Chapter 8: The Volkswagen Play

Late 2008 – The Perfect Storm

The global financial markets were collapsing.

Stock prices were in free fall, and investors were fleeing the markets in panic.

But I wasn't like them.

I had ₩3.7 billion KRW (~$3.7 million USD) and a deep understanding of financial markets. Unlike others who were running away, I was about to capitalize on the greatest short squeeze in modern history—a trade so powerful that in just one month, I would multiply my money fivefold.

My target? Volkswagen.

🔹 The Setup – The Volkswagen Short Squeeze

By October 2008, Volkswagen was just another struggling automaker.

The financial crisis had devastated the auto industry.Major car companies were on the verge of bankruptcy.Investors were short-selling Volkswagen, betting that its stock price would collapse.

And that's when Porsche made its move.

In a secret plan, Porsche had quietly accumulated a massive stake in Volkswagen, tightening its control over the company. When they revealed their position to the public, it triggered a market-wide panic.

Suddenly, all the short-sellers were trapped.

They had bet against Volkswagen, expecting its price to fall. Instead, they were now forced to buy back shares at skyrocketing prices, fueling an insane price surge.

What happened next was unprecedented.

Stock price before the squeeze:📉 €200 per share (September 2008)

Stock price at its peak:🚀 €1,005 per share (October 2008) – a 500% increase in just days.

I saw the opportunity before the majority of investors realized what was happening.

This was my moment.

🔹 The Big Bet – Going All-In on Volkswagen

Investment Strategy:

✔ Go all-in on Volkswagen stock at €210 per share before the squeeze intensified.✔ Use leveraged options and derivatives to amplify gains.✔ Exit at the right moment before the market stabilized.

📌 The Trade – October 2008

💰 Investment: ₩3.7 billion KRW (~€2.3 million EUR)📉 Buy Price: €210 per share📈 Peak Price: €1,005 per share📊 Return: 5x in days (~₩18.5 billion KRW)

I had successfully timed the market at the perfect moment.

🔹 The Moment of Truth – Cashing Out

As Volkswagen's stock price surged past €1,000 per share, the world was in shock.

Volkswagen had briefly become the most valuable company in the world.

Traders who had bet against the stock were destroyed, while those who had gone long were now sitting on insane profits.

I had planned my exit strategy carefully.

✔ I started selling my shares gradually to avoid moving the market too much.✔ I sold at multiple price points to lock in profits efficiently.✔ I used some profits to close my leveraged positions before market stabilization.

By the time the dust settled, my ₩3.7 billion KRW had turned into ₩18.5 billion KRW (~$18.5 million USD).

🔹 Reflection – My First Billionaire-Level Trade

💡 Most investors were losing everything in 2008.💡 I had just made ₩15 billion KRW in profit in one month.💡 I was now in a position to make even greater moves.

I had executed the perfect trade—I saw the opportunity before anyone else, acted fast, and got out at the right time.

But this was only the beginning.

Now that I had ₩18.5 billion KRW, it was time to find the next move—another opportunity that would multiply my wealth even further.

I leaned back in my chair, checking my bank balance.

"Now, what's next?"