Derogatory Elizabeth Warren Meme Coin Deleted From Coinbase's Website

The token targets a U.S. senator who has frequently criticized the cryptocurrency industry.

AccessTimeIconMar 13, 2024 at 6:41 p.m. UTC
Updated Mar 13, 2024 at 9:12 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now
  • Coinbase took down a webpage that explained "how to buy elizabeth whoren," a derogatory token referencing U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
  • A Coinbase spokesperson said the page was automatically generated.
  • Crypto Hopefuls Seek Value in Memecoins After Vitalik Buterin’s Tweets
    06:07
    Crypto Hopefuls Seek Value in Memecoins After Vitalik Buterin’s Tweets
  • Confusion From US Regulators; Markets Hit by ‘Vibe-Flation’
    10:48
    Confusion From US Regulators; Markets Hit by ‘Vibe-Flation’
  • Memecoins on a Tear, Outperforming Bitcoin
    02:23
    Memecoins on a Tear, Outperforming Bitcoin
  • Global Macro Factors Impacting Bitcoin’s Price
    09:46
    Global Macro Factors Impacting Bitcoin’s Price
  • Meme coin traders are flocking to a derogatory cryptocurrency that attacks Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts senator and prominent crypto critic. Meanwhile, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is running awkwardly in the other direction.

    The trading giant on Wednesday nixed a webpage that for a short while promoted "how to buy elizabeth whoren in United States." Links to the auto-generated webpage instead reverted to a more generic hub for buying crypto in general.

    "These pages are automatically generated based on tokens that have been created by third parties," a Coinbase spokesperson said in a statement. "They are informational only, do not endorse any asset, and do not indicate that the assets are available for trading on Coinbase."

    While Coinbase lets U.S. traders buy hundreds of different cryptocurrencies, WHOREN is not one of them. It's one of the thousands of so-called "meme coins" that debut on the Solana (SOL) blockchain network nearly every day. These kinds of tokens are only available on "decentralized exchanges" that lack the rules and regulations of Coinbase.

    Observers were speculating on Wednesday that it was part of an auto-generated SEO strategy, rather than a deliberate creation by Coinbase itself.

    The token and its dalliance with Coinbase seem unlikely to change Warren's negative stance toward the industry. She's previously called for amassing an "anti-crypto army" to reign in crypto's excesses and has proposed legislation that she has argued would police bad actors.

    Senator Warren's office did not return a request for comment.

    UPDATE (March 13, 2024, 21:10 UTC): Adds Coinbase statement.

    Edited by Nick Baker and Nikhilesh De.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Danny Nelson

    Danny is CoinDesk's Managing Editor for Data & Tokens. He owns BTC, ETH and SOL.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.