“All Western scientists— particularly in the United States-in fields related to Directorate T's "acquisition tasks" were potential targets for the KGB. The first approach to a targeted scientist usually came from a Soviet colleague in a similar field, who would try to establish cooperation at a personal or institutional level.” The Sword and the Shield: The Mitrokhin Archive and the Secret History of the KGB very apropos of our present era of techno-scientific competition…

🇨🇳🇺🇸China's US Energy Imports Drop to Near Zero Ahead of Critical Stockholm Trade Talks China's imports of major US energy products—crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and coal—hit nearly zero in June, marking a significant shift as Beijing and Washington prepare for their third round of trade talks in Stockholm next week. Chinese crude oil imports from the US fell to zero for the first time in almost three years, down from $800 million in June 2024, while gas deliveries remained at zero for the fourth consecutive month and coal purchases dropped to just hundreds of dollars from over $90 million a year ago. The collapse follows Chinese tariffs of 10%-15% imposed on American energy products since February. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet Chinese counterparts in Stockholm to extend the tariff truce beyond August 12, with discussions expected to include China's continued purchases of sanctioned Russian and Iranian oil amid US threats of massive tariffs on countries buying Russian energy.

Trump is going to the Federal Reserve tomorrow, according to his schedule. Only three presidents have visited the Fed. FDR when its HQ building opened in 1938, Ford when a buddy of his became a governor, and George W. Bush for the swearing in of Ben Bernanke.

we adhd schizos are merely sign-posting the high variance future normies aren’t yet prepared to countenance. they will stumble, they will fall. but in time, they will join us in the sun. in time we will help them accomplish wonders.

You: obsessed with the Epstein files apparently lost in the bowels of the DoJ that intimate darkly of a superstructure of transnational conspiracy Me: obsessed with the files Mike Lynch apparently had in safes aboard his ill-fated yacht but secretly recovered by an MI6 dive team

We are merely doing esoteric macro

A policy brief on the mission creep:

🌐WHO owns bitcoin: Demographics Part 1 1⃣ Adult ownership varies widely, but remains under 20% in most countries with notable exceptions like El Salvador & the UAE. 2⃣In every country, male ownership exceeds female ownership, often by a large margin; however, Indonesia has a notable balance. 🇨🇭Switzerland: 26% male vs. 10% female 🇦🇷 Argentina: 20% male vs. 8% female 🇮🇩 Indonesia 16% male to 15% female. 3⃣People aged 30–44 consistently report the highest ownership across countries. However, exceptions include: 🔸Ages 18-29: Japan 🔸Ages 45-64: Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, Venezuela 🔸Ages 65+: El Salvador, Kenya, Nigeria, Ukraine 4⃣In all but Mexico & South Korea countries ownership is highest amongst those of low income. 5⃣In all but Lebanon, less formally educated groups lead adoption. 6⃣In all but Lebanon, Russia, Saudi Arabia, people who don’t trust their government are generally more likely to own bitcoin. 7⃣In 16/25 countries, ownership is higher in those that don't trust financial institutions. (3/n)

🌐 WHERE do people own bitcoin? Across 25 countries, reported bitcoin ownership varies widely. In El Salvador, 72% say they’ve ever owned bitcoin. In the U.S., just 24% say the same. Current ownership ranges from 29% (El Salvador) to 7% (Japan). El Salvador leads globally in bitcoin exposure - likely due to its once legal tender status. But zooming out: Countries like Venezuela, Nigeria, and Turkey also rank high. In contrast, Japan, Italy, and Mexico report some of the lowest rates of bitcoin ownership. 1⃣ more key insight: In all but 7 countries (UAE, Brazil, Ukraine, Switzerland, India, USA, Japan) (+ China and Hong Kong unknown), more people have previously owned bitcoin but no longer do than currently still hold it. What does that mean? (2/n)

Bitcoin may be for anyone, but it isn’t being adopted by everyone. Across 25 countries, we asked: Who’s actually using bitcoin? This week we explore WHO and WHERE people own bitcoin and HOW ownership compares to other assets. - Owners are more likely to be men, aged 30–44, and working in the private sector - In Japan, 88% have never owned bitcoin. - In El Salvador, 28% have never owned bitcoin The numbers tell a story that we are beginning to unpack. Here’s who’s in - and who’s out. 🧵👇 (1/n)