January 22nd • 3h 8m
Shownotes
Every new episode of No Agenda is accompanied by a comprehensive list of shownotes curated by Adam while preparing for the show. Clips played by the hosts during the show can also be found here.
Big Tech AI and The Socials
Thoughts on artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is like artificial flavoring
When everybody has the same models everything looks the same nothing is extraordinary anymore
Witness art and music
Small companies may be able to build great products if the idea people have enough skills to use these tools
Decentralization is the only way to success
Garbage in garbage out
Davos
Patrick Bateman - Wikipedia
Patrick Bateman - Wikipedia
## Excerpt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trump's Davos Speech
The End of the Charade
They perched there in their tailored hypocrisy—cashmere sweaters, bespoke suits, faces frozen in that practiced mask of enlightened concern—while the President of the United States looked them dead in the eye and ended their charade. Politely. Ruthlessly.
He informed them, in plain language, that the days of America bankrolling their utopian delusions are finished. Done. Over.
He put the entire Davos class—the unelected technocrats, the hedge-fund vampires, the NGO grifters, the media courtesans—on explicit notice:
"Your reign of unchallenged arrogance is terminated. We see every tentacle of your operation. We know exactly what you are: a parasitic elite that has feasted on the productive class for decades while selling the corpse back to us as 'progress.'"
The Shift in Reality
He reframed their criticisms, turning their own labels back against them:
What you diagnose as "mental disturbance" is what unfiltered strength looks like to cowards who’ve spent their lives groveling before power.
What you label "embarrassing" is the sound of a sovereign people finally refusing to kneel.
What you find "dangerous" is the sight of your entire worldview collapsing in real time, live on global television, delivered by a man who cannot be bought, bullied, or bribed.
A New Sheriff
He didn’t just address that room. He spoke past them... directly to the hundreds of millions who’ve been looted, lectured, and lied to. To every factory worker whose job was shipped overseas. To every parent watching their child’s school being turned into an indoctrination camp. To every citizen tired of watching their borders erased while billionaires build moats around their own compounds.
That audience of predators just witnessed the beginning of their obsolescence. They felt it—the shift in the air, the sudden realization that the protection racket they’ve run for fifty years has a new sheriff, and he’s not asking nicely anymore.
They know what’s coming. They felt the ground move under their feet. And they’re terrified.
Greenland Gambit
Nordic Troop Contributions to Iraq Post-911
Nordic Troop Contributions to Iraq (Post-9/11)
Following 9/11, Denmark was the only nation among the listed Nordic countries to send combat troops (approx. 545) for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Greenland and Iceland sent zero troops, though Iceland provided political support. Finland remained non-aligned during the 2003 invasion but later contributed ~80 trainers to the anti-ISIS coalition in 2015.
Troop Deployment Overview
Denmark provided the most significant contribution, participating directly in the 2003 invasion.
2003 Invasion (OIF): Deployed ~545 troops (peak) under British command in Basra (DANCON/IRAK).
Casualties: 7 soldiers killed.
2015 Anti-ISIS Coalition: Contributed ~120–150 personnel for radar operations and training.
Greenland
Troops: 0
Context: Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark and does not have an independent military. Defense is handled by the Danish Armed Forces.
Troops: 0
Context: Iceland has no standing army. It was a member of the "Coalition of the Willing" (political support and airspace/facility usage) but did not deploy combat forces.
2003 Invasion (OIF): 0 (Militarily non-aligned).
2015 Anti-ISIS Coalition: Deployed ~50–80 soldiers to Northern Iraq (Erbil) to train Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
Combined Totals
| Period | Mission | Combined Troop Count |
| :--------------- | :-------------------------------- | :--------------------------- |
| 2003–2007 | Invasion/Occupation | ~545 (All Danish) |
| 2015–Present | Operation Inherent Resolve (ISIS) | ~230 (Denmark & Finland) |
The Greenland Framework
International Framework Agreements: Definition & Greenland Comparables
In international relations, a Framework Agreement is a legally binding "umbrella" treaty that establishes broad commitments, principles, and governance structures while leaving specific details (targets, technical rules) to be negotiated in later protocols. For Greenland, the most comparable future frameworks are the Compact of Free Association (COFA) (used by the U.S. and Pacific nations), the Svalbard Treaty (resource sharing), and the Icelandic Defense Model (delegated security).
Definition: What is a "Framework"?
