Aaron Krolik / New York Times:
How “cash to crypto” swaps allow users everywhere to convert national currencies to stablecoins and then debit cards, avoiding financial oversight and sanctions  —  Smugglers, money launderers and people facing sanctions once relied on diamonds, gold and artwork to store illicit fortunes.

Lauren Thomas / Wall Street Journal:
IBM agrees to acquire data streaming software maker Confluent for ~$11B in cash, above its ~$8B market value as of its December 5 close, paying $31 per share  —  Confluent shares surged more than 25% in premarket trading Monday, while IBM's fell slightly.

Lisa Bonos / Washington Post:
A look at an “etiquette camp” for young founders in San Francisco, which teaches them how to dress, act, and talk, amid shifting expectations for tech founders  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Strolling into the Four Seasons Hotel, wearing a suit on a recent Wednesday, artificial intelligence start …

John Thornhill / Financial Times:
Impressions from a London test ride in a car using Wayve's self-driving tech; Wayve has raised $1.3B since its launch and is testing cars with Level 2+ autonomy  —  John Thornhill takes an autonomous spin through the city's tangled streets with the British start-up's chief Alex Kendall

Almost every "year-end" and "best-of" list that publications drop are flaming dumpster fires. Here are the three reasons why.

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