ZachXBT exposed: Over 160 crypto KOLs secretly paid to promote Tokens, with a single tweet priced as high as $60,000.

Well-known blockchain detective ZachXBT recently exposed a list of paid promotions involving over 200 crypto influencers, showing that more than 160 KOLs secretly promoted tokens without disclosing the advertising nature to their fans. The leaked quote sheet shows that top KOLs charge up to $60,000 per tweet, while mid-tier KOLs quote between $3,000 and $5,000, with some even offering "tweet bundle" services. Transactions are primarily conducted through Solana Wallet, with on-chain records being fully traceable. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires influencers to clearly disclose paid promotion relationships, and failure to comply may trigger regulatory issues and exacerbate concerns over market integrity.

ZachXBT releases complete evidence chain Wallet address and on-chain receipts fully disclosed

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT released a spreadsheet on the X platform on Monday, disclosing detailed data on over 200 crypto influencers participating in token promotion activities. The list includes KOL quotes, receiving wallet addresses, and on-chain payment receipts, showing that among more than 160 influencers who accepted promotional transactions, fewer than 5 explicitly labeled their content as advertisements. Most packaged the promotions as genuine opinions or investment advice, which can easily mislead followers. ZachXBT claimed to have obtained solid evidence proving these crypto influencers did not disclose paid promotional relationships on their social media pages.

Pricing Tier System Exposed Top KOL Charges 60,000 USD for a Single Tweet

The leaked data shows that the quotes exhibit a clear layered structure: top influencers like Atity charge $60,000 per tweet, Sibeleth $10,000 per tweet, and Eddy offers a package price of $12,000 for 6 tweets. Mid-tier influencers typically request $3,000-$5,000 per tweet, while smaller accounts quote as low as $1,500-$2,000. Some influencers provide "tweet bundles" services, offering package prices for a series of tweets. All transactions are mainly completed through Solana Wallet, and the blockchain records make each payment traceable.

Regulatory compliance risks highlighted FTC clearly requires disclosure of paid relationships

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States clearly stipulates that influencers must disclose their substantial connections with brands or projects. Failure to comply with these regulations may lead to regulatory scrutiny. In the cryptocurrency industry, undisclosed paid endorsements have always been a point of controversy, with so-called Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) profiting from tokens with thin trading volumes. Coordinated promotions, insufficient liquidity, and limited disclosures often lead retail buyers to suffer significant losses after brief price surges. The investigation by ZachXBT has once again raised widespread concerns about market integrity.

The boundaries of industry ethics are blurred, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine advice and paid promotions.

This incident highlights how cryptocurrency KOLs often blur the lines between genuine advice and paid promotions. Ordinary investors may easily believe that a token has real support or market momentum, when in fact it is merely sponsored marketing. Most of these tokens have thin trading volumes and may drop sharply, leading to significant losses for retail buyers. The lack of disclosure constitutes a serious risk, and influencers disguising paid content as impartial analysis may undermine the foundational trust in the market.

Conclusion

ZachXBT's revelations once again expose the regulatory blind spots and moral hazards of influencer marketing in the encryption industry. As on-chain analysis tools become increasingly mature, the concealment of secret paid promotions is gradually decreasing. Investors need to be vigilant about token promotion content that is not labeled as advertising, as regulatory agencies may strengthen enforcement against undisclosed paid relationships. This incident may prompt platforms to establish stricter content disclosure standards, promoting the development of influencer marketing towards transparency and standardization.