Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has released a new thread targeting crypto project LAB (LABtrade_), alleging severe insider manipulation. According to the report, more than 95% of LAB's token supply remains under insider control. The team unilaterally extended vesting for public sale participants from 3 months to 9 months and withheld marketing payments for months, with email screenshots attached as evidence.
High-Interest Loans via Shell Company, OTC Dumps at 80% Discount
The investigation further reveals that the founders used a BVI shell company signed by Vova Sadkov to offer private loans at a staggering 7.5% monthly interest. Defaults would be repaid in LAB tokens at market price, with loan wallets eventually funneling funds to Vova's personal Bybit and Gate accounts. Co-founder Mark was caught on Telegram seeking OTC buyers, offering discounts of 60% and recently 80% (i.e., 20% of market price) to specific KOLs in exchange for positive social media posts. This creates a hidden unlock that allows KOLs to dump tokens while retail investors remain unaware.
Possible Chinese Market Maker Involvement; ZachXBT Warns Against Shorting
ZachXBT also notes connections between LAB's multisig signers and the earlier RIVER manipulation case. Insiders recently deposited hundreds of millions of LAB into Bitget and then withdrew nearly 100 million tokens (worth ~$482 million), echoing the pump-and-dump patterns seen in RIVER and RAVE. He suspects a Chinese market maker is behind the scheme. Crucially, ZachXBT warns retail traders not to short LAB given the extreme concentration of supply; insiders could easily trigger a short squeeze, using shorts as fuel for further upside. He urges exchanges like Bitget, Binance, and Gate to freeze insider profits or delist the token, and offers a $10,000 bounty for additional information.