general 165 - The Latremie Post

Madrid Will Pay For Woody Allen’s Next Movie If He Uses ‘Madrid’ In Title

Make fun of Jimmy Fallon all you want for his sponsored content. The late-night host is always doing segments like “Jimmy Tells a Scary Campfire Story Sponsored By KitchenAid” and “Pup Quiz with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Partnership with State Farm.” At least he hasn’t gone so far as to rename his show *The Bass Pro Shop Tonight Show*. Not yet, anyway.

You can’t say the same for Woody Allen.

The 89-year-old director has had a tough time securing funding for his films in recent years—“89 years old” being one of the least objectionable reasons investors shy away. But finally, Woody got a bite. Madrid’s regional government has agreed to pony up $1.7 million for his next project. Not a huge sum, but every bit helps.

The catch? Woody must film the movie in the Spanish capital, which shouldn’t be a problem. Madrid is a pretty good-looking city! According to a document posted by the regional government (via Deadline), “The advertising and promotion of destinations through film has been a branding tool throughout the history of cinema.”

But Madrid’s deal with Allen comes with some interesting strings attached. Not only must he feature the city prominently in the film’s backdrops—something practically a Woody Allen trademark anyway—but he also needs to include the word “Madrid” in the movie’s title.

Madrid Max? Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madrid-ness? *Madrid Madrid Madrid Madrid World*? Whatever the title ends up being, Allen still needs to raise more money before production can begin, and that’s never an easy feat.

“If you are a writer at home and you fail, you throw the paper away and you start over,” Allen said recently on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast. “If you are a filmmaker, you have to constantly raise 15, 20, 30 million dollars or something. And so it gets dicey.”

Thankfully, Allen has plenty of ideas if someone is willing to back him. “If someone shows up and calls in and says we want to back the film, then I would seriously consider it,” he told *The Guardian* in 2023. “I would probably not have the willpower to say no, because I have so many ideas.”

Since Allen has become a borderline pariah in his home country, he’s been relying on places like Spain to provide a filmmaking home. He’s already filmed *Vicky Cristina Barcelona* (2008) and *Rifkin’s Festival* (2020) there.

Rumor has it he might reunite with *Vicky Cristina Barcelona* co-stars Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz for this Madrid-set movie—on the condition he can figure out how to work “Madrid” into the title. If he gets stuck, maybe he can give Jimmy Fallon a call for some Entertainment Advice, Sponsored by Instacart.
https://www.cracked.com/article_48982_madrid-will-pay-for-woody-allens-next-movie-if-he-uses-madrid-in-title.html?newsletter-cat=movies-tv

Buffett keeps selling stocks — and more takeaways from Berkshire Hathaway earnings

Berkshire Hathaway once again proved to be a net seller of stocks, contributing to a significant increase in its cash reserves.

As a result, the company’s cash balance has swelled to over $380 billion, highlighting its cautious approach to deploying capital in the current market environment.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/buffett-keeps-selling-stocks-and-more-takeaways-from-berkshire-hathaway-earnings-b208436b?mod=mw_rss_topstories

‘The Chair Company’: When You Can Watch Episode 4

**The Chair Company** stars Tim Robinson as Ron Trosper, a mild-mannered businessman who, after an incident at work, begins to suspect that a deep conspiracy is to blame. Over the past decade, Robinson has cornered the cringe comedy market with shows like Comedy Central’s *Detroiters* and Netflix’s *I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson*. As one of the creators of *The Chair Company*, you can expect him to deliver that signature loud, awkward style once again.

Rounding out the cast are Lake Bell, Sophia Lillis, Will Price, Joseph Tudisco, and Lou Diamond Phillips.

Read on for more information about how to watch *The Chair Company* and how a VPN might help enhance your streaming experience. Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews by adding CNET as a preferred Google source.

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### The Chair Company Release Schedule: When to Watch Episode 4

The fourth episode of *The Chair Company* will release on Sunday, November 2, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max. The remaining episodes will debut weekly on Sundays until the finale, which airs on November 30.

