I wonder if a state actor could pull it off more cheaply. Start buying large amounts while letting it leak that you're going to take over the network. See if enough people will panic-sell on the leak to drop the price of your takeover.
It's kinda like taking over a condo building on a much larger scale: the people you buy out first can charge a premium; by the end, you set the terms.
It's kinda like taking over a condo building on a much larger scale: the people you buy out first can charge a premium; by the end, you set the terms.