Episodios

  • Ep. 25: Bridging Public and Private Asset Recovery
    Oct 10 2025
    In this episode, Aidan speaks with Carmel King, Partner at Grant Thornton UK, about the role of insolvency practitioners and liquidators in recovering assets lost to fraud and financial crime, especially in the context of digital assets. They discuss how these powers work alongside law enforcement efforts and why collaboration, trust, and clear communication between the public and private sectors are key to delivering better outcomes for victims. Want to go deeper? Join our upcoming webinar, ‘Closing the Asset Recovery Gap’, on 14th October at 2pm UK | 9am EDT, where former law enforcement professionals draw on their cross-sector experience to explore how civil recovery routes work alongside law enforcement and how specialised technology platforms are strengthening coordination across sectors. Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and Background 04:00 – The Hidden Powers of Liquidators 09:00 – Bridging Public and Private Sector Efforts 16:00 – Real-World Cases & Lessons Learned 24:00 – Tackling Law Enforcement & Victim Challenges 30:00 – Crypto Recovery: Success Stories & Civil Routes 38:00 – Navigating Jurisdictional & Valuation Hurdles 45:00 – The Future of Asset Recovery & Collaboration About our Guest Carmel King is a Partner at Grant Thornton UK, where she leads the digital asset recovery team. With extensive experience in insolvency and asset recovery, Carmel specialises in combating financial crime and recovering assets for victims. Her work often involves collaboration with law enforcement and private sector professionals to navigate the complexities of cross-border asset recovery and the evolving landscape of crypto assets.Key Takeaways Insolvency as a Recovery Tool: Insolvency and liquidation powers provide a unique mechanism to recover assets lost to fraud, complementing traditional law enforcement efforts. Collaboration Between Public and Private Sectors: Effective asset recovery relies on coordination between law enforcement, investigators, and private practitioners to overcome legal, technical, and operational challenges. Digital Asset Challenges: Cryptocurrencies and other digital assets introduce new complexities, requiring specialised approaches to trace, value, and recover funds. Preventing Re‑Victimisation: Awareness and education are critical to protect victims from fraudulent recovery schemes and ensure fair outcomes. Evolving Landscape of Asset Recovery: Case studies and ongoing developments illustrate how the field is constantly changing, highlighting the importance of innovation, technology, and co‑operation. Resources Mentioned Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery Network (CFAAR) Grant Thornton UK Met Police | Two people convicted following world's largest crypto seizure Stay Connected Dive deeper into the world of asset recovery by subscribing to Seize & Desist.Disclaimer Our podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed. Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.
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    54 m
  • Ep. 24: Asset Recovery in a Digital-First World
    Sep 30 2025

    In this conversation, Aidan Larkin sits down with Dr. Max Bernt (TaxBit) to explore the future of asset recovery in a digital-first world. They dive into how data aggregation, crypto, and stablecoins are transforming investigations - and why practitioners have reason for optimism.


    Timestamps

    00:00 – Introduction and Background

    04:00 – Inside the Digital Asset Recovery Ecosystem

    09:48 – How TaxBit Bridges On-Chain and Off-Chain Data

    16:00 – Real-World Cases & Lessons Learned

    27:50 – Tackling Data Challenges & Regulatory Hurdles

    32:09 – Stablecoins: Risks and Opportunities

    40:49 – The Future of Financial Crime Investigations

    51:03 – Why There’s Reason for Optimism in Recovery


    About our Guest

    Dr. Max Bernt is TaxBit’s Global Head of Regulatory Affairs and Managing Director for Europe. With a robust background in transnational criminal law and extensive experience in regulatory affairs, he advises on cases and policy involving cryptocurrency, financial crime, and digital asset recovery. Max has helped shape discussions around the intersection of law enforcement and crypto, exploring how data aggregation, stablecoins, and regulatory frameworks impact investigations and compliance.


    Key Takeaways

    Evolving Asset Recovery Ecosystem: Technology is driving the evolution of the asset recovery ecosystem, creating new tools and approaches for practitioners.


    Importance of Data Aggregation: Effective investigations rely on robust data aggregation, helping practitioners identify patterns and trace assets efficiently.


    Bridging On-Chain and Off-Chain Data: TaxBit serves as a critical bridge between on- and off-chain data, enabling more accurate and comprehensive investigations.


    Impact of Regulatory Changes: Shifting regulations will have a significant effect on financial crime investigations, requiring practitioners to adapt strategies accordingly.


    Opportunities and Challenges of Stablecoins: Stablecoins present both opportunities and challenges for investigators, influencing how digital assets are tracked and recovered.


    Optimism for the Future of Asset Recovery: Despite the challenges, practitioners can be optimistic about future advancements, including improved efficiency, technology, and collaboration in the field.


