Chapter 36 Proposal to Make More Money

36 Proposal to Make More Money

"And ask about 50 percent shares? No thank you," Michael chuckled. "Oh, it's your turn."

"Is that what you think about investors? That they always prey on the young and ambitious, aiming to snatch away a significant portion of their dreams for a fraction of its worth?" Bridget raised an eyebrow, amused by Michael's directness. "Not all investors are cut from the same cloth, Michael. Some of us are genuinely interested in fostering innovation and supporting visionaries." Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

Michael paused, his cards momentarily forgotten. "I appreciate that sentiment, Bridget. But you must understand, my hesitation isn't without reason. I've seen too many promising ventures lose their way because they gave up too much control too early."

Bridget nodded, signaling the dealer to proceed with the next hand as they continued their conversation. "I understand your concern, Michael. But consider this—partnership with the right investor can provide not just capital but also guidance, network, and resources that can significantly accelerate your path to success. Solar panel was it? Well, assuming you partner with me, you'll unlock the market in Europe. France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Austria, Denmark, you name it all." Michael hummed aloud. "How about another business plan that is surefire to amass a lot of money." "Hoh?" Bridget mused. "What is it?" "Do you know anything about cryptocurrency?" Michael paused, watching Bridget's reaction closely.

Bridget's interest visibly piqued. "Cryptocurrency? Yes, I'm familiar. It's quite volatile, but it's been gaining traction as a legitimate investment. Why do you ask?"

"Well, it turns out, it's going to fall soon and I'm planning on shorting it. Loan me five hundred million pesos and I swear I'll go to every bank, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Citibank, every bank that invested in cryptocurrency."

"Through what financial instrument?" "There are a lot of ways to short a cryptocurrency. But for the banks specifically, are you familiar with the credit default swap?"

Michael paused to gauge Bridget's reaction before continuing. "And let's not forget the market saturation. There are too many cryptocurrencies with minimal real-world value. It's a speculative bubble waiting to burst. History has shown us time and again, from the Tulip Mania to the dot-com bubble, what happens next."

Bridget nodded slowly, absorbed in Michael's analysis.

"The environmental impact cannot be ignored either. The energy consumption of mining operations has already drawn public and governmental scrutiny. As climate change becomes an ever more pressing concern, we'll see actions taken against the most energy-intensive cryptocurrencies, further destabilizing the market."

Michael leaned back, letting his points sink in. "And finally, the shift towards new blockchain technologies or even entirely new digital assets will render many current cryptocurrencies obsolete. We're talking about a technological leap that offers better security, efficiency, and utility."

Bridget was silent for a moment, processing the flood of information. "That's a comprehensive analysis, Michael. But it's all speculative, isn't it? How can you be so sure?"

Michael smiled, the confidence in his prediction unwavering. "Because, Bridget, all these factors converge on a single point in the near future. The signs are there; you just need to know where to look. The market is inflated on speculation and hype, not on intrinsic value. When reality hits, it'll hit hard. That's why I'm proposing to short it through credit default swaps against banks invested in cryptocurrency. It's a calculated risk, but one that's grounded in an inevitable market correction. And if you did invest...the only regret you are going to have is that you didn't give me more. So what is it going to be?" Bridget bit her lower lip as she pondered her decision, and seconds later, she spoke. "Michael, your confidence and the way you present yourself have genuinely piqued my interest. It's refreshing, to say the least. Therefore, I'm willing to raise the stakes—let's make it 100 million dollars. However, there's a catch. If the market does not crash by 2024, I will withdraw my investment. Furthermore, the premiums you've paid for the Credit Default Swaps (CDS) to the banks will be converted into a loan. Failure to repay by the agreed date gives me the right to take legal action. I'll have my legal team prepare a binding agreement. Are you prepared to proceed under these terms?"

Michael felt a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead. This is a huge money, and responsibility. Prelim Week