Is the US at war with crypto?

Greetings fellow legends.

This week we are continuing the structure from last week. In this newsletter you’ll get

• 1 Web3/crypto narrative or trend

• 1 Writing tip

• 1 Story

This one is a 4 minute read.

You can follow me on Twitter here for more insights on Web3 and writing online.

Web3 Narrative

Currently the US government has tightened the noose around crypto.

Recent stories in the press have uncovered a coordinated campaign by bank regulators to drive crypto businesses out of the financial system.

They’re calling it Operation Choke Point 2.0.

For those not familiar, Operation Choke 1.0 was used in 2012.

Back then, the FDIC and other banking regulators carried out a coordinated campaign to weaponize the banks against industries that had fallen out of favor with the administration—including gun stores, pawn shops, tobacco stores, payday lenders, and a host of other brick and mortar businesses.

He who controls the banks, wins.

This is some dark, deep state shit.

For a long but well researched explanation check this article:

We’re now seeing the aggressive government enforcement as the SEC and CFTC have started litigating against the industries biggest players.

This isn’t surprising. Web3 and crypto are a threat to government power.

But even as we see the administration become more anti crypto we are seeing Fortune 500 companies enter Web3/crypto en masse.

Here’s a short list of companies who have recently started using crypto/Web3/NFTs:

• Starbucks

• Nike

• Mastercard

• Amazon

• Microsoft

• Google

• Salesforce

• Spotify

• Shopify

• Porsche

The list goes on.

These companies have hundreds of millions of customers.

The more entrenched this technology becomes in our everyday lives the less power the government has to control it.

Despite what’s going on with Operation Choke Point 2.0, I’ve never been more optimistic about this industry.

The fact that the government is fighting so hard means we’re winning.

Writing Tip

Charles Dickens, Steve Jobs and Charles Darwin all had one thing in common: walks.

They were known for taking walks to stimulate creativity and deep thought.

In fact, Charles Dickens was renowned for walking up to 30 miles a day. He would often do it at night when he had something to think about.

He’d walk the foggy streets of London until the twilight of the morning. He walked as long as it took for him to resolve the issue in his head.

All the greats in history leave bread crumbs for the rest of us mere mortals.

I’ve been testing out walking before I write and it’s had a significant impact.

My brain feels less…constricted.

When you are moving and active your brain is stimulated and can process information better. I say that not as a scientist but as a casual observer.

I’m starting to believe it’s one of life's great hacks: taking a long walk.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes.

Story

I recently came across an interesting concept about intelligence.

There are two types of intelligence you’ll experience in your life: fluid and crystallized.

Fluid intelligence is your ability to process new information, learn, and solve problems.

Crystallized intelligence is your stored knowledge, accumulated over the years.

As you age, your fluid intelligence diminishes and your crystallized intelligence increases.

But that’s not something we have to worry about until we’re old right?

Not quite.

Your fluid intelligence peaks at around 30-35.

In the scientific community it’s rare that a scientist has a breakthrough discovery after they’re 30.

Indeed, Albert Einstein once said: "A person who has not made his great contribution to science before the age of 30 will never do so."

Harsh.

It’s similar in the startup world. It’s why you see all these young Silicon Valley billionaires in hoodies with a full head of hair.

So what’s left for those of us older than 30?

Crystallized intelligence. Which I interpret as wisdom rather than raw intelligence.

So if you’re over 30 there’s still hope - play to your strengths.

Focus on wisdom.

Thanks for reading! I know you have a full mailbox and I appreciate your attention. Feel free to reply with any questions or suggestions.

-Savant