YouTuber KSI Accused of Pump-and-Dump Crypto Scheme by Crypto Investigators ZachXBT and Coffeezilla
According to Cointelegraph: Popular YouTuber, Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, better known as “KSI,” faces allegations of a pump-and-dump scheme from cryptocurrency investigators ZachXBT and Coffeezilla. This follows the revival by KSI of his old crypto-focused social media account.
Screenshot of KSI’s crypto wallet selling XCAD tokens. Source: ZachXBT
On February 14, KSI posted on his revived account, which boasted approximately 371,000 followers. His post drew the attention of crypto investigator ZachXBT, who warned that KSI was likely to start "sharing garbage" again.
ZachXBT highlighted a screenshot of KSI discussing his investment in the watch-to-earn project XCAD Network (XCAD), paralleled with another screenshot showing KSI's crypto wallet unloading $850,000 in XCAD tokens. ZachXBT also shared evidence of KSI promoting tokens, and then subsequently selling them.
For instance, in 2021, KSI claimed to be “bullish” on the NFT-focused project Ethernity Chain (ERN). However, blockchain data later revealed that KSI offloaded approximately $350,000 in ERN tokens only hours later.
In a subsequent video by Stephen “Coffeezilla” Findeisen, KSI addressed these allegations. He admitted to having sold XCAD to invest in the now-collapsed Terra Luna Classic (LUNC), but he maintained he still held some XCAD tokens and had faith in the project.
While KSI asserted there was no malicious intent in his actions, he acknowledged that his posts often had the opposite effect on the market, leading him to "tweet the opposite" of his plans. Coffeezilla, however, countered that KSI's public statements contradicting his private actions were indicative of a pump-and-dump scheme, regardless of whether it was successful or even intentional.
This controversy follows the class-action lawsuit involving KSI's friend and business partner, YouTuber Logan Paul, over sales of an NFT collection called CryptoZoo connected to a failed play-to-earn game.