[Darth Reardon]

When sums of money like $500 trillion are at stake

But $500 trillion is not at stake.

If you and I bet $10 on a football game, does that mean $20 is "at stake"? No. One of us will end up with an extra $10, one will be out $10, with a net result of $0 removed from the economy.

Now, if losing $10 causes me to not be able to buy gas to get to work and I lose my job and can't pay my mortgage, etc, we can see the possibility for collateral (no pun intended) damage. But just to add up all the derivatives and claim that as a potential loss to the world's economy is utter nonsense.

Then again, it's "conservative" treefort, so what do we expect?

[GilGil]

Oh! Please we are talking about a grotesque amount of money regardless of the final figure!

[Toddsterpatriot]

If you and I bet $10 on a football game, does that mean $20 is "at stake"? No. One of us will end up with an extra $10, one will be out $10, with a net result of $0 removed from the economy.

But each football team was worth $1 billion.

You had a $2 billion notational derivative, I guess you're doomed as well.