March 2024 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

Sierra Club Pushes For Survey On Crypto Grid Impacts
by Gunnar Larson 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

Sierra Club Pushes For Survey On Crypto Grid Impacts <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/1807830?nl_pk=ab5ce197-c1fb-4d8e…> By Tom Lotshaw The Sierra Club is urging a Texas federal judge to consider how the public stands to be harmed if a survey to gauge the growing cryptocurrency mining industry's impacts on the electric grid isn't completed soon to better inform utilities, grid operators and regulators. Brief attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/1807830?nl_pk=ab5ce197-c1fb-4d8e…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/1807830?nl_pk=ab5ce197-c1fb-4d8e…>

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Re: Regulations on the Administration of Network Data Security (Draft for Comment)
by Gunnar Larson 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

Dear Cyberspace Administration of China: It has been over one month since our inquiry, and I am kindly following up on the message below. Please note, the question concerning Proof of Transfer is critical to determining any degradation to the Bitcoin blockchain's software purity. As such, it would be ideal to determine Hong Kong's approach to Network Data Security <http://www.cac.gov.cn/2021-11/14/c_1638501991577898.htm> (Draft for Comment) issued by your office. Furthermore, this correspondence is to also reference autonomy between xNY and e-CNY (given several obvious factors). Sincerely yours, Gunnar Larson -- *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 On Fri, Feb 11, 2022 at 2:08 PM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: > Dear Sir or Madam: > We seek clarification to the recent notice of the Cyberspace > Administration of China on Public Comments on the Regulations on the > Administration of Network Data Security > <http://www.cac.gov.cn/2021-11/14/c_1638501991577898.htm> (Draft for > Comment). > > The Cyberspace Administration of China > <http://www.cac.gov.cn/2021-11/14/c_1638501991577898.htm> (and Hong Kong) > issued new guidance on third-party products and services that cause damage > to users. According to the Cyberspace Administration’s guidance, users can > request Internet platform operators to pay compensation in advance for data > violations. > > Hong Kong is the data hub for Stacks (STX), where internet platform > operators shall assume data security management responsibilities for > third-party products and services connected to their platforms. Hong Kong > mandates clarity of data security responsibilities for third parties > through contracts and other forms, and urges third parties to strengthen > data security management, and adopt the necessary data security protection > measures. > > - Stacks’ strong third-party presence in Hong Kong extends to China. > One of Stacks’ board members has served as a leader of a Shanghai based > incubator. > - The looming question is if Proof of Transfer (PoX) Stacks’ extension > to Proof of Burn (PoB), where miners compete by ‘burning’ (destroying) a > Proof of Work (PoW) from an established blockchain, is allegedly illegal in > Hong Kong, under the Cyberspace Administration’s new guidance. > > PoX, when used for participation rewards (Such as with MIA Coin, NYCCoin > and STX), could lead to miner consolidation. Because miners that also > participate as holders could gain an advantage over miners who do not > participate as holders, miners would be strongly incentivized to buy the > new cryptocurrency and use it to crowd out other miners. In an extreme > case, this consolidation could lead to a centralization of mining, which > would undermine the decentralization goals of the public blockchain. > > China, along with Hong Kong, has outlawed various forms of threats to > international peace and security. > > We seek the Cyberspace Administration of China's guidance if the Proof of > Transfer > <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wL2kN6aMfsyT-T7g01YJSBB8meMn2SWg/view?usp=…> > is a legal or legal consensus software algorithm in China and Hong Kong? > Sending you the very best regards. > > Thank you, > > Gunnar Laron > -- > *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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Lummis, Clement Slam SEC's Kraken Suit As Crypto Overstep
by Gunnar Larson 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

Lummis, Clement Slam SEC's Kraken Suit As Crypto Overstep <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/1807873?nl_pk=ab5ce197-c1fb-4d8e…> By Aislinn Keely Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., crypto industry groups and veteran appellate attorney Paul Clement have told a California federal judge in a series of amici briefs that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's suit against crypto exchange Kraken expands the definition of investment contract beyond what Congress intended and overreaches its authority to issues lawmakers intend to address. 4 documents attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/1807873?nl_pk=ab5ce197-c1fb-4d8e…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/1807873?nl_pk=ab5ce197-c1fb-4d8e…>

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Wells Fargo Trying To Paper Over Sham Sign-Ups, Suit Says
by Gunnar Larson 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

Wells Fargo Trying To Paper Over Sham Sign-Ups, Suit Says <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/1808423?nl_pk=feb6bbba-7878-4d39-be…> By Jon Hill Wells Fargo was hit Thursday in San Francisco federal court with a class action complaint that alleges the bank surreptitiously enrolled consumers in unwanted account products for years, and is now trying to buy them off on the cheap with murky offers of compensation. Complaint attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/1808423?nl_pk=feb6bbba-7878-4d39-be…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/1808423?nl_pk=feb6bbba-7878-4d39-be…>

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Don't Trust Trump, Carroll Says, Fighting Pause Of $83M Win
by Gunnar Larson 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

