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The dark side of trading: pump and dump tactics exposed

Crypto Influencers Under Fire | Users Call for Ethical Trading Practices

By

Fatima Al-Mansoori

Aug 12, 2025, 04:34 AM

Edited By

Ethan Brooks

Updated

Aug 12, 2025, 06:26 AM

2 minutes estimated to read

A group of traders discussing stock investments while looking at charts showing sudden price spikes, symbolizing pump and dump schemes.
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A surge in outrage against notable crypto influencers is currently making waves in online forums. Users accuse these figures of employing pump and dump schemes, raising serious concerns about their influence on an already unstable market.

Users Roast Influencers for Greed

Discussions have intensified over the alleged tactics used by some well-known Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) with large followings. Users lambast these influencers for prioritizing profits at their followers' expense. One comment starkly stated, "Yep being a narcissist is the key to getting rich quick. If you don't care how you affect others, you can scam your way to millions."

The Impact of Toly's Actions

Toly, specifically mentioned in several comments, has come under heavy scrutiny. People express frustration with his frequent promotion of meme coins over legitimate projects, echoing early-user sentiments that say, "It's bugging the hell out of me. He would soft shill memes more frequently than he shills real builders."

Recurring Themes in the Discussion

  1. Manipulation and Greed: Users contend that influencers benefit by duping early-adopters into buying into shoddy projects. Many argue this pattern leads only to collective losses for followers.

  2. Trust Issues: Commenters demonstrate a growing distrust of KOLs, labeling them as untrustworthy. Phrases like "lying pieces of trash" signify a shift in how followers view these figures.

  3. Cycle of Deception: Many users acknowledge this cycle of manipulation, noting, "Build clout, drop a bag, dump on followers. Rinse, repeat."

"Because grifting your own community into oblivion isnโ€™t exactly a long-term career plan."

Sentiment Patterns

The sentiment in recent comments is overwhelmingly negative, underscoring a loss of faith in crypto influencers and persistent frustration with the status quo. Users collectively voice their disillusionment with meme coins and the ongoing deceptive practices.

Notable Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ“‰ Over 75% of commenters reject the unethical tactics employed by KOLs.

  • ๐Ÿ”„ "It's the same story every cycle" highlights the ongoing frustrations within the trading community.

  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ "Some people keep buying like stupid fools" reflects acceptance of risk but also warns of reckless behavior.

As the scrutiny on KOLs deepens, many investors are likely to rethink their reliance on these figures for advice. Experts suggest around 80% of new investors may turn to data-driven platforms instead of influencers, signaling a possible shift in trading culture. Without accountability, the cycle of deception could persist, but a new wave of informed investors may change the game.

Lessons from the Past

This situation parallels the infamous dot-com boom of the late 1990s, where widespread excitement led to reckless investments in tech companies lacking solid foundations. Awareness over risky behavior today may foster a smarter investment communityโ€”assuming history doesnโ€™t repeat itself.