Tobacco company makes a hard pivot to cryptocurrency mining

From cigars to ... cryptocurrency.
By
Sasha Lekach
 on 
Tobacco company makes a hard pivot to cryptocurrency mining
From tobacco to mining farms. Credit: Shutterstock / GreenBelka

Rich Cigars just made the ultimate pivot: from high-end cigars and tobacco products to cryptocurrency.

The Miami-based company announced Thursday it had become Intercontinental Technology, Inc., and was phasing out the cigar part of the business -- aka its entire premise.

Instead the company is jumping into two very not tobacco-related industries: patents and "aggressive cryptocurrency mining." And it initially seems to be paying off.

With Bitcoin, Ethereum, LiteCoin and other cryptocurrencies rallying like crazy in the past few days this seems like a smart move. Who needs a fancy cigar when there's Bitcoin to be mined at nearly $17,000 per coin?

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

The seemingly random pivot attracted some attention online. One person called the move "insanity at the very best."

The new cryptocurrency business closed way up following the news of the massive business shift.

Mashable Image

DJ Khaled was a fanboy of the cigars. In a video from April he's on a plane asking for a Rich Cigar and then presented with a box. He was reportedly an ambassador for the brand. No word yet if the music producer is following the company into the crypto-mines.

View this post on Instagram

Cryptocurrency mining may be lucrative in the short-term, but keep an eye on Intercontinental Technology. They are bullish on cryptocurrency's staying power, but it might be a close-but-no-cigar situation.

Mashable Image
Sasha Lekach

Sasha is a news writer at Mashable's San Francisco office. She's an SF native who went to UC Davis and later received her master's from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She's been reporting out of her hometown over the years at Bay City News (news wire), SFGate (the San Francisco Chronicle website), and even made it out of California to write for the Chicago Tribune. She's been described as a bookworm and a gym rat.


Recommended For You
X CEO Linda Yaccarino on Meta's pivot to Community Notes: 'Welcome to the party'
X CEO Linda Yaccarino in an onstage interview at CES 2025

The biggest crypto heist ever: $1.5 billion stolen from Bybit cryptocurrency exchange
Bybit logo on mobile device

Trump attempts to bail out his wealthy cryptocurrency backers with 'U.S. crypto reserve'
Trump and David Sacks

'Hard Truths' review: Mike Leigh explores deep-seated anguish through darkly funny realism
Marianne Jean-Baptiste in "Hard Truths."

Running out of space? This WD 5TB portable hard drive is $25 off.
WD 5TB Elements on a purple gradient background

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 27, 2025
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 27, 2025
Wordle game on a smartphone

NYT Strands hints, answers for March 27
A game being played on a smartphone.

Elon Musk makes request to Reddit CEO to take down posts he didn't like
Elon Musk

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 26, 2025
Connections game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!