Frank McCourt: Project Liberty's bid for TikTok is aligned with U.S. national security priorities
Frank McCourt, Project Liberty founder, joins CNBC's 'Money Movers' to discuss his bid for TikTok, whether TikTok may be a part of trade negotiations, and more.
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New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Amazon Prime! Jeff Bezos shuts down NYC street to get furniture delivered to penthouse via crane: video
Must be a perk of Prime. A stretch of Fifth Avenue was closed for a massive delivery to Jeff Bezos' sprawling NoMad penthouse, according to a mind-blowing video shared on TikTok. A huge piece of wrapped furniture dangled from a rope as a crane last week slowly hoisted it above the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 26th Street, which was lined with caution tape, barricades, machinery and moving company trucks. 4 Jeff Bezos shut down part of 5th Avenue so a crane could deliver furniture to his NYC penthouse. William C Lopez/New York Post Dozens of workers milled about, directing traffic and joining passersby in watching as the item neared the top of 24-story 212 Fifth Ave., where Bezos reportedly owns five apartments spanning the top four floors worth $119 million. Raffi Arslanian, the owner of luxury candle company Thompson Ferrier, caught the commotion on camera Saturday. 'You want to see how Jeff Bezos delivers his furniture? Let me show you,' said Arslanian, whose office is a block away. 4 Bezos owns five apartments in a NoMad building that overlooks Madison Square Park. Dave Benett/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR 'I think we all can relate to this,' he joked. 'Now back to reality, where, when we move, we get a U-Haul and we do it ourselves, or at best, we get a company to do it — but we don't close the street,' Arslanian quipped. 4 Bezos owns the top four floors of the building. William C Lopez/New York Post His video has garnered more than 970,000 views and thousands of comments, some speculating about what giant object the crane was transporting. 'It's a hot tub,' said one commenter. A grand piano, suggested another. 4 A TikTok video of the scene went viral. thompsonferrier_nyc/ TikTok Others were more interested in how much the operation cost. Large-scale moves using cranes can cost upwards of $20,000 a day, according to reports, and require permits to shut down the streets. 'Amazon prime delivery, billionaire subscription,' one TikToker joked. 'We would all do the same if we had 100 billion dollars,' another remarked. Bezos, worth an estimated $223 billion, according to Forbes, between 2019 and 2021 plucked up one unit after another in the former office tower overlooking Madison Square Park.
CNBC
2 hours ago
- CNBC
'Bitcoin Family' hides crypto codes etched onto metal cards on four continents after recent kidnappings
A wave of high-profile kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency executives has rattled the industry — and prompted a quiet security revolution among some of its most visible evangelists. Didi Taihuttu, patriarch of the so-called "Bitcoin Family," said he overhauled the family's entire security setup after a string of threats. The Taihuttus — who sold everything they owned in 2017, from their house to their shoes, to go all-in on bitcoin when it was trading around $900 — have long lived on the outer edge of crypto ideology. They travel full-time with their three daughters and remain entirely unbanked. Over the past eight months, he said, the family ditched hardware wallets in favor of a hybrid system: Part analog, part digital, with seed phrases encrypted, split, and stored either through blockchain-based encryption services or hidden across four continents. "We have changed everything," Taihuttu told CNBC on a call from Phuket, Thailand. "Even if someone held me at gunpoint, I can't give them more than what's on my wallet on my phone. And that's not a lot." CNBC first reported on the family's unconventional storage system in 2022, when Taihuttu described hiding hardware wallets across multiple continents — in places ranging from rental apartments in Europe to self-storage units in South America. As physical attacks on crypto holders become more frequent, even they are rethinking their exposure. This week, Moroccan police arrested a 24-year-old suspected of orchestrating a series of brutal kidnappings targeting crypto executives. One victim, the father of a crypto millionaire, was allegedly held for days in a house south of Paris — and reportedly had a finger severed during the ordeal. In a separate case earlier this year, a co-founder of French wallet firm Ledger and his wife were abducted from their home in central France in a ransom scheme that also targeted another Ledger executive. Last month in New York, authorities said, a 28-year-old Italian tourist was kidnapped and tortured for 17 days in a Manhattan apartment by attackers trying to extract his bitcoin password — shocking him with wires, beating him with a gun, and strapping an Apple AirTag around his neck to track his movements. The common thread: The pursuit of crypto credentials that enable instant, irreversible transfers of virtual assets. "It is definitely frightening to see a lot of these kidnappings happen," said JP Richardson, CEO of crypto wallet company Exodus. He urged users to take security into their own hands by choosing self-custody, storing larger sums on hardware wallets, and — for those holding significant assets — exploring multi-signature wallets, a setup typically used by institutions. Richardson also recommended spreading funds across different wallet types and avoiding large balances in hot wallets to reduce risk without sacrificing flexibility. That rising sense of vulnerability is fueling a new demand for physical protection with insurance firms now racing to offer kidnap and ransom (K&R) policies