A Framework Agreement (or Framework Convention) serves as a foundation for long-term cooperation. It differs from a standard contract in that it is often an "agreement to agree" on future specifics.
Structure:
Core Treaty: Sets the objective (e.g., "Mutual Defense," "Free Trade," "Climate Action") and creates institutions (e.g., a Joint Commission).
Protocols/Annexes: Separate, more detailed agreements negotiated later that contain the actual technical rules or quotas.
Key Advantage: Allows parties to bypass immediate deadlock on details by agreeing on the "big picture" first. It provides flexibility to adapt to changing geopolitical or environmental conditions without renegotiating the entire treaty.
Comparable Frameworks for a Future Greenland
Given the current geopolitical interest (specifically the U.S. and NATO roles as of Jan 2026), the following existing international frameworks offer the closest comparisons for Greenland's potential future status.
A. The Compact of Free Association (COFA)
The Model:
Parties: United States ↔ Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau.
Structure: These nations are sovereign and independent but have signed a "Compact" delegating specific powers to the U.S.
Relevance to Greenland: This is the most frequently cited model for a hypothetical independent Greenland that remains aligned with the West.
Defense: The U.S. has exclusive military access and responsibility for defense.
Economy: The U.S. provides guaranteed financial assistance and access to federal services (like the Postal Service or FEMA).
Mobility: Citizens can live and work in the U.S. without visas.
Comparison: A "Greenlandic COFA" would likely grant the U.S. "total access" (as requested in recent 2026 negotiations) in exchange for economic security, replacing the Danish "Block Grant."
B. The Svalbard Treaty (1920)
The Model:
Parties: Norway (Sovereign) + 40+ other nations (Signatories).
Structure: Norway holds "absolute and strict" sovereignty, *but* the treaty bans military fortifications and grants all signatories equal rights to engage in commercial activities (mining, fishing, research) on the islands.
Relevance to Greenland: This is a comparable model if the goal is Resource Internationalization.
If Greenland wanted to maximize investment without choosing a single patron (US vs. EU vs. China), a "Svalbard-style" framework could allow Danish/Greenlandic sovereignty while granting treaty partners equal rights to rare earth mining.
C. The "Icelandic Defense" Model (1951)
The Model:
Parties: Iceland ↔ United States (Bilateral Defense Agreement).
Structure: Iceland is a NATO member with no standing army. It delegated its physical defense entirely to the U.S. (via the Keflavik Air Base) for decades.
Relevance to Greenland: This represents a "status quo plus" framework.
Unlike COFA, Iceland retains full control over its foreign policy and economy. The U.S. presence is strictly military. This compares to the recent Jan 2026 Trump-Rutte Framework discussions, where the U.S. seeks "permanent access" to Greenland for defense (Golden Dome/Missile Shield) without necessarily dissolving the Danish Kingdom.
D. The Hoyvík Agreement (2005)
The Model:
Parties: Iceland ↔ Faroe Islands.
Structure: A comprehensive trade agreement creating a single economic area between two North Atlantic island nations.
Relevance to Greenland: A model for Pan-Arctic Independence.
If Greenland seeks independence *away* from U.S./EU dominance, this framework illustrates how it could integrate economically with neighbors (Iceland, Faroes, Nunavut) to create a self-sustaining Arctic economic zone.
Comparison Table
| Framework Model | Sovereignty Status | Defense Control | Economic Link | Best For... |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| COFA | Independent | U.S. Exclusive | High (U.S. Aid) | Max Security / Econ Stability |
| Svalbard | Sovereign (Norway) | Demilitarized | Open to All | Commercial/Mining focus |
| Icelandic | Independent (NATO) | U.S. Delegated | Low/Independent | Security without dependency |
| Hoyvík | Autonomous | Local/Danish | Regional Integration | Arctic Solidarity |
The Irreversible Split of the West
US Strategic Rights to Greenland - A Historical Overview 1910–1946
US Strategic Rights to Greenland: A Historical Overview (1910–1946)
[!SUMMARY]
From the perspective of the Monroe Doctrine and North American security, the United States has historically viewed Greenland not as a distant European colony, but as a strategic asset within the American sphere of influence. This note covers the timeline of US attempts to secure ownership, highlighting the 1910 Tripartite Proposal, the 1917 Territorial Concession, and the 1941 Protectorate status, all of which establish a precedent for the US "Right to Protect."
