Chapter 206: The Demonetization Storm

“Besides, it’s just a billion,” Huang Fengwen finally made his decision.
“Chairman Su brings in hundreds of billions for the company every year. What’s a mere billion?!”
Upon hearing this, all the senior executives in the conference room lowered their heads knowingly.
They knew better than anyone whose contribution Fanghuan Group had achieved its current success.
They also knew that their mission, from the very beginning, was singular and unequivocal:
To clear all internal and external obstacles for any investment by Chairman Su, serving as his strongest support!
“Approved! Approved immediately!” Huang Fengwen slammed his hand on the table.
“Furthermore, relay my message: whatever resources or support Chairman Su needs, the entire group must unconditionally and fully cooperate!
Anyone who dares to delay will be skinned alive!”
“Yes, Chairman!”
That day, the board of directors and senior executives of Fanghuan Group once again successfully completed their glorious duties.
***
On the day the US election results were announced.
Huang Fengwen and a group of executives were also in the conference room, watching the large screen with great interest.
After all, the new president's governing philosophy would directly affect the direction of the global economy, and the global capital market was paying close attention.
Before the voting deadline, almost all polling agencies predicted that Hillary Clinton's victory was a foregone conclusion.
Throughout the campaign, all mainstream media outlets relentlessly bombarded Trump; everyone thought he was doomed.
However, no matter how enthusiastic the media was, they couldn't sway the free-spirited hearts of the American people.
[...In the final popular vote, Hillary received 48.2% of the vote, and Trump received 46.1%, leading by nearly 3 million votes...]
The polls weren't wrong.
But the peculiar Electoral College system in the US means that the person with the most votes isn't necessarily the one who wins.
[...However! In the Electoral College vote, Trump received 304 votes, and Hillary received 227 votes!
Therefore, the ultimate winner of this US election is—Trump!!]
"!?"
A result that shocked everyone was born.
At this moment, the whole world was in shock over Trump's election as president.
However, within the Fanghuan Group, what shocked them even more was another mysterious piece of news from the East.
"Is this guy really crazy?! This Indian guy can't just turn the nation's banknotes into worthless paper with a single sentence?!"
Indian Prime Minister Modi suddenly delivered an emergency televised address.
India announced a "reform" of its 500 and 1000 rupee banknotes.
In short, it declared these two denominations invalid.
This move effectively turned 86% of India's currency in circulation into mere "paper" overnight.
A dramatic financial shock therapy was launched without warning.
Even more devastating was that, as if by prior arrangement, after India set the precedent, Indonesia, Zimbabwe, Mexico…
several countries followed suit, drastically reducing their own currencies.
"Their stated reason was to combat corruption, counterfeit money, black money, and the underground economy."
The Indian rupee, in particular, is notorious as a breeding ground for illicit money.
That's right, India's goal was to force all that shady money out of the shadows!
"But isn't this too ruthless? Not 5%, not 50%, it's wiped out 86% of the circulating currency!"
This unprecedentedly radical measure was simply unheard of.
In an instant, people across India rushed to banks like madmen, wanting to exchange their "worthless paper money" for new bills.
And this "demonetization storm" ignited by India was rapidly sweeping the globe, turning the entire international currency market upside down.
"However, Chairman," a senior executive suddenly said excitedly,
"This seems to be incredibly good news for us!"
"Oh? How so?" Huang Fengwen perked up.
"Because this unprecedented global currency storm has blown all the underground banks and black money giants around the world out of their hiding places!"
They suddenly realized that even the government could directly destroy its currency; hiding money in banks was a recipe for disaster!
"So?"
"So, trillions of dollars of illicit money, like a panicked herd of beasts, began to flee in panic!
They desperately needed a new, absolutely safe haven!
Traditional safe-haven assets like gold have long been exposed under modern surveillance systems.
But there's one place that no one can trace, no one can freeze!"
"Where?"
"It's—Bitcoin!"
"What?!"
"Chairman, report! Global Bitcoin trading volume has exploded in the past few hours, increasing hundreds of times!
Bitcoin, which had previously plummeted to $200, has now broken through the $500 mark and is still rising wildly!
That candlestick chart has lost all its angle; it's become a vertical line piercing the sky!"
This sudden global monetary earthquake has unearthed trillions of dollars of illicit money buried deep underground.
And their destination is only one—Bitcoin!
"Our newly opened Bitcoin exchange hasn't had many new users since its opening, has it?
But now, our servers are almost overwhelmed!
New registered users from all over the world are flooding in like locusts!"
The influx of illicit money is just the first wave.
Following this, countless ordinary investors, completely unrelated to the illicit money, watched the candlestick chart soar into the sky, their eyes turning red with greed, and they too rushed into the market like madmen!
What's more, this exchange is open 24/7!
Prices here have no price limits! Only heart-stopping moments!
"Holy crap, are there really so many people spending real money to buy that pile of worthless, intangible data?"
Huang Fengwen's voice trembled.
The executive's face was filled with almost fanatical worship.
"Chairman! It's no longer just worthless data!
It's the Noah's Ark of the new world! It's the digital gold of the future!"
"At this rate, forget $1,000, I think $10,000 isn't a dream!"
"Chairman Su, he's once again ahead of the curve! He's not just creating a legend..."
"He himself is a legend!!!"
Huang Fengwen listened, his mouth agape, utterly dumbfounded.
Damn it, am I completely out of touch, or has the world changed too fast?
A vague, ethereal digital currency is actually more expensive than gold?!
What kind of messed-up world is this?!