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

The Unforgivable Ivermectin Swindle

87 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🏥 Health Politics Health Misinformation Media Manipulation
  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.

Javier Milei Ended a DC-Sized Deficit in...Nine Weeks

38 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Government reform
  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.

Why I Bitcoin

41 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
💰 Finance Bitcoin Investment Currency Regulation
  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.
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This Post Has Been Marked "Biden Classified"

34 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Political Scandal Justice System Political Commentary
  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.

I’m Not Fucking Eating Bugs: A Manifesto

69 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Climate & Environment Media Social Issues Inequality Civil Liberties
  1. Inflation and shrinkflation can drastically affect our quality of life and purchasing power.
  2. The idea of promoting bug-eating to fight climate change may be a distraction from other issues like inequality and reduced quality of life.
  3. The message here is clear: the author is strongly against the idea of eating bugs as a solution to global issues.

Let Bitcoin Cook

32 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
💰 Finance Investing Cryptocurrency Market Analysis Financial advice Economics
  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.

Had You Known, Would You Have Taken the Jab?

44 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines Deception Legal action Censorship Accountability
  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.

The Stock Market Sits On The Edge Of The End Of The World

51 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
💰 Finance Stock Market Geopolitics Monetary Policy Fiscal policy Global Conflicts
  1. Geopolitical volatility and flawed monetary policy make current times unique and potentially volatile.
  2. Debt levels, monetary policies, and government spending are creating unprecedented financial challenges.
  3. Artificial market boosts, geopolitical tensions, and social unrest are contributing to a fragile economic situation.

The Catalyst That Could 'Standardize' Bitcoin

28 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
💰 Finance Bitcoin Cryptocurrency Financial Crisis Monetary Policy Inflation
  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.

This Silence Is Not Golden

35 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Silence Public Health Media
  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.

$1 Trillion Per 100 Days: Is This the Year the Debt Bubble Explodes?

24 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
💰 Finance Debt Government spending Federal Reserve Economic Growth National Debt
  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.

'Brink of Catastrophe' As Federal Interest Payments Reach $750 Billion

27 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
💰 Finance Economics Government Investing Personal Finance Gold
  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.

There Will Be No Turning Back

23 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
💰 Finance Market Analysis Stock Market Investing
  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.

America Can't Afford Bidenomics

25 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Debt Politics Government
  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

Are There US Quarantine Camps Right Now?

28 implied HN points • 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.

The War on Producers and Entrepreneurs Is Based on False Notions of Profits

27 implied HN points • 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.

This "Economist" Says $34 Trillion In Debt Is Definitely Not A Problem

26 implied HN points • 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.

"God Help Us In The Next Crisis": Lawrence Lepard

26 implied HN points • 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.

Figuring It All Out

26 implied HN points • 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.

Contra Krugman, Policies of Countering Unemployment Are Costly

24 implied HN points • 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.

$34 Trillion and Climbing

26 implied HN points • 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.

The Maxell Man Market

21 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
💰 Finance Stock Market Economic conditions
  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.

Headless Market Chickens, Cluckin' Like Crazy

29 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
💰 Finance Stock Market Investing Economy Policy Inflation
  1. NPCs in video games are characters controlled by programming and lack independent thought, and this concept is applied to describe certain individuals in real life scenarios.
  2. Passive stock market investors are compared to headless chickens mindlessly moving around, fueled by 'animal spirits' that keep the market going up.
  3. The stock market is considered overpriced, with potential risks of massive deleveraging, deflationary depression, and negative effects of a nation monetizing its own debt.

American Policies Only Make Haiti Worse

19 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Haiti United States Intervention Elections Security
  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.

This Is How Blowoff Tops Are Made: Harris Kupperman

23 implied HN points • 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.

Know Your Enemy

19 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💰 Finance Investing Market Trends Hedge Funds
  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.

The Covid Lab Origin Case Is Even Stronger Now

21 implied HN points • 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.