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☆ The FBI is struggling to analyze Sam Bankman-Fried's laptop because it has so much data on it, prosecutors say
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Sindhu Sundar | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Prosecutors said they're struggling to analyze a laptop for their case against Sam Bankman-Fried. Sam Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty to federal prosecutors' new criminal charges against him. In a hearing in Manhattan federal court Thursday morning, Assistant US Attorney Nicholas Roos said the FBI was struggling to extract data from a laptop they obtained from the FTX founder. Prosecutors have already produced around 6 million pages' worth of discovery material to Bankman-Fried's legal team, Roos said at the hearing. Federal judges look to sentencing guidelines articulated by a pre-sentence department, part of the US probation office that works for the federal court.

Bankman-Fried is expected to be arraigned on the new indictment on Thursday before U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan federal court. The new indictment said Bankman-Fried ordered the $40 million cryptocurrency payment to a private wallet from Alameda's main trading account, to persuade Chinese government authorities to unfreeze Alameda accounts with more than $1 billion of cryptocurrency. Prosecutors said the Alameda accounts had been frozen as part of an investigation into an unnamed Alameda counterparty, and Bankman-Fried's prior efforts to lobby Chinese officials to lift the freeze were unsuccessful. They also said Bankman-Fried around November 2021 authorized a transfer of tens of millions of dollars of additional cryptocurrency to "complete" the bribe. Concerns that Bankman-Fried might tamper with witnesses prompted Kaplan to threaten jailing him unless tighter restrictions could be worked out.

☆ Sam Bankman-Fried is reportedly paying his lawyers with a 'multi-million dollar gift' to his dad through Alameda
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sam Bankman-Fried's "multi-million dollar gift" to his father is covering legal costs, per Forbes. Bankman-Fried had started Alameda in 2017 and was its CEO until October 2021, according to court filings by federal prosecutors in New York. Bankman-Fried also apparently rejected personal finance advice from his father, who had reportedly "begged his son to put away savings," according to Forbes. In an updated indictment unsealed on Tuesday, they also accused Bankman-Fried of trying to bribe Chinese officials with more than $40 million in payments to "influence" them. A hearing over the updated indictment has been scheduled for March 30 in New York federal court before US District Judge Lewis Kaplan.

[1/3] The Gateway Arch is seen across from snow covered banks of the Mississippi River during cold weather in St Louis, Missouri, U.S. February 11, 2021. "Big corporations like Kia and Hyundai must be held accountable for endangering our residents and putting profit over people,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones. Many Hyundai and Kia vehicles have no electronic immobilizers, which prevent break-ins and bypassing the ignition. Since May 2022, St. Louis police received more than 4,500 reports of thefts of Kia or Hyundai vehicles. Sixty-one percent of vehicles stolen in St. Louis have been Kias and Hyundais, St. Louis said.

NEW YORK, March 28 (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors on Tuesday unveiled a new indictment against Sam Bankman-Fried, accusing the founder of now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange of conspiring to pay a $40 million bribe to Chinese government officials. The indictment said Bankman-Fried ordered the $40 million cryptocurrency payment to a private wallet from Alameda's main trading account, to persuade Chinese authorities to unfreeze Alameda accounts with more than $1 billion of cryptocurrency. Prosecutors said the Alameda accounts had been frozen as part of an investigation into an unnamed Alameda counterparty. They also said Bankman-Fried later authorized a transfer of tens of millions of dollars of cryptocurrency to "complete" the bribe. Under the new conditions, Bankman-Fried would be barred from using electronics except for a phone with no internet capability and a basic laptop with limited functions.

March 27 (Reuters) - E-cigarette company Juul Labs Inc and its former largest investor, Marlboro maker Altria Group Inc (MO.N), will face their first U.S. trial this week over claims that they created a public nuisance by marketing addictive e-cigarettes to minors. It says Juul sold its e-cigarettes in sweet flavors and promoted them on social media to appeal to underage consumers. Juul and Altria have faced thousands of similar lawsuits around the country. The state also says Altria helped Juul market its products, including by providing it access to its sales force and including Juul advertisements in Marlboro products. Altria this month announced that it had given up its investment in Juul in exchange for some of Juul's intellectual property.

