 "Musk changed his X username to ‘Kekius Maximus’. This sent an obscure meme coin soaring 1600%")
Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and owner of X (formerly Twitter), has once again set the internet ablaze with his antics. On Tuesday, he changed his username to “Kekius Maximus” and replaced his profile picture with an image of Pepe the Frog dressed as a Roman general holding a joystick. The cryptic move, typical of Musk’s unpredictable online persona, caused a stir among his 210 million followers and sent an obscure memecoin soaring by 1,600%.
The sudden username change left many guessing its intent. Was it a playful nod to internet culture? A veiled commentary? Or another calculated move to shake up the crypto market? Musk, known for his love of memes and gaming, provided no clarification, leaving his followers to piece together clues.
The memecoin effect
The impact on the cryptocurrency world was immediate. A digital currency named “Kekius Maximus,” inspired by the same internet meme as Musk’s new handle, saw its value skyrocket. According to CoinGecko, the memecoin’s value surged over 1,600% by Tuesday evening, trading at just under $0.20.
Musk has a history of influencing cryptocurrency markets with his social media activity, often sending prices soaring or plummeting with a single tweet. While it’s unclear if Musk has any direct ties to the Kekius Maximus coin, his online moves consistently ripple through the crypto space.
A mix of pop culture and internet lore
Musk’s latest moniker seems to blend various influences. “Kekius” references “kek,” an internet slang term similar to “LOL,” which gained popularity in niche online communities. “Maximus” likely draws from the lead character in Gladiator, a Roman general famously played by Russell Crowe. Adding Pepe the Frog into the mix adds another layer of intrigue. Originally a harmless cartoon, Pepe was controversially co-opted by alt-right groups during Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, though it remains widely used in non-political memes.
Before the name change, Musk teased his followers, posting about “Kekius Maximus reaching level 80” in Path of Exile 2, a video game he’s openly praised. The combination of gaming references and meme culture in his new identity feels like classic Musk — cryptic, playful, and influential.
Criticism and influence
While Musk’s actions continue to entertain his followers, they often attract criticism. Since acquiring X in 2022 for $44 billion, he has wielded increasing influence over online discourse, with detractors accusing him of amplifying misinformation. His involvement as an advisor to the incoming Trump administration and his new role heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a cheeky nod to another cryptocurrency Musk has famously championed — only add to his controversial reputation.
Love him or loathe him, Musk’s ability to turn a simple username change into a viral moment and a crypto market shakeup proves his status as the ultimate internet wildcard.
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