The American Kill Line: I Can Predict the Future

Facebook and Twitter are arguably the two most promising technology projects in Silicon Valley right now.

The former completed its Series E funding round in June, valuing the company at $24 billion.

The latter is equally impressive.

Many VCs missed out on Facebook before, and when they wanted to get on board, they found that they were competing with top internet giants like Yahoo and Microsoft.

Now, Twitter has risen to prominence.

Silicon Valley VCs believe Twitter will be another Facebook.

From its Series B funding round to its current Series D round, only two years have passed, and its valuation exceeds $37 billion.

In contrast, Tesla's market capitalization has only reached $20 billion since its IPO.

This is one of the main reasons why many investors are keen to invest in this new Internet technology.

That's also the charm of the Internet.

Low investment, quick returns, and high profits.

However, given Twitter's current status, most of the VCs that could get on board have already done so.

Those who missed out were all those who lacked the ability.

The next period will be one of capital takeover.

Just like today, at Twitter's Series D funding event, several top VC managers, including NEA (New Asia Investment), KPCB (Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers), and Sequoia Capital, were present.

But none of them are the main characters today.

The four top Wall Street firms are T. Rowe Price, Morgan Stanley Strategic Investments, Insight Venture Partners, and Hunter Capital.

T. Rowe Price is the largest public fund management company in the United States, with assets under management exceeding $4000 billion.

They are the most sought-after "buyer" in Silicon Valley.

Their investment style is extremely conservative; they don't invest in early-stage companies, but only bet on pre-IPO companies with high certainty.

They primarily invest in long-term projects, rejecting high-risk investments and focusing only on projects with proven user bases and clear commercialization paths.

For example, Facebook and Zynga are both heavily invested in.

Morgan Stanley, needless to say, is less of an investment and more of a lock-in for future IPO underwriting rights.

Both Facebook and Google were underwritten by Morgan Stanley.

Morgan Stanley is hailed in Silicon Valley as the "gatekeeper" of tech company IPOs.

Insight Capital has been one of the leading institutions in the technology industry investment field on Wall Street in recent years.

They also participated in Twitter's Series C funding round, and this follow-on investment represents a significant increase in their stake.

Fourth Capital was originally a long-established Silicon Valley firm.

The changes were made temporarily for reasons unknown, due to the involvement of Hunter Capital.

When Ron entered the venue, T. Rowe Price President James Kennedy had just entered as well.

The two walked one in front of the other.

Ron smiled and walked towards the other person: "James, thanks for the recommendation."

James smiled and gently patted Ron's arm:

"We're all friends, no need to be so polite. I did pretty well this time, I made a fortune. When you go back to New York, come over for a drink."

James is also a shareholder of Hunter Capital Fund 2, but his share was a gift from JPMorgan Chase.

This was probably the first time the two of them had met.

T. Rowe Price was the lead investor in this round of investment in Twitter, and James specifically allocated $5000 million to Ron when he learned that Ron was interested in Twitter.

This can be considered a form of indirect, in-depth cooperation.

"You know me, I'll be busy again when I get back to New York. Some old geezer has been really upset with me lately, and if I don't go back soon, he'll think I'm scared."

Soros is such a big talker; the saying "old but not dead is a thief" perfectly describes him.

When Hunter Capital No. 2 hedge fund was established, this old guy wanted some shares, saying he had some old friends there.

He was asking for a favor, but his tone was extremely arrogant.

And implied that he would take care of her in the future.

Ron ignored him. "I have precognitive abilities, do I need your help?"

That's probably how he offended that old guy, because the news of Ron coming to Silicon Valley had just broken.

Soros once said something sarcastic at a banquet: Some people are very smart, they rise too fast, they know that their abilities are lacking, so they start to learn to mature.

Although he didn't name names, everyone in the industry knows who the "some people" he was referring to are.

James paused for a moment, then realized who "some old guy" was referring to, and burst out laughing:

"There's a saying on Wall Street: the king of hedges can only be defeated by a new king of hedges. Ron, I'm rooting for you."

Ron smiled noncommittally and didn't say anything harsh.

If it were a top-tier comprehensive institution like Blackstone, KKR, or Morgan Stanley, Ron would tolerate it for the time being.

