logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2022
29m 51s

The cryptocurrency con

GLOBAL
About this episode

You're 30 years old, worth billions as a result of a crypto exchange you've set up - and in the space of one Sunday afternoon it all turns to dust. What must that feel like?

On this episode of The News Agents we speak to someone who's been there, done that and has got the badge (the prison sentence). Nick Leeson single-handedly brought down one of Britain's most famous financial institutions in 1995 - Barings Bank - and spent four years in a Singapore jail as a result. He speaks to us about the tight spot Sam Bankman Fried now finds himself in, and how similar it was to his own.

Planning: Melissa Tutesigensi


Social Media: Georgia Foxwell


Video: Will Gibson-Smith


Production: Gabriel Radus


Deputy Editor: Tom Hughes


Executive Producer: Dino Sofos


For exclusive daily videos from The News Agents visit Global Player: https://www.globalplayer.com/videos/brands/news-agents/the-news-agents/


The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.

Up next
Today
Why does Gregg Wallace believe he’s the real victim?
Gregg Wallace’s friends have been telling newspapers that his "autistic hypersensitivity" meant that he had an “oddity of filters and boundaries", including an inability to wear underwear or any tight clothing. Gregg himself has complained that the BBC neglected its duty of care ... Show More
29m 5s
Yesterday
Why has Elon Musk's AI chatbot started imitating Hitler?
Last night on X, Elon Musk's AI chatbot - Grok - started imitating Hitler in its responses to user questions. Was this intentional? Did Musk really command his AI tool to spew out anti-semitic takes? And will this lead to any sort of regulation over AI?Later, we discuss the upcom ... Show More
35m 54s
Jul 8
Would a wealth tax save Rachel Reeves?
The government has studiously avoided ruling out a wealth tax this week. Minister after minister has refused to knock down the suggestion, despite the Chancellor having dismissed the idea as recently as April. So what's changed? Could a levy on wealthy individuals be on the cards ... Show More
38m 48s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2023
The SEC’s crypto crackdown
World Bank president David Malpass will step down from his post at the end of June, US authorities have begun the year looking to further crack down on crypto companies, and Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation as Scotland’s first minister after a backlash over her strategy ... Show More
9m 30s
Mar 2023
Money market madness
Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Fidelity are the biggest winners from investors pouring cash into US money market funds over the past two weeks, senior EU and UK officials have stepped up discussions on potential plans for closer defence and security co-operation, the London Me ... Show More
10m 7s
Mar 2024
Sam Bankman-Fried gets 25 years in prison
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange, and Thames Water shareholders might take a big financial hit. Plus, what instant noodles can tell us about the economy.  Mentioned in this podcast:Thames ... Show More
12m 10s
Jun 2023
SEC sues world’s largest crypto exchange
US securities regulators yesterday sued the world’s largest crypto exchange and accused Binance of a host of violations, sliding German butter prices are spreading hope of lower food inflation, and global carmakers have been caught off guard by the speed of China’s shift to elect ... Show More
8m 26s
Nov 2022
Crypto broker Genesis halts withdrawals
UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt is set to unveil a massive package of tax rises and spending cuts, crypto broker Genesis Trading suspended withdrawals, and Iraq is reeling from a massive corruption scandal.  Mentioned in this podcast:Crypto broker Genesis Trading halts withdrawals at l ... Show More
9m 36s
Jun 2022
Bad news bears (market)
US stocks dipped into bear market territory, two major cryptocurrency players blocked withdrawals, and British prime minister Boris Johnson published legislation to make sweeping changes to trading rules for Northern Ireland. Plus, hundreds of Japanese companies have left Tokyo f ... Show More
8m 59s
Nov 2022
The UK chancellor’s new plan
The world’s largest cryptocurrency fund has become embroiled in the turmoil swirling around the troubled sector, Jeremy Hunt announces a £55bn fiscal squeeze as UK economic outlook darkens, and negotiators at the COP27 UN climate conference in Egypt burned the midnight oil to eke ... Show More
9m 1s
Oct 2023
Sam Bankman-Fried Goes on Trial
Sam Bankman-Fried, the fallen golden boy of crypto, is going on trial for what prosecutors are calling the largest financial fraud in recent history.David Yaffe-Bellany, a technology reporter for The Times, explains the case of the man who was supposed to save the cryptocurrency ... Show More
29m 55s
Mar 2024
Trump’s Truth Social hits the Nasdaq
Shares in Donald Trump’s social media business soared following its New York market debut, and Visa and Mastercard have agreed to cut their US transaction fees. Plus, UBS needs to boost its wealth business to make its Credit Suisse acquisition a success.  Mentioned in this podcas ... Show More
12m 24s
Sep 2023
End of the UK-China 'Golden Era'?: George Osborne Interview
Questions continue following the arrest of a parliamentary researcher on suspicion of spying for China. The man, who has not been charged, has today insisted that he is ‘completely innocent’.We are joined by George Osborne to discuss how the government should engage with Beijing. ... Show More
35m 36s