The hosts discuss a police coverup in Uvalde, Biden's Ukraine strategy, NFT fraud, Clinton lawyer trial, Depp-Heard trial, recession concerns, and Dem disarray. They also explore working class struggles, media obsession with celebrity trials, and the growth of electric vehicle markets.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Former NFT marketplace employee acquitted in trial over Trump-Russia connection story
Former head of product at NFT marketplace arrested and charged with insider trading, highlighting the need for regulation in the space
Department of Justice files first-ever charges of digital asset insider trading against former NFT marketplace product manager
Former Trump probe case ends in acquittal for accused individual
Deep dives
Durham Special Counsel loses first trial of Trump probe
Michael Sussmann has been acquitted by a jury of his peers in Washington, D.C. in the case brought against him by special counsel John Durham. Sussmann, a former employee of the NFT marketplace OpenSea, was charged with lying to the FBI regarding his involvement with pushing a story about Trump's alleged connection to a Russian bank during the 2016 election. The jury found reasonable doubt in the case, leading to a full acquittal for Sussmann.
Former OpenSea employee charged with digital asset insider trading scheme
Nathaniel Chastain, former head of product at NFT marketplace OpenSea, has been arrested and charged by the Department of Justice with insider trading, wire fraud, and other financial crimes. Chastain allegedly used his position to purchase NFTs prior to their feature on the platform's homepage, allowing him to sell them at significant profits afterwards. The case highlights the need for regulation and oversight in the NFT space to protect retail investors from fraudulent activity.
First charges of insider trading involving NFTs and crypto filed
The Department of Justice has filed the first ever charges of digital asset insider trading, targeting a former product manager at a major NFT marketplace. Nathaniel Chastain, the former head of product at OpenSea, has been charged with leveraging his insider knowledge to profit from the purchase and subsequent sale of NFTs. The charges come as regulators aim to crack down on fraudulent activity and ensure market integrity in the rapidly evolving crypto and NFT space.
The first trial by special counsel John Durham results in acquittal
In the first trial of former Trump probe cases, special counsel John Durham has lost. Michael Sussman, who was accused of lying to the FBI regarding his involvement in pushing a story about Trump's alleged connections to a Russian bank during the 2016 election, has been acquitted by a jury. The trial focused on whether Sussman represented the Clinton campaign when discussing the story with the FBI. The jury found reasonable doubt in the case, resulting in the acquittal of Sussman.
Growing Popularity of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
The number of EVs on the road has tripled in the last three years, reflecting a significant growth in consumer demand for EVs. However, accessibility to EVs still remains a challenge, as current subsidies primarily benefit upper-middle-class urban dwellers. Shifting subsidies to focus on gasoline use displacement could help make EVs more accessible to a wider range of consumers.
Charging Infrastructure
While EV popularity is on the rise, the availability and accessibility of charging infrastructure remain crucial for EV adoption. The bipartisan infrastructure bill includes funding for charging stations, but the effectiveness and speed of the implementation by states is yet to be seen. Ensuring a robust and widespread charging network is vital to address consumer concerns and increase confidence in EV ownership.
Supply Chain Challenges and Policy Solutions
The current supply chain for EVs heavily relies on China, making it necessary to develop domestic capacity and supply chain security. Additionally, policy measures should focus on making EVs more affordable and accessible to a diverse range of consumers, particularly those who are most dependent on gas and would benefit the most from EV adoption. Tweaking existing subsidies and shifting the focus to gasoline displacement could accelerate the transition to EVs.
Krystal and Saagar cover the Uvalde police coverup, Biden's Ukraine shift, NFT insider trading, Clinton lawyer trial, Depp-Heard trial results, working class recession, Biden's inaction, electric vehicle markets, & more!
