On-chain researcher ZachXBT has accused crypto influencer Professor crypto of using bots to manipulate his social media metrics.
Following the accusations, the crypto influencer has deactivated his account without responding to the public.
Fake Commitment Strategies
In a post on x, the chain detective x.com/zachxbt/status/1835974121743630620″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” data-wpel-link=”external”>addressed The YouTuber told him to “stop using thousands of bots” on his social media platforms to “trick people into believing he has influence.”
He also hinted that such behavior could violate a U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule that prohibits the sale or purchase of fake social media influence, including followers or views generated by bots or hijacked accounts.
Professor crypto, known for his 1.34 million subscribers on YouTube, has not publicly responded to the allegations. However, he reportedly x.com/zachxbt/status/1836042272166621230″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” data-wpel-link=”external”>Disabled his x account after receiving a note from the community criticizing him for “employing fake engagement strategies” and hiding several replies, including ZachXBT's, from his posts.
The influencer also deleted several posts showing him accepting the “Best Content Creator” award at the DeGen Summit in Singapore on Sept. 17. The event, a side event to TOKEN2049, celebrated “Key Opinion Leaders” (KOLs), individuals whose opinions are influential within the cryptocurrency industry.
His YouTube channel, where he discusses cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets, meme coins, and non-fungible tokens (nfts), has been active since August 2018. Meanwhile, his now-deactivated x account, created in February 2018, had 132,000 followers but only 102 posts, the oldest of which dates back to August 14, 2018.
FTC Violations and Community Reactions
Members of the x community have raised further concerns. Acerbic cryptocurrency commentator NewsyJohnson claimed to have “no mutual relationship” with Professor crypto and x.com/NewsyJohnson/status/1835761588420186172″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” data-wpel-link=”external”>accused She criticizes him for having bots following, liking and commenting on his content, adding: “I don't think he has any human followers.”
Others, like nft artist Matthew Varnell, x.com/matthewvarnell/status/1836042956752474138″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” data-wpel-link=”external”>disputed his credibility, saying, “Who the hell is Professor crypto?” Laurence Day, co-founder of Wildcat Labs, x.com/functi0nZer0/status/1836007934083404233″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” data-wpel-link=”external”>noted, “I’ve been here longer than the stars have been shining and I have a mutual interest with this account (someone I added last week).”
The incident comes on the heels of an FTC decision in August banning sellers from using fake reviews or other deceptive practices, including ai-generated content, to promote products and services.
In a statement cited by CNBC, FTC Chair Lina Khan saying At the time, fake reviews “waste people’s time and money” and distort the market. The rule also prohibits companies from exaggerating their influence by paying bots to inflate the number of followers.
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