Kim Dotcom is set to relaunch Megaupload next year, hinting it will include elements of Bitcoin.
The content sharing platform, first established in 2005, will come back with 100GB of free cloud storage and no limits on data transfer, Dotcom said in a series of tweets outlining his plans.
Megaupload 2.0 will also allow users to sync all their devices and Dotcom has ensured no legacy code from the original venture underpins it.
Files will be encrypted in transit and no servers will be hosted in the US when the site launches on 20 January 2017, the fifth anniversary of the US Department of Justice's seizure of domain names and closure of sites associated with Megaupload.
Dotcom said: "Megaupload comes back on January 20th 2017, the 5th anniversary of the raid. It will be better than the original and it will feel like home.
"I can tell you that Megaupload and Bitcoin had sex. There is a pregnancy and I have a feeling that the baby will be such a joy."
Dotcom, who lives in New Zealand, is fighting a legal battle against extradition to the US, where he and colleagues would face criminal charges including copyright infringement, money laundering and racketeering.
While a New Zealand judge ruled last December that they can be extradited, an appeal from Dotcom has been scheduled for 29 August.
He tweeted: "I'll be the first tech billionaire who got indicted, lost everything and created another billion $ tech company while on bail. #goals"
Dotcom started a new service, Mega, in January 2013, but stepped down as director in September that year. Last year, Dotcom said he no longer trusted the site after what he claimed was an investor's hostile takeover.
He expects the new site to launch with a critical mass of 100 million users, saying "most Megaupload accounts" will be reinstated with Premium-tier privileges on its launch.
He added: "To former Megaupload and current Mega employees. We welcome you with open arms. Mega App developers, we have a great deal for you. Ping me."
Picture: By Sam Churchill
