> It is pretty close to cash.

Sure, but specifically in the direction where cash is always at least as good as stock, not in the other direction.

You've stated this in something like 5 threads in this post, and you're wrong in every one of them. Please see my previous posts with examples.

Want to know how I know? Because I'm working at my 3rd company where my 6-figure stock grant is vesting at 7-figures due to appreciation.