Tarpon Isle, a private island in Palm Beach, Florida, is on sale for $218 million. Tarpon Isle, a private island in Palm Beach, Florida, is on sale for $218 million. A waterfront bathroom inside the main home on Tarpon Isle, a private island in Palm Beach, Florida, on sale for $218 million. A dock servicing Tarpon Isle, a private island in Palm Beach, Florida, on sale for $218 million. A living space inside the main home on Tarpon Isle, a private island in Palm Beach, Florida, on sale for $218 million.

☆ Gilbert & George to open London art centre with after-life exhibition
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Hannah Ellison | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Art duo Gilbert & George debut 'The Gilbert & George Centre' a permanent home for their artworks in East London, in London, Britain March 24, 2023. The Gilbert & George Centre, in the city's Spitalfields area, is less than 5 minutes from the life and work partners' home and studio. Normally it's limited what you can see in cities, here they can see an intense Gilbert & George feeling," Italian-born Gilbert, whose full name is Gilbert Proesch, told Reuters on Friday. "They're experiencing Gilbert & George art, that's what it is, our vision of the world, our morality, our behaviour and everything." British-born George, whose full name is George Passmore, added: "The Gilbert & George centre is going to be a cultural force."

☆ Starry 'Dungeons & Dragons' film brings fantasy game to big screen
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Hannah Ellison | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/7] Elz the Witch attends the premiere of 'Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves' in London, Britain, March 23, 2023. "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" hits cinemas from next week hoping to entice a new generation of fans with the game which first came out in 1974. "It made me understand why (Dungeons & Dragons) has been around for 50 years." Page, who plays Xenk, said he played his first Dungeons & Dragons game just before starting filming. "I wasn't a player but I had actually watched people play Dungeons & Dragons, which is quite possibly even more involved," he said.

☆ Gardener begins epic London-India bike ride to fight soil degradation
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Rens Goede, gardener from Amsterdam, begins his 30,000 km (18,640 mile) bicycle trek from London to India in support of the "Save Soil" movement, in London, Britain March 22, 2023. Save Soil/Handout via REUTERSLONDON, March 22 (Reuters) - A gardener from Amsterdam begins a 30,000-km (18,640-mile) bicycle trek from London to India on Wednesday as part of a campaign to raise awareness about soil degradation. Rens Goede's roundabout journey to the city of Coimbatore in southern India, in support of the "Save Soil" movement, will see him travel across 30 countries and will last an estimated two years. Goede's mission mirrors that of Indian yogi Sadhguru, who last year carried out the same journey by motorbike, launching "Save Soil". The movement, backed by the likes of the World Food Programme, says it aims "to address the global soil degradation crisis and support governments in implementing concrete policy changes for soil health".

☆ U.S. states urge Hyundai, Kia to do more to tackle theft risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In Chicago there were over 7,000 thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in 2022 accounting for 10% of Kia and 7% of Hyundai vehicles registered in the city, the letter said. Ellison said in Minneapolis in 2022 Kia and Hyundai vehicle thefts were tied to five homicides and 265 motor vehicle accidents. The free upgrade will be offered for 3.8 million Hyundai and 4.5 million Kia vehicles, the automakers and NHTSA said. Many Hyundai and Kia vehicles have no electronic immobilizers, which prevent break-ins and bypassing the ignition. All Hyundai vehicles produced since November 2021 are equipped with an engine immobilizer as standard equipment.

☆ Caroline Ellison made $6 million at Alameda – a fraction of Sam Bankman-Fried's $2.2 billion's haul
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( Pete Syme | Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Caroline Ellison received $6 million by Alameda, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Sam Bankman-Fried transferred himself $2.2 billion, while $587 million went to Nishad Singh. Alameda Research has been accused of using customer deposits from Bankman-Fried's crypto exchange FTX for daily operations, including risky investments. FTX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 11 after it imploded, wiping out billions in customer deposits. Court documents filed Wednesday show he transferred $2.5 million from Alameda to American Yacht Group in March 2022, with the cited reason "for the benefit of John Samuel Trabucco."