Here’s the complete episodic release schedule:
– Episode 1, *Life goes by too f**king fast, it really does*: October 12
– Episode 2, *New blood. There’s 5 Rons now*: October 19
– Episode 3, *@BrownDerbyHistoricVids Little bit of Hollywood? Okayyy*: October 26
– Episode 4, *Bahld Harmon birthplace (disputed)*: November 2
– Episode 5: November 9
– Episode 6: November 16
– Episode 7: November 23
– Episode 8: November 30

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### How to Watch The Chair Company with a VPN

If you’re traveling abroad and want to keep up with your favorite shows while away from home, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be a useful tool. It enhances your privacy and security when streaming by encrypting your internet traffic and preventing your internet service provider from throttling your connection speeds.

Additionally, a VPN helps protect your devices and logins when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling by adding an extra layer of security.

VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN use to access region-specific content.

If you’re considering using a VPN for streaming, be sure to:
– Check the streaming platform’s terms of service to ensure compliance with their VPN policies.
– Follow your VPN provider’s installation instructions carefully to ensure a secure connection that complies with all applicable laws and service agreements.

Keep in mind that some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying whether your subscription allows VPN use is crucial for uninterrupted streaming.

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Stay tuned and enjoy watching *The Chair Company*!
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/the-chair-company-when-you-can-watch-episode-4/#ftag=CAD590a51e

Big Short Investor Michael Burry Breaks Silence to Warn of Market Bubble

**Michael Burry Issues First Market Warning Since April 2023, Cautions of Possible Bubble but Stays on Sidelines**

Michael Burry, the investor renowned for predicting the 2008 housing crisis, has made his first public statement since April 2023. On October 31, 2025, Burry posted a cryptic warning on X about a potential market “bubble,” while indicating he sees no clear way to profit from it.

His post read:
“Sometimes, we see bubbles. Sometimes, there is something to do about it. Sometimes, the only winning move is not to play.”
This quote references the 1983 movie *Wargames*, suggesting Burry recognizes risky speculation in the market but is choosing not to bet against it.

### “Cassandra Unchained” – A New Moniker with a Message

Burry also changed his X profile name to **“Cassandra Unchained.”** This nods to the Greek mythological figure Cassandra, who was cursed to make accurate predictions that nobody believed. The choice reflects Burry’s reputation for making accurate yet initially dismissed warnings.

### The Legacy of Michael Burry

Burry gained fame by predicting the collapse of the U.S. housing market before the 2008 financial crisis. He thoroughly analyzed subprime mortgages and used credit default swaps to short the housing sector. His foresight earned billions for his investors and was immortalized in the book and film *The Big Short*.

### What Bubble is Burry Warning About?

Unlike his previous clear identification of the housing bubble, Burry has not specified which market sector he is concerned about this time. Market observers speculate he may be referring to the technology sector, particularly the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) investments.

Companies have invested hundreds of billions of dollars into AI infrastructure and data centers. For example, Nvidia’s market capitalization surpassed an astonishing $5 trillion as of October 29, 2025—exceeding the GDP of major economies like India, Japan, and Germany. This surge is largely driven by soaring demand for AI chips.

### Burry’s Current Market Position: Staying on the Sidelines

Unlike his famous housing market short, Burry is not betting against the market now. Instead, he appears to be taking a defensive, “wait and see” approach.

Throughout 2025, Burry’s Scion Asset Management has shown a shifting strategy:
– In Q1 2025, the firm liquidated nearly all its holdings, ending March with just seven positions. These included bets against Alibaba, JD.com, and Nvidia, plus shares in Estée Lauder.
– By the end of June, the portfolio expanded to 15 positions with call options on companies like Alibaba, Meta, ASML, UnitedHealth, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and Lululemon. Estée Lauder remained the only consistent holding throughout the year.

Burry’s upcoming 13-F filing, due in about two weeks, will reveal his holdings through the end of September 2025. His recent message suggests he may continue to adopt a cautious stance moving forward.

