Input Output (IOG), the company behind Cardano development, has warned users to avoid its YouTube channel after it streamed a suspected AI-manipulated video featuring Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson.
The livestream, which was reportedly presented as a Project Catalyst town hall, promoted a cryptocurrency giveaway and urged viewers to scan a QR code with the promise of “double your wealth.” Project Catalyst is Cardano’s decentralized innovation fund and grant program.
The broadcast remained live for nearly two hours on Friday before the warning was issued. IOG said users should not interact with the channel while the incident is investigated.
“Please take care from interacting with the IO Group YouTube channel till extra look for,” the company said in a warning posted to its official X account.
IOG also advised users not to click links shared through the channel, send funds or provide personal information. The incident is consistent with a broader pattern of hijacked social media and video accounts being used to promote fraudulent crypto giveaways, often with manipulated or impersonated videos of prominent industry figures.
