Most people underestimate the ripple effects of ZIRP. Zero interest rate policy didn't just reshape financial markets—it fundamentally rewired how capital allocates globally. When traditional yields collapsed, investors had nowhere else to go but into riskier assets. This wasn't a side effect; it was the main event. The influx into crypto, tech stocks, and speculative plays wasn't random appetite for gambling—it was systematic desperation for returns. Understanding how much the monetary environment shaped the last decade of markets is crucial for anyone navigating today's shifting landscape.