Steve Bannon May be Eyeing a Move into the ICO Space

Not content with disrupting U.S. politics, Steve Bannon now wants to disrupt the financial system with a move into the crypto space.

AccessTimeIconJun 14, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 8:03 a.m. UTC
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Not content with disrupting U.S. politics, Steve Bannon now wants to disrupt the financial system with a move into the crypto space, according to a new interview.

In a Bloomberg article published Thursday, Bannon – who was previously chief strategist for President Donald Trump and executive chairman of Breitbart News – told the news source that he has had meetings with investors and hedge funds about initial coin offerings (ICOs) in relation to his investment firm Bannon & Company.

However, he wouldn't discuss details of any plans over fears his controversial reputation could mar future projects.

Notably, the political-heavyweight-turned-investor also revealed he has a "good stake" in bitcoin, before restating his belief that the way cryptocurrency challenges the people and institutions in power is "disruptive populism."

He said:

"It takes control back from central authorities. It's revolutionary."

Although he has had an interest since at least as far back as 2016, Bannon's growing fondness for the technology become widely known after he left the White House in August 2017 – on a speaking tour last year  he said cryptocurrency and blockchain technology will bring "true freedom."

According to the article, Bannon has previously said he would like to help others to create their own cryptocurrencies, and has even touted the possibility of creating his own, called "deplorables coin" – deplorables being a term Hillary Clinton once used to describe his supporters.

Talking about notable figures in cryptocurrency, he said, "These guys are visionaries."

Steve Bannon image via Flickr/Gage Skidmore

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