This Social Club Runs On Crypto Tokens and Vibes

Friends With Benefits is a V.I.P. lounge for crypto’s creative class. Is it empty hype or the future of friendship?

On a recent afternoon, nine members of the crypto social club Friends With Benefits sat in the historic Bradbury Building in downtown Los Angeles, testing out a new beverage — a flavored, sparkling yerba maté that the group had developed with a coffee company.

As members sipped from their glasses, Joey Rubin, a leader of the group’s Los Angeles chapter, explained that the drink contained adaptogens, herbs said to increase focus and stimulate creativity.

There were some blank stares. Adapto-what-nows?