FINCast K2 Integrity

Amidst the fast-moving events with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, FINCast recorded an episode on February 25, 2022, to examine developments and the role of sanctions in this seismic and complex geopolitical event. On FINCast Episode 33, Juan Zarate interviews Foundation for the Defense of Democracies’ Brad Bowman and K2 Integrity’s Katya Hazard about the situation on the ground, the weight and importance of sanctions as a principal tool in response, and what sanctions and financial measures against Russia mean for the ongoing conflict.

With the international community now moving to isolate Russia from the financial and commercial system, this FINCast provides a snapshot of events and insights into how sanctions have been used as a tool of economic statecraft, whether to apply a maximalist sanctions approach to Russian aggression, and how the international community should respond next if sanctions cannot deter further aggression.

Few industries saw as much buzz as the world of cryptocurrency, stablecoins, and digital payments in 2021. Beyond the hype, what does the digital assets economy look like, and how are regulators and policymakers treating the crypto ecosystem? What does the future of the crypto economy, stablecoins and the financial system look like? On FINCast Episode 32, Juan Zarate interviews Circle’s Dante Disparte and Mandeep Walia about the state of the digital assets economy and regulation in the space, while also diving deep on the role of stablecoins like USDC and Circle’s place in the ecosystem. As new technology evolves and adoption grows, Juan, Dante, and Mandeep discuss how the risks of the digital assets economy need to be managed and how stablecoins and digital payments can help promote financial inclusion, transparency, and integrity. Tune in to this episode to hear more about the latest trends and insights on the ongoing public debate—and how the U.S. can maintain a competitive edge in the digital currency race.

The Pandora Papers: As the world absorbs the explosive revelations in the mass amounts of leaked financial documents, what do the Pandora Papers reveal about the way global elites move and hide money in the international financial system and how regulations and policies for financial transparency are working or overpowered? On this episode of FINCast, K2 Integrity’s Juan Zarate hosts Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Greg Miller from The Washington Post, discussing Greg’s in-depth reporting and analysis of the Pandora Papers’ exposure of the challenges to financial transparency, good governance, corruption, and national security. While the reaction to illicit activity and financial secrecy ripples throughout the world, fundamental questions remain: will these revelations prompt action to address high-level corruption and financial crimes, accelerate regulatory changes to ensure transparency and accountability, and spur action to address growing economic inequity and safeguard the integrity of the global financial system?

The Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan: What does it mean for sanctions, the country’s economy, and emerging financial crimes risks? Join K2 Integrity’s counterterrorist financing and risk experts Danny Glaser, Eric Lorber, and Gail Fuller as they discuss with K2 Integrity’s Juan Zarate the fundamental questions and effects surrounding the application of sanctions to Afghanistan, tools and leverage the U.S. and other countries may have in the economic domain, and the broader financial and commercial risks attendant to the Taliban takeover of the Afghan economy.

In this episode, K2 Integrity’s Juan Zarate conducts a fascinating conversation with K2 Integrity Chairman and Co-Founder Jules Kroll that links past and present challenges in the corporate security and business intelligence industries and looks to the future on the global dangers of cyber threats. Touching on topics such as the national security imperatives of asset recovery and weaponization of misleading and inaccurate information, Jules Kroll brings his 50 years of experience to bear in this prescient interview.

In this episode, K2 Integrity’s Juan Zarate is joined by his colleagues Danny Glaser and Chip Poncy to discuss fraud and cybercrime challenges related to COVID-19, expectations for sanctions policy, and the Anti-Money Laundering Reform Act of 2020.