Here are some caveats that apply to all the essays in A Pivotal Heist.
Disclaimers
None of this is financial advice. Or legal or medical or anything else.
The opinions are my own, and do not represent any employer – past, present, or future.
Holdings
Since I’ll be discussing finance in a few of these essays, I should disclose some relevant personal investments. This section is subject to change, hopefully in as timely a manner as possible, if I change my positions.
I own small amounts BTC and a few other major cryptocurrencies that will be mentioned in these essays. These are passive holdings, solely for diversification, custodied on a centralized exchange. I have no strong opinions on their near- or long-term value. Hopefully, these holdings are proof to the blockchain believers that I'm not entirely anti-crypto, but it's nowhere near enough to influence my analysis in their favor, either. If all of crypto went to zero tomorrow I would be fine (and if this were financial advice, which it is not, I would suggest that you limit your exposure to where you can say the same).
"Epistemic status"
Which is the rationalist way of asking, "how sure am I of any of this?"
It varies across the different essays. A lot of this is cobbled together from secondary sources, with a smattering of personal knowledge and conversations with people familiar with these subjects.
I am not a real reporter, and I don’t have the standing to reach out to all these people for comment. I’ve done so in a few sporadic cases, but I don't expect responses because I'm not working for a real outlet.
I welcome corrections, particularly from the individuals named herein. You can write to me at simon <dot> m <dot> baxter <at> proton <dot> me.