A blockchain-based platform is giving people the chance to buy unique, digital collectibles inspired by public figures and political leaders — including politicians, such as Donald Trump[1] and Kim Jong Un, and media personalities, like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres.
Each Crypton comes with a handcrafted image of the person it represents. Humorous or satirical “gaglines” can be added underneath and shared on social media in order to comment on matters of public interest or just to have fun. Examples of edgy captions so far have included Mark Zuckerberg[2] (“Elections are more fun with FB,”) Jeff Bezos (“Poor Donald… I am 100x richer,”) and Sarah Palin (“Don’t misunderestimate me”).
The company behind the concept, Crypton Labs, believes this form of expression will prove to be far more effective and sophisticated than the “dry word fights” or messages seen on Twitter. In the future, it plans to add short audio clips and animations to Cryptons — and even allow owners to use an image of themselves to create their own Crypton. Historical figures and famous fictional characters can also be collected.
When it comes to ownership, an automatic price escalation feature has been introduced, which means someone’s Crypton can be purchased by someone else for twice the price. Most of the revenues go back to the person who has lost their collectible, creating the prospect of making a profit. It is also possible to pay a one-time protection fee in order to prevent a Crypton from changing hands. This feature allows owners to set their own selling price.
According to Crypton Labs, snapping up the Crypton for someone who is considering a run for U.S. president in 2020 or 2024 might not be worth much now, but it could
