160 Crypto Influencers Took Undisclosed Paid Deals, ZachXBT Finds

- New data from ZachXBT implicates 160 influencers in a crypto ad scandal. - Undisclosed payments reveal ethical lapses and regulatory risks across the industry. On September 2, 2025, The Block reported on claims from blockchain investigator ZachXBT, who alleged in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that over 160 cryptocurrency influencers accepted payments for promotional posts but failed to properly disclose them as advertisements. These findings have sparked serious discussions about transparency and ethics in crypto marketing. The evidence includes a detailed spreadsheet listing payment amounts, wallet addresses, and on-chain proof of completed transactions. According to the investigation, promoters approached over 200 influencers for a specific token promotion, with post prices ranging from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. Of the 160 influencers who accepted a deal, fewer than five disclosed the posts as advertisements. This practice violates widely accepted advertising disclosure standards. This scandal highlights a persistent issue within the cryptocurrency industry: the failure to transparently label paid content. U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines mandate that influencers disclose any material connections to the products or services they endorse. Non-compliance poses both legal risks and ethical concerns, as retail investors may mistake paid promotions for unbiased opinions. Such practices can lead to market manipulation and expose investors to potential financial harm. ZachXBT's findings underline the growing need for transparency and accountability in the crypto space, particularly as retail participation increases and regulatory scrutiny intensifies, putting the spotlight on the industry's ethical shortcomings.