

1173: Atossa Araxia Abrahamian | How Wealth Hacks the World
11 snips Jun 24, 2025
Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, a journalist from Switzerland and author of The Cosmopolites, dives into the world of wealth and citizenship. She discusses how the ultra-rich utilize freeports to hide assets while the poor face deportation. Atossa reveals the booming market for investment passports among Americans, driven by political uncertainty. She explores Switzerland’s historical role in wealth concealment and its effects on global inequality. Plus, she highlights the ethical dilemmas of buying citizenship and the rise of heritage-based citizenship paths.
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Switzerland's Wealth from Exploitation
- Switzerland's wealth is deeply linked to extracting profit from global commodities trade.
- This prosperity often comes at the expense of poorer countries and exploited labor.
Swiss Mercenary Trade History
- Swiss mercenaries fought for richer neighbors since the 1300s.
- This mercenary trade helped Switzerland gain wealth despite its lack of resources.
Geneva Freeport's Legal Loophole
- Geneva Freeport acts as a tax-free warehouse for valuables, outside Swiss customs territory.
- This indefinite suspension of taxes suits perishable goods historically but benefits art and gold storage.