ALTIF transcripts: Wirecard and the art of the Potemkin corporation
Wirecard and the art of the Potemkin corporation Wirecard was the rare German startup that seemed primed to become a global player. But it was all too good to be true, as Dan McCrum, financial sleuth at the FT, ultimately discovered. We talk to him about how he unmasked the scam, overcoming spies, mobsters and […]
A London credit whale update
*Update to the update at 1920 UK Time* Last week we brought you news of the possible return of a London whale in the European credit markets. As highlighted at the time this was based on unverified market talk. You could call it double-sourced gossip. Since then talk has widened. It’s hard to know at […]
Excerpt: The EU as a revived medieval empire
This is a free excerpt from our deep dive into an alternative way of viewing the European Union. Rather than seeing this institution from the lens of a classical state, we argue the European Union’s power structure more closely resembles that of a medieval empire; the Holy Roman Empire. When Boris Johnson cheekily suggested this […]
In the Blind Spot (Netherlands, Syria, Twitter)
This edition of the Blind Spot Wrap was compiled by Izabella Kaminska (IK) and Dario Garcia Giner (DGG). Economics, markets and finance: China’s June forex reserves fall more than expected to $3.071 tn. The Daily Mail’s Ruth Sutherland notes many British employers are facing increasing difficulties in filling vacancies. Ruth points to increasing numbers of […]
Spot Markets Live gets it right on EDF nationalisation
Okay, okay, it’s not nice to brag or say “I told you so”. But we’re a young service, which means we are burdened with self-promotion until we become the established and well-funded force we hope to be. Reuters is reporting on Wednesday that the French government is planning to take full control of EDF, France’s […]
In the Blind Spot (Pancake swaps, productivity, vaccines)
This edition of the Blind Spot Wrap was compiled by Izabella Kaminska (IK) and Dario Garcia Giner (DGG). Economics, markets, and money An excellent talk on the future of money by all-round banking expert Huw Van Steenis. A Trail of Bits report commissioned by the Pentagon questions how decentralised blockchains really are. Electronic vehicles are […]
Spot Markets Live Transcript: 04/07/22
Hi everyone! Today’s Spot Markets live session is with Ben Harrington, the founder and Editor of Betaville. Comments from Izabella and Ben that address audience questions have been put in bold. Spot Markets Live – 04/07/22 Izabella Kaminska 11:58 Hello everyone The usual seance beginning! Is there anybody out there? Hello and welcome to Spot […]
Spotlight on: The EU as a revived medieval empire
When Boris Johnson cheekily suggested this week that Emmanuel Macron’s European Political Community proposal would allow for the creation of a modern Roman Empire he missed one crucial thing. We have already rebuilt a Roman Empire in Europe – it’s just not the Roman Empire you’re thinking of. It is instead the Holy Roman Empire […]
ALITF transcripts: Quantitative easing, the shocking truth
Quantitative easing: The shocking truth. Don’t know your standard monetary policy from the unconventional kind? Relax! We ask economist and former Bank of England adviser Tony Yates all those questions about QE (and its seldom-seen friend QT) that you always wanted the answer to but never dared put. Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins. […]
Return of a credit derivative London whale?
The great thing about having premium subscribers is that occasionally when you come across RAW unfiltered market gossip, you can publish it in a discrete but still timestamped manner. The below is not verified. The gossip pertains to the fact that the credit derivative markets are feeling the presence of a new and potentially very […]