Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has released a leaked spreadsheet that exposes how hundreds of crypto influencers secretly promoted tokens for money. The document, which surfaced on September 1, listed more than 200 influencers, their pricing rates, and their Solana wallet addresses used for payments.
The leak showed that over 160 influencers accepted payments to promote tokens, yet fewer than five disclosed their posts as advertisements. Fees ranged from a few hundred dollars for smaller accounts to as much as $60,000 for a single promotion.
What the Leak Revealed
The spreadsheet included influencer handles, tiered pricing, and package deals for tweets, threads, and videos. Payments were tied to wallets on Solana, making them traceable on-chain. In some cases, influencers were paid lump sums of $10,000 to $40,000 for a few posts, while top-tier accounts commanded much higher fees.
The problem was not that influencers were being paid, but that most failed to disclose these promotions. Under advertising rules, especially those of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), influencers must clearly label paid content. By avoiding disclosure, the promotions looked organic, misleading followers into believing the endorsements were genuine.
ZachXBT called this practice “hidden ads” and warned that such operations distort markets and put retail investors at risk of buying into hype-driven tokens.
At the top of the leaked list was crypto influencer Atitty, named with a $60,000 payment. He admitted being paid but argued it was not for one post. He also said the project pressured him not to disclose the payment, something he now admits was a mistake.
In a later post, Atitty revealed that the backlash had escalated. He said he has been receiving threats, doxxing attempts, and messages claiming his account will be taken down. While acknowledging that people were angry, he wrote:
There’s nothing I can do except own up to it.
Atitty’s case shows both sides of the fallout: reputational damage from hidden promotions and the personal risks influencers now face as the controversy spreads.
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MediaGiraffes (Uncle Eddie) reacted in a mocking tone. He posted a picture with a helicopter, joking that he had bought it with “10k from promo posts.” The Robinson R66 he mentioned actually costs close to a million dollars, far more than the amount in the leak.
While his post went viral and earned thousands of likes, it made him appear dismissive of the ethical concerns raised by ZachXBT. Instead of addressing the accusations, his humor shows how casually some influencers treat transparency issues.
Farmercist Attempts to Distance Himself
Another influencer, Farmercist, was tagged in ZachXBT’s thread but quickly untagged himself. Community members noticed and mocked him for trying to avoid attention. The move created the impression that he was guilty and unwilling to confront the exposure directly.
By trying to distance himself instead of responding, Farmercist damaged his credibility further and became another example of how influencers mishandled the fallout.
Crypto Influencer XiaCalls Faces Compounded Controversy
XiaCalls was already facing criticism for catfishing after switching from a male persona (@xiaweb3) to a female persona (@xiacalls). The leak showed he was paid nearly $2,000 for two promotions.
Users also pointed out that he falsely claimed to be an “OKX partner,” which the exchange later denied. This combination of old controversies and the new leak caused many followers to unfollow him, calling him untrustworthy.