The hottest Regulation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

E-scooters are good and Britain should legalise them

Odds and Ends of History • 1072 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
💼 Business Transportation Urban planning Regulation Environment Infrastructure
  1. E-scooters can help reduce car usage and congestion in cities due to their compact design and ability to take up less space.
  2. Legalizing e-scooters can lead to positive downstream consequences, such as reducing car dependence, reshaping urban geography, and creating a more sustainable environment.
  3. Regulating e-scooters through legalization can improve safety standards, encourage responsible riding behavior, and prompt the development of infrastructure to accommodate different modes of transportation.

The Worst Event in History of Crypto

DeFi Education • 819 implied HN points • 13 Nov 22
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Investment Regulation Economics Market Trends
  1. The FTX collapse is considered one of the biggest failures in crypto history. It involved issues with the exchange, the trading firm Alameda, and its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried.
  2. Bankruptcy and a major hack followed the collapse, causing significant losses for many investors. This situation raised concerns about the safety of funds in the crypto space.
  3. There are lessons to be learned from these events about risk management and the importance of due diligence when investing in cryptocurrencies. It's essential to be cautious and informed.

CryptoWinter is Over

Points And Figures • 266 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🔮 Crypto Investment Technology Regulation Market Trends
  1. CryptoWinter is over, as indicated by the strong performance of Coinbase stock and Bitcoin hitting $60k per token.
  2. Bitcoin is viewed more as a speculative instrument than a hedge against inflation or store of value, and the thawing of purse strings among crypto VCs suggests a positive shift.
  3. The emergence of physically deliverable crypto-assets, like on Bitnomial, underlines the potential for improved risk management in the crypto market, but the absence of widely used applications built on crypto remains a concern.

Deal or No Deal

DeFi Education • 279 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain DeFi Regulation Investment Markets
  1. A new deal has been reached between DCG and Genesis, but it's not the first one; there was a similar agreement made earlier this year.
  2. The situation is complicated, with many details yet to be worked out between the parties involved.
  3. It's important to keep track of these developments, as they affect clients and the overall outcome.
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DeFi Education's Greatest Hits: Twitter Edition

DeFi Education • 559 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain DeFi Investing Technology Regulation
  1. On-chain analysis can reveal important movements of funds, especially from high-profile wallets, and monitoring these can help with investment decisions.
  2. Institutional investors have a different approach to the market than retail investors, and understanding these differences can help avoid costly mistakes.
  3. Basic cybersecurity measures like using strong passwords and VPNs can significantly reduce the risk of getting hacked in the digital asset space.

People are worried about Large Language Models

Honest but Curious • 1 HN point • 23 Sep 24
🕹 Technology AI Regulation Innovation Cybersecurity Data Management
  1. Many people in Silicon Valley are concerned that large language models (LLMs) could be a serious danger to humanity, leading to calls for regulation. California is currently considering a bill to create safety standards for LLMs.
  2. There is some debate about how well current benchmarks assess the capabilities of LLMs, with some arguing that these models are still not truly ready to replace human intelligence in work. This shows that having a great score on tests doesn’t necessarily mean practical usefulness.
  3. Israel's recent attack on Hezbollah's pager system demonstrates the complexities of security and technology. It involved creating specialized devices rather than hacking existing ones, emphasizing the need for careful vetting when purchasing hardware.

Marijuana Reconsidered

In My Tribe • 789 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental Illness FDA Regulation Regulation
  1. Marijuana legalization has not significantly reduced excessive incarceration and has increased the use of the drug.
  2. Observational studies suggest a link between chronic cannabis use and mental illnesses like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.
  3. There should be strict regulations on marijuana use, with rigorous testing of its medicinal claims and penalties for public use and driving under the influence.

Which Technologies Have Learning Curves?

Climateer • 755 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Energy Innovation Regulation Standardization Subsidies
  1. Some technologies progress faster than others based on factors like standardization, product complexity, manufacturing complexity, barriers to entry, project timeline, and market growth.
  2. The power of standards can accelerate cost reduction in technologies by promoting standardization, streamlining regulatory processes, and fostering international cooperation.
  3. Subsidies are effective for technologies with steep learning curves, like batteries and solar panels, but may not work well for complex or customized technologies like nuclear power or BECCS.

BIG INSURANCE 2022: Revenues reached $1.25 trillion thanks to sucking billions out of the pharmacy supply chain – and taxpayers' pockets

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 539 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Medicare Pharmaceuticals Government programs Healthcare Costs Regulation
  1. Big insurance companies made a lot of money in 2022, reaching $1.25 trillion in revenue. They mainly got this money from managing drug benefits and government health programs.
  2. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are becoming really important for these insurers, as they now make up a huge portion of their profits. They control a lot of the drug pricing and decide which pharmacies patients can use.
  3. Most growth for these companies is coming from government programs like Medicare, while their commercial insurance business is struggling. Many people are now finding it harder to afford their healthcare costs.

