Top firms snag NYC digs — Dealmakers want to WFH — Walmart's crypto push

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On the agenda today:

• Top investment firms nab swanky NYC office spaces — no matter the cost.
• Billionaire investor Seth Klarman has nearly $900 million in SPACs.
• Flexible-work policies have become Wall Street's latest bargaining chip.

Let's get started. 

Top financial firms snag swanky NYC offices

In a rebuke to remote work — and in an attempt to lure employees back with posh amenities like soaring views and filtered air — high-flying financial players are expanding their New York offices. As the rest of corporate America grapples with how and when to bring employees back to the office, these financial firms are expanding — no matter the cost.

Billionaire investor Seth Klarman has nearly $900 million in SPACs

During the second quarter of 2021, Klarman's Baupost Group trimmed its stake in one high-profile SPAC: Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Tontine Holdings. More on that here.

Flexible-work policies are Wall Street's newest bargaining chips

Some senior bankers are opting for flexible-work policies over big paychecks — and many at the managing-director level and above won't even consider new roles if they're based in the office full time. Experts explain why it's no longer all about the money. 

Big 3 giants are already recruiting for summer 2022 internships

Big 3 consulting firms — McKinsey, Bain & Co., and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) — have already begun their summer 2022 internship recruitment process, and deadlines are whizzing by. Insiders say it's a way to compete with investment banks in luring the best talent, but some say the expedited timeline could be detrimental.

Walmart wants someone to lead crypto and digital currency

Just weeks after Amazon posted a similar job offering, Walmart announced it's on the hunt for a senior director to lead its digital currency strategy. The increase in crypto-related job postings points to retailers' expanded interest in the potential benefits of crypto. Here's what Walmart is looking for in a crypto lead.

Hedge funds are diving further into cryptocurrency

Retailers aren't the only ones exploring cryptocurrency. A fifth of hedge funds are now investing in digital assets, and funds like Point72 are looking for talent to help them understand and invest in the asset class — and the war for crypto talent is heating up as a result.

Eight BNPL players that could be targeted for an acquisition

Buy now, pay later is the fastest growing area in payments — and experts say we're about to see more dealmaking in the near future. In the wake of Square's $29 billion deal with AfterPay, we've outlined eight BNPL players who could be up next for an acquisition.

On our radar:

• Andreessen Horowitz is beefing up its New York operations to fight threats from rival firms. Here's what you need to know.
• The WSJ reports that State Street, the firm behind the statue of Wall Street's "Fearless Girl," is vacating its NYC offices. Why it's ditching its Midtown offices.
• Hedge funds want their SPAC money back, Bloomberg reports. More on that here.
• China's crypto cowboys are fleeing to Texas, per Rest of World. Here's why.
• Salary negotiations are broken. Let's fix them.