Gamblers & Diggers in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has a rich financial tradition, which, apart from successes
also full of speculations, scandals and villains. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Amsterdam bankers were the world's financiers. They pioneered new forms of lending, which
are still common. Crises hit, banks overturned, reputations were broken, speculators beat or suffered heavy losses.
In 1602, the VOC was the first multinational company based on equity, the tulip bulb craze of 1637 was the world's first speculative bubble. Dutch bankers came up with a revolutionary system to finance slavery plantations.
Today, the Amsterdam Zuidas facilitates the type of financial and legal service that has made the Netherlands the world's largest capital transit country.
Gamblers & diggers - Roel Janssen Financial scandals from the VOC to the Zuidas
