The D1 Coin is a virtual currency built on the Ethereum blockchain. A fractional value of investment grade diamonds backs D1 Coins. With the value of the D1 Coin being a function of not just market forces but also the importance of natural diamonds, owners of D1 Coins benefit from enhanced downside protection as they can exchange their D1 Coins for investment grade diamonds at any time. Also, D1 Coins are a perfect counter-cyclical asset offering contributors to the crypto universe protection against adverse market movements, similar to gold or US Government bonds in traditional markets.