Number Go Up: Inside Crypto's Wild Rise and Staggering Fall

Zeke Faux, a financial crime reporter, investigates the $3 trillion cryptocurrency delusion and uncovers a horrifying slavery ring fueled by crypto in Cambodia. He also buys a $20,000 cartoon of a mutant ape to gain access to a festival headlined by Snoop Dogg.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

In 2021, the world of cryptocurrency experienced a remarkable surge in popularity, attracting the attention of giant investment funds, politicians, and even TV ads hailing it as the future of money. However, despite its widespread adoption, very few people actually understand how it works, and even fewer seem to care about the underlying mechanics. This is where financial crime reporter Zeke Faux comes in. Faux, known for his unwavering commitment to ethical journalism, sets out to explore the world of cryptocurrency, even in the face of fraud and deception.

In the Bahamas, Faux encounters the eccentric billionaire wunderkind Sam Bankman-Fried, who reveals his ambitious plan to use his fortune to save the world. Bankman-Fried's vision includes using cryptocurrency to address global issues such as poverty and climate change. Faux, intrigued by Bankman-Fried's vision, decides to follow him on his journey.

In Cambodia, Faux uncovers a horrifying slavery ring that is fueled by cryptocurrency. Through his investigation, he discovers that the ring is operated by a group of cybercriminals who use the anonymity provided by cryptocurrency to exploit vulnerable people. Faux's reporting on this scandal brings attention to the dark side of cryptocurrency and raises concerns about its potential for abuse.

To gain access to a festival headlined by Snoop Dogg, Faux purchases a $20,000 cartoon of a mutant ape, hoping that it will grant him entry. He then uses his charm and wit to talk his way onto the yacht of a cryptic crypto founder/former child actor, who was among the first to recognize the power of imaginary treasure.

Faux's quest to uncover the elusive cash reserve at the foundation of the cryptocurrency system takes him across three continents and beyond the boundaries of law, taste, and economic rationality. Along the way, he encounters a cast of characters, including eccentric billionaires, shady entrepreneurs, and government officials, all of whom are caught up in the $3 trillion delusion that is cryptocurrency.

Number Go Up is a shocking and uproarious chronicle of the greatest bubble in history, a $3 trillion delusion that captivated the world. Through Faux's meticulous reporting and his willingness to confront the darkest corners of the cryptocurrency world, the book provides a valuable insight into the rise and fall of this controversial technology.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 236 x 156 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399611343