IMPORTANT: Tornado Cash Added To US Sanctions - $437 Million Blocked

DeFi Education • 919 implied HN points • 08 Aug 22
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Regulation Sanctions DeFi Compliance
  1. Tornado Cash has been added to the U.S. sanctions list, meaning it is illegal for U.S. citizens to engage with it in any way. This includes financial transactions or even visiting its website.
  2. Any assets held in Tornado Cash since the addition to the sanctions are considered 'tainted' and cannot be redeemed. This puts liquidity providers at risk of losing money.
  3. There are legal risks for U.S.-based Ethereum miners and exchanges that deal with Tornado Cash transactions, leading to increased compliance costs and possible changes in business operations.

Meta: The Only AI Regulatory Body That Matters

Leave it to BVR — AI, Policy, and Defense • 216 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Regulation Government Open Source National Security
  1. Meta's Llama-2 LLM is a crucial open source AI tool used by many, but banned for US DOD use due to licensing terms
  2. Meta's restriction on DOD using Llama-2 could impact AI advancements in the military sector
  3. DOD may need to explore building its own LLMs due to restrictions like those from Meta

Censorship’s Impact on China’s Chatbots

ChinaTalk • 207 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Censorship Chatbots Research Regulation
  1. Chinese AI chatbots are subject to strict censorship by the Cyberspace Administration of China, affecting their responses to political questions.
  2. There is a noticeable tradeoff between content control and value alignment in Chinese chatbots, highlighting a balance between censorship and quality of output.
  3. Censorship in Chinese chatbots involves value alignment training and keyword filtering, showing how Chinese regulators influence the responses of AI models to favor Beijing's values.

The Lawyers are Coming

DeFi Education • 979 implied HN points • 18 Jun 22
🔮 Crypto Regulation Investment Technology Industry Market Trends
  1. Lawyers are becoming more involved in the industry due to recent problems. Their rising presence is creating a new field of work.
  2. Several failures and collapses have pushed the need for legal support in business matters. This has led to more legal cases being opened.
  3. As the legal landscape evolves, businesses should be aware of potential legal issues. It's important to stay informed and prepared for any changes.

From Leaf to Life: The Conversation We Should Be Having Around Kratom 🌱

Tripsitter • 219 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Harm Reduction Drug Safety Pharmacology Regulation
  1. Regulators have targeted kratom in attempts to ban it, but public backlash has prevented complete bans so far.
  2. Kratom is seen as a tool for harm reduction due to its potential as an alternative to prescription painkillers, but it carries risks and should be used carefully.
  3. Misinformation and misrepresentation of kratom-related deaths have fueled the stigma around the plant, highlighting the need for proper regulation and education rather than outright bans.

Lou Jiwei on China's banking, PE/VC, IPOs, and Big Tech's role in lending

Pekingnology • 49 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
💰 Finance Banking Investment Regulation Technology Market
  1. Finance should support high-quality development by improving access to loans for private companies. This includes reducing risks for banks and treating all companies equally, whether state-owned or private.
  2. Government-backed venture capital funds need to focus more on market-driven models. This will help them foster innovation while allowing for some tolerance of failure among startups.
  3. It's important for internet platforms to share the risk in lending to small businesses. By co-lending a portion of the loans, they can help prevent systemic risks in the financial system.

Binance in Crisis: Senior Execs Quit Over CEO's Response to DOJ Investigation

Daily Digest • 216 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
💰 Finance Cryptocurrency Regulation Market Updates Investigation Technology
  1. Binance is facing a leadership crisis with senior executives quitting over the CEO's response to a DOJ investigation.
  2. Bitcoin has survived its longest bear market ever, showing resilience by exiting the bear market in early January.
  3. Litecoin has become the most used cryptocurrency on BitPay, surpassing Bitcoin due to its low fees and fast transaction times.

regulation is the scientist, supervision is the monster

Dan Davies - "Back of Mind" • 216 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
💰 Finance Regulation Banking System Government regulations
  1. Regulation and supervision are technically different in banking: one is the rulebook, the other enforces it.
  2. There's a consensus that the Silicon Valley Bank failure was more due to poor supervision than regulation.
  3. Regulations in banking not only set limits, but also serve as a form of supervision through reporting requirements.

The Absurdity of the Open Letter Calling for a Pause on AI Development

The A.I. Analyst by Ben Parr • 216 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Development Ethics Competition Regulation Collaboration
  1. An open letter calling for a pause on AI development is viewed as flawed by the author.
  2. The approach of trying to pause AI development for safety reasons is considered unrealistic and not well thought out.
  3. The author suggests that collaboration, transparency, and practical solutions are needed to guide AI's development instead of proposing a blanket pause.

