[chii]

> That means that 5*x of stock can "exist" even though that amount was never issued by the company.

that's totally fine if it was lent and re-lent out and short sold etc.

After all, you don't bat an eye that similar thing happens with cash!

The only problem i have with your explanation, which is also the only part i dont think is true, is that the broker's "fail to deliver" portion. The broker _owes_ the buyer a stock, and there's a clearing house that ensures the broker is good for their money. Which is why Robinhood stopped the purchases of GME at that short squeeze, because they can't place enough deposit to ensure that they _could_ make whole their buyers at the clearinghouse.