <its.sm.openfoil(a)its.ny.gov> *Sent:* Friday, February 2, 2024 6:43 AM *To:* dhr.dl.foil <foil(a)dhr.ny.gov>; dob.sm.foil <foil(a)budget.ny.gov>; dfs.sm.RecordsAccessOfficer <recordsaccessofficer(a)dfs.ny.gov> *Subject:* Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris Recusal Records *New FOIL Request for Division of Human Rights, Division of the Budget, Department of Financial Services * Submitted on: 2/2/2024 6:43:04 AM Request Confirmation Number : LARSON_DHR_20240202064304145 LARSON_DOB_20240202064304145 LARSON_DFS_20240202064304145 *INFORMATION SUBMITTED:* *Title* Mr. *First Name* Gunnar *Middle Initial* *D* *Last Name* Larson *E-Mail* G(a)xny.io *Telephone* *Fax* *Affiliation/Organization* xNY.io - Bank.org *Street Address 1* 406 West 25th Street *Street Address 2* *City* New York *State* NY *Zip Code* 10001 *Country* *USA* *Short Title* NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris Recusal Records *Description* Dear Madam or Sir: On March 30, 2022 New York Magazine published a profile of NY-DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris titled "Crypto’s Most Powerful Regulator Is Here Adrienne Harris, New York’s financial watchdog, has enormous sway over the industry’s future" ( https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/03/adrienne-harris-is-cryptos-most-pow…) The profile of Superintendent Harris quotes "... that she would recuse herself from any dealings with companies she has conflicts with." xNY.io - Bank.org seeks access to any and all records specific to Superintendent Harris' recusal(s) as of February 1, 2024. Thank you, Gunnar -- Gunnar Larson xNY.io | Bank.org MSc - Digital Currency MBA - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) G(a)xNY.io +1-917-580-8053 New York, New York 10001 *FOIL Response Format* Email *If fees apply, please contact me if costs will be greater than* 10000 *Additional Information* I am a representative of, or affiliated with, the news media and this request is made as part of a news gathering effort , I am an individual seeking information for personal use , I am affiliated with an educational or non-commercial scientific institution, and this request is made for a scholarly or scientific purpose , I am affiliated with a private corporation and am seeking information for use in the company’s business for commercial purpose

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Fwd: Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : Genesis Global Trading Inc. BitLicense Seizure Records
by Gunnar Larson 13 Feb '24

13 Feb '24

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Pruitt, Kimberly (DHR) <Kimberly.Pruitt2(a)dhr.ny.gov> Date: Mon, Feb 5, 2024, 3:08 PM Subject: RE: Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : Genesis Global Trading Inc. BitLicense Seizure Records To: G(a)xny.io <G(a)xny.io> Cc: dhr.dl.foil <foil(a)dhr.ny.gov> Dear Mr. Larson: Pursuant to your request, please see the attachment. *Kimberly Pruitt* She/Her/Mrs. *(What is this? <https://pronouns.org/she-her>)* Office Assistant 1 *New York State Division of Human Rights* One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor, Bronx, NY 10458 (718) 741-8400 (Phone) | (718) 741-8279 (Fax) *Kimberly.Pruitt2(a)dhr.ny.gov <Kimberly.Pruitt2(a)dhr.ny.gov>* www.dhr.ny.gov February 5, 2024 via email: G(a)xny.io Gunnar Larson xNY.io – Bank.org New York, NY 10001 Dear Mr. Larson: The Division is in receipt of your Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request, received by the Division on January 13, 2024, in which you requested a copy of the following: Genesis Global Trading Inc. BitLicense Seizure Records Dear Madam or Sir: xNY.io - Bank.org seeks access to any and all records concerning the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) investigation of Genesis Global Trading, Inc. (“Genesis Global Trading”) leading to seizure of the firm's BitLicense. Additionally, xNY.io - Bank.org seeks access to records that explain DFS' calculated $8 million penalty to New York State for compliance failures that violated DFS’s virtual currency and cybersecurity regulations and left the company vulnerable to illicit activity and cybersecurity threats. xNY.io - Bank.org notes DFS has recently published other BitLicense penalties of $100M and $30M. As such, we aim to review accessible records in congruence with Genesis' $8M penalty. xNY.io - Bank.org seeks records that indicate any human rights violations part of the compliance failures that violated DFS’s virtual currency and cybersecurity regulations and left the company vulnerable to illicit activity and cybersecurity threats. Finally, xNY.io - Bank.org seeks any and all STX records associated with the Genesis investigation. After a diligent search of the Division’s Case Management System, the Division found no records responsive to your request. Any person denied access to a requested record may, within thirty (30) days of the denial, appeal the denial in writing by mail or fax to Caroline J. Downey, General Counsel, N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor, Bronx, New York 10458. Very truly yours, Siaka Paasewe FOIL Officer *From:* noreply-openfoil(a)its.ny.gov <its.sm.openfoil(a)its.ny.gov> *Sent:* Saturday, January 13, 2024 10:22 PM *To:* dfs.sm.RecordsAccessOfficer <recordsaccessofficer(a)dfs.ny.gov>; dhr.dl.foil <foil(a)dhr.ny.gov> *Subject:* Open FOIL NY Request From : Gunnar Larson : Genesis Global Trading Inc. BitLicense Seizure Records *New FOIL Request for Department of Financial Services, Division of Human Rights * Submitted on: 1/13/2024 10:21:55 PM Request Confirmation Number : LARSON_DFS_20240113222155575 LARSON_DHR_20240113222155575 *INFORMATION SUBMITTED:* *Title* Mr. *First Name* Gunnar *Middle Initial* *D* *Last Name* Larson *E-Mail* G(a)xny.io *Telephone* *Fax* *Affiliation/Organization* xNY.io - Bank.org *Street Address 1* *Street Address 2* *City* New York *State* NY *Zip Code* 10001 *Country* *USA* *Short Title* Genesis Global Trading Inc. BitLicense Seizure Records *Description* Dear Madam or Sir: xNY.io - Bank.org seeks access to any and all records concerning the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) investigation of Genesis Global Trading, Inc. (“Genesis Global Trading”) leading to seizure of the firm's BitLicense. Additionally, xNY.io - Bank.org seeks access to records that explain DFS' calculated $8 million penalty to New York State for compliance failures that violated DFS’s virtual currency and cybersecurity regulations and left the company vulnerable to illicit activity and cybersecurity threats. xNY.io - Bank.org notes DFS has recently published other BitLicense penalties of $100M and $30M. As such, we aim to review accessible records in congruence with Genesis' $8M penalty. xNY.io - Bank.org seeks records that indicate any human rights violations part of the compliance failures that violated DFS’s virtual currency and cybersecurity regulations and left the company vulnerable to illicit activity and cybersecurity threats. Finally, xNY.io - Bank.org seeks any and all STX records associated with the Genesis investigation. The very best, Gunnar Larson *FOIL Response Format* Email *If fees apply, please contact me if costs will be greater than* 10000 *Additional Information* I am a representative of, or affiliated with, the news media and this request is made as part of a news gathering effort , I am an individual seeking information for personal use , I am affiliated with an educational or non-commercial scientific institution, and this request is made for a scholarly or scientific purpose , I am affiliated with a private corporation and am seeking information for use in the company’s business for commercial purpose

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