Hip-hop mogul Kanye West has hinted at making a direct crypto purchase, reaching out to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
West, whose net worth Forbes estimates at $400 million (though he claims it’s $2.77 billion), appears to be looking for a way to acquire digital assets over-the-counter (OTC) without intermediaries.
Kanye’s Crypto Inquiry Goes Public
In his X post, West shared a screenshot of a text exchange, in which he asks an unknown contact for a crypto buying connection that doesn’t require a middleman.
The reply pointed him directly to Armstrong:
“Brian Armstrong, CEO and founder of Coinbase. I will ask for his number to provide to you.”
It remains unclear if West and Armstrong have connected, but the post has already fueled speculation that West might be planning a major crypto acquisition.
Kanye’s History With Crypto
While it’s unknown whether West currently owns any cryptocurrency, he has been linked to the crypto world before.
In 2014, West took legal action against Coinye, an early meme coin inspired by him, accusing the project of trademark infringement. His lawyers issued a cease-and-desist letter, forcing the development team to shut it down.
Now, nearly a decade later, West seems to be taking a very different stance on crypto—this time as a potential investor.
Could Kanye Go Big on Bitcoin?
If West is indeed pursuing a direct OTC crypto purchase, it could indicate:
- A significant Bitcoin or Ethereum buy-in
- A move to hold crypto as part of his wealth strategy
- Potential future involvement in blockchain projects
With more celebrities and high-net-worth individuals entering the crypto space, Kanye’s latest inquiry could be just the beginning of his involvement in digital assets.
For now, all eyes are on Coinbase to see if West’s request turns into an actual transaction.
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