Internet Star, ‘PewdiePie’ Leaves YouTube For Blockchain Streaming Platform

Published on April 16, 2019

The world’s biggest YouTube sensation, with the largest number of subscribers on his channel, Felix Kjellberg, also known as ‘PewDiePie,’ signed an exclusive deal with the blockchain streaming platform, ‘DLive,’ bringing the internet star closer to the world of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.

This move really isn’t all that much of a surprise, as over the years, the relationship between him and content providers including YouTube, Google, and Twitch have been extremely strained. But, he’s not the only one to have struggled to find their place on these platforms.

The ‘YouTube of the Blockchain’

Kjellberg’s move to the blockchain platform was the result of a recent petition with 80,000 signatures, to ban him from YouTube, where it’s been alleged that his channel plays host to one of the largest platforms for white supremacist content.

Following the petition, Kjellberg responded claiming that the accusations against him were “blatantly misrepresenting and misinforming people.”

DLive is a decentralized network for live streaming videos where content providers and consumers are rewarded with the native cryptocurrency, ‘Lino.’

While some platforms take up to 50 percent of creators’ income, decreasing the ‘viability and livelihood’ of the community, DLive takes no percentage of earnings and does not charge any fees to content creators,” the platform said.

DLive is great for me because I’m treated like a real partner,” PewDiePie said in his announcement.

Last year, Lino raised over $20 million in a private token sale to build it’s ‘YouTube on the Blockchain.’

DLive is a place where instead of competing against each other, it benefits creators to support one another,” said Wilson Wei, co-founder of Lino Network. “With no platform cuts, we incentivize everyone to create the highest quality content for viewers.”

Kjellberg began streaming to the platform on April 14 and will continue to do so weekly. He indicated his intent to support content creators on the platform by donating up to $50,000 to a maximum of 100 creators.

What This Means for the Online Community

Despite the controversy surrounding Kjellberg and his online persona, his move to the Blockchain will most definitely bring awareness to blockchain technology, Bitcoin, and other digital currencies, as the YouTube star’s audience ranges from ages 18-24, which comprise of 44% of his viewership.

The internet star, 29, has been uploading videos to YouTube since 2010, where his channel started as a comedic and gaming-related channel. As of this month, he as over 93 million subscribers and over 21 billion video views.

This month, Bitcoin has made a shocking return into the investment space, trading at a little over $5,000 USD per Bitcoin after circling around $3,500 per bitcoin for months.

Andrew "Drew" Rossow is a former contract editor at Grit Daily.

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