But Soros and his Quantum Fund are on the same track as him.

There's no need to hesitate, just do it.

The two talked without any restraint.

The VCs present didn't know who the "old guy" they were talking about was.

But I still understand the concept of the King of Okinawa.

Anyone with even a slight understanding of Wall Street knows that the birth of each hedge king represents a financial war that leaves a trail of casualties.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management President Daniel Gorman arrived late.

Before he could even greet his old friend as soon as he entered, he heard his assistant whisper a few words in his ear.

Gorman couldn't help but twitch his lips as he watched the two people sitting in the front row of the venue chatting and laughing.

He could already foresee that a bloodbath was about to erupt on Wall Street.

"James, Ron, what are you talking about that's making you happy?"

"Gorman, do you always like to be the last one to appear on stage?"

James smiled and looked at Ron: "Ron, be careful, Morgan and that old guy are on very good terms."

"James, we've been friends for a long time, there's no need to slander us like this."

Gorman chuckled and cursed, then turned to Ron and said, "Ron, Morgan Stanley has no intention of being your enemy, much less getting involved in your war. If possible, Morgan Stanley would like to arrange a meeting. You know, there are no permanent enemies on Wall Street."

Morgan Stanley's Highbridge is one of the world's top three hedge funds and is a competitor of George Soros.

Previously, Soros publicly supported Lucian, advocating for the breakup of large banks and stronger regulation.

This angered Morgan Stanley CEO Jamie Dimon, who publicly condemned Soros.

But as Gorman said, there are no permanent enemies on Wall Street.

Despite the arguments, Morgan Stanley remains Soros's core prime broker.

Previously, Soros shorted the euro and heavily invested in gold, with all large orders going through Morgan Stanley's channels.

If possible, Gorman would be willing to mediate the conflict between Ron and Soros, bringing them together on the same side.

Ron smiled faintly and said, "Gorman, thank you for your kindness, but I cherish friendships. I'm willing to give you face and let you see him, but not now."

Gorman shook his head with a wry smile.

James laughed heartily; he had long been annoyed by Soros's trash talk.

They all understood what Ron meant.

Meeting is fine, but let's fight first.

This is a war between the old and new kings of hedge funds, and it's also an old tradition on Wall Street.

That same day, after the Twitter fundraising event concluded, Ron remotely instructed Victor to immediately invest $40 billion in gold and the euro.

The strategy remains the same: enter the market quietly.

Meanwhile, Ron was secretly plotting something big.

They're preparing to really screw over Soros.

The next day.

News of a potential showdown between Hunter Capital and the Quantum Fund has spread throughout Wall Street.

An insider revealed that Ron Hunter, the hedge fund manager of Hunter Capital, appeared to express his dissatisfaction with George Soros at a Twitter fundraising event, in front of Morgan Stanley's Gorman and T. Rowe Price's president James.

Some industry insiders sought confirmation from James and Gorman.

Both remained silent.

Just as everyone was speculating.

Soros publicly posted a short phrase on LinkedIn:

"I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done."

This quote comes from Shakespeare's *The Merchant of Venice*.

The original meaning is "It is easy for me to teach people, but difficult for them to do it."

But in this context, it means: I'll teach you the principles, but you'll pay the price.

To put it more simply: Let your seniors teach you a lesson.

This is clearly a provocation and a declaration of war.

Some well-known investors of Soros's generation said:

"Soros is still too modest."

"Young people these days become arrogant and conceited after achieving a little success, not realizing that Wall Street is never short of new kings."

"Although I also dislike that old guy Soros, in the hedge fund industry, the survivor is the true king."

Some young investors in the new era disagree:

"How do you know it won't work if you've never even tried it?"

"Putting everything else aside, based on the current financial performance, Soros may not be able to compete."

Half an hour later, Ron left a comment below:

"Old man, why aren't you asleep so late? You're almost eighty, aren't you? Stop staying up so late. Do you really think you're still young?"

If Soros's actions were an old king's arrogance towards a new king...

Ron's reply was essentially a direct hit to the face.

Wall Street was immediately in an uproar.

Countless bulls and bears around the world are focusing their attention on this epic battle between the old and new kings of hedging!