X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, is introducing automatic account suspensions for users posting about cryptocurrency for the first time. The system temporarily locks accounts and requires additional verification to confirm legitimate ownership before allowing further activity, which is intended to curb the rising number of crypto scams.
Head of Product Nikita Bier detailed the measure directly on X. He said the initiative primarily targets phishing and account takeover attacks, where hijacked accounts are exploited to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. Bier stated,
“This should kill 99% of the incentive, especially since Google isn’t doing shit to stop the phishing emails.”
Exploitation of user accounts
Recent incidents highlight the urgency for such measures. One user reported being locked out after responding to an email claiming copyright infringement. The message directed them to a counterfeit login page designed to collect usernames, passwords, and two-factor authentication codes. After taking over the account, the attackers exploited the profile's popularity and trust to promote phony cryptocurrency projects and tokens.
Yeah - I got phished. 🎣
— Benjamin (@HelloBenWhite) April 1, 2026
You can listen to exactly what happened here, or read the article below.
Shout out to the @premium support team (@nikitabier - this needs more exposure).
BE SAFE EVERYONE. https://t.co/u6cMy8Dirq pic.twitter.com/HwZZvaTuc5
Compromised accounts often promote meme coins, bogus airdrops, or cryptocurrency doubling scams. The legitimacy of the hijacked accounts significantly increases the likelihood that followers will fall for these schemes. Because cryptocurrency transfers cannot be reversed once confirmed, victims cannot recover funds sent to scam addresses, making social engineering attacks particularly lucrative.
Lessons from past breaches
X has a history of high-profile crypto scams. The 2020 Twitter hack involved cybercriminals accessing verified accounts, including those of Elon Musk and Barack Obama, to promote a fraudulent Bitcoin giveaway. The scam netted over $100,000 before authorities intervened, and the perpetrator received a five-year prison sentence. These incidents have influenced X’s approach to account security, which prioritizes early intervention to reduce the value of hijacked accounts to attackers.
Broader security measures
X has implemented a series of measures to combat spam and fraudulent activity. These include stricter API limits, bot removal campaigns, and advanced pattern recognition to flag suspicious behavior. In late 2025, the platform dismantled a bribery network linked to crypto scam operations. Users banned for scams attempted to pay intermediaries to regain access to accounts previously used for high-risk token promotions.
The new auto-suspension feature builds on this broader security push. Accounts posting about cryptocurrency for the first time will trigger an automatic lock until verification confirms ownership. Bier made clear that legitimate crypto discussions remain welcome, but schemes that “create incentives to spam, raid, and harass” are targeted by the new system.
Verification and phishing concerns
Bier also criticized Gmail’s phishing protections, arguing that insufficient email filters contribute to account compromise. Stronger defenses against deceptive messages could complement X’s on-platform safeguards by reducing one of the primary attack vectors for credential theft.
The feature will initially focus on new crypto posts, especially from accounts with a large following. Bier noted on Tuesday:
“If you have more than 10K followers and you drop a meme coin without any prior connection to crypto, it is always a hack.”
The system aims to prevent hijacked profiles from amplifying scams while preserving space for legitimate cryptocurrency conversation.
Ongoing development and expectations
X has not yet provided a precise launch date for the auto-suspension system. Institutions, influencers, and casual users can expect a gradual rollout, accompanied by verification steps for first-time crypto posts. The initiative reflects X’s commitment to reducing account takeover risks and limiting fraudulent crypto activity while balancing the need for open discussion about digital assets.
By intervening at the source of crypto scams, X hopes to make hijacked accounts less valuable to attackers. The platform is pairing this policy with broader security improvements to safeguard users while maintaining functionality for legitimate content creators and crypto enthusiasts.
Gunel Ismayilova
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