Ben Smith

Unicorn logo, uni prefix, likely a trying to confuse people with a similar name to another coin Celeb endorsements, website that promises high returns Ads everywhere, currently on all the taxis in NYC I would bet any amount of money they’re not being investigated by the SEC

Hillary campaigning in red states states instead of swing states level miscalculation from Biden camp thinking crypto will be irrelevant in 2024 election and letting SEC + Warren wage total war - both in terms of voters and money Republicans smell blood in the water and are turning hard towards crypto Not much time for Biden to save it. Any one close to him or dem leadership should be expressing how serious this is and pushing for immediate reversal on his approach to crypto (public support/plan and reigning in sec + warren)

First and foremost, I am 100% biased. I love crypto. And, while crypto may not be an issue for everyone in this upcoming election it is definitely an issue for some and the constituency it attracts is very real and larger than one might expect. Back in March, @paradigm published a fascinating Public Opinion Poll, which you can access here: policy.paradigm.xyz/writing/March-… It is actually quite an interesting study and worth reading, IMO. Four insights from the study worth surfacing are:  1.) Crypto is the best option for those left behind by traditional financial institutions. In a world where 69% of Americans are dissatisfied with the current financial system, folks are turning to other options where they have the power — instead of big banks. 2.) Crypto owners are a much bigger segment of the electorate than is often appreciated among policymakers. A fifth of the country is not a niche subgroup. 3.) Ownership of crypto is even higher among communities of color and among the young. 40% of men 18-54 have bought crypto. 33% of African Americans and 32% of Hispanics currently own, have traded, or used cryptocurrency in 2024, compared to 20% and 22% from last year.  4.) Notably, crypto ownership is greatest among college graduates, with 26% owning crypto. Why am I posting about this now? Simple.  Earlier this week, at an event at Mar-a-Lago, former US President, Donald Trump, made it a wedge issue for voters who care about the topic. Video via @BitcoinMagazine: x.com/bitcoinmagazin… And, yesterday, @politico published an article titled, Crypto is Trump's new weapon against Biden. politico.com/news/2024/05/1… FWIW, Trump also announced he would accept Presidential campaign donations via crypto. (@TheBlock__) theblock.co/post/293384/do… But this is not an irrelevant issue based upon a throwaway comment from Trump. The advocacy group, @standwithcrypto, already has 440,000 members with the goal of reaching 1 million by the US election and on Friday, @Reuters published a piece titled, Crypto group with 440,000 members launches PAC to target House, Senate elections. reuters.com/world/us/crypt… Still don't believe this is a real issue? Well, yesterday, @mcuban posted the following on X that has already had over 2.4M views and has been picked up by many publications:  @mcuban: If @joebiden loses, there is a good chance you will be able to thank @GaryGensler and the @NewYork_SEC Crypto is a mainstay with younger and independent voters. Gensler HAS NOT PROTECTED A SINGLE INVESTOR AGAINST FRAUD  All he has done is make it nearly impossible for legitimate crypto companies to operate, killing who knows how many businesses and ruining who knows how many entrepreneurs.  This is also a warning to Congress. Crypto voters will be heard this election. You could solve this problem for Biden by passing legislation that defines registration that is specific to the crypto industry just as other industries have registration that is defined for them  Or you could do the better option and assign all crypto to be regulated by the @CFTC They actually know what they are doing @ericswalwell @SenSchumer x.com/mcuban/status/… When I was the President of @TIME, @decryptmedia published a piece titled, TIME President on NFT Haters: ‘I Don’t Understand the Politicizing of a Technology’ decrypt.co/111168/time-pr… This is something I stand by today. We all know that any technology can be used for both good and bad. Thus, in an ideal world, crypto should NOT be a wedge issue for this year’s US election. What is really needed is not division but rather a clear regulatory framework that is NOT politicized.

ngl the Dems seem absolutely hellbent on losing the upcoming election due to braindead crypto policy

My brilliant best friend and bandmate Ross Harman died in 2010; he would have been 40 today. He left behind a laptop of great music, much of it unpublished. For his birthday, I've started an archive. Have a listen! ballpointpensarchive.com

@laurentara @RheaButcher Yeah, it's fine so far. I'm happy to be paying less and not using T-Mobile.

@RheaButcher @mosessmith just got it

Sorry for the serious Q but does anyone I know in LA use Spectrum mobile? If so do you like it?

Spree came out on Netflix in the UK and Ireland today!

I honestly just find it to be funny

Congrats to Dreamcrew, Forest Hill, cast and crew. Spree the movie is now available for pre-order! itunes.apple.com/us/movie/spree…

AT YOUR LOCAL DRIVE IN AND ON VOD TODAY🤯 SHARE THIS LINK FAR AND WIDE🌎 Spreefilm.com

OUR PREMIERE IN THE AGE OF COVID 📽🚗 See you tomorrow LA 🤯🤯

The Los Angeles Police Protective League is not a union; it's a gang. It buys off politicians, intimidates critics and covers up the crimes of its members. This band of bullies won't silence us. We will expose them and stand in our power. #ProtectPeopleNotPolice #PeoplesBudgetLA

New: Dep. Miguel Vega, who shot and killed 18yo Andres Guardado, faced allegations of misconduct in the past. Neither of the deputies inv. in the shooting have been interviewed. Sheriff’s Dept still hasn’t said why shooting occurred. latimes.com/california/sto… by @AleneTchek & me

Barr also concluded — on the very day it happened — that Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide. nytimes.com/2020/06/25/nyr…

Stunning video breaking down how police in Philadelphia senselessly cornered and tear-gassed hundreds of non-resisting protestors on the side of a highway. Stark example of the incredible, casual cruelty with which police in America routinely operate. buff.ly/2CGcutK

So many months in, and our only real national dashboard is @TheAtlantic’s @COVID19Tracking project run by @alexismadrigal @yayitsrob @kissane and the volunteers. 🙏 That’s it.

5️⃣9️⃣8️⃣ New York City, NY: NYPD decides to put on a sound and light show for West Harlem residents at 3:00am today Looks like a *lot* of cops who can safely be defunded [@fromzerotojeo] twitter.com/fromzerotojeo/…

LA people, thanks to BLM LA & Students Deserve, tomorrow the LAUSD Board is voting on cutting the LA School Police Department Budget by 90% This would mean more nurses, mental health professionals, counselors. Please email/call/tweet TODAY. Info is here togetherla.work

yesterday several nypd officers thought that milkshakes tried to murder them

L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has reinstated deputies who were fired for dishonesty or using unreasonable force and has snubbed transparency laws, refusing to publicly release records as required by law about misconduct within his ranks latimes.com/california/sto…