Viral Comic 'Rug Pulls' Solana Meme Cash, Donates Proceeds to Palestine – Decrypt

Comic William Banks went viral after posting a video of what he claims confirmed him escaping jail on social media, shortly earlier than he went on a spree of “rug pulling” Solana meme cash. 

Banks instructed Decrypt his objective was to be a Robinhood-like “hero” and donate $50,000 of the proceeds to charities supporting these struggling in Palestine following Israel’s assaults on Gaza—sharing purported receipts of those funds on X. 

In October, the comic was charged and arrested in Westport, Connecticut, for stealing 5 yard indicators that had the Israeli flag on them, in line with native reporting. Westport Police confirmed his arrest to Decrypt. He claims to have been sentenced to eight months in jail, however his identify doesn’t seem within the database of these imprisoned within the state of Connecticut. 

However, Banks claims to have been creating content material from inside jail since November. Throughout a four-month social media marketing campaign, the comic went viral with clips shot utilizing a telephone that he claims to have smuggled into an unnamed jail in Connecticut. This included him poorly enjoying soccer within the yard, annoying his cellmate, and being bullied by different prisoners.

Throughout this time, he claims to have obtained messages from “crypto bros” that have been making an attempt to “rip-off” him or push him to launch a token.

“They have been making an attempt to earn cash off me being in jail,” Banks instructed Decrypt. “So then I noticed that I wished to be a hero, like Robinhood. I simply performed their recreation with them. I used to be ready to make use of what they have been doing with all of the crypto stuff to assist Palestine.”

One of many “crypto bros” that contacted Banks was Jester, a self-defined meme coin marketer that wears a “Retardio” NFT profile image. Banks says that he linked with Jester by way of their shared love of faith earlier than the crypto bro began utilizing their connection to launch tokens.

“He stated he attire up as a clown and goes on the aspect of the road and talks about God,” Banks instructed Decrypt. “I do not know what to consider, since all people’s simply acquired a cartoon image as their profile and I do not belief cartoons—I belief actual folks. I do not know if he is mendacity to me or not.”

Jester instructed Decrypt that he helped Banks launch 4 meme cash, however the comic denies working straight with him. The meme coin marketer added that he by no means meant to rip-off anybody and wished to create a “long-term” token with Banks. However the comic had different plans, he stated.

Banks has made a reputation for himself by way of his Andy Kaufman-like comedic model, comparable to his standup set at a army academy the place he pretended to be a marine. His work typically pokes enjoyable at faith, together with skits during which he makes an attempt to eradicate atheism whereas claiming to be Christian, Jewish, and Muslim—all whereas donning a customized necklace that mixes the Star of David, the Crucifix, and the Crescent and Star.

His largest hit, as of late, was a video during which he pretends to flee from jail by crawling by way of a gap in a fence. Banks’ submit on X gathered over 20.7 million views. Gizmodo spoke to Administrative Lieutenant of Westport Police Eric Woods who confirmed there was no such jailbreak.

That identical day, he created the White Moses (MOSES) meme coin, a Pump.enjoyable token that ran to a peak market cap of $257,000 in simply over an hour earlier than the deployer pockets offered its stash and brought on the worth to plummet. The primary sale of $14,400 brought on the token to drop 75% in simply eight seconds. The token rapidly recovered earlier than two extra gross sales of $17,540 and $3,800 prompted a 96% drop in simply 25 seconds, from $227,000 to only $11,000. 

“Individuals stored making cash about me after which sending me a number of the provide. Then I might simply get cash from that,” the comic defined. 

Social media customers additionally reported that Banks promoted numerous different tokens, together with William Banks (BANKS).

“I do not like crypto, I do not like meme cash. I believe there’s one thing actually sinister, and there is one thing actually twisted about all of it,” Banks stated. “I believe crypto is filled with scammers, and it is in the end a nasty factor in society.”

He has since deleted all social media exercise selling the meme coin, explaining that he raised $50,000 from the scheme. Banks stated that he donated the fund to charities supporting these struggling in Palestine.

“I believe it is a bizarre, bizarre world, and I don’t just like the folks I’ve been speaking to,” Banks instructed Decrypt. “I simply did it to be able to give some cash to my mates who I escaped with, and a few cash to Palestine. I don’t need to launch one other one, I don’t need to submit about crypto once more.”

He posted receipts of 5 $10,000 funds to Palestinian charities on X, a few of which may be independently verified by way of the charities’ supporters feeds.

Whereas some critics have continued to name him a “scammer” or “thief” for his meme coin antics, the overwhelming on-line response was to hail Banks as a Robin Hood-like determine since he seemed to be motivated by what proponents consider is a worthy trigger.

“He escaped from jail solely to instantly rug-pull a bunch of crypto bros to donate the cash to Palestine…. he could be the best to ever do it,” political commentator and content material creator Eden Riley posted on X.

Others have been frightened concerning the harm such a stunt might trigger for the Palestinian motion.

“My concern stems from the potential for the hoax alienating individuals who would possibly genuinely come to oppose the genocide in any other case,” Klonny Gosch, a political podcaster who identifies as an anti-Zionist, instructed Decrypt. 

So-called rug pulls, a sort of exit rip-off all too widespread in crypto, may cause authorized points for these concerned—comparable to the 2 people who have been discovered responsible of fraud final 12 months and sentenced to 5 years in jail over the Undead Apes NFT rip-off.

Gosch additionally stated that he’s involved any potential illegality might result in points for the foundations which have obtained donations from Banks.

“So far as crypto traders dropping out, although, I couldn’t actually care much less,” Gosch stated, “and there isn’t a extra worthy trigger than Gaza.”

Edited by Stacy Elliott