Kim Kardashian West Given First Physical Bitcoin
“If Only” was a Texas Hold’em poker tournament hosted by gazillionaire philanthropists Irving and Shelli Azoff for the cancer-related charity City of Hope. This year, the first annual tournament was held in Los Angeles at the old LA Lakers basketball arena, The Forum. Charitable participants were promised “The best food and drink, unlike anything you’ve ever had at a poker tournament! Try Keeping up with the Kardashians! Play at a table with either Kris, Kim, Khloe or Kendall as you try and knock out the bounty!” among assorted prizes.
Draped in black, the Kardashian gals mingled at their table, snapping photographs and attempting to play poker with a coach to guide them. Also at the charity soiree was crypto entrepreneur Matthew Roszak. He came prepared.
At some point, he gave Kim Kardashian West, arguably the most famous of the klan, what appears to be her very first physical bitcoin (BTC). Those wondering why someone like Mr. Roszak would gift basically $8,000 (at press time) to someone of Mrs. Kardashian West’s considerable wealth, some basic facts might be in order.
Kialara
She has over 110 million Instagram followers, and it appears her family’s longtime running hit reality show was taping at the event. One well placed interaction on either platform, let alone both or more, and, well, that’s probably the best $8,000 Mr. Roszak has ever invested (he also tweeted a picture of the two, he holding the physical representation). Mrs. Kardashian West’s estimated net worth is well over a quarter billion dollars.
It might also be newsworthy because usually celebrity endorsements are far less organic, and have of late involved alternative coins (Ashton Kutcher and Ripple on Ellen, for example). This is the first time in a while bitcoin has been so prominently featured to a mainstream audience. “We moved onto Bitcoin!” Mrs.Kardashian West announced on an Instagram story, an ephemeral feature to compete with rival Snapchat.
Mr. Roszak, her bitcoin benefactor, is cofounder of Bloq, and while at a presentation not too long ago referenced the famous social media family as a use-case for the token economy. “Every brand, every artist, every tribe, can tokenize their economy,” Mr. Roszak urged. Later, in perhaps what was his plan all along, he gave her what’s known as a Kialara, which used to be all the rage a few years ago. They’re limited edition encasings, and appear to have sold out. The case includes quite beautiful holograms, sterling silver, aluminium, stainless steel, along with engravings. Chances are that site has been flooded as well. No word, yet, as to what Mrs. Kardashian West plans for her 1 BTC.
Will Kim Kardashian’s use of bitcoin bring more adoption or onboarding? Let us know in the comments section below.