Akon's City Dream Takes a Tentative First Step

Akoin, the cryptocurrency backbone of a new master planned smart city in Senegal, is available for purchase. Akon City could be the next dream to become a reality.

1 minute read

November 13, 2020, 8:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Akon City

miguelca / Shutterstock

"Rapper Akon's cryptocurrency Akoin, which will be a cornerstone of his planned smart city in Senegal, was listed for purchase on Wednesday on bitcoin exchange Bittrex Global," reports Chris Teale.

The vision for Akon City made news with a groundbreaking just a few months ago, complete with futuristic renderings designed to resemble African sculptures and a marketing pitch that hinges on the city's planned location on the Atlantic Coast of Africa.

"The smart city is part of a philanthropic streak for the Senegalese-born rapper, whose Akon Lighting Africa project provides solar power to 18 countries in Africa," explains Teale.

Teale also throws cold water on the whole idea, writing that "doubts remain around Akon's full vision being realized, given financial pressures and a global trend of planned smart city projects that have fallen through."

Akoin also had trouble getting o the market, according to the article, listing on Bittrex Global rather than the originally planned initial exchange offering (IEO).

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