Janice McAfee, the widow of cybersecurity pioneer John McAfee, has reportedly introduced a new memecoin inspired by her late husband. The announcement comes amid a growing wave of memecoin launches, fueled recently by the surprising debut of former President Donald Trump’s token.
Using her late husband’s account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), McAfee shared the news on January 23 with the message, “You didn’t think I’d miss this cycle, did you?” John McAfee, known for his outspoken support of cryptocurrency during his lifetime, championed Bitcoin for its potential to challenge government control over financial systems.
Community Response and Early Concerns
While the initial reaction from the crypto community appeared enthusiastic, a deeper analysis raised red flags. Reports revealed that 90% of the token’s 100 million supply had already been distributed across hundreds of wallets. Only a small fraction was added to two trading pools, prompting concerns about transparency and fairness.
Some members of the crypto world were quick to voice their doubts. Charles Hoskinson, the founder of the Cardano blockchain, responded sarcastically to the news, stating that “John being resurrected as a dubious AI crypto scam [is] the most John McAfee thing possible.”
What the Project Claims
The token’s official website highlights its backstory, describing a world dominated by surveillance, corporate exploitation, and digital control. It introduces the concept of “AIntivirus,” which it calls a revolutionary tool to combat these forces. The project claims to embody John McAfee’s legacy through an AI-powered system aimed at protecting digital freedoms and pushing back against digital oppression.
Despite the intriguing premise, the memecoin’s legitimacy remains under scrutiny. Critics argue that the rapid token distribution and reliance on John McAfee’s name may be more about hype than substance.
