Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2014/01/03/kanye_west_gets_his_own_bitcoin/

Jokesters develop new cryptocurrency using Kanye West's face

Think Bitcoin is dodgy? Try out this digital funny money

By Jasper Hamill

Posted in On-Prem, 3rd January 2014 13:03 GMT

Kanye West and his pneumatic wife Kim Kardashian have plenty of real cash, but no bank has yet considered putting their faces on a banknote.

But that's about to change with the release of a brand new cryptocurrency called CoinYe West which is themed around the famously braggadocious rapper.

It may not be strictly legal tender, but the digital dosh will work in a similar manner to Bitcoin and comes cloaked in the iconography and mystique of West himself.

The website promoting the new cryptocurrency is festooned with quotes from the rapper, including the line: "I don't know what's better, getting laid or getting paid."

Up until now, users of Bitcoin have had no guaranteed chance of indulging either of Kanye's favourite twin pastimes. Luckily, the latest cryptocurrency may be able to help with the payment bit.

The creators of Coinye West want to make it easier to spend and receive virtual funny money, with an emphasis on simple currency mining.

One of the anonymous developers said: "Our goal with Coinye West is to make it easier for people to use cryptocurrency. Right now, it's kind of a dark art for people to mine coins. We plan on releasing a front end to the "mining" programs called CoinyeMiner. It will make things a lot more simple and people will be able to make their own coins. We're working round-the-clock to get everything going as smoothly as possible."

However, they are wise enough to know that when Kanye and Kim find out about the wheeze, there might be trouble.

"We're really not sure how Kanye is gonna react to this," the developer added. "We hope he loves it, but if he doesn't, he really isn't someone we want to piss off." ®