Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has called out Web3 projects that use YAP campaigns for incentivizing low-level spam posts. | Credit: Pexels.
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Key Takeaways
ZachXBT criticized YAP campaigns, arguing they lead to artificial growth, brand dilution and low-value engagement.
Rather than attracting genuine users or investors, projects using YAPs often end up rewarding bots or “farmers” who flood platforms with AI-generated posts.
So far in 2025, over $2.17 billion in crypto has been stolen, already surpassing last year’s total.
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has called out Web3 projects that use YAP (Your Audience Promotion) campaigns for incentivizing low-level spam posts.
The on-chain sleuth, who has built a large following by exposing hacks and scams, called for his followers on Telegram to normalize “calling out fake metrics.”
On July 24, ZachXBT voiced his concerns on Telegram, highlighting the increasing use of YAP campaigns in the crypto space.
These initiatives typically reward users for sharing or amplifying content about a project, often resulting in low-quality or AI-generated spam across social media platforms.
“An observation I have noticed is the easiest way for a project to dilute their brand image is by running a YAPs campaign,” he stated.
ZachXBT calls out YAP campaigns. | Credit: ZachXBT, Telegram
ZachXBT argued that instead of building authentic communities or attracting long-term users and investors, projects engaging in YAP campaigns are prioritizing vanity metrics—like inflated follower counts—that can mislead both users and potential backers.
“They currently incentivize low-value farmers who spam AI-generated posts versus attracting sticky capital and organic users,” he said.
He urged the broader Web3 community to push back against these marketing practices: “Normalize blocking/muting these teams and calling out fake metrics to fight slop.”
Who Is ZachXBT?
ZachXBT rose to prominence in 2021 after falling victim to a crypto scam.
Since then, he has become a widely respected independent investigator, exposing fraudulent activity and tracing stolen funds across the blockchain.
ZachXBT has amassed a large following on social media. | Credit: ZachXBT, X
Operating under his pseudonym, ZachXBT has built a strong following on social media, boasting over 78,000 subscribers on Telegram and more than 880,000 followers on X.
He is frequently credited with aiding law enforcement investigations and collaborating with others in the crypto forensics space.
2025: A Record Year for Crypto Hacks
ZachXBT’s latest warnings come during a year marked by rampant crypto-related crime.
According to Chainalysis, over $2.17 billion in crypto has been stolen from individuals and organizations so far in 2025.
The most significant contributor to this total was the $1.5 billion ByBit hack—the largest crypto theft in history.
With months left in the year, 2025 has already surpassed 2024’s losses and is on track to become the worst year for crypto crime.
Chainalysis projects that total losses from crypto-related crimes could exceed $4.3 billion by year-end.
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
