A cryptocurrency meme coin named after Elias Rodriguez, the suspect in the murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., was launched within hours of his arrest, igniting outrage. The coin, reportedly created on the Solana blockchain, briefly surged in value to over $360,000 before crashing to around $24,000. Approximately 550 traders had bought into the token, which was designed as a twisted tribute to the alleged killer.
Rodriguez was arrested after allegedly shooting Sarah Milgrim, 26, and Yaron Lischinsky, 28, outside the Capital Jewish Museum. The couple, both staffers at the Israeli Embassy, were planning to get engaged next week. Surveillance video reportedly showed Rodriguez pacing in front of the museum before walking up to the couple’s group and opening fire. Milgrim, after being shot, tried to crawl away but was executed at close range.
Rodriguez was seen in police custody yelling “Free Palestine.” He has been identified as a left-wing extremist linked to a socialist political party. His social media posts included praise for alleged assassins and calls for violence against America and Israel.
The launch of a meme coin celebrating Rodriguez has been widely condemned as glorifying terrorism and hate. Critics argue that the ability to quickly create and profit from tokens like this exposes the dangers of unregulated cryptocurrency markets. The coin’s existence raises concerns that similar financial schemes could emerge following high-profile crimes, further fueling division and unrest.
While the coin’s value has plummeted, the outrage continues. Many are calling for stronger oversight of digital assets to prevent the exploitation of tragedies for financial gain. The incident highlights how digital tools can be weaponized to celebrate violence and spread extremist ideology under the guise of decentralized finance.
