Cardano's IOG warns users to avoid YouTube channel after apparent hijack and fake giveaway
Input Output Group warned users to avoid its YouTube channel after it was apparently hijacked and used to stream a fake AI-manipulated Charles Hoskinson crypto giveaway.
Why it matters
The incident is a YouTube account compromise used for a crypto giveaway scam, a fraud pattern Cardano users have reportedly been warned about for years, rather than a flaw in Cardano's protocol or finances.
Key facts
IOG warned users to avoid interacting with its YouTube channel after an apparent hijack.
Reported by Cointelegraph
The livestream was presented as a Project Catalyst town hall and displayed a QR code directing viewers to a payment process.
Reported by Cointelegraph
IOG told users not to click links, send funds or share personal information related to the channel.
Reported by Cointelegraph
Charles Hoskinson posted on X that the IOG YouTube channel 'apparently has been compromised' and said the team was working with YouTube to remove content and reset credentials.
Reported by CryptoPotato
At the time of CryptoPotato's report, IOG's own X account had not yet mentioned the compromise, and the channel's visible uploads still showed only its legitimate recent videos.
Reported by CryptoPotato
What happened
Input Output Group (IOG) urged Cardano users on Sept. 18 to avoid its YouTube channel after it was apparently compromised and began livestreaming what Cointelegraph, Crypto.News, CryptoPotato and TheNewsCrypto all describe as a suspected AI-manipulated video of founder Charles Hoskinson. The stream was framed as a Project Catalyst town hall and used a QR code to push viewers toward a scheme promising to 'double your wealth,' according to all four outlets. IOG posted on X telling users not to click links, send funds or share personal information tied to the channel, and Hoskinson separately posted that the channel 'apparently has been compromised,' saying the team was working with YouTube to remove the content and reset credentials. Cointelegraph reported the livestream ran for nearly two hours. CryptoPotato noted that, at the time of its report, IOG's own X account had not yet mentioned the compromise even though Hoskinson and other Cardano-focused accounts had, and that the channel's visible video list still showed only IOG's legitimate recent uploads. No source confirms that Hoskinson or Project Catalyst authorized the promotion.
How the story developed
- First report
First report by Cointelegraph
Cardano’s IOG warns users to avoid YouTube channel amid apparent hijack
- Update
IOG YouTube channel apparently hijacked and streams fake Hoskinson giveaway
The channel began livestreaming a suspected AI-manipulated video of Hoskinson promoting a crypto giveaway during what was framed as a Project Catalyst town hall.
- Independent corroboration
Independently corroborated by Crypto.News
Cardano’s IOG warns users after YouTube channel hijack
- Official statement
Hoskinson confirms channel compromise on X
Hoskinson said the IOG YouTube channel had apparently been compromised and warned against trusting videos or links on it, adding the team was working with YouTube to remove content and reset credentials.
- Official statement
IOG issues formal warning via official X account
IOG told users to avoid interacting with the channel until further notice and not to click links, send funds or share personal information.
How coverage built up
Independent sources over time, counted the way the consensus panel counts them: a republication of a wire story does not move the line.
- 18 Sept 2026, 04:11 UTC: Cointelegraph — 1 independent source, 1 reports
- 18 Sept 2026, 05:28 UTC: Crypto.News — 2 independent sources, 2 reports
- 18 Sept 2026, 07:32 UTC: CryptoPotato — 3 independent sources, 3 reports
- 18 Sept 2026, 11:30 UTC: TheNewsCrypto — 4 independent sources, 4 reports
Affected entities
Original sources
| Publisher | Report | Role | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cointelegraph Crypto media | Cardano’s IOG warns users to avoid YouTube channel amid apparent hijack | Original | |
| Crypto.News Crypto media | Cardano’s IOG warns users after YouTube channel hijack | Independent | |
| CryptoPotato Crypto media | Cardano Founder Warns IOG YouTube Channel Has Been Compromised | Independent | |
| TheNewsCrypto Crypto media | Cardano Users Warned After IOG YouTube Channel Compromised in Fake Crypto Giveaway Scam | Syndicated |
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