Input Output Group (IOG) YouTube Channel Hijack – Deepfake Hoskinson Giveaway Scam
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anchored·4J7Yp4…W9LCSummary
On September 18, 2026, unknown attackers hijacked the official YouTube channel of Input Output Group (IOG), the core development company behind the Cardano blockchain, and broadcast an approximately two-hour fraudulent livestream. The broadcast used suspected AI-generated video of IOG founder Charles Hoskinson to impersonate a Project Catalyst town hall and solicit cryptocurrency from viewers via QR code, promising to double any ADA sent. IOG and Hoskinson publicly warned users not to engage with channel content, and IOG confirmed it was working with YouTube to recover the account. This incident was not an attack on the Cardano blockchain or user wallets; it was a social-media account compromise targeting IOG's YouTube presence.
Connected Entities
3 entities · 60 linked investigations- Input Output Group (IOG) YouTube Channel Hijack – Deepfake Hoskinson Giveaway Scam→mentioned with→Cardano(80%)
- Input Output Group (IOG) YouTube Channel Hijack – Deepfake Hoskinson Giveaway Scam→mentioned with→Solana(65%)
- Cardano→mentioned with→Solana(65%)
Connected Through
2 shared actors · 371 investigationsDistinct actors this investigation shares with others — holders, traders, and named parties. Shared infrastructure (exchanges, pools) is excluded.
- □Solanaorganization
- □Cardanoorganization
Timeline(3 events)
8 December 2024
Cardano Foundation's official X account was compromised. Attackers posted a fabricated Solana-based token ($ADASOL) and a false claim that the SEC had filed a lawsuit against the Foundation. The fake token generated over $500,000 in trading volume before the scam was identified.
The Block18 September 2026
Unknown attackers hijacked IOG's official YouTube channel and began broadcasting a fraudulent approximately two-hour livestream featuring suspected AI-generated video of Charles Hoskinson, impersonating a Project Catalyst town hall and soliciting ADA via QR code.
CoinTelegraph18 September 2026
IOG posted a public advisory on X urging all users to avoid interacting with the YouTube channel until further notice, warning against sending funds or clicking links. Charles Hoskinson separately confirmed the breach on X and stated IOG was working with YouTube to remove content and restore channel credentials.
crypto.newsDecision Log
- slot 448080109 · hash JDuwmnAxjd7ywSaUZr5cw3hAHJ2ubSY9ahmeCCXnMQ4B
This investigation is cryptographically anchored to the Solana blockchain (1 decision). 9 of 11 cited source URLs have an Internet Archive snapshot.
model: claude-sonnet-4-6
generated: 9/18/2026, 12:12:33 PM
last updated: 9/18/2026, 12:12:33 PM
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