☆ Goldman’s new strategy gets baptism of fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Jeffrey Goldfarb | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK, March 15 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank is providing a slightly awkward showcase for Goldman Sachs’ (GS.N) manifold talents. It’s true to the new unified “One Goldman Sachs” strategy expounded by Chief Executive David Solomon, dampened by the client not living to tell the tale. The investment bank Solomon now leads scrambled throughout the financial crisis to help panicked clients shore up their finances. SVB’s financial models had to be revised on the fly and approved by its board as the situation deteriorated. There also was no soothing imprimatur from Buffett, or a rich Silicon Valley grandee such as Larry Ellison, Steve Ballmer or Larry Page.

Possible outcomes for under-pressure regional banks could see a stronger rival take over a weaker, or cash infusions from investors such as private equity, the industry sources said. Reuters GraphicsUNDER PRESSUREInvestors voted with their feet on Monday, putting bank stocks under pressure around the world. So investors think it’s a relative gamble staying around owning regional banks before knowing what will change in regulation," said Brian Levitt, global market strategist for Invesco. Regional bank stocks are "an incredible bargain now," billionaire investor Bill Ackman said on Twitter on Monday. "There’s value in these banks, they are not all alike," said Michael Farr, chief executive of investment advisory firm Farr, Miller & Washington who owns banks stocks including PNC and Truist.

☆ How shadow bankers are already emerging as winners in the SVB collapse
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Rebecca Ungarino | Dakin Campbell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But the momentum already behind the secretive private credit space has picked up — fast. He was witnessing a new willingness from borrowers to turn first to private credit, a market that has grown yet generally remains more opaque than its public-market counterparts. "Borrowers used to look at these banks and say, 'Look, the banks, they've been around forever. The private lenders say that privacy is all part of the pitch. Money managers smell opportunityThe momentum already behind the secretive private credit space has gained steam as the SVB collapse pushes companies to consider alternate sources of debt and, on the other side, private credit managers seek out new targets.

☆ After a wild, losing week for stocks, investors brace for more market-moving data
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +16 min

But PPI readings can predict the direction of future consumer price readings. High interest rates hurt because they increase monthly costs, but it's the lack of supply that contributes to elevated list prices. If we can get inflation down while seeing other economic indicators hold up, the likelihood of a soft landing increases. ET: Industrial Production & Capacity Utilization Looking back It was a tough week for stocks, with the Dow falling 4.4% in its worst showing since June. Under the hood, all sectors finished lower for the week, led down by financials and followed by materials and real estate.

☆ FTX's former chief engineer hands over his $3.7 million vacation home to the US government as it's believed to be linked to his crimes, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

FTX's Nishad Singh forfeited a $3.7 million vacation home to the US government, Bloomberg reported. The SEC accused Singh of withdrawing $6 million from FTX for personal expenditure. Singh pleaded guilty to six criminal counts including wire fraud and conspiracy charges in February. The Securities and Exchange Commission separately accused Singh of creating a code that allowed Bankman-Fried to easily divert the funds to Alameda. They also accused him of taking $6 million from FTX for personal expenditure and making donations to charity.

☆ Judge to weigh Bankman-Fried's trial schedule, bail conditions at hearing
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, March 10 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge is expected on Friday to consider what restrictions Sam Bankman-Fried should face while free on bail, and whether the FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder's Oct. 2 fraud trial should be pushed back. In a letter to Kaplan on Wednesday, Bankman-Fried's lawyers said they may need more time than expected to review the evidence and prepare a defense in light of the new charges. Ellison and Wang, once among Bankman-Fried's closest associates, have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government. Prosecutors, defense lawyers and Kaplan began revisiting Bankman-Fried's bail conditions after the government said he sought to contact FTX Chief Executive John Ray and an in-house lawyer in what prosecutors described as a possible attempt to tamper with witnesses. Defense lawyers said Bankman-Fried was trying to help, not interfere.

