Dog coin-loving crypto bros wreaked havoc in the New York City mayoral election earlier this month when they intervened in the race to issue a meme coin named after one of the leading candidates.
According to the website, the NYC Mayor of Dogs competition in New York “was founded to create something fun and joyful for people during a time when many are struggling; provide a unique opportunity to develop the New York City community; and present politics and civics in a positive, educational and compelling way (this time).”
So-called “canine influencer” Bertram the Pomeranian, who has nearly 400,000 Instagram followers, was already among the front-runners to snatch victory.
However, his claim to the title was further strengthened when holders of the eponymous BERT meme coin began using underhanded tactics to attract voters and even discredit Bertram’s opponents.
According to one of the owners of competing dogs, this was done: “pump up your useless shit“
Olivia Caputo, owner of one of Bertram’s biggest rivals, Enzo the Shih Tzu, posted a lengthy statement on Instagram announcing her – and her dog’s – withdrawal from the mayoral race and explaining how it “has become a catalyst for the spread of hate and negativity ” and threats of violence against Enzo.”
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In her statement, Caputo claims that supporters of BERT coins “offered payment/giveaways to encourage people to vote for Bert” and said that “the way they are talking in their group chats indicates that this is clearly a pump-up scheme and dump that people will eventually use.” suffer from.”
Caputo told The New York Times that she first became suspicious when, in the previous round of voting, the number the number of votes cast for Bertram increased by more than 3,000. compared to the previous round.
She argued that this increase came at the same time that Bertram began to see growing support on social media and even financial incentives in exchange for votes.
She also claims to have seen Telegram chats in which Bertram’s supporters said they would use the platform to “raise the price.”
The coin, which has been trading since mid-October, has really rallied this week, jumping from $0.0017 on Tuesday to $0.054 on Thursday. This was despite Bertram dropping out of the race in the closing stages and his owner Katie Grayson saying: “It was all darkly hilarious in a way.”
“It has absorbed the anxiety that people face during elections. People get nervous, projecting all the human things,” she added.
Contest creator Stephen Calabria said, “Honestly, I’ve always seen this as a fair, good-natured way to adopt shelter dogs and use it as a platform for good.”
He added: “If I never hear the word “crypto” again, it will be a blessing.“
