John McAfee, a well-known figure in the early days of cryptocurrency, has made headlines again. This time, he's posthumously launched an AI token project that many initially thought was a hack.

If you remember the early crypto days, you likely recall McAfee. He was a colorful character, known for his wild political rants and firm belief that cryptocurrency was the future.

On January 23, an account on X, supposedly belonging to McAfee, surprised everyone with a bold announcement. It claimed, “I’m back with AIntiviris. An AI version of myself. You didn’t think I would miss this cycle, did you?”

Initially, the blockchain security firm PeckShield warned that McAfee’s account had been hacked. But later, they corrected themselves, confirming that the account was secure.

The AI project’s website describes the token as a “string of defiance wrapped in cryptographic brilliance.” It symbolizes freedom, privacy, and a challenge to authority. The wording feels very much like something McAfee would have said himself.

McAfee’s journey began as a computer programmer. He worked for big names like NASA and Xerox. In 1987, he released his first antivirus software and became a millionaire by 1994 when he sold his stake in McAfee Associates.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, he explored various ventures. In 2016, he became chairman of MGT Capital Investments, shifting the company’s focus to blockchain technology. He believed it was crucial for cybersecurity. By 2018, he dedicated himself fully to cryptocurrency.

During the ICO boom, McAfee became a polarizing figure. He promoted numerous projects for hefty fees, claiming he charged $105,000 per tweet. Some reports even suggest he sought up to 20% of the tokens from projects he endorsed.

In a market with smaller caps and limited liquidity, endorsements from figures like McAfee could significantly boost a token's price. He also made bold price predictions. In July 2017, he famously claimed Bitcoin would reach $500,000 within three years. At that time, it was trading in the low four figures. To emphasize his confidence, he jokingly said he would eat his own penis if he was wrong, a promise he later rescinded.

In 2019, he launched a decentralized exchange called McAfee DEX, which is now defunct. This platform introduced the WHACKD token, which spread conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein.

Before his crypto days, McAfee had a troubled legal history. He faced charges related to illegal firearm possession and even murder in several countries. In 2012, he was suspected of murdering American expat Michael Faull in Belize. This story, featured in a Netflix documentary, detailed how McAfee evaded police and fled to Guatemala, eventually being extradited to the U.S.

He didn’t show up in court for a wrongful death lawsuit and ended up paying $25 million to Faull’s estate. Yet, these legal troubles didn’t stop him from announcing his presidential bid in June 2018. His campaign was unique, running on a third-party ticket while openly admitting he didn’t want to be president.

In November 2018, he told Cointelegraph, “I don’t want to be president. I couldn’t be...no one’s going to elect me president, please God.” Instead, he aimed to use the campaign to discuss personal freedom and how cryptocurrency could help achieve that.

Months later, he joined a group of American eccentrics living at sea to avoid authorities. From his yacht, he continued his campaign with help from his wife and a small staff, evading a supposed grand jury indictment from U.S. tax regulators.

His time at sea included arrests for gun possession and reports of wild parties, along with launching a new cryptocurrency. On April 11, 2020, he tweeted that his new privacy coin, Ghost, would soon be tradable via atomic swaps on McAfeeDex. He claimed, “With a DEX/privacy coin combo, we now have full control of our finances!”

However, McAfee’s campaign didn’t make it to election day. On October 5, 2020, Spanish police arrested him for tax evasion at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice. The next day, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint against him and his bodyguard, alleging they promoted fraudulent ICOs and “pump-and-dump” schemes. McAfee spent nearly a year in prison, where he managed to tweet through his lawyer.

He famously stated that if he died in prison, it wouldn’t be by his own hand. Seven months later, he was found dead in his cell, the same day a Spanish judge ordered his extradition to the U.S. An official autopsy ruled his death a suicide.

After his passing, Anthony Pompliano, CEO of Professional Capital Management, remembered McAfee as “kind, funny, and incredibly intelligent.” Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson acknowledged McAfee’s contributions to computer science, calling him “one of the most enigmatic and interesting people in the cryptocurrency space and the history of computing.”

Hoskinson suggested that McAfee’s choice to end his life stemmed from the impending extradition and the possibility of a long prison sentence.

McAfee’s wife, Janice, shared her struggle to move on after his death. In November 2023, she revealed she wasn’t allowed to see the autopsy report. Due to the charges against him and the lack of an official will, any wealth he had when he died disappeared.

For better or worse, McAfee left a mark on the world.