ZachXBT Reveals Identity of DJT Token Creator, Expects $150K Reward
The enigma surrounding the popular Trump-themed DJT token on Solana may have been unraveled, as blockchain investigator ZachXBT disclosed that controversial entrepreneur Martin Shkreli has come forward as one of the creators of the project.
In a post on X, ZachXBT shared that Shkreli personally messaged him, claiming to have substantial evidence, including over 1,000 pieces, proving his involvement in co-creating DJT alongside an individual named “Barron,” potentially referring to Barron Trump, the youngest son of Donald Trump.
Shkreli’s revelation follows closely after ZachXBT publicly applied for the $150,000 bounty offered by blockchain data platform Arkham to identify the true creator of DJT.
The DJT token, adorned with images of former U.S. President Donald Trump, gained widespread attention and triggered speculation about its origins.
ZachXBT provided further on-chain evidence that allegedly connects Shkreli to DJT. He pointed out a wallet that held a significant stake in DJT and sold off $832,000 worth of tokens for the USDC stablecoin. Notably, this same wallet also contained tokens from Shkreli’s Shoggoth.ai project.
Before his supposed revelation, Shkreli had asserted that DJT was the official cryptocurrency of the Trump campaign. He even proposed a bet with a pseudonymous crypto expert regarding the authenticity and origin of the token.
The Trump campaign has remained silent on the matter, including Shkreli’s alleged involvement. Shkreli, a former pharmaceutical executive, was convicted of securities fraud in 2017.
The DJT token quickly gained viral traction and sparked speculation on Twitter due to its Trump-themed branding and rumors of a potential connection to the former president’s family.
The intrigue escalated when Arkham Intelligence, a blockchain data platform, announced a $150,000 bounty for anyone who could identify the creator of DJT.
On decentralized betting platforms like Polymarket, nearly $1.9 million worth of bets were placed on whether DJT had a genuine affiliation with Trump or his family members. Prior to Shkreli’s revelation, only 17% of bets favored a “real” connection.
During the frenzy, the price of the DJT token surged over 300%, with trading volume exceeding $472 million, driven by the unverified report of Trump’s involvement. However, within 24 hours, the token’s value plummeted by 66% as the speculation subsided.
In an X Spaces session on June 18, shortly after Arkham’s bounty announcement, Shkreli claimed that he was among approximately ten individuals directly involved in creating DJT, with 40 to 50 others being aware of the project.
According to reports, Shkreli mentioned Barron Trump as one of the key figures, potentially fueling the initial rumors.
ZachXBT, who submitted evidence for Arkham’s bounty, suggested that his submission prompted Shkreli to host the revealing X Spaces session.
Overall, if ZachXBT’s $150,000 bounty claim is verified, it could provide more clarity regarding the creators of DJT.