Crypto "Will Transcend International Currencies" BlackRock CEO Cheerleads As SEC Accepts Bitcoin ETF Application

Having told Fox Business last week that the role of cryptocurrency was largely “digitizing gold,” suggesting US regulators consider how an ETF directly linked to Bitcoin could democratize finance, and has the potential to “revolutionize” the financial system; BlackRock CEO Larry Fink was once again doing the media rounds this week, expounding on his new (flip-flopped) role as crypto-cheerleader.

From crypto-hater in 2017, the CEO of the world's largest asset-manager is now telling anyone who will listen that crypto will transcend international currencies.

https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/crypto-will-transcend-international-currencies-blackrock-ceo-cheerleads-sec-accepts-bitcoin

Prince Andrew asked Jeffrey Epstein for help over $200million oil deal during trip to New York - which the Duke had insisted was a journey to end his friendship with the disgraced financier, court documents reveal

Prince Andrew previously said he visited Epstein to break off their friendship

But a document reveals how at the time he also requested his help with funding

It was the damning picture of him strolling through New York’s Central Park in 2010 with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein that triggered Prince Andrew’s dramatic downfall.

During his catastrophic BBC interview with Emily Maitlis four years ago, the Prince insisted the ‘sole purpose’ of visiting Epstein in December 2010 was to break off their friendship because of the billionaire’s 18-month jail sentence for child prostitution offences.

Andrew insisted he had to ‘show leadership’ and tell Epstein in person.

But now a bombshell legal document seen by The Mail on Sunday reveals how at the time of his New York visit, the King’s brother had also requested Epstein’s help with securing $200 million (£153 million) in funding for a mysterious fuel company.

Epstein forwarded the request to his private banker Jes Staley on the first of at least five days that Andrew spent at Epstein’s £60 million Manhattan mansion.

The document states: ‘On December 2, 2010, Jeffrey Epstein forwards an email to Staley from Prince Andrew with an inquiry the Prince received from Aria Petroleum looking for a $200m working capital line.

'Since the company is based in the US, Prince Andrew appeared to suggest Epstein connect them with a US bank.’

The message seems to undermine Andrew’s justification for visiting Epstein and raises new questions about his role as Britain’s roving trade ambassador between 2001 and 2011.

The Government this weekend declined to say whether the approach to Epstein was made as part of his role as trade envoy or if it was sanctioned by ministers.

However, former minister Norman Baker said: ‘Andrew’s case that he flew over to America to break up relations with Jeffrey Epstein was threadbare at best. Now it’s been shot through to pieces.’

The 22-page document, detailing emails between Epstein and Staley, has been released as a result of a case filed against JP Morgan bank by the US Virgin Islands government.

The bank, where Epstein was a client, is being sued over claims that it knowingly benefited from his sex-trafficking operation.

The messages do not make clear where Aria Petroleum was based, what exactly its business was or how it managed to approach a senior member of the Royal Family.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12302777/Court-documents-reveal-Prince-Andrew-asked-Jeffrey-Epstein-help-200million-oil-deal.html

Why every adult should get $500 a week from the government, no questions asked

Adjunct Professor Everald Compton AO, 92, has been the most successful professional fundraiser in the country. He is the founder of National Seniors Australia, co-founder of the Brisbane Lions and one of the leaders of the team that got voluntary assisted dying legislation through the Queensland parliament. I talked to him on Thursday.

Fitz: Everald, we’ll get to your proposal on the Universal Basic Income (UBI), but first I want to go back to the principles of fundraising which you taught me 40 years ago, through which you have raised half a billion dollars on more than 1000 public campaigns.

EC: Go on.

Fitz: The first one was, “no-one built great things on 20-cent pieces thrown into a bucket.”

EC: Exactly. To get big money for big and important causes, you ultimately need to get most of that money from the people who can write big cheques. And this is the thing to bear in mind: people don’t so much give money to causes as to people. So I never took a job unless everyone on the fundraising committee had themselves dug deep. Then, and only then, will they be able to get other people to do the same.

Fitz: The other one I remember is: “People don’t want to just give money into a gaping maw of need, they want to see exactly what their money goes to, and get the feeling that their money has made an actual difference.”

EC: You remember it well. And afterwards, the donor must be kept up to date on achievements reached with their money. Otherwise, they’re not going to give again.

Fitz: And so now, Everald, after you have put your weight behind fundraising causes for almost 70 years, I confess myself more than a little stunned to see you advocating for the Universal Basic Income for all Australians, the basic idea being that every adult in the country be given the rough amount of the pension – $500 a week – regardless of their job status or wealth. You state this should not be viewed as welfare, but as a basic human right.

EC: Why are you stunned?

https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/why-every-adult-should-get-500-a-week-from-the-government-no-questions-asked-20230713-p5dnyz.html