    Resources Mentioned

    Taxbit


    Stay Connected

    Dive deeper into the world of asset recovery by subscribing to Seize & Desist:


    https://link.cohostpodcasting.com/b36b929c-6ca3-4e49-8258-44c310d012c9?d=sG5Qi2MdL


    Disclaimer

    Our podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed.


    Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.

    The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company.


    Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material.

    Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.

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    55 m
  • Ep. 23: What You Don’t Know About Crypto Crime
    Sep 16 2025
    In this conversation, Aidan Larkin sits down with Alison Jimenez, President of Dynamic Securities Analytics and AML expert witness, to unpack the realities of crypto crime, the challenges it poses for asset recovery, and the risks surrounding strategic Bitcoin reserves. They explore how digital assets are used for illicit purposes, why a common industry definition matters, the critical role of the asset recovery ecosystem, and how geopolitical tensions can expose vulnerabilities in decentralized systems. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and Background 00:30 – Defining Crypto Crime 00:59 – Asset Recovery Ecosystem 01:12 – Strategic Reserves and Security Risks 18:26 – Crypto's Role in Illicit Activities 28:58 – Analysing Crypto Crime Metrics About our Guest Alison Jimenez is the President of Dynamic Securities Analytics and an AML expert witness. As a former securities regulator and economist, she advises on financial crime cases, including fraud, corruption, and cryptocurrency scams. Alison has helped define crypto crime, exploring how digital assets enable illicit activity and highlighting the national security risks of Bitcoin strategic reserves. Key TakeawaysDefining Crypto Crime: Establishing a common industry definition for crypto crime is essential for effectively addressing and understanding the misuse of cryptocurrency in illegal activities. Asset Recovery Ecosystem: Asset recovery is crucial for reducing the financial incentives for crime, emphasizing its role in combating illicit finance. Cross-Border Illicit Activities: Cryptocurrency facilitates cross-border illicit activities, posing challenges for law enforcement and necessitating international cooperation to address these issues effectively. Decentralisation Challenges: Centralised chip production undermines crypto’s decentralisation, highlighting vulnerabilities in strategic reserves and the need for robust security measures. National Security Risks: Strategic Bitcoin reserves pose national security risks due to geopolitical tensions, which can impact the security and stability of these reserves. Resources Mentioned Alison’s Securities Analytics blog Alison's op-ed on Strategic Bitcoin Reserves and National SecurityAmazon | There's No Such Thing as Crypto Crime by Nick Furneaux Nick Furneaux on Seize & Desist Miles Johnson on Seize & Desist Stay Connected Dive deeper into the world of asset recovery with Seize & Desist. Subscribe for exclusive insights into the stories that are redefining asset recovery: https://link.cohostpodcasting.com/b36b929c-6ca3-4e49-8258-44c310d012c9?d=sG5Qi2MdL DisclaimerOur podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed. Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.
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    46 m
  • Ep. 22: Beyond the Shadows: The Underworld's Financial Playbook
    Sep 8 2025
    In this conversation, Aidan Larkin explores the complexities of international money laundering with Miles Johnson, investigative reporter for the Financial Times and author of Chasing Shadows (2023). Drawing on Miles’ reporting and research, they examine the intricate connections between organised crime and global finance, the challenges faced by law enforcement in dismantling these networks, and the geopolitical factors that influence the recovery of illicit assets. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 10:30 - The Intersection of Organised Crime and Financial Markets 18:45 - Challenges in Investigating Money Laundering 25:00 - The Role of the DEA and International Law Enforcement 32:20 - The Complexity of International Crime Networks 40:00 - Reflections on Chasing Shadows About our Guest Miles Johnson is an investigative journalist specialising in international organised crime and money laundering. As a reporter for the Financial Times, he has uncovered complex criminal networks, exposed the financial systems that enable illicit operations across borders, and been instrumental in bringing high-profile cross-border investigations to light to reveal the mechanisms that underpin global criminal enterprises. Key Takeaways Organised Crime and Financial Markets: Organised crime syndicates operate like sophisticated businesses, interacting with the financial world and exploiting its structures for money laundering. Challenges in Investigating Money Laundering: Miles explains the intricate and resource-intensive nature of money laundering investigations, emphasising the need for robust legal frameworks and international cooperation to tackle these crimes effectively. The Role of the DEA and International Law Enforcement: Aidan and Miles explore the DEA's expanded mandate post-9/11, its international operations, and the challenges faced in cross-border law enforcement efforts. Complex International Crime Networks: The conversation highlights the multifaceted nature of global crime networks, involving diverse groups and activities, and the importance of understanding these dynamics for effective law enforcement. Reflecting on Chasing Shadows: Miles' reflects on the realities of investigating international crime, the challenges faced by law enforcement, and the importance of accurate journalism in shedding light on these issues. Resources Mentioned Amazon | Chasing Shadows Miles Johnson | Financial Times NCA: Operation Destabilise Erin West on Seize & Desist Oliver Bullough on Seize & Desist Geoff White on Seize & Desist Stay Connected Dive deeper into the world of asset recovery with Seize & Desist. Subscribe for exclusive insights into the stories that are redefining asset recovery: https://link.cohostpodcasting.com/b36b929c-6ca3-4e49-8258-44c310d012c9?d=sG5Qi2MdL Disclaimer Our podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed. Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.
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    1 h y 6 m
  • Ep. 21: What is Interpol’s New Silver Notice?
    Aug 20 2025
    In this conversation, host Aidan Larkin discusses Interpol’s pivotal role in global law enforcement with Nick Court, the Assistant Director at Interpol's Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre. They explore the launch of the Silver Notice, a new tool designed to help recover criminal assets across borders, its potential to strengthen international cooperation, and what it could mean for the future of global law enforcement. Timestamps00:00 - Introduction 02:15 - Role of Interpol in Global Law Enforcement 10:30 - Significance of the Silver Notice 18:45 - Challenges in Asset Recovery 25:00 - Importance of International Cooperation 32:20 - Impact of the Silver Notice Pilot Program 40:00 - Conclusion and Key Takeaways About our Guest Nick Court is a seasoned law enforcement professional with extensive experience in economic crime and asset recovery. Currently serving as the Assistant Director at Interpol's Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, Nick has dedicated his career to tackling financial crime on a global scale. With a background as a detective in the City of London Police, he has been instrumental in international investigations, particularly in fraud and cybercrime. Key TakeawaysRole of Interpol in Global Law Enforcement: Nick Court highlights Interpol's unique position as the only global law enforcement organisation and how it drives international cooperation and intelligence sharing. Significance of the Silver Notice: The Silver Notice is a strategic tool to enhance asset recovery by enabling countries to trace and identify criminal assets across borders. Challenges in Asset Recovery: Nick explains the complexities and resource constraints law enforcement agencies face when recovering assets and why international collaboration is critical. Importance of International Cooperation: Coordinated efforts among countries are essential to effectively combating financial crime and improving asset recovery outcomes. Impact of the Silver Notice Pilot Program: The pilot program engages multiple countries to recover assets that would otherwise remain hidden, showcasing its potential to transform asset recovery efforts. Resources Mentioned Interpol's Official Website INTERPOL publishes first Silver Notice targeting criminal assets City of London Police secure Silver Notice against convicted fraudster Dirty assets: the Silver Notice hits organized crime in its pocket Stay Connected Dive deeper into the world of asset recovery with Seize & Desist. Subscribe for exclusive insights into the stories that are redefining asset recovery.Disclaimer Our podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed. Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.
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    52 m
  • Ep. 20: Global Standards, Local Challenges: Navigating FATF Compliance
    Aug 1 2025

