Rapper Kanye West Wants to Talk to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong About Crypto Deal

Kanye West, the famous hip-hop artist and self-proclaimed billionaire, has expressed interest in diving deeper into the world of cryptocurrency, aiming to bypass traditional intermediaries.

On Friday, West took to X to voice his desire to discuss buying crypto directly with Coinbase's CEO, Brian Armstrong, signaling a potential shift towards more personalized financial transactions or otherwise known as over-the-counter (OTC) buys.

Back in 2014, West was no stranger to the crypto world, albeit in a less amicable context. He famously pursued legal action against the developers of “Coinye,” an early memecoin, for trademark infringement. His legal team's swift action led to the project's immediate cessation. Fast forward to today, with West's net worth pegged at $400 million by Forbes—though he claims it's closer to $2.77 billion—his interest in crypto has evidently evolved.

A Direct Line to Crypto

In a screenshot shared on X, West is seen texting an unnamed contact, requesting details on how he can engage in crypto transactions without a middleman. The reply identifies Brian Armstrong, hinting at a possible forthcoming conversation between the two influential figures. This move by West could indicate an intent to make significant OTC purchases, a common method for high-net-worth individuals to acquire large quantities of cryptocurrency discreetly and efficiently.

Whether this conversation leads to a concrete deal or merely highlights West's ongoing interest in digital currencies remains to be seen. However, it's clear that West is looking to leverage his influence to navigate the crypto market on his terms, potentially setting a precedent for how celebrities might engage with crypto platforms in the future.