The Alliance for the Future Manifesto

From the New World • 199 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Regulation Open Source Work National Security
  1. The Alliance for the Future opposes blind panic and over-regulation around artificial intelligence, aiming to educate and advocate for the benefits of AI in society and politics.
  2. AI is a process, not an object, and regulating it is complex and infeasible. History shows that negative actions should be condemned, not the technology itself.
  3. Encouraging open source development in AI can lead to a diverse range of models, efficient training, and easier detection and prevention of issues, benefitting all involved.

The Knowledge Problem and Institutions

Knowledge Problem • 196 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🚌 Education Institutions Knowledge Economics Regulation Analysis
  1. The knowledge problem is pervasive among individuals and socially, impacting coordination and decision-making among agents.
  2. Different types of knowledge problems exist, such as complexity and contextual knowledge problems, affecting decision-making and outcomes.
  3. Institutional design should consider the knowledge problem, as institutions interact with preferences and the environment to shape individual actions and interactions.

$200 Billion in Bank Scams

DeFi Education • 739 implied HN points • 20 Sep 22
🔮 Crypto DeFi Fraud Banking Regulation Market Manipulation
  1. The banking industry has a long history of fraud and scandals, with $200 billion in fines paid for various crimes like money laundering and market manipulation. This shows that big banks often get away with serious misconduct.
  2. Critics argue that crypto is a hotbed for crime, but it's clear that traditional banks have also facilitated illegal activities repeatedly without facing serious consequences. This double standard highlights the need for fair scrutiny of both systems.
  3. DeFi (decentralized finance) offers solutions to prevent manipulation and enhance transparency. Technologies like blockchain could potentially do a better job of reducing financial crimes compared to traditional banks.

A sword of Damocles over the administrative state

Bruce Fein's Pioneering Lyceum • 117 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Administrative state Congress Supreme Court Regulation Legislation
  1. The Supreme Court may change the rules for federal rulemaking, impacting how executive branch regulators interpret laws.
  2. Congress needs to take responsibility for writing clear laws to prevent excessive regulatory power.
  3. Requiring Congress to vote on all regulations would increase accountability and reduce the size of the administrative state.

LNT is prudent.

Gordian Knot News • 205 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🔬 Science Radiation Regulation Risk Assessment Public Health Nuclear power
  1. Pursuing safety in a cost-effective way is crucial to prevent harm and save lives.
  2. The Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model, while used for regulatory purposes, can come with enormous costs to humanity due to its over-conservatism.
  3. Focusing solely on minimizing radiation exposure without considering other costs may lead to unnecessary harm and consequences, such as deadly evacuations and ruined lives.

We Need To Come Back From The Future

Cybernetic Forests • 199 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Regulation Future Bias
  1. Norbert Wiener, the founder of cybernetics, emphasized the importance of studying feedback and response rather than seeking stability in systems.
  2. The discussions around AI and existential risks often prioritize hypothetical future scenarios over addressing present-day human suffering and feedback mechanisms.
  3. The culture of safety engineering in AI tends to focus on abstract future catastrophes, potentially overshadowing the immediate impacts on communities and individuals.

What's Holding DeFi Back From Mass Adoption

DeFi Education • 939 implied HN points • 10 May 22
🔮 Crypto DeFi Blockchain Financial Systems Investment Regulation
  1. DeFi is too complicated for many people. Setting up wallets and understanding terms like 'yield farming' can be overwhelming.
  2. There’s a perception problem with DeFi, as some see it as risky and full of scams. Building trustworthy and useful projects can help improve this image.
  3. Many institutions are hesitant to adopt DeFi without clear regulations. They want to know how regulators will treat their activities in this space.

The DeFi Roundup (August 13, 2022)

DeFi Education • 759 implied HN points • 14 Aug 22
🔮 Crypto DeFi Blockchain Regulation Investing Market Trends
  1. A major government has added a DeFi protocol to its economic sanctions, which could change things in the cryptocurrency space. This is important because it shows how officials are reacting to decentralized finance.
  2. The consequences of these sanctions could impact users and projects associated with the affected DeFi protocol. People involved in DeFi need to stay updated on how these changes can affect their investments.
  3. Staying informed about crypto developments is crucial since the landscape is constantly changing. Following reliable crypto news can help you understand what's happening.

Should regulated utilities be prevented from owning EV charging assets?

Knowledge Problem • 196 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
💼 Business Regulation Competition Utilities Infrastructure Innovation
  1. The default presumption should be to quarantine the monopoly in regulated utilities owning EV charging assets to prevent anti-competitive practices.
  2. Regulated utilities entering competitive EV charging markets may have unfair advantages by leveraging their regulated status.
  3. Allowing regulated utilities to own EV charging assets could stifle innovation and competition in the market compared to independent firms.