### Market Performance and AI Concerns

U.S. stock markets have performed strongly in 2025:
– The S&P 500 gained nearly 16% year-to-date.
– The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 11.7%.
– The Nasdaq 100 surged 24.3%.

Tech companies have seen varied third-quarter earnings reactions. Meta and Microsoft stocks retreated following disappointing reports, while Amazon and Apple bounced back with strong earnings, lifting the indexes again.

Amid this, some investors worry about how AI expansion is being funded. Meta recently announced a $30 billion financing package for its Hyperion data center in Louisiana, utilizing a special purpose vehicle to keep debt off its balance sheet. The company is also reportedly considering an additional $25 billion bond sale, with a prospectus filed with the SEC.

### Final Thoughts

Michael Burry’s warning emerges amid growing debate over whether the AI-driven tech stock surge reflects genuine progress or inflated valuations. His decision to hold a defensive position — effectively sitting on the sidelines — suggests he sees significant risk but no clear opportunity to capitalize on right now.

Investors will be closely watching Burry’s next 13-F filing for clues on whether he maintained this cautious posture through the third quarter of 2025.
https://coincentral.com/big-short-investor-michael-burry-breaks-silence-to-warn-of-market-bubble/

Strip club executives allegedly bribed tax auditor with lap dances and luxury trips to slash tax bills

**Strip Club Executives Allegedly Bribed New York Tax Auditor to Slash Millions in Sales Taxes, Attorney General Charges**

A group of strip club executives reportedly bribed a New York state tax auditor with cash, luxury Florida trips, and lap dances valued at thousands of dollars per day to reduce millions from their tax bills, according to a sweeping indictment filed by Attorney General Letitia James.

The 79-count indictment targets top leaders of RCI Hospitality Holdings Inc., the Texas-based parent company behind popular strip clubs Rick’s Cabaret, Vivid Cabaret, and Hoops Cabaret. Prosecutors allege the executives used their venues to disguise bribes as “promotional” expenses, thereby avoiding more than $8 million in sales taxes between 2010 and 2024.

According to the indictment, the auditor received at least 13 all-expenses-paid trips to Florida, where company leadership provided hotel accommodations, restaurant meals, and up to $5,000 per day for private dances at RCI-owned clubs.

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**Defense Attorney Questions Criminal Intent and Timing**

Federal defense attorney Ronald Chapman II described the allegations as “sensational,” but suggested they may not prove criminal intent once examined in court.

“When you look a little deeper, things start to look a little bit different,” Chapman told Fox News Digital. “This case reminds me of the [President] Trump financial-fraud case, where prosecutors in New York built a sweeping narrative around business judgments that may not actually violate the law.”

Chapman emphasized that prosecutors face an uphill battle to establish a quid pro quo, i.e., that the auditor’s decisions were directly influenced by the perks received.

“It only turns into bribery when that is also done consistent with bad conduct, looking the other way on something,” he stated. “I just don’t see that other side of the quid pro quo yet.”

He also questioned the timing of the charges, highlighting the political context involving the embattled Attorney General.

“We see, once again, a very late indictment being brought. That means somebody brought this case from a pile of cases and decided to pluck it out,” Chapman explained. “Oftentimes we will see prosecutors right around the time they’re about to be facing re-election, trying to bring big cases like this with sensational headlines where they don’t really have the goods to fully handle the prosecution.”

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**Attorney General Letitia James Faces Separate Federal Charges**

Letitia James herself is facing legal troubles, as she will be arraigned in Virginia on federal bank fraud charges tied to a 2020 home purchase.

James is charged with one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution. Prosecutors allege she misrepresented a property purchase in Norfolk, Virginia, as a secondary residence on loan and mortgage documents, when in fact it was used as a rental investment property—qualifying her for more favorable loan terms. She has pleaded not guilty.

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**Details of the Indictment**

The indictment, filed in New York County Supreme Court, names several RCI executives as defendants, including:

– Eric Langan, Chief Executive Officer
– Timothy Winata, Controller
– Bradley Chhay, Chief Financial Officer
– Ahmed “Ed” Anakar, Operations Director
– Shaun Kevlin, Nightclub Operations Director

A sixth individual has also been charged but remains unidentified due to a sealed indictment.

