2 min read
Elon Musk’s recent name change on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to “Kekius Maximus” has sparked widespread speculation and curiosity among his 210 million followers.
Musk, the head of Tesla and SpaceX, changed his username to “Kekius Maximus” and updated his profile picture to showcase the meme figure Pepe the Frog dressed in Roman military garb. The enigmatic action, characteristic of Musk’s erratic digital presence, generated a buzz among his 210 million followers and propelled a little-known memecoin to a staggering 1,600% increase.
The name “Kekius Maximus” appears to be a blend of several elements. The alt-right is among the many online subcultures that have adopted the term “kek,” which originated in gaming communities as a play on “LOL” (laugh out loud). Meanwhile, “Maximus” is a nod to Russell Crowe’s portrayal of Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius in Roman (2000). All these things put together point to Musk’s fascination with gaming, online meme culture, and maybe even ancient Roman allusions.
Pepe the Frog, featured in Musk’s new profile picture, is a character that originated in the “Boy’s Club” comic series but became widely known as a meme. Over time, it has been appropriated by various online communities, some of which carry controversial associations. Despite the Anti-Defamation League labeling Pepe as a “hate symbol” because of its association with extremist groups, many still consider the majority of Pepe’s uses to be non-bigoted.
The Memecoin Effect
The impact on the cryptocurrency market was swift. A new digital coin called “Kekius Maximus,” named after the same internet meme that inspired Musk’s new handle, saw its value soar. According to CoinGecko, the memecoin’s value skyrocketed by more than 1,600%, reaching nearly $0.20 by Tuesday evening.
Musk is known for his ability to influence cryptocurrency markets with his social media presence, often causing prices to surge or fall dramatically with just one tweet. While it remains unclear if Musk has a direct link to the Kekius Maximus coin, his online activities often send waves through the cryptocurrency landscape.
Despite widespread speculation, Musk remains silent on the motivations for his name change and its possible connections to digital currency or internet communities. However, he has reverted to his former name and profile picture.
