Sapien Tribe Celebrates Network, Sells NFTS for Charity, at Cipriani 25

by | Nov 9, 2021 | Culture, Events, News

Sapien founders Rob Giometti and Ankit Bhatia at launch party at Cipriani 25.

Sapien, a new tokenized social network created by Berkeley students Ankit Bhatia and Rob Giometti in 2016, recently launched their digital network, at a large downtown bash at Cipriani 25. 

Dubbed “The Sapien Nation Tribe,” they are a tokenized social network now 100,000 + plus strong, built on decentralization and privacy, utilizing ethereum blockchain technology, that protects members’ intellectual property, as well as rewards and inspires its members to create digital content. In their terms, they are “first sovereign digital nation.”

“It’s about love, it’s about making [members] own their decisions, and to feel fundamentally empowered,” said Ankit Bhatia at the event. “It’s about protecting freedom of speech.”

Starring front and center at the event was a 7 foot statue of Harambe the Gorilla, who in late October had been in the news, for facing the Charging Bull on Bowling Green, as a symbolic gesture of how “out of touch Wall Street has become with the needs of the everyday people,” according to their site.  Harambe had also recently traveled to California, where he stood opposite the corporate offices of Facebook, now known as Meta. Harambe is modeled after the gorilla was killed at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2016.

Sales from NFTs (non-fungible tokens) at the event created by Sapien Tribe artists were donated to several charities, including the Sanneh Foundation, Harambee Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and Bye Bye Plastic.

For more information on Sapien, visit sapien.network. They can also be found on Twitter and Discord.

Glow Up

Glow Up

SHINE ON The PAC's translucent marble walls will light up from the inside at night. Photography by Luxigon. The...

A New York Story

A New York Story

Larry Silverstein has spent a lifetime shaping the New York City skyline. He isn’t done yet. Photography by Andrew...

City of Change

City of Change

The production team behind 16 Acres, Mike Marcucci (left) and Matt Kapp, are working on a sequel documentary. Photo by...

Signs of the Times

Signs of the Times

DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING AUDIENCE MEMBERS recently gathered at Off-Broadway’s Triad Theatre for Broadway SIGNs!...

Sky Light

Sky Light

Twenty years later, Tribute in Light helps New York City heal. Photo by Joe Woolhead. IN NEW YORK, art isn’t limited...

Downtown Magazine