QTR’s Fringe Finance

QTR's Fringe Finance critically examines financial, political, and societal issues through a libertarian lens, frequently questioning mainstream narratives around topics like monetary policy, media honesty, and government interventions. It delves into the impact of economic policies, the role of alternative media, and promotes skepticism towards established financial and governmental institutions.

Monetary Policy Media Critique Government Intervention Inflation and Economic Analysis Libertarianism Financial Markets Cryptocurrency Civil Liberties Political Commentary

The hottest Substack posts of QTR’s Fringe Finance

And their main takeaways
89 implied HN points β€’ 03 Feb 24
  1. Joe Rogan's success is due to his approach of discussing topics with good faith, honesty, and humor which contrasts with mainstream media.
  2. Alternative media sources like podcasts and blogs are gaining momentum as legacy media corporations face layoffs and declining viewership.
  3. The shift in the media landscape towards alternative sources reflects a demand for honest, open debates and content that mainstream media may lack.
34 implied HN points β€’ 13 Mar 24
  1. Special Counsel Robert Hur's testimony revealed President Biden's mishandling of classified documents, raising questions about a potential double standard in justice system.
  2. President Biden kept classified documents at multiple locations, lied about it, and had motives that raised concerns during the testimony.
  3. The lack of finesse and potential double standards in handling Biden's case compared to Trump's case highlighted potential political issues that could impact public perception.
23 implied HN points β€’ 17 Mar 24
  1. It will take a significant event to disrupt the current market trajectory and dampen the bullish sentiment.
  2. The author highlights the need for more than just moderate CPI and PPI figures to sway the market.
  3. Dark forces are alluded to as potential catalysts for a major market shift.
38 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 24
  1. Javier Milei balanced a massive budget deficit in just nine weeks by cutting central government agency budgets and eliminating crony contracts and activist handouts.
  2. Despite his swift fiscal actions, Milei faces challenges such as opposition to privatizing state-owned companies and high inflation rates in Argentina.
  3. Milei's efforts towards dollarization and shrinking government serve as a potential model for other countries and could have significant implications beyond Argentina.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
32 implied HN points β€’ 01 Mar 24
  1. Let Bitcoin cook - Allow Bitcoin to develop without unnecessary interruption, like letting someone keep working when they're on a roll.
  2. Celebrate modestly - Acknowledge success with humility and prepare for potential challenges; avoid excessive bragging or taunting.
  3. Encourage organic interest - Rather than forcing ideas, allow individuals to discover and understand Bitcoin naturally to build genuine, long-term adoption.
24 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 24
  1. The national debt is growing at an alarming rate, projected to reach $54 trillion within 10 years, with interest payments set to exceed defense spending.
  2. The Federal Reserve's monetary policy is criticized for contributing to unsustainable debt, with 2020 alone seeing over $3 trillion in printing.
  3. Government spending continues to mask weaknesses in the US economy, with debt growth outpacing GDP growth for multiple quarters, driven by reckless deficit spending.
19 implied HN points β€’ 14 Mar 24
  1. American intervention in Haiti has not improved the country, leading to a cycle of political instabilities and social issues.
  2. US involvement in Latin American countries often contributes to making them more dangerous, impacting the local population negatively.
  3. The situation in Haiti, particularly with figures like Jimmy Cherizier, is complex and requires careful examination beyond surface-level portrayals.
15 implied HN points β€’ 16 Mar 24
  1. The Federal Reserve in the US is uniquely designed and operates independently, unlike other central banks worldwide, being neither part of the government's executive branch nor an independent federal agency.
  2. Calls for a full audit of the Federal Reserve have been advocated by various politicians like Ron Paul and Thomas Massie, aiming for transparency in the Fed's operations and financial decisions.
  3. Besides legislative actions, potential reforms for the Federal Reserve may involve the judiciary branch, particularly through cases that could impact the agency's independence, questioning the traditional Chevron doctrine.
