Ah, Ricardo Salinas Pliego, the Mexican billionaire whose penchant for Bitcoin rivaled only his distaste for parting with his shares. In the heady days of 2021, when Bitcoin’s allure was as intoxicating as a glass of vintage champagne, Salinas sought to invest a modest $400 million. Ever the aristocrat of finance, he eschewed the vulgar act of selling shares in Grupo Elektra, opting instead for the refined elegance of a stock-backed loan. Lombard lending, they call it-a private affair where shares are pledged as collateral, allowing one to maintain the illusion of control while indulging in speculative whims.