RCI Hospitality Holdings Inc. and its three Manhattan-based clubs—Rick’s Cabaret, Vivid Cabaret, and Hoops Cabaret and Sports Bar—are also charged. The case includes allegations of criminal tax fraud, bribery, conspiracy, and filing false business records.

If convicted of the top counts, Langan, Winata, and Anakar could each face up to 25 years in prison. Chhay and Kevlin face a maximum sentence of 15 years.

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**Stay Updated**

For further details and to read the full indictment, stay tuned to updates from Fox News and official court releases.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/strip-club-executives-allegedly-bribed-tax-auditor-lap-dances-luxury-trips-slash-tax-bills

Ray Enhances Scheduling with New Label Selectors

Ray, the distributed computing framework, has introduced a significant update with the release of label selectors—a feature designed to enhance scheduling flexibility for developers. According to a recent announcement by Anyscale, this new capability enables more precise placement of workloads on appropriate nodes within a cluster.

### Enhancing Workload Placement

The introduction of label selectors is part of a collaboration with the Google Kubernetes Engine team. Available in Ray version 2.49, this feature is integrated across the Ray Dashboard, KubeRay, and Anyscale’s AI compute platform. It allows developers to assign specific labels to nodes in a Ray cluster, such as `cpu-family=intel` or `market-type=spot`. This labeling system streamlines the scheduling process for tasks, actors, or placement groups on specified nodes, providing greater control and efficiency.

### Addressing Previous Limitations

Previously, scheduling tasks on specific nodes presented challenges for developers. Many had to rely on workarounds that mixed resource quantities with placement constraints, leading to convoluted and less effective solutions. Label selectors overcome these issues by enabling more flexible expressions of scheduling requirements. They support exact matches, any-of conditions, and negative matches—such as avoiding GPU nodes or specifying particular regions like `us-west1-a` or `us-west1-b`.

### Integration with Kubernetes

Ray’s label selectors are inspired by Kubernetes labels and selectors, enhancing interoperability between the two platforms. This development aligns with ongoing efforts to integrate Ray more closely with Kubernetes, allowing users to leverage familiar APIs and semantics for more advanced scheduling use cases.

### Practical Applications

With label selectors, developers can achieve a wide range of scheduling goals, including:

– Pinning tasks to specific nodes
– Selecting CPU-only placements
– Targeting nodes with specific accelerators
– Keeping workloads within designated regions or zones

The feature supports both static and autoscaling clusters. Anyscale’s autoscaler takes into account resource shapes and label selectors to appropriately scale worker groups based on current needs.

### Future Developments

Looking ahead, Ray plans to expand the label selector feature with enhancements such as:

– Fallback label selectors
– Library support for common scheduling patterns
– Improved interoperability with Kubernetes

These improvements aim to simplify workload scheduling further and enhance the overall user experience.

For more detailed instructions and API information, developers are encouraged to consult the Anyscale and Ray official guides.

*Image source: Shutterstock*
https://Blockchain.News/news/ray-enhances-scheduling-with-new-label-selectors

¿Recibes el Seguro Social? Hay un cambio importante en los pagos de noviembre

Si eres uno de los millones de estadounidenses que reciben los pagos del Seguro Social, hay un importante cambio para este mes. Muchos de los beneficiarios no recibirán su próximo pago este sábado 1 de noviembre. ¿La razón? Esto se debe a que el primer día de noviembre cae en sábado.

**¿Cuándo se recibirán entonces los pagos?**

Para los beneficiarios del Ingreso Suplementario de Seguridad (SSI, por sus siglas en inglés), un beneficio mensual para adultos mayores o personas discapacitadas con ingresos limitados, el pago de noviembre llegó el viernes 31 de octubre. Si recibiste ese pago, ten en cuenta que corresponde al mes de noviembre y que no recibirás ningún dinero adicional durante todo el mes. El próximo pago regular se realizará el lunes 1 de diciembre.

