The NFTethics Twitter account has recently published a thought-provoking thread that delves into the intricate connections between NFTs/crypto, notorious financial scandals like Wirecard and 1MDB, the prominent financial institution Goldman Sachs, and polarizing financiers/investors. The thread offers a professional and insightful analysis of these complex relationships, shedding light on the potential ethical implications of the NFT/crypto industry.
The user posits that the connections between key players in the crypto industry are not mere happenstance. A compelling example is that Mike Novogratz, the proprietor of Galaxy Digital, was once roommates with Joseph Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum. Novogratz had the foresight to purchase 500,000 ETH from Vitalik Buterin for less than $500k. Lubin, Dan Morehead of Pantera Capital, and Pete Briger of Fortress are recognized for their early investments in the crypto space. These linkages suggest a tightly-knit network of influential figures driving the evolution of the digital asset landscape.
According to the thread, Christian Angermayer, a mutual business partner of Peter Thiel and Novogratz, has been implicated in a series of fraudulent transactions, including the BlockOne ICO and investments made through his FinLab. The thread raises concerns that the situation may be more complex than initially believed.
Additionally, the discussion highlights a notable decrease in the performance of various IPOs connected to Angermayer, with shareholders predominantly comprising entities affiliated with Angermayer or his associates. FTX purportedly invested in Angermayer’s pharmaceutical enterprise, Rejuveron, alongside several other entities linked to Angermayer. However, the rationale behind FTX’s investment in this company remains to be determined.
Furthermore, NFTethics has proposed that Lars Windhorst, a German financier with a controversial past of dubious business dealings, may have facilitated the introduction of Goldman Sachs to Falcon Private Bank, a key player in the 1MDB fraud scandal. Windhorst is said to have directly communicated with Khadem al-Qubaisi, the primary suspect, who is currently serving a 15-year sentence. Falcon Bank, an early adopter of cryptocurrency banking, ultimately crumbled, and its executives migrated to their partner, Bitcoin Suisse.
The discourse at hand delves into the ethical implications of the digital realm and its prominent figures to expose any unsavory realities. The claims put forth in this discussion insinuate a possible correlation between NFTs/cryptocurrency, significant financial improprieties, and contentious financiers/investors. Such allegations could have far-reaching consequences for the ethical underpinnings of Web3.