    In this episode, host Aidan Larkin delves into the intricate world of FATF compliance with Liz Lees, the former national coordinator for the Cayman Islands. They explore the unique challenges smaller jurisdictions face in aligning with global standards, emphasizing the pivotal role of asset recovery.


    Join us as Liz shares her insights on building effective compliance frameworks and overcoming resource constraints. As Aidan and Liz unpack the complexities of compliance in these unique environments, discover how these financial hubs balance the demands of international regulations with the need to preserve their local integrity.


    Timestamps

    00:00 - Introduction

    05:12 - Understanding FATF Compliance

    12:45 - Challenges in Smaller Jurisdictions

    20:30 - The Role of Asset Recovery

    28:15 - Building Effective Frameworks

    35:50 - Overcoming Resource Constraints

    42:00 - Balancing Global Standards and Local Integrity

    50:10 - Conclusion and Key Takeaways

    About our Guest

    Liz Lees is a seasoned legal counsel and former National Coordinator to the Anti-Money Laundering Steering Group in the Cayman Islands. With extensive experience in financial compliance, Liz has been instrumental in shaping effective frameworks for smaller jurisdictions.


    As the co-founder of Claritas Legal, Liz specialises in regulatory law and financial crime, advising governments, law enforcement agencies, and supervisory bodies on compliance with FATF standards.


    Key Takeaways

    Understanding FATF Standards: Liz Lees explains the importance of FATF standards in shaping global financial compliance and the role they play in asset recovery.


    Challenges in Smaller Jurisdictions: The discussion highlights the unique challenges smaller jurisdictions face in implementing effective financial compliance frameworks.


    The Evolving Landscape of Financial Crime: Insights into how financial crime is evolving, particularly with the rise of digital assets and the need for updated compliance measures.


    Importance of Coordination: Emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts among governments, law enforcement, and financial institutions to effectively combat financial crime.