41 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 24
  1. Understanding Bitcoin's network and cryptography is key to realizing its intrinsic value.
  2. Bitcoin presents a unique opportunity for diversifying wealth outside the traditional monetary system.
  3. Bitcoin's potential for global adoption and decentralized nature make it a compelling investment option.
19 implied HN points β€’ 06 Mar 24
  1. The market surge in valuation-agnostic investing will eventually decline, according to Harris Kupperman.
  2. Understanding your opposition when trading means evaluating if they have a unique viewpoint or if they are making irrational decisions.
  3. Identifying opponents who are not basing decisions on valuations can present lucrative opportunities in trading.
25 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 24
  1. Many Americans are not optimistic about the economy under Bidenomics, with challenges such as declining real wages and increasing part-time employment
  2. Bidenomics relies on Keynesian policies involving significant deficit spending, contributing to a ballooning national debt and potentially harmful economic impacts
  3. There's a call for a fiscal rule to limit government spending based on population growth and inflation, along with reducing the Fed's balance sheet to promote a more sustainable fiscal and monetary direction
21 implied HN points β€’ 26 Feb 24
  1. The stock market is currently experiencing euphoria due to factors like rising rates and quantitative tightening by the Fed, which seem counterintuitive to traditional market behavior.
  2. Despite conventional economic conditions pointing in the opposite direction, the market is still skyrocketing, challenging previous predictions of a crash.
  3. The author has identified two key factors propelling the market up, but foresees these influences potentially halting in the near future, possibly leading to a significant change in the market dynamics.
27 implied HN points β€’ 14 Feb 24
  1. The Federal interest payments reaching $750 billion are a significant concern and a sign of a fiscal danger zone.
  2. Peter Schiff emphasizes the immediate threat of the national debt crisis, warning that the problem is not in the distant future but happening right now.
  3. It's crucial to shift the mindset from fixating on ideal dollar exit points to viewing gold as a form of genuine wealth preservation regardless of the dollar value.
28 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
  1. Bitcoin adoption could be accelerated through a major financial crisis where people seek an exit ramp from the traditional financial system.
  2. The decentralized nature of Bitcoin allows for success to be tied to its growth, empowering individuals who are tired of traditional financial institutions.
  3. Bitcoin offers a chance for the public to break the cycle of bearing the cost of financial failures by opting out of the current system and embracing digital freedom.
17 implied HN points β€’ 29 Feb 24
  1. Money supply growth is crucial for supporting the stock market as it indicates the tightness or looseness of current monetary conditions, regardless of interest rates set by the Fed.
  2. Monitoring money supply trends can provide insight into the direction of the economy and stock market - a rise in money supply can have inflationary effects.
  3. Historical trends show that fluctuations in money supply can influence stock market movements, with drops often preceding market dips.
13 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 24
  1. Bitcoin mining helps stabilize volatile green energy by absorbing excess electricity and supporting electricity grids.
  2. Having Bitcoin miners as 'consumers of last resort' can efficiently use excess power and reduce wasteful overbuilt capacity costs.
  3. Bitcoin miners bring economic benefits and sustainability to electricity grids by incentivizing additional generation and offering a win-win situation for all involved parties.
75 implied HN points β€’ 25 Nov 23
  1. Argentina's new president is bringing libertarian principles of small government and sound money into practice, setting an example for the world.
  2. The success or failure of Argentina's economic and social changes will provide lessons for other nations considering similar policies.
  3. The divide in the US between parties and the far left's radical views may lead to a shift towards libertarianism or conservatism, as seen in Argentina.
17 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 24
  1. The book 'The Wuhan Coverup' sheds light on the causes of the global disaster of Covid-19, exposing the trends, forces, and institutions behind it.
  2. The rise of the biowarfare-industrial-complex is highlighted, showing how military, intelligence, public health services, and more have significantly influenced the Covid response.
  3. The deep ties between the CIA, biowarfare research, and the emergence of the modern biowarfare program are examined, demonstrating the broad participation by academics and scientists in bioweapons research.
