8. The South Sea Bubble
In 1720, the South Sea Company lured British investors with promises of unbelievable riches from overseas trade. Speculation ran wild, driving up share prices until the inevitable crash wiped out fortunes and sent shockwaves through the economy. Today, similar investment frenzies—like viral cryptocurrency booms or meme stock bubbles—spread through social media hype and online forums. The South Sea Bubble is a cautionary tale that would trend for weeks if it happened now. Read more at Investopedia.
