Kanye West is in talks to buy the social media platform Parler, which is known for its commitment to free speech. This could signal a new era for the platform and for social media as a whole. This article will explore the possibilities of a Bitcoin-friendly influencer acquiring a crypto/NFT-friendly company.
Kanye West is no stranger to controversy, and his latest business venture is sure to ruffle some feathers. The rapper, fashion mogul, and cultural icon are currently in talks to buy popular social media platform Parler, according to a Tweet made by Parlement Technologies (Parlar’s parent company). Although the details are to be finalized, it looks like the deal will go through.
What Is Parler?
Parler has been a favorite among conservatives and libertarian-leaning users, who have flocked to the site in recent months as other platforms cracked down on content they deemed to be “hateful” or “misinformation.” The site bills itself as a free speech platform and has been growing in popularity, as censorship on social media becomes more and more common.
Why Would Kanye West Want to Buy Parler?
Kanye West has been a vocal critic of censorship on social media and has recently been banned from the bank (JP Morgan).
Shortly after, he was seen wearing a Satoshi Nakamoto (pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin) hat. He’s also publicly praised the ethos of the core libertarian movement of Bitcoin enthusiasts in his 2020 podcast with Joe Rogan. Kanye explains, “The bitcoin guys have a perspective on what the true liberation of America and humanity will be.”
Kanye West earns a living through his influence and by being able to ensure that he can get his message out to the masses through any means necessary. So it makes sense that he would want to purchase a platform like Parler, which has also been friendly towards crypto and it looks like that aligns with Kanye’s current interests as well.
How Is Parler Crypto-Friendly?
Parler is crypto-friendly because the social media platform launched its own NFT marketplace entitled, “DeepRedSky” back in March. Although this NFT platform is quite right-leaning with most features being Donald Trump supporters, it still shows that Parler is willing to venture into Web3.
The first launch contained a series of digital artwork, one piece, in particular, being “CryptoTRUMP Club” which featured Trump’s image.
Later collections include the Babylon Bee, Brandon Tatum, and the POTUS TRUMP NFT collection headed by former first lady Melania Trump. With this lineup in mind and Kanye West’s recent acquisition of the platform, we might see “Ye” entering into Web3 with his own NFT collection.
What Does This Mean For Parler, Free Speech & Crypto Adoption?
If the deal goes through, it would be a major coup for Parler. Not only would it receive a much-needed infusion of cash, but it would also get the backing of one of the most famous and influential people on the planet.
It would also be a major validation of the platform’s philosophy of free speech and open dialogue, which has made it so popular with conservative users. George Farmer, CEO of Parlement Technologies recently explained in a blog post, “This deal will change the world, and change the way the world thinks about free speech”.
Kanye West’s brand has always been about pushing the envelope and being at the forefront of culture. His acquisition of Parler could signal a new era for the platform and for social media as a whole.
With an influencer that has been forced into the arms of censorship-resistant money in the form of Bitcoin and an NFT-friendly censorship-resistant collaboration together, crypto adoption may just excellerate. Only time will tell.
