11.09.2025 10:16
The tragic assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has, disturbingly yet predictably, ignited a frenzy within the cryptocurrency markets, spawning a rapid proliferation of speculative tokens designed to capitalize on the unfolding tragedy. Barely hours after the September 10 shooting at Utah Valley University (UVU), a slew of anonymous developers sprang into action, launching numerous digital currencies bearing Kirk's name, one of which astonishingly amassed close to $300,000 in revenue.
What began as a profound sorrow quickly transformed into a high-stakes trading spectacle. Reports detail that Kirk, at 31 years old, met his untimely end from a single gunshot while addressing a crowd of 3,000 individuals gathered in the outdoor quad at UVU. Authorities have since launched an extensive manhunt for the perpetrator, as heartfelt tributes from prominent figures across the American political spectrum continue to pour in. Former President Barack Obama unequivocally condemned the violent act, while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lauded Kirk as an unwavering "crusader for free speech." Yet, even as the political world grappled with grief, blockchain developers were swiftly exploiting the event. Data shared by an internet user identified a creator on the Solana network who generated an estimated $299,426 by introducing a "CHARLIE" coin shortly after the incident. Further corroboration from market analysis platforms revealed a bustling landscape of at least five distinct tokens—including names like "Charlie Cartman," "RIP CHARLIE KIRK," and "Justice For Charlie"—all minted within 13 hours of the shooting.
The subsequent market activity was nothing short of extraordinary. The "Charlie Cartman" token, for instance, soared to an impressive $74.9 million market capitalization within a mere four hours of its debut, propelled by over 23,000 transactions and $2.4 million in trading volume. Other tokens swiftly followed suit; "Justice for Charlie" reached a $12.4 million market cap after more than 114,000 trades over 13 hours, while "RIP CHARLIE KIRK" registered a formidable $28.1 million in trading volume, despite experiencing swift pullbacks. A separate "KIRK" coin demonstrated particularly volatile behavior, plummeting 85% in six hours before staging a dramatic 2,260% rebound within a 24-hour period. Such dramatic price fluctuations echo prior instances of speculative market fever, including the emergence of OZZY and HULK coins earlier in the year, which similarly captured public attention during periods of intense online speculation.
