Some members of the cryptocurrency community have accused the NEAR Protocol blockchain team of staging a hack of their X account to promote a conference.
So, apparently, @NEARProtocol faked its account’s hack to generate hype and promote an event.
It may have worked to create a short-term hype and engagement, but it damages the long term reputation and credibility of Near and this account in an ecosystem yet so fragile and with… https://t.co/NgXqQo6bO9
— Vini Barbosa (@vinibarbosabr) September 4, 2024
In the early hours of September 5, unknown individuals gained control of the project’s social media account. The perpetrators criticized the industry, suggesting people “go outside” or explain why their favorite project is a scam.
The hackers did not post malicious links nor did they engage with followers.
After regaining access, the NEAR Protocol team seized the opportunity to advertise the conference by including specific details in the incident report publication.
Finbold editor Vini Barbosa saw the hack as an attempt to create buzz and promote the event. He is convinced that such actions damage the long-term reputation and credibility of Near and its account within the ecosystem.
“No further statements from the team can be taken seriously. […] Near’s Discord was indeed hacked recently. People lost real money. […] We are all dealing with serious matters here,” he lamented.
Back in March, the project team introduced Chain Signatures. This solution allows access to multiple networks through a single account on the NEAR blockchain.