ZachXBT Leaks Crypto Influencers Who Received Undisclosed Paid Promotions

A recent leak revealing a widespread lack of transparency among social media influencers paid to promote crypto projects was revealed by blockchain investigator ZachXBT, who shared a detailed spreadsheet on X, exposing over 200 crypto influencers, their wallet addresses, and the rates they were paid for their promotional posts.

The document, which has sparked significant discussion, highlights a concerning trend where fewer than five out of over 160 influencers who accepted payment disclosed their posts as advertisements. This revelation raises questions about trust and accountability in the crypto space, where influencer endorsements can heavily sway investor decisions.

The leaked price sheet details a tiered pricing structure for promotional campaigns, with rates ranging from a modest $500 to a staggering $60,000 per post. High-profile influencers, such as @sibeleth, reportedly charged $40,000 for a single post, while others like @mediagiraffes quoted $10,000 for two posts, averaging $5,000 each.

The document also includes Solana wallet addresses, making transactions traceable on the blockchain. This level of transparency in the leak contrasts sharply with the influencers’ failure to disclose paid promotions.

Transparency Issues and Market Impact

The lack of disclosure in these promotions is not just an ethical lapse but a potential legal issue, as undisclosed paid endorsements can mislead retail investors. Influencers wield significant power in the crypto market, where a single post can trigger price surges, often fueling speculative hype. According to ZachXBT, only a handful of the 160+ influencers who accepted payments labeled their posts as advertisements, meaning over 95% presented their content as organic endorsements. This deception can lead investors to make decisions based on false perceptions of a project’s value, contributing to market volatility and potential losses.

The spreadsheet also reveals the structured nature of these promotional campaigns, with influencers offering package deals and multi-post bundles. For instance, @tedpillows charged $9,000 for four posts, while @daokwondo offered three posts for $6,500. Lower-tier influencers, such as @cryptocradle and @web3daily, charged around $1,800 per post, often with public wallet addresses attached. This organized approach underscores how influencer marketing has become a sophisticated industry within crypto, yet one that operates with minimal accountability.

ZachXBT’s findings have put a spotlight on the crypto industry’s ethical challenges, prompting discussions about the need for community-driven accountability. As the market matures, the balance between influencer impact and investor protection will remain a critical issue. For now, the exposed price sheet serves as a wake-up call for both influencers and their followers to prioritize transparency in an industry built on the promise of decentralization and trust.