24 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jan 24
  1. Government policies to lower unemployment incur costs, contrary to some beliefs.
  2. Funding for employment projects comes from real savings, not just money printing.
  3. Boosting artificial employment can divert resources from wealth-generating activities.
21 implied HN points β€’ 06 Feb 24
  1. Impartial investigations are needed to retain all documents relevant to the Covid lab origin case.
  2. Research suggests that SARS-CoV-2 likely originated in a lab setting rather than being zoonotic.
  3. Evidence points towards a potential cover-up involving deception, conflicts of interest, and deliberate withholding of critical information.
23 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jan 24
  1. Harris Kupperman offers his thoughts on the market and blowoff tops.
  2. Benchmarked investing can lead to stress and performance pressure.
  3. Trailing a benchmark for too long can have serious consequences in the financial industry.
26 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jan 24
  1. Debt can be seen as keeping track of savings, according to one economist.
  2. Modern Monetary Theory challenges traditional economic ideas on government spending.
  3. Government debt can lead to inflation and has historical precedents that demonstrate its risks.
26 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 24
  1. Lawrence Lepard's recent investor letter covers various topics like inflation and fiscal positions.
  2. Despite stock market highs in 2023, concerns arise, comparing current PEx ratios to previous crashes.
  3. Geopolitical and US political tensions continue, impacting financial markets and policies.
12 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
  1. Chris DeMuth Jr. aims to find hidden value in investments rather than seeking stock picking grandeur like Warren Buffett.
  2. Warren Buffett's successful investments with Berkshire Hathaway have resulted in substantial gains over the years, dwarfing many other financial endeavors.
  3. Investors have benefitted immensely by sticking with Warren Buffett over the long term, showcasing the power of patience and consistent investment strategies.
27 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jan 24
  1. There is a false notion that profits made by producers are immoral and exploitative.
  2. Producers are essential to the economy by creating wealth, innovation, and progress through hard work and risk-taking.
  3. Claims that profits come at the expense of workers' wages and that profits lead to exploitation are misleading and inaccurate.
28 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 24
  1. US quarantine camps have been constructed recently, including a federal facility in Omaha, Nebraska.
  2. The history of quarantine power shows a pattern of abuse and government overreach.
  3. The construction of quarantine facilities indicates a trend of expanding government powers for future scenarios.
26 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 24
  1. The anticipation of market volatility due to 5% interest rates has been ongoing for two years.
  2. Predictions include a sharp market decline followed by an unprecedented response from the Fed.
  3. Despite mounting debt and geopolitical instability, the market has remained steady, prompting questions about external support.
44 implied HN points β€’ 07 Dec 23
  1. Demand for Covid shots dropped by over 75% when Americans learned the truth about the vaccines.
  2. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Pfizer for alleged deception in promoting the vaccines.
  3. Pfizer faces accusations of lying about vaccine efficacy, transmission prevention, and attempts to silence journalists and scientists.
35 implied HN points β€’ 22 Dec 23
  1. The Covid response led to significant negative impacts on society and individuals.
  2. There is public silence and avoidance in discussing the consequences and implications of the Covid response.
  3. The lack of inquiry, debate, and public discourse about the Covid response raises concerns about future consequences and the potential for hidden truths.
26 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 24
  1. The US Federal debt has reached $34 trillion, with a record increase in 2023.
  2. The rate of debt increase has accelerated significantly since 2010.
  3. A war or crisis could lead to massive monetization of debt, high taxes, and economic challenges.
19 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 24
  1. Market behavior can sometimes be unexpected and defy common logic.
  2. The stock market is forward-looking and can react in ways that may seem contrary to economic data.
  3. It's important to reevaluate assumptions and understand market dynamics to navigate fluctuations.
87 implied HN points β€’ 13 Sep 23
  1. Ivermectin was unfairly portrayed during the pandemic, despite evidence of its efficacy in treating COVID-19.
  2. Media and government agencies spread misinformation about Ivermectin, labeling it as horse medicine to deter its use.
  3. The dishonesty around Ivermectin usage reveals potential conflicts of interest and undermines trust in media and pharmaceutical companies.