Chill guy: From meme stardom to cryptocurrency sensation
Recently, social media has been inundated with an unexpected trend: "Chill Guy." Who is this laid-back character, why is he gaining popularity on TikTok, and how has he inspired a cryptocurrency craze?
The viral Chill Guy has become a significant phenomenon in recent weeks, not only on TikTok but also in the world of cryptocurrencies. Created by artist Phillip Banks, this character has skyrocketed in popularity as a meme and has generated millions in profits through the CHILLGUY token. How did an illustration become a global sensation, and what does its creator think about it?
Who is Chill Guy?
Chill Guy is a straightforward yet expressive drawing of an anthropomorphic character created by Phillip Banks in 2023. The character dons a hoodie, jeans, and sneakers, and his relaxed pose, with hands in pockets, symbolises calmness and detachment from life's troubles. "My new character. His whole deal is he's a chill guy that lowkey doesn't give a f----. Art, anthro, lowkey, chill, dgaf," the creator wrote about him.
Originally, Banks shared the character on Twitter and Instagram, where it garnered some attention but didn't create much of a stir. It was only through TikTok and Generation Z that the illustration became a meme with global reach. Users of the platform began associating Chill Guy with humorous descriptions of everyday problems, highlighting how people can "stay cool" despite various challenges, both minor and significant.
Chill Guy's cryptocurrency career
The meme's vast popularity quickly caught the attention of the cryptocurrency community. On the Solana blockchain, a CHILLGUY token emerged, rapidly achieving remarkable success. Its value soared from £8 million within a few days to nearly £400 million.
Investors who got in early on the tokens could expect substantial profits. One investor, Wallet 9zW, initially invested just £182 when CHILLGUY's market capitalization was around £8,500. Within 30 hours, the token's value increased by 38,800 percent, reaching approximately £3.5 million. The trader then withdrew the first £12,900 in four transactions.
Subsequent days saw an increase of 180 per cent over the previous record, prompting the investor to make additional purchases—this time for £670. Altogether, he invested about £850, enabling him to accumulate profits exceeding one million pounds.
The success of CHILLGUY also sparked increased interest in cryptocurrencies among TikTok users who hadn't previously engaged with the industry. A representative from MoonPay—a platform facilitating cryptocurrency purchases—admitted that many transactions were recorded on the Solana blockchain on the day of CHILLGUY's biggest surge.
Controversies around copyright
Despite Chill Guy's huge popularity, his creator, Phillip Banks, expressed dissatisfaction with the commercialization of the drawing. On X, he wrote: "I don't endorse or consent to my art being used for any crypto-related things. Please leave me alone." He then changed his account settings to private so users could no longer bombard him with messages.
Banks addressed the frequent unauthorized use of Chill Guy's image, stating his intention to pursue legal measures. He clarified that Chill Guy is legally protected by copyright and announced plans to issue infringement notices to those engaging in unauthorized commercial use in the near future.
The artist clarified that the measures would not target individuals sharing memes for non-commercial purposes. He expressed leniency towards brand accounts using the character as part of trends, as long as they provide credit or small gestures of acknowledgement, like Xboxes. His primary focus, however, is on unauthorized merchandise and questionable cryptocurrencies.
What’s next for Chill Guy?
Despite Banks' protests, the popularity of Chill Guy shows no signs of waning. Building on his success, numerous NFT collections have emerged, with one reaching a minimum price of 3 SOL (about £570). There have also been alternative tokens, such as Worried Guy (WORRIEDGUY), initially called a "flop coin" by Banks due to its small market capitalisation. Nevertheless, it reached a value of £8 million.
The story of Chill Guy exemplifies how viral content can influence not only pop culture but also the financial world. It also highlights the importance of respecting creators' rights in the digital age, as the line between entertainment and commercialisation becomes increasingly blurred.
