Matt Levine on Why 'Everything Is Securities Fraud'
Aug 25, 2023
auto_awesome
Matt Levine, a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, discusses the trend in American securities laws where all conduct is reflected through the notion of securities fraud. He explores the regulatory challenges surrounding meme stocks and debates the SEC's stance on cryptocurrencies as securities. The podcast also includes a lighthearted guessing game about the price of a Ferrari.
Securities fraud lawsuits are increasingly being used to litigate and fight over political and social issues in America.
The regulatory framework for cryptocurrency in the United States is still uncertain and may be shaped by ongoing debates and legal battles.
Deep dives
Hedge fund managers engage in contested M&A battle over Sculptor Capital Management
Prominent hedge fund managers, including Bill Ackman and Mark Lasry, are bidding against each other to acquire Sculptor Capital Management. The public hedge fund firm is trying to go private by selling itself to another firm while keeping its current manager in place. The competing hedge fund managers are attempting to outbid the current offer and take control of the firm. This contested M&A situation is highly unusual in the hedge fund industry and may result in a contentious legal battle.
The SEC's position on cryptocurrency is clear, but congressional action may bring regulatory changes
The SEC maintains a clear position that most cryptocurrency tokens are securities and subject to regulatory oversight. However, there is ongoing debate and legal battles surrounding this issue, such as the recent Ripple case. Some in Congress are supportive of cryptocurrency and may push for legislation that clarifies the regulatory framework. Additionally, there is an anti-regulatory sentiment in parts of Congress, which may result in limited SEC power and decreased regulation overall. The outcome of these debates may shape the future of cryptocurrency regulation in the United States.
Job seekers use dating apps as networking platforms
Individuals looking for job opportunities are turning to dating apps as a means of networking. They connect with people at companies they are interested in working for and use the romantic messaging feature to send their resumes and discuss career opportunities. While the intention is to network and find job placements, individuals can feel uncomfortable when romantic messages are sent their way. This innovative approach to job searching demonstrates the evolving ways people leverage digital platforms for career advancement.
Remnants of a burnt-out vintage Ferrari sold for $2 million
The burnt-out shell of a vintage Ferrari from the 1950s, once driven by Franco Cortese, Ferrari's first official race car driver, was recently sold for $2 million at auction. The car was extensively damaged in multiple crashes and a warehouse fire. After being left in a barn for years, it was discovered following a hurricane. Despite its dilapidated state, collectors recognized its historical significance and bid on the remnants, highlighting the unique market for vintage car enthusiasts.
Matt Levine, a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion who writes the Bloomberg newsletter Money Stuff, joined the What Goes Up podcast to discuss some of the hot finance topics he’s been covering and what he means when he says “everything is securities fraud.”
“I have a genre of stories called ‘everything is securities fraud,’ which is where public companies do random bad things and people sue them for securities fraud,” Levine says. “It’s indicative of this really big, interesting trend in American securities laws where everything gets sort of reflected—all conduct gets reflected—through the notion of securities fraud because it’s easy to bring cases and the damages can be really large. And so you can like litigate, you can fight over, all sorts of political and social issues by calling them securities fraud.”