US presidential candidate Andrew Yang recently crossed a critical threshold that allows him to participate in the first US presidential debate held by the Democratic National Convention. Yang is on a rocket from near obscurity to YouTube and Twitter glory after his first appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience last month, where he discussed his Universal Basic Income initiative, the jobs crisis in the US, automation and robots.
Yang is a proponent of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. He has accepted Bitcoin, Ethereum and ERC20 token donations for his campaign, and has amassed a following on Twitter that speaks his language about the future of payments – money is changing and payment options are about free choice.
The “Humanity First” candidate now has a Twitter following of 189,000. With crypto-style monikers like “Notorious D.O.G.E.™ [BE THE DIP]?” and “Seño Rekt?”, crypto enthusiasts are reimagining the world of finance, where Yang’s proposed $1,000-monthly stipend for every American adult from the age of 18 to 64 is paid in “Yang Bucks” or Bitcoin, which could be held as an investment or spent in the real world.
As a digital asset, Yang Bucks could have a distinct advantage over the US dollar with respect to distributing a monthly stipend nationwide. Blockchain technology could be used to verify people’s identity, and the digital currency could be sent to anyone eligible who holds a blockchain wallet, appearing instantly on one’s mobile device.
Yang, who founded Venture for America, an organization designed to support entrepreneurs, says he’s a capitalist who wants to prepare the US for the inevitability: automation and other technological advancements wiping away jobs.
Speaking during a Facebook ask-me-anything, the pro-crypto presidential candidate says blockchain and cryptocurrencies have enormous potential.
“I do think the entire cryptocurrency phenomenon has gotten a bit ahead of itself, but that’s normal with new technology.”
“I think the technology has massive potential to create a more transparent society. A smart government would embrace this and work with it. I would do that.”
Yang and his ethos have inspired a stream of crypto memes with supporters calling for Yang Bucks to rival the dollar.
Modified Image via Cezary p/Wikimedia
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