The 1910 Secret Proposal: The "Three-Way Swap"
*Context: The boldest diplomatic attempt to secure Greenland prior to WWI.*
In 1910, Maurice Francis Egan (US Ambassador to Denmark) proposed a complex territorial exchange to solve Denmark's colonial financial burdens and secure America's northern flank.
The Proposal:
The US acquires Greenland from Denmark.
The US cedes Mindanao (Philippines) to Denmark.
Denmark trades Mindanao to Germany in exchange for Northern Schleswig (territory previously lost by Denmark).
Strategic Implication: The US signaled that North American security (Greenland) took precedence over imperial expansion in the Pacific (The Philippines). It established Greenland as a negotiable asset essential to the Western Hemisphere.
The "Lost Claim" of 1917: The Strategic Trade-Off
*Context: The moment the US "paused" its rights for immediate tactical gain.*
During WWI, the US feared Germany would seize the Danish West Indies (US Virgin Islands) to threaten the Panama Canal.
The Claim: The US held a territorial claim to Northern Greenland based on the explorations of Admiral Robert Peary, who had planted the US flag there.
The Deal: In the Treaty of the Danish West Indies (1917), the US purchased the Virgin Islands for $25 million.
The Concession: As part of the price, Secretary of State Robert Lansing formally renounced the US claim to Northern Greenland, recognizing Danish sovereignty over the whole island.
The Viewpoint: This was a transaction, not an admission of lack of interest. The US traded a long-term claim for immediate canal security. Critics argue that rights traded away can be reclaimed if the security context (the Monroe Doctrine) demands it.
1941: The "Right to Protect" Activated (The Kauffman Agreement)
*Context: Proof that Danish sovereignty is conditional on European stability.*
When Nazi Germany occupied Denmark in 1940, the US moved to prevent a hostile power from gaining a foothold in North America.
The Action: On April 9, 1941, the Danish Ambassador Henrik Kauffmann defied his occupied government in Copenhagen and signed a defense treaty with the US.
The Protectorate: The US effectively declared Greenland a US Protectorate, assuming responsibility for its supply and defense, and constructing bases (Bluie West One/Eight).
Strategic Precedent: This event established that when Denmark is incapacitated, Greenland naturally reverts to the American sphere of protection due to geographic reality.
1946: The Attempt to Formalize Ownership
*Context: The Truman Administration attempts to correct the 1917 error.*
Following the success of the WWII protectorate, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff deemed Greenland vital for polar defense against the USSR.
The Offer: Secretary of State James Byrnes offered Denmark $100 million in gold to purchase Greenland outright.
The Outcome: Denmark refused the sale but conceded to the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement, granting the US permanent exclusive rights to key areas like Thule Air Base.
Board of Peace
Putin invited to join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace,’ Kremlin says
Climate Change
Meteorologists warn of 'exploding trees' as brutal cold snap is expected to plunge temps below zero New York Post
Meteorologists warn of 'exploding trees' as brutal cold snap is expected to plunge temps below zero | New York Post
## Excerpt
A tree-mendous freeze.
Solid State Battery - Donut Lab
Battery - Donut Lab
## Excerpt
The Battery - Powering progress everywhere - unleashing Potential Across Industries. Energy optimised for every challenge.
ICE
DOJ vows to press charges after activists disrupt church where Minnesota ICE official is a pastor
Transmaoism
‘No other option’ inside the refugee camp for trans Americans fleeing Trump Refugees The Guardian
‘No other option’: inside the refugee camp for trans Americans fleeing Trump | Refugees | The Guardian
## Excerpt
Fear, abuse and eroding rights have forced many trans people to leave the US – can they claim asylum in the Netherlands?
USD BTC STABLECOIN
Banks vs Stablecoin explained
Coinbase vs. The Banking Lobby: The Fight Over Stablecoin Yield
[!SUMMARY]
Brian Armstrong (Coinbase CEO) opposes proposed stablecoin legislation not because he fears regulation, but because the bill includes a ban on yield demanded by the banking lobby. While banks seek to prevent "capital flight" by outlawing crypto interest, Armstrong argues this legislation is a protectionist move to shield traditional banks from competition, preventing crypto platforms from offering superior rates to consumers.
The Core Conflict
What the Banks Want (The ABA Stance)
The Fear: Banks fear that if stablecoins are allowed to offer high yields (interest), consumers will move their money out of traditional low-interest savings accounts.
The Prediction: They predict a massive "capital flight" (potentially draining $6 trillion) that would reduce the capital available for mortgages and small business loans.
