The Fragile Fabric of Crypto: Tether and the Rise of Ponzi Schemes

This chapter delves into the risks inherent in the cryptocurrency market, particularly focusing on Ponzi schemes and Tether's dubious backing practices. It raises critical concerns about investor safety and the ongoing viability of Tether in light of widespread crypto failures.

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Today’s show:

Zeke Faux, the author of “Number Go Up: Inside Crypto’s Wild Rise and Staggering Fall,” joins Jason to discuss crypto’s crazy rise and fall (3:58), how SBF learned to play the game (16:22), red flags at Tether (26:13), and so much more!

Time stamps:

(0:00) Zeke Faux, the author of “Number Go Up” joins Jason

(3:58) Meeting Sam Bankman-Fried in the Bahamas and first impressions

(10:23) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist

(11:30) SBF, his colleagues, and a hint of substance abuse

(16:22) The group psychosis and how they learned to play the game

(24:51) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(26:13) Operations and red flags at Tether

(35:44) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech

(37:15) Revisiting Zeke’s investigative journalism in Cambodia

(44:16) From organized crime to legitimate business

(46:59) Terraform Labs and the collapse of Luna