Don't Trust Trump, Carroll Says, Fighting Pause Of $83M Win <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/1808518?nl_pk=ac5a3855-e47c-4403-be…> By Henrik Nilsson Writer E. Jean Carroll urged a New York federal judge on Thursday to reject Donald Trump's effort to pause enforcement of an $83.3 million award in her defamation suit, saying the former president is asking the court to trust that the "least trustworthy of borrowers" is good for the money. Memorandum attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/1808518?nl_pk=ac5a3855-e47c-4403-be…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/1808518?nl_pk=ac5a3855-e47c-4403-be…>

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Stolen Funds Render FTX Clawback Moot, Embed Parties Say
by Gunnar Larson 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

Stolen Funds Render FTX Clawback Moot, Embed Parties Say <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1808280?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> By Vince Sullivan Parties associated with stock trading platform Embed Financial Technologies told a Delaware bankruptcy judge Thursday that defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX Trading Ltd. can't claw back $240 million from a prepetition acquisition because the funds used to buy Embed were stolen from FTX customers. Motion attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1808280?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1808280?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…>

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Celsius Floats Fix For Customers' 'Devastating' Ballot Blunder
by Gunnar Larson 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

Celsius Floats Fix For Customers' 'Devastating' Ballot Blunder <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1808289?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> By Alex Wittenberg Hundreds of Celsius Network customers who mistakenly elected to receive a reduced payout for their cryptocurrency claims would get a chance to correct their "devastating" error under a plan filed by the crypto company in New York bankruptcy court. 2 documents attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1808289?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1808289?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…>

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Discover Deal Prompts Dems To Seek Bank Merger Revamp
by Gunnar Larson 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

Discover Deal Prompts Dems To Seek Bank Merger Revamp <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1807899?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> By Courtney Buble Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, and 15 other House Democrats are calling on federal bank regulators and the U.S. Department of Justice to quickly crack down on mergers in the wake of Capital One's recently announced $35.3 billion deal to acquire Discover Financial Services. Letter attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1807899?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1807899?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…>

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The top two privacy blockchains
by pro2rat＠yahoo.com.au 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

And so as privacy coins rot down privacy networks lurch up. The top two privacy blockchains include Mina Protocol, with a 23.2% market share, and Oasis Network, with a 13.6% market share. CoinGecko noted that in January 2021, privacy coins had a 96.6% share of the crypto privacy market, amounting to a $4.62 billion market capitalization. Privacy-Security Conundrum In Blockchain While blockchain excels in security and transparency, it presents a unique challenge when it comes to privacy. The very transparency that makes blockchain so appealing can also be a double-edged sword. Balancing the need for privacy with the benefits of an open ledger is a critical issue in blockchain development. This challenge has led to the emergence of privacy-centric blockchains and cryptographic techniques aimed at reconciling these seemingly contradictory requirements. https://www.searchmyexpert.com/resources/blockchain-technology/privacy-secu…. Reposts not yet more Gunnar drivel from worlds biggest shithole country

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FBI probes Bronx home of Mayor Adams aide Winnie Greco
by Gunnar Larson 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

