Akon launches a cryptocurrency that's called, wait for it, AKoin

You can't beat that very real name.
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Akon launches a cryptocurrency that's called, wait for it, AKoin
Akon has a cryptocurrency called AKoin. Credit: Getty Images for Cannes Lions

Cryptocurrency has had its fair share of celebrity backers.

While the likes of Steven Seagal have merely become ambassadors for these outfits, "Smack That" singer Akon is coming out with his own cryptocurrency which plays on his name: AKoin.

Akon, real name Aliaume Thiam, made the announcement at Cannes Lions, as first reported by Page Six.

According to its website, AKoin would hopefully be the currency of a place called Akon Crypto City. It's a "futuristic city" set to be developed on 2,000 acres of land located near Dakar, the capital city of Akon's birthplace, Senegal.

“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," Akon said, according to the publication.

When asked technical questions about the cryptocurrency, Akon responded by saying, "I come with the concepts and let the geeks figure it out." Sounding good so far.

Aside from being involved in AKoin, the R&B artist said he was thinking of taking on both Donald Trump, and Kanye West for the presidency in 2020.

"It’s gonna be entertaining, it’s gonna be something worth watching. I’m going to go after Trump and Kanye will get offended because he likes Trump and he’s going to go after me," he said.

"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."

A masterplan indeed.

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Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

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