TLDR:
- Bitrefill launches limited-edition Money Lighter using real $100 bills as fuel
- Only 20 lighters available, priced at 0.1 BTC each
- Intended to draw attention to potential hyperinflation
- Each $100 bill burns for about 15 seconds
- Project aims to challenge perceptions of money and value
Bitrefill has launched a provocative new product that’s igniting discussions about inflation and the value of money.
The company’s limited-edition “Money Lighter” uses real $100 bills as fuel, allowing users to literally burn cash while lighting cigars or other items.
The Money Lighter is being marketed as both a luxury item and a statement piece. Only 20 of these lighters will be produced, with each priced at 0.1 Bitcoin (BTC). This exclusivity adds to the product’s appeal for collectors and crypto enthusiasts.
According to Hannah Mazetti, Public Relations representative for Bitrefill, the Money Lighter is more than just a flashy gadget.
“Our Money Lighter is not just the ultimate flex; it’s our way of drawing attention to the issue of impending hyperinflation,”
Mazetti explained in the company’s press release.
The concept behind the Money Lighter stems from concerns about the rapid increase in money printing by the Federal Reserve. Bitrefill claims that every second, the Federal Reserve prints $10,000, which they argue could lead to significant inflation in the future.
Each $100 bill used in the lighter has been treated with organic oil to improve its burning capabilities. A single bill is said to burn for approximately 15 seconds, which the company states is sufficient for lighting a cigar. In cases where more fuel is needed, users might need to use two bills.
Bitrefill addresses potential legal concerns in their FAQ, acknowledging that there are laws against mutilating US currency to the point where it can’t be reissued.
The company emphasizes that the Money Lighter is intended as a collectible work of art meant to illustrate a point about inflation and money printing, rather than an encouragement to violate currency laws.
The company also presents an unusual economic argument for their product. They suggest that burning banknotes could theoretically make other banknotes more valuable, framing the use of the Money Lighter as a form of “ultimate altruism.”
However, they admit that to effectively combat inflation, they would need to burn about $10,000 per second or produce a million more lighters.
Bitrefill connects their product to historical events, citing the hyperinflation of the 1920s as a factor in the rise of Nazism. They also point to more recent examples of hyperinflation in countries like Zimbabwe and Venezuela to underscore the potential dangers of unchecked inflation.
As of the press release date, September 19, 2024, the Money Lighter is available for purchase through Bitrefill’s website.
