On this episode of Deep Focus, guest host Richard Wolff sits down with financial crime expert and former regulator William K. Black to examine the world of cryptocurrency, financial fraud, and the growing influence of speculative finance. Black explains how crypto scams, rug pulls, stablecoins, and Ponzi-like schemes operate, drawing parallels to historic financial scandals from the Savings & Loan crisis to Bernie Madoff.The conversation also explores accounting fraud, “zombie” corporations, the role of credit rating agencies in the 2008 financial crisis, and concerns about the intersection of cryptocurrency, political power, and government policy. Drawing on decades of experience investigating financial crime, Black offers a critical look at the structures that allow fraud to persist within modern capitalism and the risks they may pose to the broader economy.00:00 Crypto and Crime: Why Criminals Love Cryptocurrency01:22 Rug Pulls Explained (Argentina Example)03:59 Why Crypto Keeps Growing Despite Fraud Concerns07:36 Bitcoin, NFTs, Celebrity Endorsements, and Gambling Culture11:29 Is Crypto Just Another Scam Cycle?12:36 Stablecoins, Yield Chasing, and Sam Bankman-Fried15:30 Ponzi Schemes, Madoff, and Financial Fraud History20:17 Trump's Family, Crypto, and Political Influence25:10 Could Crypto Be Used to Hide Government Financial Problems?26:56 Zombie Corporations and Accounting Fraud28:48 The Savings & Loan Crisis, Looting, and Control Fraud30:15 Liar's Loans, CDOs, and the 2008 Financial Crisis33:25 Why Financial Fraud Persists Today38:40 Is Modern Finance Out of Control?40:18 Jack Welch, GE Capital, and "Too Big to Fail"If you enjoyed the conversation, please like, subscribe, and share to support more in-depth interviews and analysis, thanks!