AKoin is a cryptocurrency and digital wallet created by Akon, a multi-platinum singer who previously founded the Akon Lighting Africa to expand solar power in Africa. The AKoin cryptocurrency is the center of AKoin Ecosystem, an integrated ecosystem of DApps (decentralized applications) that will provide immediate and ongoing new revenue generating opportunities and micro-exchanges to stimulate and support youth entrepreneurship, economic stability and growth in Africa. ^{[undefined] [undefined] [undefined]}

Akon announced his plans for AKoin at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity on Wednesday, June 20, 2018. Akon said that the cryptocurrency should hit the market by early July. Akon believes that the AKoin project will bring great progress and change to the continent of Africa. ^[undefined]

“I think that blockchain and crypto could be the savior for Africa in many ways because it brings the power back to the people and brings the security back into the currency system and also allows the people to utilize it in ways where they can advance themselves and not allow government to do those things that are keeping them down,” he explained during a Meredith sponsored panel moderated by People deputy editor JD Heyman. ^[undefined]

AKoin will fund itself through on boarding and revenue share agreements Koin DApp partners.

Brand and DApp sponsorship opportunities exist across the AKoin ecosystem.

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AKoin plans to provide DApps in six categories to support their vision of fostering youth entrepreneurship and economic growth.

The categories include a crypto base, financial services, infrastructure / support, content / marketing, professional services, and health / education / governance. ^[undefined]

AKoin is working to develop AKoin Crypto City a 100% crypto-based city with AKoin at the center of transactional life.

The city will built on 2,000 acres of land gifted by the President of Senegal, Macky Sall. The city is located within 5 minutes of the new Blaise Diagne International Airport, close to the coast and a short drive from Dakar, Senegal, the capital city of Senegal and Akon’s homeland. ^{[undefined] [undefined] [undefined]}

Development of AKoin Crypto City began prior to June 2018.

The city has been described as a real-life, Wakanda. AKoin Crypto City will be a planned city, containing everything from residential, retail, parks, stadiums, light manufacturing, universities and schools. ^[undefined]

AKoin has planned multiple different brand programs to help promote AKoin and other brands they plan on partnering with.

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Akon is the Chief Visionary of AKoin. As an American of Senegalese descent, Akon is recognized as one of the most powerful voices across Africa and the African diaspora, named to the Forbes Celebrity 100 & 40 Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa lists. In addition to having two multi-platinum albums, 27 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, he is among the first artists to accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice. Through Akon Lighting Africa, he has already brought solar power to 18 countries in Africa, creating safety, health and well-being for over 100 million of the 600 million Africans who lack electricity today. ^{[undefined] [1]}

Ryan Scott is the CEO of AKoin. Ryan is a data privacy pioneer and holds the patent for opt-in email marketing. He leveraged this idea as co-founder of NetCreations, which he ultimately grew to be a half a billion dollar public company before a successful exit. As Founder and CEO of ICO Impact Group he helps socially conscious blockchain startups raise investment, a natural next step building on his success as Chairman and founder of Causecast, an award-winning corporate volunteering and giving platform. Ryan is a well known speaker and writer in the space of social impact and blockchain. ^[undefined]

Jon Karas is the President of AKoin.

He has over 20 years of experience packaging and producing entertainment and bringing the top talent to the global market, Jon is a major player working at the intersection of celebrity and social good. He is a founding Advisory Board member of Slate Entertainment Group, creator of disruptive crypto driven streaming and ticketing platforms. He also founded the highly successful talent management company Infinity Management International in 1990, which represents top film and television writers, directors, and producers. Jon has been involved with the sale, packaging and financing of numerous feature films and television programs over the past 20 years. ^[undefined]

Lynn Liss is the COO of AKoin. She is an entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in the social impact and startup sector, Lynn is a leader in visioning, fundraising, executing and operating business models. She has also worked as a Management Consultant with BearingPoint and CGI-AMS (Top 5), where she advised and deployed innovative technology for Fortune 500 companies including negotiating a $20M+ deal signed by the COO of Microsoft. Lynn has an MBA in Strategy / Finance from the University of Chicago. She has deep networks and experience across the startup, venture capital, entertainment, technology and social good sectors. ^[undefined]