After Near-Death Experience, Mx12.Levins Pursues Financial Autonomy
After a car accident in 2015 that left him in a coma for several months, Mx12.Levins chose to dedicate his life to pursuing his passion for art. Once he had regained his health, he quit his hospitality job and began to draw again — an old pursuit he had put on the backburner in favor of financial stability. During his transition back to art, he was tipped off about Bitcoin and NFTs and found the idea of art doubling as a financial instrument too irresistible to pass up.
“I had to relearn everything after my crash,” Levins explained. “I couldn’t speak. I didn’t even remember who my sister was. Other than my love of drawing, I was basically like a blank slate at the time.”
Levins has been locked in years of litigation with his insurance companies over their refusal to pay damages. At one point, funds to his bank account were frozen, which prevented him from paying court fees or sending money to his elderly mother.
“I felt helpless like I had no control. With Bitcoin, you can be your own bank. It empowers the individual. I can send money to my mother in a different country without any concerns,” said Levins.
Toxic Money
Shaped by his experiences within the rigid, traditional financial system, Levins built up a portfolio of crypto art with a common theme — financial autonomy. His debut mint on Raretoshi, ‘Toxic Money — Fiat Scavenger’ expands on that theme with an allegory to help explain the transition to hyperbitcoinization.
Artist Statement:
In an ever-evolving world where technology is constantly displacing the old ways, humanity is still at the bondage of a dying system managed and controlled by ‘fiat scavengers.’
These scavengers are unwilling to let humanity break free of economic servitude. But change is inevitable, and humanity has found a way out. A new financial system is being born to usher us all into the long-awaited future of economic freedom. But the remnants of the old system, the scavengers, still exist today, hoping to dissuade others from participating in the new financial paradigm.
Poster Sweepstakes
‘Toxic Money’ is an animated collectible with a 12 edition mint. From its issue date, patrons will have three days to bid on each edition using transfers from the Lightning Network, Bitcoin mainchain, or Liquid Bitcoin.
Buyers will also be eligible for a one-of-a-kind signed and framed 60 x 80 cm poster that acts as a physical companion piece to the NFT. Levins will randomly select a winner after all 12 editions are minted and sold.
For more information on the sweepstakes, we recommend joining the Official Raretoshi Telegram and connecting with him directly. While you’re there, you can also chat with artists to discuss best practices, brainstorm new works, or ask about the onboarding process. See you there!