The Strategy: Lobby for legislation (like the draft Senate bill) that explicitly bans stablecoin issuers from offering yield, effectively neutralizing the competitive threat.
What Brian Armstrong Wants (The Coinbase Stance)
Opposition to the Ban: Armstrong opposes the legislation because it codifies the banks' monopoly on interest-bearing accounts.
Pro-Competition: He argues that "capital flight" is simply the free market at work; if banks want to keep customers, they should offer better rates, not use the government to handicap competitors.
The Goal: Coinbase wants the legal right to pass revenue (yield) back to customers, utilizing their lower-overhead structure to outperform traditional bank rates.
The "Not a Bank" Factor
Armstrong's position relies on the fact that Coinbase *isn't* a bank:
Efficiency: Without the overhead of physical branches and legacy infrastructure, crypto platforms can theoretically offer higher returns.
Regulatory Arbitrage: The banking lobby is using the "Clarity Act" to force crypto companies to adhere to bank-like restrictions (no yield) without giving them bank-like privileges, stripping away their primary competitive advantage.
Sources
*
KYC AML Requirements in Stablecoin Legislation
KYC/AML Requirements in Stablecoin Legislation
[!SUMMARY]
Yes. Every major piece of proposed US federal stablecoin legislation explicitly mandates Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance. Regulators view stablecoins as a potential vector for illicit finance, so bills like the *Lummis-Gillibrand Act* and the *Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act* treat issuers as "financial institutions," subjecting them to the same Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) standards as traditional banks.
The Legislative Consensus
While debates rage over "yield" and "federal vs. state" licensing, there is near-universal bipartisan agreement on illicit finance. If a stablecoin bill passes, it will require strict identity verification.
Lummis-Gillibrand Payment Stablecoin Act
Classification: Explicitly classifies payment stablecoin issuers as financial institutions for the purposes of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).
Requirements:
Mandatory AML/CFT: Issuers must comply with all US anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism rules.
Sanctions Screening: Required to block transactions involving sanctioned entities (OFAC compliance).
Executive Bans: Prohibits individuals convicted of financial crimes (money laundering, fraud) from serving as executives.
Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act (H.R. 4766)
Custodial Oversight: Mandates that any entity providing custodial services for stablecoins must be subject to supervision that includes KYC/AML standards.
Global Alignment: Aims to close regulatory gaps that allow "regulatory arbitrage" (moving to jurisdictions with weak laws) by requiring foreign issuers to meet equivalent AML standards if they want to do business in the US.
The "GENIUS" Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins)
Technical Enforcement: Goes a step further by requiring issuers to have the technical capability to freeze, seize, or burn tokens when ordered by law enforcement.
Transaction Monitoring: Requires real-time monitoring of blockchain activity to detect suspicious patterns.
Key Compliance Implications
If these laws pass, stablecoin issuers (like Circle, Paxos, or potential bank issuers) must implement:
Identity Verification: Verifying the identity of every customer before they can mint or redeem stablecoins.
Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs): Filing reports with FinCEN for any suspicious transactions.
Travel Rule: Complying with rules that require sharing sender/receiver data for transactions over a certain threshold.
Sources
Lummis-Gillibrand Breakdown: Troutman Pepper Analysis
Clarity Act Text: Congress.gov H.R. 4766
AML Overview: Castellum.AI: Stablecoins and AML Compliance
*
Zoomers vs Boomers
Parker bakelite phone
Zoomer Currency Story
I run a sales team for a mid-sized PEO that provides payroll and benefits services exclusively in the U.S. Recently, I was on a Zoom call with one of my Gen Z reps and a prospective client. During the conversation, it became clear that the prospect also needed services in Canada. Since we only operate in the United States, I ended the call early.
Afterward, my rep asked why we couldn’t help them. I explained that Canada has different employment laws and operates in a different currency. She asked what I meant by “different currency,” so I clarified that Canada uses its own money. She was genuinely surprised and asked if other countries don’t use U.S. dollars and instead have their own currency.
It was an unexpected reminder of how different generational experiences can shape baseline knowledge.
