Dennis Rodman’s trip to North Korea this week is being sponsored by the “PotCoin” digital currency, the ex-NBA star announced in a tweet on Tuesday afternoon prior to leaving for Pyongyang.
In a statement on its website, PotCoin describes itself as “the community-based cryptocurrency for legalized marijuana” and says the trip was “made possible” by the company.
“I’m really looking forward to spending time with the wonderful people of North Korea and of course, visiting with the Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un,” Rodman is quoted as having said in the statement. “I want to thank the folks at PotCoin… they realized the importance of this trip and made it all possible for me.”
“The nature of his visit has yet to be disclosed, but the former NBA star promises to provide details of his trip upon his return to the USA,” the group adds.
In a Youtube video released as part of PotCoin’s statement, Rodman’s minder Chris Volo says the former NBA star was visiting North Korea to “try to bridge the gap and bring peace and dialogue.”
“He has a unique amazing relationship between both President Trump and Marshall Kim Jong Un, he is the only man to have a relationship with both people,” Volo says. “PotCoin’s the reason we’re going out there.”
Rodman is known to have a close relationship with U.S. President Trump, having appeared Trump’s show the Celebrity Apprentice, and in 2013 the President described the former NBA star’s trips to North Korea as “smart.”
Video released as part of PotCoin’s statement
Like the more famous “BitCoin”, PotCoin’s purpose as a cryptocurrency is to facilitate anonymous payments online and function without the regulation of a central bank.
“PotCoin removes the need for cash transactions and encourages buying through consumer incentives,” the currency’s website reads. “PotCoin as a digital currency is an alternative payment network for cannabis users, merchants and industry professionals.”
As of Tuesday, one PotCoin (POT) is being sold for $0.144421, and 217,067,838 are reportedly in supply.
Speaking to NK News over social media, PotCoin spokesperson Shawn Perez said part of the group’s objective for the trip was to raise awareness of “the healthier choices of hemp and to slow down the opioid epidemic.”
“We at Potcoin are thrilled to be a part of this historical ground breaking trip about peace and love,” Perez said, refraining from commenting on whether the North Korean authorities are aware that Rodman’s trip is being funded by the group.
“We will let Dennis answer any questions related to his trip to North Korea when he gets back,” he said. “Potcoin is about peace love and here to help the planet, there are no borders when it comes to that.”
The ex-NBA star’s trips to North Korea have been sponsored by unconventional companies in the past. His most recent trip, in January 2014, was sponsored by the Irish betting company Paddy Power.
The delegation was later revealed to have brought a selection of gifts into North Korea which may have contravened international sanctions against the DPRK.
The news of Rodman’s visit, which will be his fifth, emerged Tuesday morning, when he was spotted by CNN at Beijing Airport, and the trip was subsequently confirmed by North Korean authorities.
And despite speculation that he might use the visit to petition North Korea to release four American citizens currently being detained in the country, Rodman told press at Beijing Airport on Tuesday that it was “not my purpose right now.”
In comments carried by international mediaand in his first public statement on the visit, he did, however, say he would try to “make something happen” regarding the four detained men, while stressing that he was visiting North Korea as a private citizen and not at the behest of the State Department.
Rodman reportedly said that negotiating the release of the Americans was “not my purpose right now”, instead saying he was trying to “open a door.”
The ex-NBA star’s agent Darren Prince said in the PotCoin statement that his client’s trip is intended to encourage dialogue between the U.S. and Pyongyang.
“Anyone who knows Dennis knows he’s trying to use his relationship to open the line of communication and send a message of peace and understanding,” Prince said.
Rodman is expected to land at Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport at 3:35 PM local time (4:05 PM KST).
Featured image: PotCoin
Dennis Rodman's trip to North Korea this week is being sponsored by the "PotCoin" digital currency, the ex-NBA star announced in a tweet on Tuesday afternoon prior to leaving for Pyongyang.
In a statement on its website, PotCoin describes itself as "the community-based cryptocurrency for legalized marijuana" and says the trip was "made possible" by the company.
Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks
Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations,
analysis
Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in
the loop
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting,
investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
SHARE
COPY LINK
X
MASTODON
