Base Co-Founder's Hacked X Account Prompts Security Warning After Scam Token Promotion

The cryptocurrency community is grappling with another high-profile social media security breach. Jesse Pollak, co-creator of the Base blockchain, recently confirmed that his X account was compromised and used to promote a fraudulent token called "BASE MEME."

How the Attack Unfolded

Pollak explained that hackers gained access through a third-party application connected to his X account. The attackers then posted a promotional message for the "BASE MEME" token, leveraging Pollak's industry credibility to lure unsuspecting investors.

Community tracking data shows the token saw a brief surge in activity following the unauthorized post. However, after Pollak issued a clarification stating his account had been hacked, the token's value plummeted by over 90%, leaving many investors with significant losses.

Immediate Response and Safety Measures

Upon discovering the breach, Pollak took swift action to contain the situation:

  • Deleted all fraudulent posts from the compromised account
  • Revoked access for all connected third-party applications
  • Regained full control of the account
  • Issued a public warning to the community

In his statement, Pollak urged users to exercise extreme caution when encountering investment advice on social media, even from verified accounts. Key recommendations include:

  • Regularly reviewing and limiting third-party app permissions
  • Cross-referencing unexpected promotional messages through official channels
  • Avoiding impulsive decisions based solely on social media posts

Broader Implications for Crypto Security

This incident highlights persistent vulnerabilities in how crypto projects and personalities communicate with their communities. Social engineering attacks that exploit trusted figures are becoming increasingly sophisticated, putting less experienced investors at particular risk.

Industry observers note that such breaches can erode trust in legitimate projects and create market uncertainty. Moving forward, both projects and users may need to adopt more rigorous verification processes for social media communications, treating unexpected investment promotions with healthy skepticism until confirmed through multiple reliable sources.