**¿Qué pasa con los otros beneficiarios del Seguro Social?**

Este es el calendario de pagos para noviembre:

– Si empezaste a recibir beneficios antes de mayo de 1997 (o en algunos casos estás recibiendo simultáneamente Seguro Social y SSI), el pago se realizará el lunes 3 de noviembre.
– Si tu fecha de nacimiento es del 1 al 10 del mes, recibirás tu pago el miércoles 12 de noviembre.
– Si tu fecha de nacimiento es del 11 al 20, recibirás tu pago el miércoles 19 de noviembre.
– Si tu fecha de nacimiento es del 21 al 31, recibirás tu pago el miércoles 26 de noviembre.

**¿De cuánto será el aumento para 2026?**

A solo dos meses de que termine este año, muchos se preguntan de cuánto será el aumento para 2026. La Administración del Seguro Social anunció recientemente que los pagos de beneficios aumentarán un 2.8% el próximo año para compensar el costo de vida.

Esto quiere decir que los beneficios aumentarán aproximadamente $56 al mes.
https://www.telemundowashingtondc.com/noticias/eeuu/eeuu-seguro-social-ss-pagos-noviembre-2025/2352411/

Malaysia’s central bank sets three-year roadmap to pilot asset tokenization

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the country’s central bank, has unveiled a comprehensive three-year roadmap to explore and test asset tokenization across the financial sector. This initiative aims to modernize Malaysia’s financial infrastructure by leveraging the benefits of digital assets.

As part of the plan, BNM will launch several proof-of-concept (POC) projects and live pilots through its Digital Asset Innovation Hub (DAIH), which was established earlier this year. The central bank announced these developments on Friday, highlighting its commitment to fostering innovation in the digital asset ecosystem.

### Asset Tokenization Industry Working Group (IWG)

A key component of the roadmap is the formation of an Asset Tokenization Industry Working Group (IWG). This group will play a crucial role in coordinating industry-wide exploration, facilitating knowledge sharing, and identifying regulatory and legal challenges. The IWG will be co-led by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission (SC), focusing initially on foundational use cases that demonstrate clear economic value.

### Focus on Real-World Assets, Not Cryptocurrencies

BNM clarified that the tokenization efforts will concentrate on real-world assets rather than cryptocurrencies. Highlighted use cases include:

– Supply chain financing to expand SME credit access
– Tokenized liquidity management aimed at faster settlement
– Islamic finance applications to automate Shariah-compliant transactions
– Programmable payments
– Green finance initiatives
– 24/7 cross-border trade settlements

### Exploring Tokenized Deposits and Stablecoins

The central bank also plans to study the role of MYR-denominated tokenized deposits and stablecoins. The goal is to preserve the “singleness of money” while enabling efficient digital settlements. Integration of wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) will also be explored to enhance the overall financial ecosystem.

### Regional Collaboration and Industry Feedback

Malaysia aims to join other leading Asian regulators, such as Singapore’s Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Hong Kong’s Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), in piloting asset tokenization as part of its efforts to modernize financial infrastructure.

The central bank has opened industry feedback on the discussion paper until March 1, 2026, inviting stakeholders to contribute to shaping the future of digital asset regulation in Malaysia.

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### Malaysia’s Regulator Proposes Faster Crypto Listings

In related developments, Malaysia’s Securities Commission (SC) proposed a new framework in July to streamline cryptocurrency listings. Under this proposal, approved crypto exchanges would be allowed to list specific digital assets without prior approval from the regulator.

However, exchanges must ensure that listed assets have undergone public security audits and have been traded for at least one year on platforms compliant with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards. This move aims to promote greater agility in the digital asset market while maintaining regulatory oversight.

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For more updates on Malaysia’s digital asset landscape and ongoing regulatory changes, stay tuned.
https://cointelegraph.com/news/malaysia-central-bank-roadmap-pilot-asset-tokenization?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

How Justin Dean might have saved Dodgers’ season

The Los Angeles Dodgers live to fight another day! What seemed like a dire situation in the final inning took an unexpected turn that ultimately helped the Dodgers stay alive in the postseason.

