X auto-locks first-time crypto posters, adds verification to fight scams
X will auto-lock accounts that mention crypto for the first time and force extra verification. X’s product head Nikita Bier says this should kill most scam incentives.
Bier announced “auto-locking + verification” for first-time crypto posts and claimed it should remove “99% of the incentive” for hijackers. Source: Bier’s post on X (Apr 1, 2026).
The change surfaced after creator Benjamin White detailed a phishing attack via a fake copyright email that led to his account pushing a scam. Source: Benjamin White’s thread (Apr 1, 2026).
Bier clarified that suspensions are decided by X’s policy team and noted the post went up Mar 31. He added that fake X‑trademarked financial scams are “rampant.” Source: Bier’s follow-up (Apr 1, 2026).
Tag‑spam is being blocked. Bier said the “community‑mention spam attack” was stopped “as of yesterday afternoon.” Source: Bier’s reply (Apr 1, 2026).
High‑follower memecoin drops will trigger checks. If an account with over 10k followers, with no prior crypto history, suddenly launches a memecoin, X will treat it as a hack and require ownership verification. Source: Bier’s statement (Apr 2, 2026).
Context for investors:
- X previously exposed a bribery ring where suspended crypto‑scam accounts paid middlemen to try to reinstate them. Source: X Global Government Affairs (Sep 19, 2025).
- The EU fined X €120 million under the Digital Services Act, citing paid blue‑check design that misled users and increased scam risk. Source: European Commission press release.
