Scammers hacked NBA and Nascar’s X accounts, spreading fake crypto launch claims.
Scammers hacked the official X accounts of the NBA and Nascar on March 4th, 2025, spreading false claims about cryptocurrency launches.
Malicious posts appeared on the NBA’s main and country-specific channels, as well as Nascar’s key competition accounts, including the Nascar Cup. The posts falsely announced the launch of the non-existent $NBA and $Nascar coins on the Solana blockchain, accompanied by a fake press release.
One post claimed, “The NBA is taking the game to the next level. Introducing $NBA Coin – our official digital asset on Solana to boost fan engagement and the future of sports transactions,” along with a link to a contract address.
Despite the NBA’s efforts to delete the posts, scammers managed to repost the message several times before it was fully resolved.
Official NBA accounts were hacked, NBA PR confirms to @FOS. Sorry, no NBA Coin on Solana coming. pic.twitter.com/r45fSFkbV7
— Daniel Roberts (@readDanwrite) March 4, 2025
Growing Trend of Scams Targeting Prominent Figures
These hacks are part of a larger trend targeting prominent individuals and organizations, with scammers attempting to leverage their reputation to trick users and investors into purchasing fake crypto assets.
Recently, a fake X account impersonating the Moroccan Head of Government was used to promote a non-existent cryptocurrency, further highlighting the rise in fraudulent schemes exploiting influential figures.
NBA’s Past Involvement in Cryptocurrency
The NBA has explored the cryptocurrency space through initiatives like the 2021 launch of NBA Top Shot, a blockchain-based digital collectible. Some teams have also started accepting cryptocurrency for in-arena transactions.
However, there is no NBA Coin or any official plans for one, and the league will likely shift its focus from cryptocurrency to strengthening cybersecurity measures to prevent similar hacks in the future.
next