ZachXBT Exposes 160 Crypto Influencers for Undisclosed Paid Promotions

TLDR

• ZachXBT exposed over 160 crypto influencers who accepted paid promotion deals without disclosing them as advertisements
• A leaked spreadsheet shows pricing from hundreds to five figures per post, plus Solana wallet addresses for payments
• Fewer than five of the 160 influencers who accepted deals properly labeled their posts as paid ads
• The FTC requires clear disclosure of material connections between influencers and brands in social posts
• Undisclosed promotions are a recurring problem in crypto, often leading to losses for retail investors

Blockchain detective ZachXBT has published evidence showing that over 160 crypto influencers failed to properly disclose paid promotions. The investigation reveals a widespread pattern of undisclosed advertising in the cryptocurrency space.

On Monday, ZachXBT released a spreadsheet containing pricing information and wallet addresses for more than 200 crypto influencers. The document shows details of a token promotion campaign that many influencers participated in without proper disclosure.

The leaked data includes per-post pricing that ranges from hundreds to five figures in dollars. Payment addresses on the Solana blockchain are listed alongside each influencer’s information.

According to ZachXBT’s analysis, fewer than five of roughly 160 influencers who accepted the promotion deals labeled their posts as advertisements. This represents a compliance rate of less than three percent.

FTC Rules Require Clear Disclosure

The Federal Trade Commission requires influencers to clearly disclose material connections to brands or projects in social media posts. These rules apply to all paid partnerships and sponsored content across social platforms.

Failure to follow FTC disclosure requirements can result in regulatory scrutiny. The rules are designed to prevent consumers from mistaking sponsored content for independent analysis.

The documents shared by ZachXBT appear to include onchain payment receipts showing actual transactions. These receipts provide verification that payments were made to the influencers’ wallet addresses.

Several media outlets have reached out to named influencers for comment on the allegations. The investigation has sparked discussions about transparency in crypto marketing.

Pattern of Undisclosed Promotions

Undisclosed paid endorsements have become a recurring issue in the cryptocurrency industry. Many projects rely on key opinion leaders, also known as KOLs, to promote their tokens.

These promotional campaigns often involve thinly traded tokens that can experience rapid price movements. Retail investors may purchase tokens based on influencer recommendations without knowing about paid partnerships.

The practice can lead to coordinated promotion efforts that create artificial demand. When combined with limited liquidity, these campaigns can result in brief price spikes followed by sharp declines.

ZachXBT’s investigation adds to existing concerns about market integrity in cryptocurrency promotion. The findings highlight gaps between required disclosure practices and actual influencer behavior.

The spreadsheet data shows a systematic approach to influencer outreach for token promotion. Payment structures appear to be based on follower counts and engagement metrics.

ZachXBT has built a reputation for investigating cryptocurrency fraud and market manipulation. His previous work has exposed various schemes targeting retail crypto investors.

The latest investigation focuses specifically on disclosure violations rather than fraudulent activity. However, the lack of transparency raises questions about the nature of influencer recommendations in crypto.

The timing of the investigation coincides with increased regulatory attention on cryptocurrency marketing practices. Authorities have been examining how crypto projects promote their tokens to retail investors.

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