FTX founder allegedly planned a doomsday bunker on Nauru for effective altruists during a global catastrophe. Lawsuit reveals the details.
Unveiling the Alleged Plan: Nauru as a Safe Refuge
The FTX Foundation is accused of planning to use the island nation of Nauru as a safe haven, converting it into a doomsday bunker for effective altruists in the event of a global catastrophe that could potentially affect 50% to 99.99% of the world’s population, according to a recently filed lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims that the FTX Foundation, the nonprofit arm associated with the now-defunct FTX exchange, was engaged in discussions about acquiring Nauru to construct a massive bunker or shelter. According to the alleged plan, this secure facility would be designed to protect effective altruists, a group of people devoted to making the most impactful charitable contributions to address pressing global issues.
The discussions surrounding the Nauru project reportedly involved the exchange’s former CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, his brother, Gabriel Bankman-Fried, and an unnamed FTX Foundation officer. Furthermore, their vision revolved around securing Nauru as a refuge to ensure the survival of effective altruists in the face of a potential doomsday event.
However, the lawsuit reveals a darker side of the foundation’s activities. It alleges that some of the projects funded by the FTX Foundation were “frequently misguided and sometimes dystopian.” Among these initiatives were a $300,000 grant for researching human utility functions and a $400,000 grant for YouTube videos on rationalist and effective altruism topics, including “grabby aliens.”
Nauru: From Money-Laundering Hotspot to Potential Doomsday Shelter
Situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, Nauru is the world’s smallest island nation, with a population of around 12,000 people. In the late 1990s, the country gained notoriety as a hotspot for money laundering, particularly aiding Russian criminals in laundering an estimated $70 billion. As a result, the U.S. Treasury designated Nauru as a money-laundering state in 2002, leading to severe sanctions and the closure of the Bank of Nauru in 2006.
Since then, Nauru has undertaken significant efforts to improve its international reputation and address issues related to financial crimes. By implementing stricter regulations and adhering to international standards, Nauru has successfully deterred offshore banking activities and demonstrated its commitment to combat money laundering.
Final Thoughts
As the lawsuit unfolds, it raises profound questions about the ethical implications of using an entire nation as a refuge in times of global crisis. Furthermore, it highlights the complexities surrounding the vision of effective altruism and the need for transparency and responsible philanthropy within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Only time will reveal the full extent of the alleged plan and its potential impact on the future of charitable endeavors and the reputation of the entities involved.