60% of crypto press releases hide risks! Research uncovers the gray propaganda chain—how can investors avoid pitfalls?

A recent study has sounded the alarm for the crypto industry. Blockchain data company Chainstory released a report stating that over 60% of cryptocurrency press releases are related to high-risk or scam projects. These are being spread through “press release distribution networks” across numerous websites, creating a false impression of project “legitimacy and compliance.”

The research team reviewed 2,893 press releases published between June and November 2025 and found that most originated from projects with obvious risk signals, including anonymous teams, exaggerated and unrealistic promises, copied website structures, and marketing language with intimidation tactics. Some projects were also confirmed to have addresses that highly overlap with blacklists and scam alert systems, essentially constituting fraudulent activity.

The report points out that a “paid display chain” has formed between crypto press release platforms and websites. Project teams pay fees, and distribution agencies push the content to dozens of sites lacking review mechanisms. These sites then display the content as “news,” often without clear labeling as advertisements. To ordinary readers, such content appears to be genuine reporting, but there are no journalistic investigations or fact verification.

Data shows that only about 2% of press releases involve truly valuable business events, such as funding or mergers and acquisitions. The rest are mostly marketing announcements, token sales, or so-called “upcoming” updates. Researchers bluntly state that if you happen to see a crypto press release on a website, there is more than a 50% chance that the project’s credibility behind it is questionable.

The report also mentions that scammers have impersonated well-known stablecoin issuer Circle Internet to publish fake press releases, promoting phishing platforms and attempting to steal user assets. Although these were later exposed by the media, they had already spread across multiple websites.

Chainstory believes that this “freeloading-style dissemination” is blurring the line between news and advertising and is giving high-risk projects a veneer of legitimacy. As regulations tighten gradually in 2026, industry insiders are calling for more transparent labeling and review mechanisms to help investors identify truly trustworthy sources of information. (CoinDesk)