Dogecoin Co-Founder Jackson Palmer Slams Cryptocurrency, Calls It ‘Right-Wing, Hyper-Capitalistic Technology’

He said the cryptocurrency community was in control of a powerful cartel of wealthy figures.

By Edited by Gadgets 360 Newsdesk | Updated: 15 July 2021 15:05 IST

Dogecoin Co-Founder Jackson Palmer Slams Cryptocurrency, Calls It ‘Right-Wing, Hyper-Capitalistic Technology’

Dogecoin co-creator Jackson Palmer said he will never return to cryptocurrency

Highlights

Dogecoin was created by Jackson Palmer and Billy Markus
Palmer said crypto industry leverages a network of shady business
Said cryptocurrency is purpose-built to make profiteering more efficient

Dogecoin co-creator Jackson Palmer has dropped a bombshell on social media saying that he will never return to cryptocurrency. He called crypto was an “inherently right-wing, hyper-capitalistic technology”. Palmer, usually, isn't that active on social media. In fact, in 2019 he had also made his Twitter account private. Since then, even when Dogecoin reached record highs earlier this year, he didn't say anything on social media platforms. However, on Wednesday, Palmer resurfaced on Twitter and blasted the various cryptocurrencies. He went to the extent of calling it a sham, based on “an inherently right-wing, hyper-capitalistic technology”.

In his first tweet, the co-creator of the meme-based cryptocurrency said that he was often asked if he would return to the world of crypto tokens. While his answer to that question is a wholehearted “no”, he thought he would explain.

I am often asked if I will “return to cryptocurrency” or begin regularly sharing my thoughts on the topic again. My answer is a wholehearted “no”, but to avoid repeating myself I figure it might be worthwhile briefly explaining why here…
— Jackson Palmer (@ummjackson) July 14, 2021

In his second tweet, Palmer said that digital currencies were built primarily to “amplify the wealth of its proponents” through a combination of tax avoidance, diminished regulatory oversight, and artificially enforced scarcity.

After years of studying it, I believe that cryptocurrency is an inherently right-wing, hyper-capitalistic technology built primarily to amplify the wealth of its proponents through a combination of tax avoidance, diminished regulatory oversight and artificially enforced scarcity.
— Jackson Palmer (@ummjackson) July 14, 2021

Palmer said that despite claims of “decentralization”, a powerful cartel of wealthy figures controlled the industry that now incorporates many of the same institutions they supposedly set out to replace.

Despite claims of “decentralization”, the cryptocurrency industry is controlled by a powerful cartel of wealthy figures who, with time, have evolved to incorporate many of the same institutions tied to the existing centralized financial system they supposedly set out to replace.
— Jackson Palmer (@ummjackson) July 14, 2021

Furthermore, the Dogecoin founder took on the cryptocurrency world, which has received support from the likes of billionaire Elon Musk, saying the industry leverages a network of shady business connections, bought influencers and pay-for-play media outlets to perpetuate a cult-like “get rich quick” funnel designed "to extract new money" from the financially desperate and naive.

The cryptocurrency industry leverages a network of shady business connections, bought influencers and pay-for-play media outlets to perpetuate a cult-like “get rich quick” funnel designed to extract new money from the financially desperate and naive.
— Jackson Palmer (@ummjackson) July 14, 2021

"Financial exploitation undoubtedly existed before cryptocurrency, but cryptocurrency is almost purpose-built to make the funnel of profiteering more efficient for those at the top and less safeguarded for the vulnerable," he added.

He said that cryptocurrency was like taking the worst parts of today's capitalist system — corruption, fraud, inequality — and using software to technically limit the use of interventions such as audits, regulation, and taxation, which serve as protection or safety nets for the average person.

Palmer, then, went on to speak about things that have concerned every single individual irrespective of his interest in digital currencies.

Lose your savings account password? Your fault.
Fall victim to a scam? Your fault.
Billionaires manipulating markets? They're geniuses.

This is the type of dangerous “free for all” capitalism cryptocurrency was unfortunately architected to facilitate since its inception.
— Jackson Palmer (@ummjackson) July 14, 2021

Palmer said that the time is such that even the most modest critique of cryptocurrency draws smears from the powerful figures, who are in control of the industry and the ire of retail investors who they've sold the false promise of one day being a fellow billionaire. "Good-faith debate is near impossible," he said.

After listing out the reasons why he will never return to crypto, Palmer said that he no longer goes out of the way to engage in public discussion regarding cryptocurrency.

For these reasons, I simply no longer go out of my way to engage in public discussion regarding cryptocurrency. It doesn't align with my politics or belief system, and I don't have the energy to try and discuss that with those unwilling to engage in a grounded conversation.
— Jackson Palmer (@ummjackson) July 14, 2021

In his last tweet of the thread, Palmer then appreciated the ones who continue to ask hard questions of those in control of the industry and for "applying the lens of rigorous skepticism all technology should be subject to".

I applaud those with the energy to continue asking the hard questions and applying the lens of rigorous skepticism all technology should be subject to. New technology can make the world a better place, but not when decoupled from its inherent politics or societal consequences.
— Jackson Palmer (@ummjackson) July 14, 2021

This, however, was not the first time Palmer returned to Twitter to take on those capable of influencing the market at the drop of a hat. In May 2021, he had targeted Tesla CEO Elon Musk, saying he was a “self-absorbed grifter”, and labelled his Saturday Night Live (SNL) appearance as “cringe”. Musk had called Dogecoin a “hustle” during one of his gigs on the popular TV show. And Dogecoin price had soared just in the anticipation of his appearance. Palmer, however, added that he would delete his tweets criticising Musk in “one minute” and he did that. Several Twitter users saved the screenshot, though.

My man came back from the shadow realm to dunk on Elon and leave again pic.twitter.com/1meheDu7Dn
— ∞ CO฿IE (@CryptoCobain) May 14, 2021

He also said this! pic.twitter.com/o8NjsigU7Y
— G-100P (@G100Prime) May 14, 2021

In 2015, Palmer announced an “extended leave of absence” from the cryptocurrency community, calling it “toxic” and criticising it for being “white male-dominated” and marred by “buzzword-filled business ideas."

Interested in cryptocurrency? We discuss all things crypto with WazirX CEO Nischal Shetty and WeekendInvesting founder Alok Jain on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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