In new findings by blockchain analyst ZachXBT, the crypto community faces a new wave of market manipulation schemes allegedly orchestrated by a figure named “Zopp0.”
The report reveals how Zopp0, behind projects like SCALE, NTD, TPU, and OPSEC, exploited the influence of high-profile social media personalities to promote unverified projects, masking the lack of technical viability and accountability.
1/ Time to share how SCALE, NTD, TPU, & OPSEC projects were all tied to the same person Zopp0 to farm naive traders using numerous influencers shown in leaked messages.
6:54 pm · 3 Nov 2024
These projects collectively incurred significant financial losses, with some tokens losing over 90% of their value in a single day, leaving investors reeling and raising concerns over the accountability of influencers involved.
Who is Zopp0, and how did these schemes unfold?
The alleged mastermind, Zopp0, reportedly coordinated with prominent social media influencers, including CryptoGodJohn, CryptoKazi, and Luke Belmar, who helped push these projects despite little technical backing.
By recruiting known crypto influencers, Zopp0 added a deceptive layer of credibility to SCALE, NTD, TPU, and OPSEC, enticing unsuspecting investors.
ZachXBT’s research indicates that these influencers received financial incentives to support Zopp0’s projects, which saw sharp declines in value and credibility due to inadequate tech and governance.
The leaked private messages reviewed by ZachXBT point to a strategy where Zopp0 not only promoted his ventures but also orchestrated negative coverage of competitor projects using anonymous groups.
By diverting attention and creating “FUD” (fear, uncertainty, doubt) around rival projects, Zopp0 attempted to shield his own ventures from scrutiny.
His intent to maintain anonymity reportedly went as far as hiring undercover teams to spread misleading information about other cryptocurrency projects.
Zopp0’s attempt to evade accountability
The investigation shows Zopp0 downplaying the importance of technical viability, despite warnings from ZachXBT as early as March 2024.
Private messages reveal that Zopp0 and SZB, another figure linked to these projects, expressed concern about possible exposure.
Their apprehension grew after ZachXBT’s March 2024 post criticizing these types of projects.
Zopp0’s reluctance to address the technical shortcomings reflects a calculated strategy to escape accountability while capitalising on the influence of social media.
Private exchanges among Zopp0 and his associates reveal their anxiety about the projects’ instability and potential fallout.
As the deficiencies in technical design became apparent, these insiders discussed plans to deflect public attention.
Fearing reputational damage, they allegedly hired teams to spread FUD against competitor projects, diverting scrutiny from their failing ventures.
With three of the named projects now confirmed as “rug pulls,” the full scope of Zopp0’s operations has become apparent.
This revelation has raised concerns over the increasing power of influencers in the crypto market and the impact of unregulated promotional practices on investor losses.
As investors count their losses, questions emerge about the level of due diligence required before promoting or investing in crypto projects driven by social media influence.
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