Anonymous's Founder Turns Legal Drama Into a Digital Rebellion With $ANON

Aubrey Cottle, also known by his online alias Kirtaner, is spearheading a Solana-based token project dubbed $ANON, which is drawing strong parallels to the legacy of the Anonymous hacktivist group, of which Cottle is widely acknowledged as a founding member. The token, launched on the Bags platform, has generated significant attention within the crypto community and has already reached a market capitalization of $8 million as of its creation on August 15 [1]. A portion of the fees associated with the token is being allocated to fund Cottle’s legal defense following a U.S. Department of Justice charge in March 2025 related to a 2021 data breach of the Republican Party of Texas. Cottle faces up to five years in prison if convicted [1].

The ANON token is not being marketed as a traditional meme coin, but rather as a “movement coin,” aiming to serve as a digital extension of the Anonymous ethos. Cottle has emphasized that the token will be used to support original members of the group, who he describes as individuals who "put their lives on the line" in their early efforts. He has also expressed interest in establishing a scholarship fund for young hackers, though he clarified that this would not be a formalized “radicalization school,” but rather a means to support promising individuals in tech-related fields [1]. The token’s community has embraced the concept with enthusiasm, referring to it as the first major “movement coin” on the Solana blockchain [1].

The token’s rise has sparked renewed interest in the Anonymous brand, which has seen fluctuating levels of public engagement over the years. According to Google Trends data, the group’s memetic influence peaked in 2012 and 2020 [1]. The $ANON token community has adopted core phrases associated with the group, including the iconic slogan “We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us.” [1]. Additionally, the phrase “The hat stays on,” associated with the Dogwifhat meme coin, has been repurposed by the community as “The mask stays on,” in reference to the Guy Fawkes mask symbolized by the group [1].

Cottle’s legal troubles have not dampened the token’s appeal, and instead have added a layer of narrative complexity that resonates with the broader crypto community. Investors have embraced the token as a symbol of resistance against institutional power structures, with one investor describing the initiative as a means to “push a rebellion” [1]. The token’s success has also demonstrated the growing trend of digital movements leveraging blockchain to sustain and amplify their influence. Cottle envisions the token evolving into a “self-organizing machine,” similar to the decentralized nature of the Anonymous network itself [1].

Looking forward, Cottle has set ambitious goals for the project, including a $200 million market capitalization target for $ANON to fund larger initiatives, such as legal defense funds and educational opportunities for hacktivists [1]. While the token’s current valuation is a fraction of that goal, its rapid growth and strong community support suggest that it may continue to attract attention in the coming months. The token’s journey reflects the broader evolution of meme coins into more structured, narrative-driven movements that merge internet culture with blockchain technology [1].

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[1] Anonymous Hacktivist Group Founder Spearheads Meme Coin Facing Prison (https://decrypt.co/336409/anonymous-hacktivist-group-founder-spearheads-meme-coin-facing-prison)