Metallica’s X account hacked to promote crypto token

Tom Mitchelhill7 hours agoMetallica’s X account hacked to promote crypto tokenThe official X account for Metallica was hacked, and exploiters posted about a Solana token dubbed METAL.3636 Total views6 Total sharesListen to article 0:00NewsOwn this piece of crypto historyCollect this article as NFTJoin us on social networksThe official X account for heavy metal band Metallica was hacked, with the exploiters using the breach to promote a Solana token with the ticker METAL.

Metallica’s team appears to have regained control of the account and has deleted all posts mentioning the token.

Metallica’s X account first posted about the token in a June 26 post, claiming it was made in partnership with Ticketmaster. It was launched on the Solana-based token deployer pump.fun. 

Ticketmaster did not make an announcement about the partnership and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Source: Metallica

Posts from Metallica’s account claimed fintech firm MoonPay was involved with the token, which MoonPay president Keith Grossman dismissed in an X post, saying: “MoonPay does NOT support METAL.”

MoonPay later posted on X: “If someone is offering you a METAL token, they are not the master of puppets — they’re the master of scams!” referencing the band’s hit 1986 album and single.Source: Keith Grossman

A series of subsequent posts in an apparent attempt to drum up buyers claimed users could cash in their METAL tokens to redeem exclusive items, including “free concert tickets,” custom gaming consoles and merchandise.

One post even claimed the token would have staking rewards.Metallica’s X account claimed the METAL token could be used to access custom gaming consoles. Source: Metallica

The total value of the METAL token reached a brief peak of $3.37 million roughly 20 minutes after it was launched, according to Dexscreener data.

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The value of the METAL token has since plummeted, falling to a total market capitalization of $90,000 less than three hours after it hit its peak.METAL’s price has sunk over 97% from its peak. Source: DEX Screener

Its price has also sunk nearly 100% from its high, which it hit shortly after Metallica’s account shared the token.

It’s unclear how Metallica’s account was breached. The band and its management team could not be immediately contacted for comment.

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Update June 26, 3:20 am UTC: This article has been updated to amend the headline and add information from MoonPay.# Blockchain# Cryptocurrencies# Business# Music# Hackers# Scams# Hacks# Solana# MemecoinAdd reaction