Near Protocol’s Livestream Mishap: Ex-Employee’s Nude Images Stunt Coincides with Token Price Bump

In an unexpected turn of events on the eve of Valentine’s Day, a former employee of the layer-1 blockchain platform Near Protocol inadvertently became the center of attention when he shared explicit images during a public livestream. The incident, involving Andrew Krynin, the ex-business development manager of Near, quickly went viral, just as the platform’s native token, NEAR, saw a surprising price bump.

During a livestream with Near core contributor Cameron Dennis, Krynin accidentally revealed two explicit images on his screen while sharing his desktop. In an awkward moment of realization, Krynin blurted out, “The only thing that I wanted to say next was, uh… God damn it,” before his screensharing abruptly stopped.

The unfortunate slip-up took place just before Valentine’s Day, which only added to the viral nature of the incident. Clips of the mishap quickly spread across social media platforms, with many viewers reacting in disbelief.

Near Protocol’s Response and Advice

As the video circulated, Near Protocol was quick to respond. On their social media account, the company offered some lighthearted but pointed advice: “Top tip: use one laptop for personal stuff, another device for crypto and work. Secure your private keys and also other things.” The post ended with a playful note: “and never goon.”

A few hours later, Near issued a formal apology, taking “full responsibility” for the incident. The video was removed from their platform, and the company assured that steps would be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Krynin, undeterred by the mishap, initially responded with humor. He shared his wallet address on social media, humorously asking for donations: “For all ppl who made memcoins – share! Cuz I need some big-ass Valentine’s Day peace offering now and you guys aren’t making it easier…”

However, the tone shifted ten hours later when Krynin posted a more somber apology to the only person he believed he had wronged—his girlfriend. The post attempted to explain the incident with a peculiar rationale: “If a man has naked photos on his laptop, it doesn’t mean he is disrespectful, it means he really likes you.”

The Public’s Reaction: Light-Hearted or Problematic?

While many online reacted to the incident with humor, others questioned the professionalism of the situation, especially given Krynin’s position at Near Protocol. Some users on X (formerly Twitter) took the opportunity to poke fun at the mishap, with one user commenting, “This is such a bad look for Near. Why would anyone watch House of Dragons?” The incident not only raised eyebrows regarding Krynin’s actions but also drew attention to the security risks of handling sensitive information on personal devices.

Despite the awkward livestream incident, the NEAR token saw a steady rise in value, climbing nearly 6% following the mishap. While the event was certainly an unexpected publicity moment for the platform, it seemed to have had little negative impact on its market performance.

The Near Protocol livestream mishap serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining privacy and professionalism, especially in the crypto industry. Despite the comical nature of the incident, Near was quick to take responsibility and offer advice on how to protect personal and professional data. As for Krynin, his unintended viral moment has sparked both laughter and criticism, leaving some wondering what impact this embarrassing situation will have on Near Protocol’s reputation moving forward.