Oh my God! Gunnar --- https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/02/29/fbi-probes-bronx-home-of-top-adams-a… FBI agents on Thursday raided two Bronx homes owned by Winnie Greco, a top aide to Mayor Adams, multiple sources confirmed to the Daily News. Greco <https://tableofsuccess.hellgatenyc.com/winnie-greco/>, Adams’ director of Asian affairs <https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/311-22/transcript-mayor-eric-a…>, has for months been the subject of a city Department of Investigation <https://www.nyc.gov/site/doi/index.page> probe examining whether she attempted to milk perks out of her government job. It wasn’t immediately clear if Thursday’s FBI raids, which targeted two homes that Greco owns on Gillespie Avenue in Pelham Bay, are related to the DOI investigation. A law enforcement source described the Thursday action as “court-authorized law enforcement activity.” According to the news outlet The City <https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/02/29/winnie-greco-fbi-raid/>, FBI agents also Thursday raided offices of the New World Mall in Queens, where Greco helped host a series of fundraisers for Adams’ 2021 campaign that generated tens of thousands of dollars in contributions, some of which have raised straw donor concerns <https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/02/29/winnie-greco-fbi-raid/>. An Adams administration official confirmed after the raids that Greco has been placed on leave, but wouldn’t say whether she’s still drawing a salary while away from her post. The official said the mayor’s office hasn’t been contacted by either the FBI or federal prosecutors about the matter. Greco did not return phone calls or text messages. The raids on Gillespie Avenue were first reported <https://bronx.news12.com/fbi-investigates-pelham-bay-home-owned-by-key-mayo…> by News12 The Bronx. Video posted on X <https://twitter.com/ScooterCasterNY/status/1763294630399922438> by freelance journalist Oliya Scootercaster showed FBI agents exiting one of Greco’s homes carrying boxes and bags that they loaded into awaiting SUVs. A next-door neighbor told The News that the FBI agents first arrived at 6 a.m. Thursday. “They have been in and out of the house. The whole road crossing was blocked,” said the neighbor. [image: Mayor Eric Adams and Director of Asian Affairs Winnie Greco are pictured at the 21st Autumn Moon Festival and 12th China Day Festival on Sunday, October 1, 2023. (Violet Mendelsund / Mayoral Photography Office)]Mayor Eric Adams and Director of Asian Affairs Winnie Greco are pictured at the 21st Autumn Moon Festival and 12th China Day Festival on Sunday, October 1, 2023. (Violet Mendelsund / Mayoral Photography Office) Last year, The City <https://www.thecity.nyc/2023/11/30/investigation-inquiry-mayor-adams-aide-w…> first reported Greco was being probed by the city Department of Investigation based on a referral from the mayor’s office, but a DOI spokesperson would not divulge what that investigation’s focus was at the time. A spokesperson for DOI also declined comment Thursday. The DOI probe came on the heels of The City’s reporting that Greco, who has worked for Adams since he was Brooklyn borough president, asked a volunteer for the mayor’s 2021 campaign to renovate her Bronx home for free before getting a job in the Adams administration. That outlet also reported that after that campaign volunteer was hired by the city, Greco continued to demand he perform work on her home while on the city’s time. Additionally, the outlet reported Greco had sought a $10,000 contribution to a nonprofit she founded from a businessman in exchange for admission to a Chinese-themed government event at Gracie Mansion hosted by Adams. [image: FBI agents raded the Bronx home of Mayor Eric Adams' Director of Asian Affairs Winnie Greco on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (Sheetal Banchariya for New York Daily News)]FBI agents carried out “court-authorized law enforcement activity” at the Bronx home of Mayor Eric Adams’ Director of Asian Affairs Winnie Greco on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (Sheetal Banchariya for New York Daily News) When asked about the feds’ activity at Greco’s addresses, Adams spokesman Fabien Levy said that “our administration will always follow the law.” “We always expect all our employees to adhere to the strictest ethical guidelines. As we have repeatedly said, we don’t comment on matters that are under review, but will fully cooperate with any review underway,” Levy added. “The mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing.” [image: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Director of Asian Affairs Winnie Greco are pictured at a celebration recognizing the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at Gracie Mansion on Friday, September 9, 2022. (Michael Appleton / Mayoral Photography Office)]New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Director of Asian Affairs Winnie Greco are pictured at a celebration recognizing the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at Gracie Mansion on Friday, September 9, 2022. (Michael Appleton / Mayoral Photography Office) Property records show Greco bought one of the raided homes for $850,000 just this past Oct. 16. She holds a $680,000 mortgage on the property, records show. Greco earns $100,000 annually in her city job, according to payroll records. In paperwork for the $680,000 mortgage, Greco identified herself as residing at a second one-family home just across the street. That’s the second property that was targeted by the feds Thursday. Property records show Greco owns the second property with Nickolas Greco, her husband. It’s unclear which of the two buildings Greco permanently resides in. [image: Mayor Eric Adams' Director of Asian Affairs, Winnie Greco, is pictured at a Lunar New Year Celebration at Gracie Mansion on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. (Michael Appleton / Mayoral Photography Office)]Mayor Eric Adams’ Director of Asian Affairs, Winnie Greco, is pictured at a Lunar New Year Celebration at Gracie Mansion on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. (Michael Appleton / Mayoral Photography Office) The feds’ interest in Greco comes as the mayor himself faces a federal probe into his ties to Turkey. As part of that investigation, the FBI raided the homes of Brianna Suggs <https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/11/02/mayor-adams-abruptly-cancels-migrant…>, a top fundraiser for Adams, and City Hall staffer Rana Abbasova <https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/11/20/mayor-adams-aide-rana-abbasova-told-…>. The FBI also seized the mayor’s electronic devices <https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/11/10/fbi-agents-seize-mayor-adams-electro…> as part of their investigation. It’s unclear if the raid in the Bronx is tied to that probe into foreign involvement in local politics. Records show Greco likely has her own connections to a foreign government. It first emerged last year that Greco served as a consultant to multiple local Chinese interest groups <https://nypost.com/2023/09/08/top-eric-adams-aides-company-got-chinese-comm…> that receive funding from Beijing’s Communist government. And in a previously unknown wrinkle, Greco also identified herself in a 2014 letter reviewed by The News as the CEO of the New York Sino Agricultural Organization, a Chinese investment group. Under Greco’s leadership, the Sino organization was in talks in the mid-2010s with the upstate municipality of Warwick about purchasing the shuttered Mid-Orange Correctional Facility in hopes of turning it into an “agricultural education center,” according to a lawsuit filed in Orange County Supreme Court in 2021. In 2013, Warwick Town Supervisor Mike Sweeton told the Times Herald-Record <https://www.recordonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2013/07/01/warwick-c…> that the Chinese government was actually behind the bid to buy the old prison. Citing Sweeton, the local newspaper reported at the time that China’s government was hoping to turn the closed prison into “an agricultural university or a vocational school, where they can learn about American agricultural technology.” Sino’s bid to buy the old prison ultimately never came to fruition.

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