You can now add Akon to the growing list of artists who have jumped on the cryptocurrency train.
According to Page Six, the Senegal-raised singer recently announced the launch of his own digital currency fittingly dubbed Akoin. The venture will reportedly propel Akon’s Lighting Africa initiative, which aims to improve the country’s living conditions through the use of renewable energy. Akon spoke about his cryptocurrency during a panel at Cannes Lions 2018.
We absolutely love this quote from @Akon from the Interactive Stage… He's been talking about branding Africa and his many projects at #CannesLions this afternoon! pic.twitter.com/buWOPPy62m
— Cannes Lions (@Cannes_Lions) June 18, 2018
“I think that blockchain and crypto could be the savior for Africa in many ways because it brings the power back to the people and brings the security back into the currency system and also allows the people to utilize it in ways where they can advance themselves and not allow government to do those things that are keeping them down,” he explained.
As part of the Akoin venture, the singer plans to complete a “100 percent crypto-based city” on 2,000 acres of land provided by the Senegalese President. Akoin’s website states the project will mix “leading Smart City planning designs with a blank canvas for cryptonizing our daily human and business exchanges, towards inventing a radical new way of existence.”
When pressed about the technical aspects of Akoin and the crypto-based city, Akon responded: “I come with the concepts and let the geeks figure it out.”
He did, however, have a lot to say about his possible presidential run and the ways in which he would handle Donald Trump and even Kanye West.
“It’s gonna be entertaining, it’s gonna be something worth watching,” he said about a potential debate. “I’m going to go after Trump and Kanye will get offended because he likes Trump and he’s going to go after me. Then I’m going to go after Kanye and then Trump’s going to get offended because he likes Kanye and he’s going to go after me. And the debate stage will be set where it’s all about me. It’s perfect, a masterplan.”
Source: Complex News