Imposter DJ Marshmello Stirs Controversy at Web Summit Over Virtual Currency Adicoin

Imposter DJ Marshmello Stirs Controversy at Web Summit Over Virtual Currency Adicoin

A storm of controversy descended on this year’s Web Summit in Lisbon when an individual, masked to mirror globally famed DJ Marshmello, took center stage. The man, later unmasked as an imposter, gave a performance and speech promoting Adicoin, a supposed cryptocurrency project in partnership with Adidas. However, the real DJ Marshmello, performing at a club in Las Vegas at the time, promptly took to social media to clear the air regarding his non-involvement in the Summit.

Unraveling the Deception

The imposter was not just a random impersonator, but a member of the activist group, Yes Men. The group is notorious for their theatrical stunts aimed at drawing attention to societal issues. In this instance, the impersonators were Yes Men members Mike Bonanno and Andy Bichlbaum. They used the event to spotlight the controversial concept of Adicoin, an alleged virtual currency intended for Adidas workers in the brand’s metaverse, Adiverse.

Adicoin: A Virtual Controversy

Adicoin is presented as a form of compensation for Adidas workers, to be used exclusively within the Adiverse metaverse. The idea, however, has garnered criticism for its proposal of compensating workers with virtual currency instead of actual wages. The Web Summit, which initially listed DJ Marshmello as a speaker, has since removed the conference information from their program.

The Activist Agenda

Yes Men, through their deceptive performance, sought to draw attention to the issue of workers’ rights and the potential exploitation of labor in the digital age. They highlighted the potential misuse of concepts like Adicoin, which could potentially lead to workers being compensated with virtual currency instead of real wages, a concept that raises substantial ethical questions.

As a result of Yes Men’s audacious act, the Web Summit found itself in the midst of a controversy, one that underscores the crucial need for fact-checking and transparency in the rapidly evolving worlds of technology and cryptocurrency.