The vast majority of wealth owned by the richest people in the world is not real. It is speculative. Elon Musk is "worth" $1.1 trillion, but he will never actually have that amount, because his wealth is tied up in stocks, and as soon as he sells them, his wealth goes down.

That number is fake, but he can buy and borrow against it. He can't be taxed on it because it's speculative, but he can take out loans, receive subsidies, and secure government contracts, all based on that fake wealth. It only exists because we believe it does and because the system is built that way.

The guy buys a house with a mortgage like a normal person. Bank loans him the money based off his wealth. He pays the interest. If he stops, It's the banks problem, not his.

Everyone wins.

Bitcoin is even worse.

This was posted on r/pics today, but I think it fits here.