Squawk Pod: Bitcoin Rally, AWS Outage, Government Shutdown Impact & NASA's Space Race

Government Shutdown and Airport Disruptions

• ⚠️ Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy discusses the impact of the ongoing government shutdown, now on day 20, on airport staff and air traffic controllers.
• ✈️ He warns of potential further disruptions as air traffic controllers, working without pay, may seek other employment before their next paycheck.
• 📉 Duffy highlights the political stalemate, with Republicans seeking a clean CR and Democrats focusing on healthcare negotiations, urging Democrats to negotiate when the government is funded.
• 🚗 The Secretary also addresses California's non-compliance with a rule requiring truck drivers to be proficient in English, leading to a withholding of $40 million in federal funds due to safety concerns.

Bitcoin's Performance and Investment Trends

• 📈 Anthony Scaramucci discusses Bitcoin's recent price boost and its role as a non-correlated asset, though acknowledging its ties to risk assets like the NASDAQ.
• 💰 He suggests that long-term holders are diversifying into other assets, while institutional investors are increasing their positions, leading to a transition that may make Bitcoin sturdier.
• 🥇 Scaramucci compares Bitcoin to gold, noting gold's significant year-to-date gains and suggesting Bitcoin could reach $150,000 if it mirrored gold's performance.
• 🏦 He believes the US dollar will remain the dominant reserve currency due to economic growth, stablecoin technology, and military strength, despite potential challenges.
• 🔗 Scaramucci sees blockchain technology as transformative, potentially disintermediating some financial services but not eliminating banks entirely, drawing parallels to the adaptation of telecom companies.

NASA's Artemis Program and Space Race

• 🚀 As Acting NASA Administrator, Sean Duffy expresses enthusiasm for the Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the moon within the current presidential term.
• 🌕 He announces potential acceleration of the Artemis 2 launch to early February and plans to open up contracts for Artemis 3 to encourage competition, including with companies like Blue Origin, to win the space race against China.
• 🛰️ The goal is to establish a lunar base to facilitate future missions to Mars.

Major AWS Outage and Global Events

• 🌐 A significant Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage disrupted major websites and apps, including Disney+, Coinbase, Snapchat, and Robin Hood, highlighting the critical reliance on cloud infrastructure.
• 💎 The episode also touches upon a jewel heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where thieves stole a diamond-encrusted crown, prompting discussion on the value and purpose of possessing stolen art and jewels.

Personal Anecdotes and Future Outlook

• 🪵 Secretary Duffy shares his past experience as a world champion lumberjack, detailing the speed and technique involved in climbing poles.
• 📊 The hosts discuss personal health metrics from wearable devices, with Scaramucci receiving a lower score than Andrew Ross Sorkin, leading to a lighthearted exchange about age and health.
• 💡 The conversation concludes with a reflection on the enduring nature of Bitcoin, metaphorically comparing it to cockroaches that survive, and the changing investment landscape for younger generations.