    Resources Mentioned

    FATF Official Website

    FATF’s Recommendations

    Recent FATF Mutal Evaluation Reports


    Stay Connected

    Dive deeper into the world of asset recovery with Seize & Desist. Subscribe for exclusive insights into the stories that are redefining asset recovery.


    Disclaimer

    Our podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed.


    Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.


    The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company.


    Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material.


    Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.

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    39 m
  • Ep. 19: Asset Laundering:
It’s More Than Money with Oliver Bullough
    Feb 5 2025

    “This is the model of Italian Renaissance banking.”


    In this episode of Seize & Desist, host Aidan Larkin sits down with renowned financial crime journalist Oliver Bullough, author of Moneyland (2019) and Butler to the World (2022), to discuss why global money laundering continues to be an uphill battle despite decades of international effort.


    Aidan and Oliver explore the roots and evolution of money laundering, from the Medici's of Renaissance Italy to the offshore shell companies of the Caribbean and the digital currencies of the future.


    They also touch upon the UK’s pivotal role in facilitating illegal financial flows, the advent of hawala banking networks and the systemic challenges that impede effective asset recovery.


    Timestamps

    00:00 - Exploring the UK's Role in Money Laundering and Corruption

    03:54 - Complex Global Money Laundering Challenges

    11:23 - The Evolution of Value Transfer Systems Through History

    16:06 - Rethinking Financial Crime Compliance

    22:32 - Money Laundering's Influence on Global Crime

    26:41 - The Role of Cash and Crypto in Crime Networks

    30:45 - The Global Fight Against Money Laundering

    38:28 - Recovering Covid-Related Fraud Payments

    42:04 - Combating Corruption and Money Laundering


    Resources Mentioned

    • Oliver Bullough on The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/profile/oliverbullough
    • Books by Oliver Bullough:
    • Moneyland (2019)- https://amzn.eu/d/ezB43Rv
    • Butler to the World (2022) - https://amzn.eu/d/gaqVRE9


    About our Guest

    Oliver Bullough is an award-winning journalist and author of Moneyland (2019) and Butler to the World (2022). He is known for his in-depth reporting on offshore finances and the role of the UK in facilitating corruption, with his work regularly being featured in the Guardian, the New York Times, GQ magazine, the Economist, and other places.


    Disclaimer

    Our podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed.


    Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.


    The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company.


    Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material.


    Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.

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    44 m
  • Ep. 18: The Legal Landscape of Asset Forfeiture
    Dec 24 2024
    In our final conversation of the year, our SVP of Client Relations, Joanna Summers, sits down with Stefan Cassella, a former federal prosecutor with more than three decades of experience in international asset forfeiture who has authored over 50 law review articles and played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing federal asset forfeiture laws in the US and abroad.In this episode, Joanna and Stef explore the growing role of cryptocurrency in criminal investigations and asset forfeiture, highlighting its use in money laundering, investment fraud, and sanctions evasion. Together, they unpack the complexities of high-profile cases like Bitcoin Fog, the challenges posed by mixers and decentralised exchanges, and the significance of recent court rulings in legitimising blockchain analysis tools. Stefan also shares practical advice for law enforcement and attorneys navigating the crypto landscape, highlighting the need for enhanced training and resources to address these evolving threats and the critical role of non-conviction-based asset forfeiture, or civil asset forfeiture, as a key law enforcement tool.Timestamps02:00 - Stef’s Background03:00 - The Growing Role of Cryptocurrency in Asset Forfeiture07:00 - Understanding Civil Asset Forfeiture11:00 - Regulatory Challenges and the Future of Crypto Laws14:30 - Complexities of Crypto Mixers and Decentralized Exchanges19:30 - The Legitimacy of Blockchain Analysis Tools in Court23:00 - Practical Advice for Law Enforcement and Attorneys in Crypto Forfeiture24:00 - Insights from Stefan’s Money Laundering and Forfeiture Digest26:00 - Key Challenges in Crypto Asset ForfeitureResources Mentionedhttps://www.trmlabs.com/tackling-crypto-crime-2023-survey-of-law-enforcement https://assetforfeiturelaw.us/ https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/Fatfrecommendations/Bestpracticesonconfiscationrecommendations4and38andaframeworkforongoingworkonassetrecovery.html https://sherwood.news/crypto/momentum-builds-for-a-strategic-national-bitcoin-reserve-but-what-does-that/ https://academy.assetreality.com/student/page/149456-virtual-asset-transfer-fundamentals About our Guest:Stefan Cassella is a former federal prosecutor with more than three decades of experience in international asset forfeiture who has authored over 50 law review articles and played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing federal asset forfeiture laws in the USA and abroad.Today, as the founder of Asset Forfeiture Law, he continues to provide invaluable guidance to law enforcement, private law firms, and financial institutions by providing expert witness services, training, and legal guidance.DisclaimerOur podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed. Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.
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    32 m