Episode 1 of the 2026 "Universe of Money" Quarterfinals: The Thrilling Hunt for the "Identity Black Hole"
Based on a hypothetical scenario involving a well-known male TV host who lost the PIN for his Bitcoin cold wallet, the competing teams had to work hard to solve the challenge of protecting digital identity in the digital age.
The opening episode of the quarterfinals of The Moneyverse 2026 featured intense competition among three university teams: the University of Finance and Marketing, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (VNU-HCM), and Hong Bang International University.
Hypothetical scenario: The cold wallet was locked, leading to an indirect “trap”
The episode began with a real-life scenario presented to actor and host Nhật Quang. Although he had secured his Bitcoin in a cold wallet, he forgot his PIN and lost his recovery phrase. While frantically searching online for “cryptocurrency wallet recovery” services, the young investor faced the risk of falling into the next scam trap—where a single wrong move could cause him to lose all his digital identity and personal data.
This challenge is the official competition topic for the three participating teams: University of Finance and Marketing, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (VNU-HCM), and Hong Bang International University. The quality of the teams’ solutions was evaluated directly by a panel of judges consisting of Mr. Hans Nguyen; Mr. Nguyen Dang Cuong (CEO of Pacific Airlines); and Mr. Tran Cong Danh (Head of the Retail Banking Division at BIDV).
Data Hunter & Big Bang Rounds: A Race of Strategy and Resource Allocation
Right from the Data Hunter warm-up, the three teams had to overcome the challenge of explaining the concept of “contingency costs” in a way that even a sixth-grader could understand, before embarking on the hunt to verify the reliability of cybersecurity providers.
The drama reached its climax in the Big Bang round, where each team demonstrated its unique financial mindset through a resource auction:
- The University of Finance and Marketing decided to invest 70 million money in the “Learn to Survive” solution package.
- Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City went all out by spending 71 million money on the “Digital Immune System” package.
- Hong Bang International University chose a different path by bidding 50 million money on the “Go It Alone or Team Up” package, securing the right to direct, private discussions with the guest speakers.
Each choice consumes a different amount of resources and opens up a different course of action.
The teams must not only find solutions but also weigh costs, benefits, and risks—true to the nature of a financial decision.
The Black Hole Round: A Thrilling Breakthrough and the Semifinalists
In the decisive Black Hole round, the three top representatives from the teams—Quách Thiện Văn, Đặng Tuấn Kha, and Bùi Xuân Khôi—had to step up their game to crack three layers of security challenges related to digital identity, data breaches, and deepfake technology.
With a calm demeanor, a strategic allocation of resources, and convincing problem-solving skills, Quách Thiện Văn (representing Hong Bang International University) excelled and emerged as the overall winner.
This victory makes Quách Thiện Văn the first contestant to officially advance to the semifinals of the 2026 Universe of Money competition, earning Hong Bang International University a scholarship worth VND 200 million sponsored by BIDV Bank.
BIDV – A Partner in Knowledge and the Future of the Young Generation
As one of Vietnam’s oldest and most reputable commercial banks, BIDV continues to lead the way in initiatives to enhance the community’s financial literacy. Partnering with “The Universe of Money,” BIDV aims to provide viewers with useful, modern financial knowledge and valuable real-world experiences, helping the younger generation confidently build a solid financial foundation for the future.
BIDV’s participation in the program demonstrates its strong commitment to bringing smart digital financial products and services closer to its young customer base, with a focus on sustainable development.
Tune in to “The World of Money”:
Stay tuned and cheer on the outstanding contestants in the upcoming episodes of the show!
- Main broadcast schedule: 2:00 PM every Sunday on VTV3
- Replay schedule: 2:00 PM the following Saturday
- Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R82ZWBtErQ0&t=351s
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