It all started when Roki Sasaki accidentally hit Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, sending him on base with no outs. With postseason hero Addison Barger stepping up to the plate, the Dodgers needed a break — and they got one.

Barger sent a fly ball soaring deep into the outfield, perfectly positioned between left fielder Kike Hernandez and center fielder Justin Dean. Given the ball’s trajectory, pinch runner Myles Straw looked poised to dash home.

However, the unexpected happened: the ball became lodged underneath the outfield fence. The hit was eventually ruled a dead ball, and Barger was awarded second base. More importantly for the Dodgers, Straw stayed put at third instead of attempting to score.

That crucial break proved to be exactly what the Dodgers needed to close out the Blue Jays. Just a few plays later, the Dodgers turned a clutch double play to secure the win and earn a chance at Game 7.

After the game, Justin Dean explained his awareness of the situation. “I was just trusting the rule is the rule and trusting that ball will fit into the description,” he told reporter Arash Markazi. Dean’s heads-up play was key because had he tried to dislodge the ball from underneath the fence, the play would have continued.

In that time, Straw could have easily scored, and Barger might have advanced further. Instead, once the umpire blew his whistle to signal a dead ball, the play was halted, and the Dodgers preserved their lead.

Dean’s smart decision essentially saved the Dodgers a critical run and helped keep their postseason hopes alive.
https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/how-justin-dean-might-have-saved-dodgers-season

MEXC Denies Insolvency Rumors Amid Massive Withdrawals

**MEXC Denies Insolvency Rumors Amid Surge in Withdrawal Delays and Fund Outflows**

MEXC exchange has officially denied ongoing insolvency rumors following user reports of withdrawal delays and increased fund outflows. In an effort to boost transparency, the crypto exchange announced it will update its Merkle tree data tonight, allowing users to verify the reserves directly.

### Outflows Surge to $5.5 Billion Amid Liquidity Fears

The exchange issued a public statement reaffirming that all assets are “fully backed” and supported by Proof of Reserves (PoR), showing over 100% coverage. This clarification comes amid growing speculation on social media regarding MEXC’s liquidity status, with some users reporting slower transaction times.

Responding to these claims, MEXC described the rumors as “false and misleading” and emphasized its “strong financial health.”

However, data from CryptoQuant reveals that Bitcoin withdrawals on MEXC have surged to record highs. These massive outflows reflect growing apprehension among traders. Visual data highlights large movements of BTC, SOL, and ETH over the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, exchange reserve data from Coinglass indicates MEXC currently holds around $5.13 billion in assets. Despite this, the platform experienced $5.50 billion in outflows within the past 24 hours—the largest amount compared to its peers. Other exchanges, including KuCoin and Bitget, also registered net outflows, but these were significantly smaller in scale.

### Analysts Question MEXC’s Transparency, Call for Independent Audit

A key question remains: Is MEXC’s PoR statement sufficient to restore user confidence?

Financial transparency analyst Shanaka Anslem Perera weighed in, stating, “Evidence of solvency is no press release.” Perera emphasized that the exchange must demonstrate verifiable on-chain balances, disclose evident liabilities, and undergo external verification. He also highlighted that “withdrawals are the audit,” meaning an exchange’s liquidity strength is truly tested when users can freely withdraw assets without disruption.

Crypto commentator CookieSlap drew comparisons between MEXC’s situation and the lead-up to the FTX collapse. While the FTX restructuring team recently claimed that FTX was never bankrupt and assured creditors would receive full repayment, CookieSlap argued that “PoR needs to be done by an unbiased third party with full access to all balance sheets.”

Adding to the caution, crypto commentator StayCoti Node advised holders to “review your positions” and maintain control over their funds, cautioning, “They all say funds are safe, until they aren’t.”

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As concerns linger, market participants continue to watch MEXC closely, awaiting more transparent proof of its financial health and the ability to guarantee asset withdrawals without interruption.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/mexc-denies-insolvency-rumors-amid-massive-withdrawals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mexc-denies-insolvency-rumors-amid-massive-withdrawals