ArakNet Explained: The Cryptocurrency at the Heart of Startup

From a garage prototype to a 100-million-user target every government wants dead.

Startup (Crackle, 2016–2018) is built on two fictional technologies: GenCoin, the cryptocurrency of Season 1, and ArakNet, the darknet prototype that replaces it. Confusing the two is the most common misunderstanding in search queries like startup plot — so this guide separates them cleanly. According to creator Ben Ketai, Season 1 explored cryptocurrency while Season 2 pulled back the curtain on the darknet through ArakNet (Yahoo/Deadline, 2017). For who lives and dies around it, see our Startup Season 3 ending explained.

GenCoin: Where It Starts

GenCoin is Izzy Morales's (Otmara Marrero) creation: an unregulated global cryptocurrency prototyped in her parents' garage, funded by Nick Talman's (Adam Brody) laundered money and protected by Ronald Dacey's (Edi Gathegi) muscle. Season 1 follows its emergence — an FBI agent targets everyone responsible for it, per the series premise — through investor Alex Bell's hostile money and Rask's investigation to the finale "Recapitalization." GenCoin's arc ends when the Russian mob seizes it. According to Film Independent's Season 2 synopsis, with their startup in mob hands, the trio reinvest in their partnership and launch something new. GenCoin is the origin; it is not the show's endgame.

ArakNet: The Darknet Prototype

ArakNet is the trio's second act: a decentralized darknet prototype launched in Season 2 after losing GenCoin. According to TMDB's season summary, as the decentralized network grows, "so too does the peril, the corruption, and the moral turpitude" — Season 2's thesis, per Crackle, is the cost of ambition. ArakNet differs from GenCoin in kind: where GenCoin was currency, ArakNet is infrastructure — an unregulated network others build on, which is why governments, gangs and billionaires all want it. Season 3 scales it toward a 100-million-user mark with a Series B funding round, per episode listings, turning a garage project into a geopolitical asset. TechCrunch noted the shift early: Season 1's GenCoin booth at Disrupt gave way to Season 2's darknet storytelling.

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Why Everyone Wants It Dead or Owned

Three forces close in across Season 3. First, NSA agent Rebecca Stroud (Mira Sorvino), who according to Wikipedia "has come to investigate ArakNet, and will do whatever it takes to have ArakNet partner with the government" — extraditing Izzy to force loyalty. Second, LH7's vindictive blowback against Ronald, culminating in a sit-down with Declan's crew that turns into gunfire (Episode 8, "Profit and Loss"). Third, Wes Chandler's money and Mara's plan, which blindsides the founders from inside. The finale "Trading Up" detonates all three at once: Stroud raids, LH7 collects, Mara seizes. ArakNet survives the season — the founders take it dark — which is precisely where our fan-written ending for Startup begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ArakNet in Startup?
ArakNet is the trio's decentralized darknet prototype, launched in Season 2 after losing GenCoin to the Russian mob — infrastructure others build on, not currency.
What is the difference between GenCoin and ArakNet?
GenCoin (Season 1) is Izzy's cryptocurrency, seized by the mob. ArakNet (Seasons 2–3) is the darknet network replacing it — bigger, unregulated, and wanted by governments.
Is ArakNet real?
No. ArakNet is fictional, created for the show by Ben Ketai to explore darknet and corporatization-of-the-internet themes. Startup itself is not based on a true story.
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Read our Startup Season 3 ending explained, Startup complete guide and our fan-written ending for Startup.