Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 992 - 896 Joint Action Begins

Chapter 992: Chapter 896 Joint Action Begins

After the breakdown of the Former Soviet Union, the Ruble underwent a severe devaluation!

Perhaps many are unaware that there was a time when the Ruble was more valuable than the US dollar, with the exchange rate at its peak being one Ruble for two US dollars!

Of course, with the breakdown of the Former Soviet Union, the Ruble’s exchange rate began to plummet, and in less than a year, its value had nearly dropped to nothing...

As society gradually stabilized and the national economy developed, the Ruble’s exchange rate also began to slowly rise.

By the end of 2004, the exchange rate of the Ruble to the US dollar was approximately 27-30, meaning one US dollar could exchange for 28 Rubles.

However, this exchange rate was fluctuating, and the variation could be as much as two or three Rubles up or down.

When the exchange rate changes were most intense, perhaps in the morning one US dollar could only exchange for 28 Rubles, but by noon, it could exchange for 29 Rubles!

Don’t underestimate this one Ruble margin of fluctuation; when the amounts involved are huge, the difference can be astounding.

Therefore, whether it’s those going to Russia to do business or local Russians, they all prefer to hold onto US dollar cash, as it retains value better.

Yet when consuming locally, most places only accept Rubles for payment.

This created a demand for the free exchange of Rubles and US dollars.

Additionally, the country allowed this free exchange.

So, when you arrive in Moscow for the first time, you’ll find that the streets are full of exchange points set up by banks, offering the service of exchanging various foreign currencies for Rubles.

Of course, you could also exchange Rubles for foreign currencies, such as US dollars, Pound Sterling, Euros, and so forth.

But well, it’s quite obvious that these exchange points prefer to receive foreign currency and give you Rubles, rather than the other way around...

Let’s take a simple example for you to understand.

These foreign exchange outlets typically have a conspicuous sign either beside or above the window, showing the exchange rates at which they exchange major foreign currencies for Rubles.

They provide two services: exchanging foreign currency for Rubles and exchanging Rubles for foreign currency.

But the exchange rates between these two services are entirely different!

For instance, if you’re exchanging US dollars for Rubles, you might get 29 Rubles for one US dollar.

But if you’re exchanging Rubles for US dollars, it would take 30 Rubles to get one US dollar...

This is understandable, as the exchange outlets are there to make a profit off the difference.

Otherwise, why would they operate such a window?

However, if you think that banks set up these exchange points just to earn that small margin,

then all I can say is, you are thinking too simply...

...

Menchinko’s MDM Bank also engages in this business, and they have numerous foreign exchange outlets throughout Moscow’s streets and alleys!

One day in early December, more than ten students studying abroad from Asia were hurrying along a small street that intersected with New Arbat Street.

As they walked, they engaged in a cacophony of discussion, sounding much like Vietnamese.

"Senior, is there really such a good thing, that all we need to do is show up, sign our names, and we’ll get fifty US dollars?" a short and skinny male student asked the person walking in front.

The senior leading the way seemed a bit impatient, hurriedly walking ahead while responding without looking back, "Haven’t I repeated many times? It’s just that simple. I’ll distribute the fifty US dollars to everyone later, just come to me to collect it."

"But... this won’t involve any danger, right? I just feel... I feel like this can’t be a good thing," said the short and skinny male student timidly.

The senior leading the way finally lost his patience and stopped, turning around.

The group of students following him also quickly stopped.

The senior glared at the short male student and said angrily:

"Ruan Dayong!

If you’re scared, then you don’t have to go, no one is begging you!

You should know that I had to ask for favors to get this opportunity. I thought it would be a chance for all of us studying abroad to earn some extra cash.

Look at you guys, you haven’t even graduated from the preparatory course and can barely speak a few sentences of Russian. You want to find a part-time job, but nobody will take you!

Where else can you find such an easy opportunity to get fifty US dollars just by signing your name!

Moreover, opportunities like this will come again, it’s not just a one-time thing.

You all know that now almost all the bosses in the big market are Chinese Business Owners. There are fewer and fewer Vietnamese bosses, which means we’ll have no chance to find part-time jobs in the future.

If you don’t seize this opportunity to earn money, there will come a time when you regret it!

Tell me now, are you going or not!"

The short and skinny male student named Ruan Dayong shrank his neck and said in a low voice, "I was just asking, how could I not go? I’m following you here, aren’t I..."

The other students also quickly came forward to mediate.

"Senior, let’s just forget it. Dayong is timid and scared, he probably feels uneasy because this money seems too easy to earn, haha."

"Indeed, it’s not just Dayong’s fault. To be honest, I’m a little worried myself. Senior, you only told us to sign something to receive money, without really explaining what it’s all about. Such pie-in-the-sky opportunities are rare these days."

"Yeah, yeah, Senior, just tell everyone what’s really going on."...

Listening to everyone’s clamor, the senior couldn’t keep his temper anymore and said helplessly:

"Alright, then I’ll explain.

We are going to a bank to sign a remittance slip."

As soon as they heard this, several students’ expressions changed. When money is involved, everyone is sensitive!