☆ Jim Cramer's top 10 things to watch in the stock market Friday: Bank fallout, jobs sweet spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB.

☆ Oracle shares tumble after cloud business fails to meet growth expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailOracle shares tumble after cloud business fails to meet growth expectationsCNBC's "Squawk Box" discusses headlines around Oracle shares tumbling and comments from Larry Ellison about ChatGPT and Oracle's own AI tools.

NEW YORK, March 8 (Reuters) - Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyers said on Wednesday it may be necessary to delay the FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder's scheduled Oct. 2 criminal trial, arguing it may take more time than expected to review the evidence and prepare a defense. Both have since pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. "While we are not making such an application at this time, we wanted to note this issue for the Court now," Christian Everdell, one of Bankman-Fried's lawyers, wrote in the letter. Bankman-Fried was released on $250 million bond and has been under house arrest at his parents' Palo Alto, California home. The trial schedule and Bankman-Fried's bail conditions are expected to be discussed at a court hearing on Friday.

☆ House Republicans target the CFPB as the agency takes aim at 'junk fees'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers discussed ways to reform, or altogether defund, the nation's foremost consumer protection agency on Thursday, as the regulator takes aim at illegal "junk fees" levied on consumers. GOP lawmakers in the hearing criticized the Biden administration's push to eradicate "junk fees," largely regulated by the CFPB. On Wednesday, the agency released a list of illegal junk fees encompassing deposit accounts; auto and mortgage loan servicing; and payday and title lending. Subcommittee member Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., said Chopra has used junk fees as an excuse to expand his authority. The CFPB's working definition of junk fees is "any fee they don't like," argued Devin Watkins, an attorney at the conservative-leaning Competitive Enterprise Institute.

☆ Analysis: Bankman-Fried's bid to shift blame complicated by new charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Former FTX technology chief Gary Wang and Caroline Ellison, formerly the CEO of Bankman-Fried's Alameda Research hedge fund, had each previously pleaded guilty and are cooperating. Bankman-Fried previously pleaded not guilty to stealing billions of dollars in FTX customer funds to plug losses at Alameda. The 31-year-old former billionaire and his lawyers have suggested they will attempt to shift blame onto Ellison and dispute her expected testimony at his Oct. 2 trial. In unveiling the new charges in a superseding indictment, prosecutors dismissed the idea that Bankman-Fried was in the dark about his former colleagues' crimes. Despite the hurdles, experts said Bankman-Fried will still likely dispute that he knew former members of his inner circle were breaking the law, Kasten said.

☆ I do private Botox parties as a fun and lucrative side gig. Here's how I got certified and what they're like.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Natalie Rahhal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Dr. Samantha Ellison worked at Botox parties on her days off as a traveling physician. Ellison says Botox parties can be really fun and lucrative, depending on how you market yourself. Botox parties are really laid-backA lot of these Botox parties occur in the evening, so it's popular to have a sleepover where people come in themed pajamas. Doing Botox parties can be really fun and lucrative, depending on how you market yourself and how good your network is. The biggest challenge of working as both a hospitalist physician and doing Botox parties is the mental switch it requires.

☆ Salesforce's Marc Benioff says he's following 'the Oracle playbook' to improve profits — and Larry Ellison is helping him
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Paayal Zaveri | Ellen Thomas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Marc Benioff said he was adopting Oracle's playbook and being mentored by Larry Ellison as he focuses on profitability. But on Wednesday, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff admitted that he was adopting Oracle's playbook and being tutored on it by Oracle's founder and chairman Larry Ellison. Benioff started his career at Oracle at age 23, and Ellison made him into a star executive by age 26. The drama started when Oracle started working on a product that competed with Salesforce, eventually leading Benioff to kick Ellison off his board. And now Benioff is publicly thanking Ellison and his Oracle playbook as Salesforce fends off no fewer than five activist investors, all pressuring the company to improve profitability.

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