tailored to crypto holders. But Taihuttu isn't waiting for corporate solutions. He's opted for complete decentralization — of not just his finances, but his personal risk profile. As the family prepares to return to Europe from Thailand, safety has become a constant topic of conversation. "We've been talking about it a lot as a family," Taihuttu said. "My kids read the news, too — especially that story in France, where the daughter of a CEO was almost kidnapped on the street." Now, he said, his daughters are asking difficult questions: What if someone tries to kidnap us? What's the plan? Though the girls carry only small amounts of crypto in their personal wallets, the family has decided to avoid France entirely. "We got a little bit famous in a niche market — but that niche is becoming a really big market now," Taihuttu said. "And I think we'll see more and more of these robberies. So yeah, we're definitely going to skip France." Even in Thailand, Taihuttu recently stopped posting travel updates and filming at home after receiving disturbing messages from strangers who claimed to have identified his location from YouTube vlogs. "We stayed in a very beautiful house for six months — then I started getting emails from people who figured out which house it was. They warned me to be careful, told me not to leave my kids alone," he said. "So we moved. And now we don't film anything at all." "It's a strange world at the moment," he said. "So we're taking our own precautions — and when it comes to wallets, we're now completely hardware wallet-less. We don't use any hardware wallets anymore." The family's new system involves splitting a single 24-word bitcoin seed phrase — the cryptographic key that unlocks access to their crypto holdings — into four sets of six words, each stored in a different geographic location. Some are kept digitally through blockchain-based encryption platforms, while others are etched by hand into fireproof steel plates using a hammer and letter punch, then hidden in physical locations across four continents. "Even if someone finds 18 of the 24 words, they can't do anything," Taihuttu explained. On top of that, he's added a layer of personal encryption, swapping out select words to throw off would-be attackers. The method is simple, but effective. "You only need to remember which ones you changed," he said. Part of the reason for ditching hardware wallets, Taihuttu said, was a growing mistrust of third-party devices. Concerns about backdoors and remote access features — including a controversial update by Ledger in 2023 — prompted the family to abandon physical hardware altogether in favor of encrypted paper and steel backups. While the family still holds some crypto in "hot" wallets — for daily spending or to run their algorithmic trading strategy — those funds are protected by multi-signature approvals, which require multiple parties to sign off before a transaction can be executed. The Taihuttus use Safe — formerly Gnosis Safe — for ether and other altcoins, and similarly layered setups for bitcoin stored on centralized platforms like Bybit. About 65% of the family's crypto is locked in cold storage across four continents — a decentralized system Taihuttu prefers to centralized vaults like the Swiss Alps bunker used by Coinbase-owned Xapo. Those facilities may offer physical protection and inheritance services, but Taihuttu said they require too much trust. "What happens if one of those companies goes bankrupt? Will I still have access?" he said. "You're putting your capital back in someone else's hands." Instead, Taihuttu holds his own keys — hidden across the globe. He can top up the wallets remotely with new deposits, but accessing them would require at least one international trip, depending on which fragments of the seed phrase are needed. The funds, he added, are intended as a long-term pension to be accessed only if bitcoin hits $1 million — a milestone he's targeting for 2033. The shift toward multiparty protections extends beyond just multi-signature. Multi-party computation, or MPC, is gaining traction as a more advanced security model. Instead of storing private keys in one place — a vulnerability known as a "single point of compromise" — MPC splits a key into encrypted shares distributed across multiple parties. Transactions can only go through when a threshold number of those parties approve, sharply reducing the risk of theft or unauthorized access. Multi-signature wallets require several parties to approve a transaction. MPC takes that further by cryptographically splitting the private key itself, ensuring that no single individual ever holds the full key — not even their own complete share. The shift comes amid renewed scrutiny of centralized crypto platforms like Coinbase, which recently disclosed a data breach affecting tens of thousands of customers. Taihuttu, for his part, says 80% of his trading now happens on decentralized exchanges like Apex — a peer-to-peer platform that allows users to set buy and sell orders without relinquishing custody of their funds, marking a return to crypto's original ethos. While he declined to reveal his total holdings, Taihuttu did share his goal for the current bull cycle: a $100 million net worth, with 60% still held in bitcoin. The rest is a mix of ether, layer-1 tokens like solana, link, sui, and a growing number of AI and education-focused startups — including his own platform offering blockchain and life-skills courses for kids. Lately, he's also considering stepping back from the spotlight. "It's really my passion to create content. It's really what I love to do every day," he said. "But if it's not safe anymore for my daughters ... I really need to think about them."
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business Insider
Business class flights are a good investment if you're willing to splurge. Here's how 3 airlines compared.
