Scams

X is implementing an auto-lock plus verification step for accounts that post about cryptocurrency for the first time, a change discussed publicly on April 1, 2026. The policy is aimed at reducing hijacked-account phishing and token-shilling, but it could also slow viral discovery loops that many memecoin communities rely on.

LastPass US is moving forward with a proposed class action settlement tied to a data breach that occurred between August 2022 and November 2022. The deal includes an $8.2 million fund that may reimburse up to $10,000 per person for documented extraordinary losses, plus smaller amounts for other eligible losses and added monitoring services. Claims must be filed by July 2, 2026, ahead of a July 14, 2026 final approval hearing.

A February 2026 survey by consulting firm Clabo of 1,486 people in Japan found Gen Z is the most alert to crypto-related scams, while many Boomers struggle most with understanding blockchain basics. The study said skepticism is driven by low technical understanding (23.3%), worries about price swings (21.1%), and fear of fraud (19.2%), and it also reported that Millennials lead in actual crypto ownership and investment activity.

A February 2026 survey by consulting firm Clabo of 1,486 people in Japan found Generation Z is the most aware of crypto-related fraud, while older respondents more often struggle to understand blockchain basics. The same dataset shows Millennials are the most likely to hold digital assets, though adoption remains limited overall, with 33.7% currently holding crypto and 50% never having invested.

X is rolling out an "auto-locking and verification" policy that will temporarily lock accounts the first time they post about cryptocurrency and require identity checks before the post can proceed. The change, shared by X Head of Product Nikita Bier via Wu Blockchain on April 2, 2026, is aimed at reducing scams tied to hacked celebrity accounts and newly created scam profiles.

Three crypto market-making executives extradited from Singapore appeared in federal court in Oakland on Monday, as US prosecutors expanded a wash-trading case to 10 foreign nationals tied to four firms. The US Justice Department said the matter traces conduct back to 2018 and alleges coordinated trading used to inflate token prices and volumes; the broader crackdown grew out of an undercover operation unsealed in October 2024.

US authorities unsealed an indictment accusing Maryland resident Jonathan Spalletta of hacking Uranium Finance in April 2021 and stealing more than $54 million across two exploits. Prosecutors allege some of the funds were later used to buy collectibles such as Pokémon cards, antique Roman coins and fabric from the Wright brothers' plane, and say he faces charges that carry up to 30 years in prison.

Canada introduced the proposed Strong and Free Elections Act on March 26, 2026, seeking to amend the Canada Elections Act and limit how federal parties, third parties, candidates, and donors can finance political activity. The draft would block "hard-to-trace" contributions including cryptocurrency, money orders, and prepaid cards, and raise administrative penalties to as much as $25,000 for individuals and $100,000 for organizations.

Canada’s federal government introduced the Strong and Free Elections Act on Thursday, proposing to ban political parties and election-related third parties from accepting donations in cryptocurrency, money orders and prepaid cards. The proposal cites concerns that these payment methods can enable anonymous or difficult-to-trace contributions and could be exploited for foreign interference. The bill also outlines penalties that could reach twice the contributed amount, plus $25,000 for individuals and $100,000 for corporate entities.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office sanctioned Xinbi on March 26, 2026, a Chinese-language crypto guarantee marketplace accused of processing $19.9 billion in illicit crypto flows from 2021 to 2025. The move freezes any UK-linked assets and bans UK banks, crypto firms, and individuals from dealing with the platform, also naming Thet Li, Hu Xiaowei, and Cambodia-based entities tied to the #8 Park scam compound.