Peter Thiel's Speech at Bitcoin 2022 Conference

Peter Thiel spoke at the Bitcoin 2022 conference in Miami, criticizing mainstream financial institutions and promoting Bitcoin as a revolutionary movement against 'gerontocracy.' He emphasized the honesty and efficiency of the crypto market, blaming central banks for lack of mainstream adoption.

Impact of Trump's Executive Order on DEI Programs in Financial Institutions

SIFMA announced a DEI Advocate Award while major members have scaled back DEI programs due to Trump's executive order. Several financial institutions have adjusted their DEI goals and language in response to new laws and executive orders.

Zacks Investment Data Breach in 2024

The Zacks Investment data breach in 2024 exposed 12 million customer and client records, highlighting the need for better cybersecurity measures in financial institutions.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Legal Cases

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau dropped five major legal cases, including one against Capital One, under the Biden administration. The agency has faced turmoil, with staff fired and work halted. President Trump's nominee to lead the agency, Jonathan McKernan, testified before the Senate Banking Committee. McKernan aims to refocus the agency's mission and reinstate accountability to elected officials.

Switzerland's New Instant Payment System

Switzerland's new instant payment system has gone live, allowing for immediate account-to-account transactions, bolstering the future of cashless payments in the country.