Clip Sources
VIDEO - “Can Europe Fight Without America” — Reporter Challenges Finland’s Stubb Over Trump Pressure AQ1B - YouTube
“Can Europe Fight Without America?” — Reporter Challenges Finland’s Stubb Over Trump Pressure | AQ1B - YouTube
## Excerpt
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
VIDEO - Big Beautiful Ships
(2) BC on X: "@adamcurry he almost said it. https://t.co/yom78RJH5h" / X
## Excerpt
Live on X
VIDEO - Channel 4 Davis and Greenland update
VIDEO - China’s Biggest Rare Earth Factory Explodes, Workers Blown Away, Massive Tank Hurled 2 km - YouTube
China’s Biggest Rare Earth Factory Explodes, Workers Blown Away, Massive Tank Hurled 2 km - YouTube
## Excerpt
Around 3 PM on January 18, the largest rare earth refining and processing plant in China—Baotou Baogang Rare Earth Steel Plate Factory in Inner Mongolia—expl...
VIDEO - Comer Clintons Still Have Opportunity To Negotiate After Contempt Of Congress Resolutions Advance - YouTube
Comer: Clintons Still Have Opportunity To Negotiate After Contempt Of Congress Resolutions Advance - YouTube
## Excerpt
On Wednesday, Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said the Clintons could still negotiate with the House Oversight Committee after Contempt of Congress resolutions advan...
VIDEO - Don Lemon put 'on notice' for role in church protest in Minnesota Fox News
Don Lemon put 'on notice' for role in church protest in Minnesota | Fox News
## Excerpt
DOJ official Harmeet Dhillon put Don Lemon "on notice" that the First Amendment did not necessarily protect him from being part of disrupting a prayer service.
VIDEO - EOS Alex signal
VIDEO - EU can defend itself clip from Alex signal
VIDEO - EU Commission says Mercosur delay means EU weakening itself • FRANCE 24 English - YouTube
EU Commission says Mercosur delay means EU "weakening itself" • FRANCE 24 English - YouTube
## Excerpt
The European Union's parliament voted on Wednesday to refer a freshly signed trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur to the EU's top court, casting the ...
VIDEO - Lemon on racist Christians
VIDEO - Lutnick Says Relations With Europe, Greenland Are Fine - YouTube
Lutnick Says Relations With Europe, Greenland Are Fine - YouTube
## Excerpt
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says relationships with our European allies and others are fine. He also talks about the security agreements reached abo...
VIDEO - Marco Rubio praises Trump's vision for 'Board of Peace' while criticising existing institutions - YouTube
Marco Rubio praises Trump's vision for 'Board of Peace' while criticising existing institutions - YouTube
## Excerpt
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has described Donald Trump as a "president of action" and says he's committed to Gaza's demilitarisation and will "pursue i...
VIDEO - Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison justifies the anti-ICE protesters
VIDEO - Mysterious Seed Packets From China Showing Up in Central Texas Mailboxes - YouTube
Mysterious Seed Packets From China Showing Up in Central Texas Mailboxes - YouTube
## Excerpt
Most people open their mail without a second thought — but across Central Texas, some residents are finding unexpected packages filled with mystery seeds. Th...
VIDEO - NATO Chief Rutte Details Greenland Breakthrough in Talks With Trump - YouTube
NATO Chief Rutte Details Greenland Breakthrough in Talks With Trump - YouTube
## Excerpt
NATO’s chief said a breakthrough over Greenland was secured without discussing the territory’s sovereignty with President Donald Trump, focusing rather on th...
VIDEO - NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte Tells Davos Audience, Trump is Right
VIDEO - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sides with President Trump
Derrick Evans on X: "🚨 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sides with President Trump: defend Greenland and the Arctic from China and Russia. "Trump is right. We have to do more there! We have to protect the Arctic against Russian and Chinese influence!" https://t.co/4TrgvN5XQp" / X
## Excerpt
Live on X
VIDEO - Professor Michael Clarke assesses Chagos Islands deal - YouTube
Professor Michael Clarke assesses Chagos Islands deal - YouTube
## Excerpt
President Trump has slammed the UK's decision to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, in a deal that includes a formal transfer of Diego Garcia, which is ho...
VIDEO - Promethean Davos clips
VIDEO - Scott Bessent just PUMMELED Gavin Newsom in Davos
(19) Eric Daugherty on X: "🚨 HOLY CRAP! Scott Bessent just PUMMELED Gavin Newsom in Davos "He's here this week with his billionaire sugar daddy, Alex Soros!" 🔥 "I think it's very, very ironic that Newsom — who strikes me as Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ben — may be the only Californian who knows https://t.co/rdHEvghP2v" / X
## Excerpt
Live on X