Welcome back to our Saturday edition! Are you ready to splurge on your new summer soles? Here are six shoe trends that are in, and four that are out. On the agenda: Why dairy is so back. Inside Addison Rae's pivot from TikTok influencer to bona fide pop star. Bottle service, Shrek impersonators, oh my! The bachelorette industrial complex is out of control. Fine-dining restaurants are strategizing to survive an uncertain economy. But first: Get in. We're getting outta here! If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Business Insider's app here. This week's dispatch Jill Schildhouse Business class battle royale If you want your luxe vacation to start as soon as you step foot into the airport, business-class travel nearly guarantees top-tier comfort. From the lie-flat seats to the impeccable food offerings, it's the best kind of splurge — if you're willing to invest in the upgrade. Business Insider contributing writer Jill Schildhouse, who takes at least 50 flights a year and has been to more than 36 countries, went on three business-class flights recently. She compared the offerings from American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas. Here's how they fared. American Airlines: After flying 13 hours from Dallas to Tokyo, Schildhouse said her business class seat "was more angled toward the windows, which made it feel more private." She was also impressed by the service. After a flight attendant noticed her drinking a lot of water, they "brought me a huge bottle to enjoy … plus a second one to take with me." Qantas: Australia's flagship carrier scored points for being the only airline to offer Schildhouse pajamas during her long-haul flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne. They were so comfy, she still wears them at home. It was also the only plane to have a vibey lounge area that allowed business-class passengers to "grab snacks and drinks from coolers." Singapore Airlines: Schildhouse was most impressed by this airline during her 16-hour flight from Singapore to Los Angeles. It had her favorite seat "thanks to the plush bedding and three pillows provided when it was turned into a bed." It also scored high points for having her favorite meals that were "full of flavor." Convinced yet? Leggo. Dare to dairy After years of being sidelined by alternative dairy products like oat milk and cashew cream, dairy is poised for a comeback. It's riding the wave of protein enthusiasm that's been dominating health trends. Milk has also become culturally cool again since it's the OG natural drink — gut-friendly and minimally processed. Plus, there's no shortage of options: offerings include everything from chocolate butter to probiotic ice cream and pistachio-flavored kefir. The next milk-fed frontier. Who's afraid of Addison Rae? Addison Rae launched to TikTok stardom by posting lip-synching and dancing videos around the clock. Her first foray into pop music in 2021 was a spectacular flop, both in the critical and popular spheres. Four years later, however, Rae has become pop music's newest "It Girl." That included a slow yet total overhaul of her content strategy, a focus on narrative and nostalgia, and a little help from friends like Charli XCX along the way. Mastering the rebrand. The era of extreme bachelorette parties Gone are the days of a nice night on the town celebrating the bride-to-be. Now, friends of the bride are shelling out money for plane tickets, a space in a crammed Airbnb, a bottomless brunch, merch, and more. Over the past decade, bachelorette parties have become nearly as anticipated — and sometimes as expensive — as the big day. From Etsy shops for decor to concierge services, the bachelorette planning industry is bolstering a whole new subset of the economy. Bride or die. Fine dining? In this economy?! Just as restaurants were recovering from pandemic-era woes, the fine-dining scene has been hit with the soaring costs of goods, labor shortages, and potential tariffs. The restaurant industry won't go down without a fight, though. In times of economic hardship, fine dining needs to feel worth the price — and restaurants are getting creative to retain diners. The key is events and experiences. What we're watching this weekend "Sinners": For their latest collaboration, Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan deliver a haunting vampire tale set in 1930s Mississippi that's streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Fandango. "Becoming Led Zeppelin": The beautifully crafted documentary, available on Netflix, chronicles the formation and early years of one of the greatest rock bands ever assembled. "Stick": In the new Apple TV+ series, Owen Wilson plays a washed-up former pro golfer who finds redemption when he takes an aspiring player under his wing. What to shop Father's Day gift idea: Get your dad a gift you know he'll love: great food from popular restaurants around the country, delivered straight to his door. Our deputy executive editor has trusted Goldbelly with the job for years. Here's why. Your feet deserve better: Stop walking around the house barefoot! In our guide to the best women's slippers, we've found 14 pairs that will support your feet for reduced arch and back pain. Skincare we love on sale: Some of us here on the Reviews team have trusted Kiehl's for years — that's why we're so excited about the brand's sale. Check out some of our favorites that are up to 30% off. More of this week's top reads: Roblox has kids yearning for the farm with "Grow a Garden." I can see why it's addicting. I've traveled around the world, but this lively city in Mexico stole my heart. Meet the Kardashians' plastic surgeons. Walton Goggins explained why he unfollowed "White Lotus" costar Aimee Lou Wood and debunked rumors of their feud. 10 mistakes guests should never make at weddings, according to etiquette experts. I spent almost $7,000 on a 1-week retreat in the woods. It was worth every penny. A cardiologist overhauled his diet to boost his longevity. Here's the grocery store path he takes to stick to his meal plan. Nine cocktails that will be everywhere this summer, according to bartenders and mixologists. The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Akin Oyedele, senior editor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.
