Week InReview
Friday | Apr 3, 2020
'Clip & Save'
—  World Health Organization, via Buzzfeed
in case you missed it...
Regulators tried to make the financial system safer after the Great Recession by blocking banks from taking on extreme leverage. Turns out it didn’t take: in a matter of days, a slew of trades unraveled to expose various forms of soured levered bets on Wall Street. (Bloomberg Market | Apr 1) see also Banks get Fed blessing to extend leverage amid market stress (Bloomberg Markets | Apr 1)

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday  said it was temporarily taking steps  to ease an obscure capital requirement for large banks to address strained conditions in the Treasury market. (The Wall Street Journal | Apr 1)

The coronavirus has produced something new in economic history. Never before have governments tried to put  swaths of national economies in an induced coma , artificially maintain their vital organs, and awaken them gradually. If the strategy works, it will be a testament to modern capitalism. But a lot could go wrong. (The Wall Street Journal | Mar 30)

As banks, asset managers and hedge-fund firms adjust to  the new normal  of employees working from home, they are grappling with technological challenges such as dropped calls and shaky internet connections. But that doesn’t give them a pass for complying with one of the key financial regulations governing their conduct: recording all trading-related calls. (The Wall Street Journal | Mar 30) see also Wall Street says some broker duties can't be done from home (WSJ | Mar 28)

Since the Securities and Exchange Commission gave the green light to non-transparent active ETFs last year, several providers have applied for approval to launch them. The new model allows managers to establish ETFs that do not disclose what is in their basket of investments, a move that challenges the status quo in the sector. (Financial Times | Mar 30). 
the cyber cafe
Source code of Dharma ransomware pops up for sale on hacking forums
The source code of a major ransomware strain named Dharma has been put up for sale on two Russian hacker forums over the weekend. The FBI  ranked Dharma the second most lucrative ransomware operation  in recent years, having extorted  more than $24 million in payments from victims  between November 2016 and November 2019. Now, its source code is being sold for a price as low as $2,000.
—  ZDNet

FBI issues child sextortion warning amid school closures
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation warned that children who are spending more time online as a result of early school closures face an increased risk of being exploited. In a  statement , the FBI wrote: "Due to school closings as a result of Covid-19, children will potentially have an increased online presence and/or be in a position that puts them at an inadvertent risk. 
—  InfoSecurity

FBI turns to insurers to grasp the full reach of ransomware
Over the past year, FBI officials have met with insurance firms in at least two small, informal meetings in New York City to discuss how law enforcement and insurers might collaborate to accelerate efforts to stop ransomware. Conversations have focused on how insurers can help a hacked client restore normal business functionality, and perhaps provide the bureau with anonymized information that would help ransomware investigations.
—  CyberScoop
binge reading disorder | #wfh edition
It's time to do the things you keep putting off. Here's how.
If you're lucky enough to have a job that lets you shelter in place while you work, here are some ways to stay productive in your downtime. Now might be a good time to reset and address some of the personal-life projects you've been putting off. It’s one of a few ways to  stave off anxiety , feel less stressed about your personal affairs, build community, and maybe even learn a thing or two.
—  Wired

Staying healthy and sane during the Covid-19 crisis
The coronavirus crisis is a matter of public health, even for those who don't contract the virus. This is GQ's guide to staying safe, healthy, and sane, with clarity on what social distancing really means, maintaining your mental health in the face of anxiety (and cabin fever), and expert-driven advice on the questions we all have. (Yes, you can go for a run.)
—  GQ Magazine

WFH tips I’ve learned after working from home for 12 years
As the outbreak has grown, some employees chose to WFH, then individual team leaders encouraged their teams to avoid the office. And suddenly, WFH has become mandatory policy for entire companies. Whether your job is ideal for working from home or not, this is your reality for the foreseeable future. And that’s why I figure now is the time to share what I’ve learned over the years.
—  VentureBeat
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